Recommend me a car stereo

Well so far, I've owned a Blaupunkt (waaaay back), a Kenwood, and most recently a Pioneer. I was very happy with my Pioneer, hence why I'm considering them again ... but times moved on since then, so was wondering ... thanks Fizz, I'll PM Viney then

Cheers,
Pete

[Viney]

Hmmm, Kenwood. Never used anything but. Well, for head units that is.

Noen of the big companies units can control an ipod out of the box, and they need an additioanl 'box' to be be plugged in to enable this. As to wheather it controls the ipod form the steering wheel i dont know. Possibly, next track etc basic funtions. When plugging in a IPod controler, you loose the ability to run a changer if that was an option.

However, with an ipod and MP3 capable cd drive, i doubt that you would want to.

The main companies, ie, Alpine, Kenwood and Pioneer all do units like this.

The other option, is what i have. A single DIN unit that has the ability to play MP3 discs, as well as a high quality 24bit cd drive, and an AUX in, which i have an rca-3.5mm jack installed. This then plugs into a stalk mounted charger cradle. The unit is also connected to a 10 Disc changer which also has MP3 capability. Its a little messy, but works fine and save the £100 or so quid for the IPod controller. Mines linked up to a couple of amps, and a fair few speakers as well.

Check out www.caraudiosecurity.com for ranges of units. Kenwood i know also do units that Run USB sticks, and i believe they will run USB powered HDD's and they now run at 160gb so with that and a 80gb pod, how much music do you really want?

Well cheers for all that lovely info Viney

TBH, I was just getting incredibly confused with all the iPod connectivity options around, and how you can control them.

Still researching them LOL

Cheers,
Pete

[Viney]

Can i ask, why would you want to control your I pod anyway. Hit random and off you go. Its what i do.

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/pro...t-stereos.html
Take your pick. Looks like Alpine you just need a lead.

Edit. Looks like the adaptors make the i pod work like a cd changer, so you CAN control them from your steering wheel stalks.

All good.

[timwilky]

My car has a fancy built in radio linked into the display for on board computer/sat nav etc.

So I get the usual, CD that also plays MP3 great. half a dozen albums per cd etc. Traffic information, tells me how far I am from incidents/delays etc. What do I miss. Well the fact that a modern car radio system is not digital.

Originally Posted by Viney

Can i ask, why would you want to control your I pod anyway. Hit random and off you go. Its what i do.

Well at the moment, I don't actually have an iPod ... but with a birthday and Christmas looming

Well I spent a good deal of time actually ripping my entire CD collection into iTunes, and I want the lot of it on my iPod, but I would still like to retain control of my listening ... as there are some (many ) CD's in my collection that you just don't want to listen to too often LOL

Originally Posted by Viney

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/pro...t-stereos.html
Take your pick. Looks like Alpine you just need a lead.

Edit. Looks like the adaptors make the i pod work like a cd changer, so you CAN control them from your steering wheel stalks.

All good.

I found this one on another site, and altho it doesn't quite meet my "must have" list, I may need to re-evaluate WHY I actually need to have the ability to play CDs
I'm seriously tempted by this ... but think I need to look around some more 1st

Originally Posted by timwilky

My car has a fancy built in radio linked into the display for on board computer/sat nav etc.

So I get the usual, CD that also plays MP3 great. half a dozen albums per cd etc. Traffic information, tells me how far I am from incidents/delays etc. What do I miss. Well the fact that a modern car radio system is not digital.

I've never had DAB, so I can't say I miss it.
But TBH, my car radio just doesn't work. PERIOD.
MW is fine, but the FM stuff is bu99ered. I've had someone look at it, and it's definitely not the aerial ... hence the need to replace the unit.
So at the moment ... what I really miss is TA (Traffic Announcements). You really don't realise how much you use something until it's busted and I've been stuck in a few "avoidable" tail-backs recently. So annoying So just to have a car radio that WORKS would be good However if I'm going to have to buy a replacement, then I may as well get one with a few features that I can use for other things

Cheers,
Pete

Get one of these Sony bad boys fitted! Then you will never be concerned about a squeeky seat in your motor ever again!


[URL=http://imageshack.us][/

Go for a pioneer bluetooth headunit. It'll allow you to plug in MP3 players, and ipods with an adaptor. I had to get a wiring loom for my focus to allow me to use the radio control stalks. Had to go to Halfrauds though to get the plug in wiring loom for the focus.

The bluetooth is handy for your mobile phone too as you can play your phone calls through the car speakers, and it comes with a microphone for you to install up the door piller.

I already have a wiring loom from a previous Mondeo/ICE install

However, I am now seriously considering a unit with bluetooth too ... although I'm not actually 100% certain that I would use it that often. Although having said that, perhaps the reason I don't use my phone in the car at present is because I can't be ar$ed digging out my bluetooth headset.

Thanks