beko1987 Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 The meriva needed a switched live run from the fag lighter when I fitted the jvc and binned the cd30. I think the can bus sorted the on and off bits out... I think... Needed some wire running anyway
cros Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 My £12 including postage from china device is still working after a couple of weeks. I wasn't even going to fit it as it made nasty clicking noises when I tried it out of a car hooked up to a pair of half decent JBLs but it behaves itself driving 2 tiny 9 quid a pair speakers. Judging by other comments I think that's all the puny amplifier can manage. The chip that does tuning is probably the same as you'd get in more expensive stuff. Mine has horrible meaningless coloured flashing bar graphs . So it does work but is crap.
brickwall Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 I got mine from ebay. It was fine and every day from now is a bonus. Instructions were in Chinese and possibly Serbo-Croat. dave21478 1
dave21478 Posted March 25, 2015 Author Posted March 25, 2015 I was in Le CashConverters today and spied this wee Phillips unit.... Its a "mechless" unit so about half the usual mounting depth, and takes a USB stick which is all I wanted. It also does i-things and bluewhatever and probably other things all of which confuse me. It looks relatively sober too..... I havent fitted it yet so hopefully it doesnt light up neon pink with flashing green and yellow buttons. Normally I would just snip the non-standard plugs off the Escort and wire it up with crimps, but a proper adapter is only £3 delivered from ebay so its hardly worth the effort of bodging it, plus I need to buy an adapter panel to reduce the hole as the Escort had one of those massive double-din cassette things.
cros Posted March 25, 2015 Posted March 25, 2015 Warning. Just noticed how much current this thing draws just to keep its memory. Also current draw seems to fluctuate, is it doing lots of thinking on my electricity? I don't trust it all will disconnect battery until i can get something proper.
beko1987 Posted March 26, 2015 Posted March 26, 2015 Jesus that's a massive pen drive! I bought a 64gb one for nearly the cost of the head unit again (SanDisk though) and it barely sticks out, just has enough to pull it out though, which I haven't done since putting it in with 22gb of tuunez on
cros Posted June 11, 2015 Posted June 11, 2015 Just fitted this finely crafted 'amplifier' which at £10 inc. p&p is perfect to put into your radio hole. No memory (like me) so it shouldn't flatten the battery like previous £12 model did if you didn't use the car for a week. Plenty good enough for the pair of speakers that live above it, its even got a simple tuner that I won't be bothering with. USB stick, card and aux inputs work fine. I'll just have to keep a rag stuffed over the thing to hide the lights that flash randomly all the time it's switched on. Inspector Morose, loserone and beko1987 3
Tamworthbay Posted June 11, 2015 Posted June 11, 2015 Just fitted this finely crafted 'amplifier' which at £10 inc. p&p is perfect to put into your radio hole. No memory (like me) so it shouldn't flatten the battery like previous £12 model did if you didn't use the car for a week. Plenty good enough for the pair of speakers that live above it, its even got a simple tuner that I won't be bothering with. USB stick, card and aux inputs work fine. I'll just have to keep a rag stuffed over the thing to hide the lights that flash randomly all the time it's switched on. where did you get it?
Station Posted June 11, 2015 Posted June 11, 2015 My Beat stereo has horrid plastic buttons that creak when you press them, and sometimes a button operates another function. It switches itself on now and then, I could hear music for about two weeks outside my house and realised it was coming from my car. I only really like old stereos with aux in sockets. cros 1
catsinthewelder Posted June 11, 2015 Posted June 11, 2015 In a moment of stupidity I put a cheap mech-less headunit in the Disco as it's old CD player wouldn't sit flush to the centre console. The sound quality is fine when it's on USB (connected to Ms C's phone) and when the radio occasionally has signal but that is a rare thing which is made worse by the really horrible noises it makes whenever the signal is less than perfect. None of my music is stored on memory sticks but this evening I've given up and bought a 64GB mini stick to put all my CD's onto. They've been in the loft for years so it's time to get rid of them and force myself to embrace the 21st century. I'm keeping my tapes though.
HH-R Posted June 11, 2015 Posted June 11, 2015 I put a Sony head unit in (that cost a colleague a fortune then he gave it to me gratis when he flogged his car, win) that has line in, MP3 etc but just find it too faffy. Used it once or twice but end up just listening to Radio 2 or the same CD over and over if the Stereophonics/Pharrell Williams/anything released after 1997 comes on. The Sony unit is a bit OMG BANGIN BASS, I've had to turn it down as far as it will go on the custom equaliser because the speakers in the Kia are crap. They might end up getting flung because they just sound awful! The Fiats had factory fit Blaupunkt units (and presumably speakers too) that sounded GR8, far better than a car of that cheapness should have probably had. Thought about putting the old Rover tape deck I have in because it's a pain in the arse taking the front off 20 times a day, no one will want to steal a 1990s Philips tape deck.
nacho man Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 I have a cheap Sendai CD player if anyone wants it. £15 posted
beko1987 Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 I was wondering why half the music on my pen drive in the £35 headunit were missing. Reading the instructions it says 8gb max device... Ah so the 32gb stick in there now 3/4 full wont be doing much... Will do some music shuffling, and may get an 8gb sd card to double the available space!
cros Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 where did you get it?http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Power-Mini-HiFi-Audio-Stereo-AMP-Amplifier-2CH-200W-For-ipod-Car-Home-MP3-FM/391012209686?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Dad9da665dfcd4809bb768da78ed812a7%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D311352126452&rt=nc This is one like it. Forgot to say that you get a remote control too. I've bought a lot of cheap stuff direct from China- plumbing fittings and cheap bits and pieces and never had a problem yet. Only takes about a week to arrive on average. Tamworthbay 1
cros Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 My Beat stereo has horrid plastic buttons that creak when you press them, and sometimes a button operates another function. It switches itself on now and then, I could hear music for about two weeks outside my house and realised it was coming from my car. I only really like old stereos with aux in sockets.I would much prefer a proper old radio with an aux socket too, but for some reason the Wolseley that this is in has a non standard narrow slot, so the chances of finding the right unit are non-existant. It would be easy to saw a bigger hole though. I had an old rover with a 'Beat' in it- truly horrible, but it worked.
robinmasters Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 http://www.halfords.com/technology/clearance/all-clearance/sony-cdx-g1000u-car-stereo Sony with USB and AUX in, £30. You can pretend it hasn't got a CD. I got a Sony CD-free one when they were on offer for £40. It's GR9. Powerful enough to drive the big speakers in the volvo, and I've had Sonys before so all the buttons are where they're supposed to be.
forddeliveryboy Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 http://www.halfords.com/technology/clearance/all-clearance/sony-cdx-g1000u-car-stereo Sony with USB and AUX in, £30. You can pretend it hasn't got a CD. I got a Sony CD-free one when they were on offer for £40. It's GR9. Powerful enough to drive the big speakers in the volvo, and I've had Sonys before so all the buttons are where they're supposed to be. I can't work out if there's a wireless in there somewhere, or not. If so, is there any LW for TMS? The "Digital Clarity Tuner expands stereo reception area" bit - does this mean there's a radio in there somewhere or does it refer to the way it tunes through your mobile's FM receiver, via Blueteeth?
Matt Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 http://www.halfords.com/technology/clearance/all-clearance/sony-cdx-g1000u-car-stereo Sony with USB and AUX in, £30. You can pretend it hasn't got a CD. That carbon fibre* detail though. Seriously, are the majority of the designers of these things stuck in 2001 and think the body kitted Saxo brigade is still around or something? Maybe it's just me but I think pretty much all after market head units look awful. Other than the McIntosh MX406 that is but they're a weird size and came in Ford GT's so are probably worth a fortune. Vince70 1
Vince70 Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 I won't buy those very cheap unbranded head units anymore as I find that six months down the line the things pack up... And the halfords specials such as the JVC and Sony efforts are not much better and my last Sony one lasted just over a year before it started playing up but I guess that's the problem generally with most electric items these days as when you only pay £50 for a stereo that once cost over £300 corners must be cut somewhere and I think that 99.9 stereos are built in China anyway.. Also if your using an old iPhone or iPod you have to be careful what you buy as the stereos won't always be fully compatible so generally you have to go a couple of models up in the manufacturers line up. I prefer using a decent original manufacturers cassette unit and then using a cassette adapter or one of those wires which tricks the cd multi changer socket into becoming an aux port for an iPod... And this is what I'm doing in the Audi and the stereo sounds fantastic... In my Z3 I've got a lovely looking Kenwood Mask single slot CD player which someone had fitted when the car was new back in the mid 90s so I've been using a couple of good make FM transmitter leads for my iPod but the reception is very poor so now I've got to replace it with something else.... So I decided to go for this ....http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=391163942349&globalID=EBAY-GB The only problem is that good old Blaupunkt I think has gone down the same road as all the other manufacturers in quality so I doubt it will last as long as my old Blaupunkt Toronto from the late 80s but at least I can keep my eye on the road rather than the stereo and if it packs up in a years time then I will be on the look out for an original manufacturer cassette unit to replace it plus cassette adapter.. I might even try to go all Bluetooth and program the phone too it but really I want a Nokia Cradle and 3210 for that authentic 90s look.
Christine Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 I won't buy those very cheap unbranded head units anymore as I find that six months down the line the things pack up... And the halfords specials such as the JVC and Sony efforts are not much better and my last Sony one lasted just over a year before it started playing up but I guess that's the problem generally with most electric items these days as when you only pay £50 for a stereo that once cost over £300 corners must be cut somewhere and I think that 99.9 stereos are built in China anyway.. Also if your using an old iPhone or iPod you have to be careful what you buy as the stereos won't always be fully compatible so generally you have to go a couple of models up in the manufacturers line up. I prefer using a decent original manufacturers cassette unit and then using a cassette adapter or one of those wires which tricks the cd multi changer socket into becoming an aux port for an iPod... And this is what I'm doing in the Audi and the stereo sounds fantastic... In my Z3 I've got a lovely looking Kenwood Mask single slot CD player which someone had fitted when the car was new back in the mid 90s so I've been using a couple of good make FM transmitter leads for my iPod but the reception is very poor so now I've got to replace it with something else.... So I decided to go for this ....http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=391163942349&globalID=EBAY-GB The only problem is that good old Blaupunkt I think has gone down the same road as all the other manufacturers in quality so I doubt it will last as long as my old Blaupunkt Toronto from the late 80s but at least I can keep my eye on the road rather than the stereo and if it packs up in a years time then I will be on the look out for an original manufacturer cassette unit to replace it plus cassette adapter.. I might even try to go all Bluetooth and program the phone too it but really I want a Nokia Cradle and 3210 for that authentic 90s look.Since that is a Blaupunkt... will that fit straight in my VW T4 ?? My Blaupunkt Beta stopped working, and there's 2 multiplug things, looks too complicated to wire something else in
mat_the_cat Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 Maybe it's just me but I think pretty much all after market head units look awful. Not just you - I'd agree that most look tacky, but I reckon this looks pretty good (from 2003): Photo makes it look a bit bright and blingy, but it's not that garish. cros 1
Lacquer Peel Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 Since that is a Blaupunkt... will that fit straight in my VW T4 ?? My Blaupunkt Beta stopped working, and there's 2 multiplug things, looks too complicated to wire something else in ISO?
Matt Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 Since that is a Blaupunkt... will that fit straight in my VW T4 ?? My Blaupunkt Beta stopped working, and there's 2 multiplug things, looks too complicated to wire something else in If not Halfords will have a selection of adapters. I think most radio connectors in cars are fairly standardised now, my G and K reg Polos needed an adapter but the Swift's wiring loom plugs right into my after market Sony head unit as did the Altos with a cheapo radio I had sitting around.
Christine Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 yes ! just like those ! /\ /\ If i buy a radio in Alfords, will it go in ,like the old one, no faffing about other than plugging it in ? . I know what 'll happen ... extra tenner for this kit , extra tenner for plug adaptors etc . I've never bought a new radio before ..
derskine Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Male-ISO-Radio-Plug-Adapter-Auto-Wiring-Cable-Stereo-/251875039779?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3aa4ec1a23 Cheaper than Halfords connectors.It should work if you already have them though. I think some stereos might have the pins in different locations though.
Lacquer Peel Posted June 13, 2015 Posted June 13, 2015 yes ! just like those ! /\ /\ If i buy a radio in Alfords, will it go in ,like the old one, no faffing about other than plugging it in ? . I know what 'll happen ... extra tenner for this kit , extra tenner for plug adaptors etc . I've never bought a new radio before .. That's the standard fitting for most radios, though I think Sonys and JVCs use a proprietary connector.
Vince70 Posted June 14, 2015 Posted June 14, 2015 It should be just plug and play once you plug the adapter into the ISO leads and stereo if your T4 has the ISO connectors which going by the age of a T4 I would imagine it has. On Some VAG group cars if you just connect the lead though you will lose the permanent live (so it won't store the radio stations on some stereos) so you have to bridge the red and yellow together on the adaptor cable but last time I did that was quite a few years ago on a 1995 Mk3 golf so my memory isn't that clear so don't quote me on that. Also by bridging the two wires together means you have to turn the stereo off manually each time you leave the car as otherwise you will end up with a flat battery..But it's very easy but my stereo won't arrive till tomorrow and normally the adaptor comes in the box but I will tell you tomorrow if it does. But all you basically do is plug the female adapters onto the ISO connectors on the end of the wiring loom (can only go on one way each connector so you can't get it wrong) and the other two connectors in the back of the stereo and Bobs your uncle..I normally put a bit of masking tape around the facia plate beforehand so that I don't scratch the stereo or cars dash getting the old stereo or cage in and out..
Pillock Posted June 14, 2015 Posted June 14, 2015 If you use a proper VAG adaptor wire (which looks like an ISO to ISO cable) it has a little double socket for the power, and it means the stereo still turns off with ignition but there's a permanent live to keep the memory. Vince70 1
UmBongo Posted June 14, 2015 Posted June 14, 2015 ''I cant find the thread now but a while back someone posted about sub £20 ebay Chinese head units.....no cd player, just radio and USB / SD card.Are they any good?'' My pal bought one and within a week it was Peking Ducked.
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