DAB in car stereo,worth having ?

[iva cosworth]

I couldn't find anywhere else to ask this .

I am getting a new old car soon and it has a radio/cassette fitted which has to go.

Is it worth buying a DAB stereo ?

Will i need a different/special aerial to recieve digital stations ?

I also tried the search function without success.

Lastly ,any DAB unit recommendations or ones to avoid

[s2sol]

It's absolutely worth it. You'll need a different antenna. If you're after something relatively cheap. Halfords have a Sonichi SB50 (I think).

I've got one in the van, and it's been fantastic.

[Wuzzle]

I've got a Sony Xplod unit which is seems pretty good.

The signal is a bit patchy, I think this is more down to my choice aerial than anything else.

I'd do a bit of research into the different aerial set ups you can choose.

[WhereamI]

DAB is great so long as you have a good aerial. I used to use a Pure Highway, which was OK but lost reception now and then. Now it's built into my Range Rover and I have no issues with it at all.

[dry664]

The new Pure Highway 300di is worth a look. I have one and am very happy with it and the signal quality is excellent (where I live). Costs around £200 all in from Halfrauds.

[cuprabob]

Couldn't live without it now

[telecat]

Given it's in a car the Poor sound quality isn't that much of an issue. The Patchy reception is one however but providing you can check what it's like where you drive you should be OK. the DAB used in the UK uses "old" tech dating back to the eighties and has been compromised even further by "cramming" in stations to the point that many are mono at peak times during the day. For example Radio 3 is compromised by Radio 4 when they have a concert on that means they want to use more range. As for the commercial stations most use the lowest possible quality they reckon they can get away with.

[Lordbenny]

I've had a Sony x-Plod for about 5 years now. I live within the M25 so most of the time the reception is fine. Tends to disappear in some places (Chipstead Valley) and by the time I hit Gatwick the unit swaps to FM/MW. Still, nice to have Five Live in crystal clear stereo most of the time.

[Fish981]

I've had various Sony, Alpine and JVC units over the last 5 years, all worked fine assuming
the aerial was good enough. Splitters and glass mount jobbies are rubbish, either replace the original roof based one or drill a hole for a new one.

I also wouldn't be without it now.

[sticks090460]

Wife has one in her car, she wouldn't be without it. Never had an issue with signal but we live in London.

[twink]

It came as standard in my Vectra and I wouldn't be without it now. It only loses signal in one place on my run from Lands End (give or take 20 miles) to Chester and that's in the arse end of Cornwall surrounded by trees and hills.

[Stinkfoot]

Got in the cab and I could not live without it. Sport, classic rock, talk radio, 80, 70s you name it

[SMGB]

I got on in the TF, it's great, except I got one of those in line signal splitters as I didnt want another aerial. This means the performance could be better, I still like it though.

[stuartmmcfc]

Best "extra" you could get IMHO.
My car has one fitted as standard.

Interestingly I had to take the aerial off the car yesterday so it could go through the carwash.I forgot to put it back on until earlier and it made no difference in this area.

[iva cosworth]

Thanks for all the useful replies .

I will visit a car audio place next week to choose something suitable

And to LordBenny we live in same locality,interesting to know signal poor down the

road in Chipstead.

[tdm34]

iva cosworth said:

Thanks for all the useful replies .

I will visit a car audio place next week to choose something suitable

And to LordBenny we live in same locality,interesting to know signal poor down the

road in Chipstead.

Check this site out, they seem to know what it's all about....

and I wouldn't be without it, Planet Rock rules...

www.dabonwheels.co.uk

[Lordbenny]

iva cosworth said:

And to LordBenny we live in same locality,

I know, thats why I mentioned it

One other thing....be prepared for a big bill if you get an aerial that can't be removed from a wind screen. The Sony Xplod ones are about £30.

Edited by Lordbenny on Sunday 18th November 16:41

[Fish981]

tdm34 said:

Check this site out, they seem to know what it's all about....

and I wouldn't be without it, Planet Rock rules...

www.dabonwheels.co.uk

I've bought quite a lot of stuff from them, aerials, headunits etc. No problems and their prices are very competitive.

[Matttracker]

I use my iPhone with tune in radio which has hundreds of world wide stations. Through Bluetooth on my stereo, I don't use the actual radio at all any more, even for radio 1 etc.
Might be an option

[80quattro]

The DAB we have in one of our work cars , a Mini Cooper D is factory fitted. It's absolute ste. Takes ages to pick up about the three stations it can find, and IIRC, they are digital versions of FM stations.