Quality headunit with DAB and Bluetooth....anyone?

[James B]

Hi folks,

I have searched high and low for a headunit for my brother's birthday and can't seem to find one that will do all he would need of it.

It needs to be Bluetooth so he can use his phone

It needs to have DAB as this is the way forwards (I have it in my Discovery and swear by it)

It would be nice to have iPod integration or at very least the ability to insert SD cards/USB stick etc.


It's to go in a 911 so would prefer that it's not too much of a button-fest with LED's everywhere. That said, if there's only a couple to choose from then i'll take what I can.

Budget-wise i'll spend up to £500 for the right piece of kit.


I have spotted head units that either do DAB well but no Bluetooth or Bluetooth well but no DAB. Most would appear to have aux inputs for ipods etc.


If DAB and Bluetooth is unachievable then I may consider two units (i.e. DAB Headunit and then Parrot kit etc) but this would be a last resort as i'd like to keep things as 'factory' as possible for him.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Cheers

James

[Gizmo!]

Isn't DAB being phased out?

[R11ysf]

They are bloody hard to find. This was the only one that I could find and it's ok. Not as good as the Alpine unit I took out in some respects but as you said when you get a string DAB signal it makes it worthwhile

http://www.online-caraudio.co.uk/shop/cd-mp3-head-...

[James B]

Gismo,
I hope not! It's superb! I think analogue radio is being phased out but not at the speed that was initially mentioned. I hear it'll be 2020 before there are any real changes.


r11syf,
Thanks for that. I'll take a look at that one.

Cheers

James

[Helicopter123]

Gizmo! said:

Isn't DAB being phased out?

No, its FM that's going.

DAB will be standard fit on new cars within a couple of years.

[HellDiver]

Gizmo! said:

Isn't DAB being phased out?

WTF? DAB is all you'll get come the digital switchover in the next few years.

There was talk a few years ago about the UK going to DAB+ at switchover, but they've decided not to as that would make all the older DAB sets useless. France etc are using DAB+, we're sticking with DAB.

Most receivers in the past few years do DAB and DAB+ anyway - all the DAB sets I have are DAB+ compatible.


To the OP - the only decent DAB head unit I found that didn't involve gash flashing lights or a £300 addin box, is the Philips CEM3000+. It's a Halford's only model. I got one about a year ago, replacing a frankly rubbish Alpine 105Ri. It's brilliant, picks up all the DAB stations here in N. Ireland using a crappy windscreen antenna. Does MP3, USB, iPod, and has a CD that'll read both ordinary CDs and a CDROM full of MP3s. Sounds as good as the Alpine did, which really surprised me. Looks OEM-ish too.

For the Bluetooth, I'd still stick with a Parrot 3100 or similar. I've been using Parrot hands-free kits since Bluetooth came out (I got one of the very first Nokia 6310i and an old Parrot 3000 kit back in 2003). Never had a problem with them, even moving between cars several times in their lives.

[HellDiver]

Helicopter123 said:

DAB will be standard fit on new cars within a couple of years.

Standard fit to the new Focus, finally someone's had a bit of sense.

[James B]

HellDiver,

Thanks for that.

I must admit that the two unit option is looking more favourable. I am seeing, however, that the DAB radio will need an external aerial to operate properly which is a shame so i'm looking at what options are availanble for alternatives in the under dash or inside windscreen type aerials.

For anyone looking at DAB this would appear to be a useful website;

http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Add-on_DAB_car_radios...

[Naga]

Can't see DAB lasting long. There is clearly decreasing investment in that area from all major broadcasters in the UK, there are different standards in operation worldwide and ultimately IP radio will win the ticket

http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/jacks-blog-10017212/w...

[HellDiver]

James B said:

I am seeing, however, that the DAB radio will need an external aerial to operate properly which is a shame so i'm looking at what options are availanble for alternatives in the under dash or inside windscreen type aerials.

Mine's running fine off a windscreen aerial. It's a cheap off-eBay one that sticks on, and has a builtin antenna amp. I have no problems with reception unless I'm well in to the depth of the countryside here in N. Ireland, and even FM is fading out in those areas.

My car has a Quickclear screen as well which probably cuts the signal a bit too...