Discussion
t so ripped it all out.I've not seen a successful implementation in a proper car yet, let alone a plastic one.
When my Griff was in at Forza a couple of years ago they were fitting a (very expensive) DAB radio into a Merc taxi - they spent many hours trying to get decent, reliable reception. I don't think it ever worked properly.
When my Griff was in at Forza a couple of years ago they were fitting a (very expensive) DAB radio into a Merc taxi - they spent many hours trying to get decent, reliable reception. I don't think it ever worked properly.
I have a DAB Sony stereo in both he Cerb and Chimaera. chimaera with windscreen stick on aerial and the Cerb with a shortish magnetwig aerial stuffed under passenger dash. Both installs could be a lot better!
Obviously dont get reception everywhere, but my 65 mile M3 journey is 85 percent OK i Cerb and slightly less in the Chimaera.
Given the generally rubish fm and useless am reception that we all accept as normal I would not be without DAB now.
You have reminded me to sort a better position for my Cerbera antenna and buy a better one for the Chimaera.
I would say check out the area you will be driving in for coverage and if Ok go for it, spend 30 quid on a better aerial than the stick on window ones (antenna work best when vertical and the windscreen is neither vertical, nor tall enough for the stick on Ones). dont expect perfect DAB reception everywhere, but most of the stereos re-tune you automatically to FM if DAB drops out and back again when service is available.
Obviously dont get reception everywhere, but my 65 mile M3 journey is 85 percent OK i Cerb and slightly less in the Chimaera.
Given the generally rubish fm and useless am reception that we all accept as normal I would not be without DAB now.
You have reminded me to sort a better position for my Cerbera antenna and buy a better one for the Chimaera.
I would say check out the area you will be driving in for coverage and if Ok go for it, spend 30 quid on a better aerial than the stick on window ones (antenna work best when vertical and the windscreen is neither vertical, nor tall enough for the stick on Ones). dont expect perfect DAB reception everywhere, but most of the stereos re-tune you automatically to FM if DAB drops out and back again when service is available.
[Quote] dont expect perfect DAB reception everywhere, but most of the stereos re-tune you automatically to FM if DAB drops out and back again when service is available.
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Yes mine did this which drove me even more insane! Going loud to quite to loud to quite. I have never had an issue with fm? I don't overly see the huge advantage of dab 95% of the time, only time I wished I had it is on long trips and I lose kerrang radio, but then that's what CDs are for! I'd check your aerial is connected or maybe try a better one?
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Yes mine did this which drove me even more insane! Going loud to quite to loud to quite. I have never had an issue with fm? I don't overly see the huge advantage of dab 95% of the time, only time I wished I had it is on long trips and I lose kerrang radio, but then that's what CDs are for! I'd check your aerial is connected or maybe try a better one?
The point of DAB is 6Music. Most FM music channels are just irritating (R1), very irritating (all commercial stations with the ocassional exception of Absolute) or tragic (R2). Just my opinion. Though clearly true. And CDs, MP3 players, etc, are fiddly to use when driving so I normally stick to a very long play list I have put together, but it's not ideal.
Interesting that the Tuscan had it as OE, I didn't know that. I wonder how well a DAB antanne would work in the boot of a Chimaera. There'd probably be room to orientate it vertically too, which I think is good, though it would be low.
Interesting that the Tuscan had it as OE, I didn't know that. I wonder how well a DAB antanne would work in the boot of a Chimaera. There'd probably be room to orientate it vertically too, which I think is good, though it would be low.
Check the aerial connection - pull the set out of the dash and fiddle with it. It should still work with the unit out of the dash. If you cannot get it out, use two steel rulers, one down each side, but mind your walnut veneer.
I had just hiss on the radio, and bouncing CD's with my old one, so got a brand new head unit. Great sound on CD, hands free phone worked brilliantly on the built in Parrot, but still just hiss, no stations, on the radio. I took the boot lining to pieces looking for the aerial, found nothing. Posted on Pistonheads and Facebook for help. Then was told it's built into the windscreen. Alex offered to help (terminal boredom recuperating from operation) and we got the new unit out of the dash, tried linking two spare wires, radio worked! Alex then unlinked them.......radio STILL worked! I simply had a bad connection.
If you must try DAB (signal non-existant where I live, 90 miles from London, so watch out for poor coverage), get the installer to test it in the car before you buy, or buy it from somewhere to whom you can return it for a refund....
I had just hiss on the radio, and bouncing CD's with my old one, so got a brand new head unit. Great sound on CD, hands free phone worked brilliantly on the built in Parrot, but still just hiss, no stations, on the radio. I took the boot lining to pieces looking for the aerial, found nothing. Posted on Pistonheads and Facebook for help. Then was told it's built into the windscreen. Alex offered to help (terminal boredom recuperating from operation) and we got the new unit out of the dash, tried linking two spare wires, radio worked! Alex then unlinked them.......radio STILL worked! I simply had a bad connection.
If you must try DAB (signal non-existant where I live, 90 miles from London, so watch out for poor coverage), get the installer to test it in the car before you buy, or buy it from somewhere to whom you can return it for a refund....
I have had a blaupunkt dab54 headunit in my chimaera for last 3 years or so, I am using a glass mount aerial that is still in its packet shoved under the dashboard, works quite well but I have another helical aerial that I have not got round to mounting elsewhere yet, got it from www.dabonwheels.com good range of stuff there, also have a jvc headunit in my fabia vrs wit ha mag mount aerial, reception is far better.
DAB is the only option if you are addicted to planet rock!
Andy
DAB is the only option if you are addicted to planet rock!
Andy
hurststeve said:
Anybody fitted a radio with a DAB tuner in it yet? They are getting cheaper all the time, but I wonder how good reception would be with the OE antenna.
Steve
Mines had a DAB radio in for six or seven years..Steve
...I've never listened to it,
(but do sometimes tune the iPod in)Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff