DAB In-Car adapters - Recommendations?

DAB In-Car adapters - Recommendations?

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Discussion

Venom

Original Poster:

1,853 posts

258 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
As per the title really. I've got a 2010 3 series with idrive, but no DAB. Don't really want to get the whole thing replaced, so looking at options for a bolt-on of some description.

Seems the last reviews on here are a couple of years old.

Anything worth considering? I've been looking at Autodab as it integrates with the steering controls, but at £180, wondered whether there's anything out there that works as well for less.

Ninja59

3,691 posts

111 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
Honestly depending on where you live I would be careful my 640's DAB reception is worse than traditional analogue radio (and other BMW's that I have been in seem to have similar issues).

Based on my experience of cruising with Classic Radio - on DAB and FM the reception on DAB is a joke.

Dannbodge

2,160 posts

120 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
I use the Dension DAB+U in my 2009 E90 (with CiC I drive)

Was very easy to install and consisted of changing the aerial amplifier to a DAB compatible one (BMW OEM part), running a cable from that to the boot, then running a USB lead from the boot to the centre console.

As it uses the standard aerial and OEM amplifier, reception is as good as my OHs focus. My only issue is that I'm using the Gen1 which buffers rather than streams, so can get a bit jumpy when it's first switched on. After about 10/15mins it's fine though.

Because it's plugged into the USB, the i drive finds it as an external source and treats the stations like a track listing.


BOBTEE

1,034 posts

163 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
Get a good aerial!

We had it in our Focus which had an external, proper aerial and the reception was great. We then moved to a Kuga and now a Transit which use aerials in the glass, they look much like a heated screen. These aren't as good.

I also used an Alpine add on unit in my works van, the supplied stick on aerial was useless so I upgraded to an external mag mount which was excellent

Craikeybaby

10,369 posts

224 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
I've got an Alpine EZI-DAB Go in my 1 series. The main module sticks in the corner of the windscreen and the screen/controller is wireless, so lives in the centre console.

r11co

6,244 posts

229 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
Dannbodge said:
I use the Dension DAB+U in my 2009 E90 (with CiC I drive)

Was very easy to install and consisted of changing the aerial amplifier to a DAB compatible one (BMW OEM part), running a cable from that to the boot, then running a USB lead from the boot to the centre console.

As it uses the standard aerial and OEM amplifier, reception is as good as my OHs focus.
The reception on your OH's Focus must be dreadful then. I had the exact same set-up as you describe in my 330i (swapping the connection box below the rear screen for one with DAB output, plus Dension USB adapter) and the reception dropped in and out to the point that the system was useless.

I solved the problem by adding a second glass-mount antenna to the front screen and connecting both inputs to the receiver using a T-piece.

The built-in DAB antenna on the rear screen of the E90 is a single horizontal element above the heating elements. Not conducive to good reception in less than perfect signal areas,

Dannbodge

2,160 posts

120 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
r11co said:
The reception on your OH's Focus must be dreadful then. I had the exact same set-up as you describe in my 330i (swapping the connection box below the rear screen for one with DAB output, plus Dension USB adapter) and the reception dropped in and out to the point that the system was useless.

I solved the problem by adding a second glass-mount antenna to the front screen and connecting both inputs to the receiver using a T-piece.

The built-in DAB antenna on the rear screen of the E90 is a single horizontal element above the heating elements. Not conducive to good reception in less than perfect signal areas,
Nope hers gets reception everywhere (bar a couple of weird spots between buildings)

I get reception pretty much everywhere, when I bother having the radio on that is.

bungz

1,960 posts

119 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
Am guessing the best thing will be to get something to keep the head unit OEM like the Autodab will be a decent shout.

However get a good DAB aerial, be it a retro fit OEM or aftermarket, DAB splitters for existing aerials are universally poo and will make you sad.

Shiv_P

2,724 posts

104 months

Friday 1st December 2017
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Does the car have bluetooth?
You could just use internet radio via your mobile through bluetooth streaming?