Becker Options ?
Discussion
HI, have a 996 with the factory uprated stereo and amp, but do be honest (and much like I have read on the forums) the sound is disappointing and quite inferior to my 10 year old Volvo !
So , having read up on this thread it seems that a Becker Head unit is an option. So, if I may, I would like to solicit advice / guidance on the following :
1. Are all Becker Head Units a direct swap plug and play ?
2. Is it a simple DIY job to swap in/out the head units ?
3. Which Head units are preferable , I not bothered about GPS but would like MP3 etc. I see cascade is liked, but what about Indianapolis, Mexico, traffic ?
4. From that have swapped for a replacement Becker, is the sound that much better even with existing speakers ? trying to establish the cost v benefit / value calculation (level of man maths accepted
Many Thanks in advance
Jeremy
So , having read up on this thread it seems that a Becker Head unit is an option. So, if I may, I would like to solicit advice / guidance on the following :
1. Are all Becker Head Units a direct swap plug and play ?
2. Is it a simple DIY job to swap in/out the head units ?
3. Which Head units are preferable , I not bothered about GPS but would like MP3 etc. I see cascade is liked, but what about Indianapolis, Mexico, traffic ?
4. From that have swapped for a replacement Becker, is the sound that much better even with existing speakers ? trying to establish the cost v benefit / value calculation (level of man maths accepted
Many Thanks in advance
Jeremy
Most come with satnav. They're ok and I think its quite clever to have it in a single din size. I have an Indianapolis in a 944 and that looks very oem. The amp is excellent and it all operates fairly well.
Grand Prix has no satnav. Pro versions have bluetooth too.
I also have a landrover branded traffic pro. This works as well but has fewer out connections - no sub output for instance - and is noticeably slower in operation. I think the "ordinary" traffic pro are rebranded as TP High speed when the software improved.
I have a cascade which is waiting for the right car. This is the best of the bunch, full colour better spec.
Most can be had for under 100 on ebay but make sure you get the code and the nav discs as they can be £30 +. I picked up a slightly used indianopolis on gumtree for £50 so just keep an eye out.There's a chap called Rob Marrs on ebay (and other car fora) who does good discs and knows what you need for which HU.
Cascades are 300+ usually.
I like them, they work well and have quality components, shame you can't get new stuff any more.
They don't have a cage so are easy to remove with the right tools and as far as I can see are a straight swop for each other - I tried the ind where the LR one is and it worked fine. I suppose if you put a lower spec HU in then some bits might not work!
Grand Prix has no satnav. Pro versions have bluetooth too.
I also have a landrover branded traffic pro. This works as well but has fewer out connections - no sub output for instance - and is noticeably slower in operation. I think the "ordinary" traffic pro are rebranded as TP High speed when the software improved.
I have a cascade which is waiting for the right car. This is the best of the bunch, full colour better spec.
Most can be had for under 100 on ebay but make sure you get the code and the nav discs as they can be £30 +. I picked up a slightly used indianopolis on gumtree for £50 so just keep an eye out.There's a chap called Rob Marrs on ebay (and other car fora) who does good discs and knows what you need for which HU.
Cascades are 300+ usually.
I like them, they work well and have quality components, shame you can't get new stuff any more.
They don't have a cage so are easy to remove with the right tools and as far as I can see are a straight swop for each other - I tried the ind where the LR one is and it worked fine. I suppose if you put a lower spec HU in then some bits might not work!
Hi, just to want update as way of a resource for future PH users.
The plugs on the original Porsche 996 wiring loom ( Carrera C2 1998) are a direct fit for an Becker after market stereo (I've installed an Indianapolis, I know it is the same for the Traffic Pro and assume the same for Cascade). So no problem there !
However, you are very likely to find that all works but you do not get any sound. I found the answer on another forum and once you know the issue it is a simple fix.
Basically you have to take pin 6 on socket C1 (yellow plug) and join it to Pin 5 on Socket A. The wire for Pin 6 is black with a brown strip and you need to remove the pin from the plug carefully by pushing the pin out from the front of the plug ( in case you wish to re-install the pin back in the yellow plug for the original Porsche stereo) and nick both the black /brown wire and the white wire which is Pin 5 on socket A and join together. Alternatively I have read that you can just create a jump / bridging wire to join the two.
Make sure you insulate everything once you have joined the wires.
Diagram attached for reference.
The plugs on the original Porsche 996 wiring loom ( Carrera C2 1998) are a direct fit for an Becker after market stereo (I've installed an Indianapolis, I know it is the same for the Traffic Pro and assume the same for Cascade). So no problem there !
However, you are very likely to find that all works but you do not get any sound. I found the answer on another forum and once you know the issue it is a simple fix.
Basically you have to take pin 6 on socket C1 (yellow plug) and join it to Pin 5 on Socket A. The wire for Pin 6 is black with a brown strip and you need to remove the pin from the plug carefully by pushing the pin out from the front of the plug ( in case you wish to re-install the pin back in the yellow plug for the original Porsche stereo) and nick both the black /brown wire and the white wire which is Pin 5 on socket A and join together. Alternatively I have read that you can just create a jump / bridging wire to join the two.
Make sure you insulate everything once you have joined the wires.
Diagram attached for reference.
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