Looking for a car radio that isn't too flashy..

Looking for a car radio that isn't too flashy..

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Discussion

gwsinc

Original Poster:

317 posts

79 months

Monday 1st July 2019
quotequote all
My new-to-me 993 has an early 2000's stereo installed which is well past its useful life. I'm looking for a single DIN stereo that doesn't have flashing lights or bright colours like most aftermarket models seem to now. My budget doesn't stretch to the official Porsche classic radio, and anyhow I use Waze and a phone mount as my sat nav. I don't need a CD player, but bluetooth music or a memory card slot would be fine.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a subtle but modern radio with hands free Bluetooth for about £100-150?

I had a subtle and fairly good spec Blaupunkt stereo in my S2000 a few years ago, but they're getting hard to come by now.


DKL

4,480 posts

221 months

Monday 1st July 2019
quotequote all
Becker. The pro versions are the bluetooth enabled ones (usually). All single DIN with a basic nav if you want, it works if you need it.
Something like an Indianpolis pro or a cascade pro if you want to stretch the budget. All used though now as they stopped making them.

EVOeng

957 posts

169 months

Monday 1st July 2019
quotequote all
Blaupunkt have a launched the BREMEN SQR 46 DAB although its circa £400.
Another option is the Blaupunkt Stockholm 370DAB which is circa £150.

Stageasam

2 posts

86 months

Monday 1st July 2019
quotequote all
The specialist I use- Lee at Octane (abslutely brilliant)- recommended Continental car stereos- I got one for my 964 & one for my old Merc. They have a range of price points and features starting at under £100 from memory, and kind of period 90s feel.

NAS

2,543 posts

230 months

Monday 1st July 2019
quotequote all
Blaupunkt has been bankrupt for a while now, so the new stuff is Blaupunkt in name only.

I have this:
https://www.clarion.com/de/de/products-personal/au...

Fits in quite well in an early 996 dash, and matches your price and requirements. Not as nicely designed as a Becker but very decent sound, quality and value for money IMHO.

As an alternative (don't know the product, just like the look)

https://www.continental-automotive.com/de-DE/Truck...


Longman66

367 posts

207 months

Monday 1st July 2019
quotequote all
NAS said:
Blaupunkt has been bankrupt for a while now, so the new stuff is Blaupunkt in name only.

I have this:
https://www.clarion.com/de/de/products-personal/au...

Fits in quite well in an early 996 dash, and matches your price and requirements. Not as nicely designed as a Becker but very decent sound, quality and value for money IMHO.

As an alternative (don't know the product, just like the look)

https://www.continental-automotive.com/de-DE/Truck...
The Conti ones are also available branded VDO to match your gauges , and in blue
https://www.vdo.com/special-vehicles/audio-product...
I have the radio and bluetooth streaming/phone one in mine @ £85:00 plus vat ... car is pretty noisy so a £500 unit would be a waste ..
http://www.vdoshop.co.uk/acatalog/TR712UB-BU.html

Edited by Longman66 on Monday 1st July 20:58

https://www.vdo.com/media/182775/vdo_tr712ub-bu_en...

Edited by Longman66 on Monday 1st July 21:02

gwsinc

Original Poster:

317 posts

79 months

Monday 1st July 2019
quotequote all
Thanks all. VDO is the way I’m going to go. They have good reviews and have the period looks I’m after.

I took my existing head unit out tonight, there was a maze of cabling, as well as the aftermarket amp there were 3 separate antennas, 2 GPS trackers and some kind of long-disconnected immobiliser. All now removed, except speaker cables. I also fixed my stuck electric seat and removed the rear wiper. Overall a productive evening!

For the time being though, it’s nice driving it without a radio, that air cooled howl is lovely!


petej

225 posts

206 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2019
quotequote all
An old (discontinued) favorite is a Pioneer deh77mp as it has an element of retro cool. A quick ebay search will show 2 available right now.

dino_jr

347 posts

175 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2019
quotequote all
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Continental-RADIO-USB-M...

I have this in my SC.. old school amber illumination but DAB, Bluetooth, USB etc

gwsinc

Original Poster:

317 posts

79 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2019
quotequote all
dino_jr said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Continental-RADIO-USB-M...

I have this in my SC.. old school amber illumination but DAB, Bluetooth, USB etc
This looks like exactly the same design as the VDO stereo I ordered today. I guess they and Continental are part of the same company.

Edit: Just realised this is said above already!

I tested all my speakers today with an iPod and an old set of headphones with the ends cut off, all working perfectly (very pleased!) so all I need to do when the stereo arrives is wire the existing cables into an ISO connector and I’ll have music and hands free!

Edited by gwsinc on Wednesday 3rd July 07:33

gwsinc

Original Poster:

317 posts

79 months

Friday 5th July 2019
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Radio arrived today from Germany, much sooner than expected. Fitted after a quick visit to Halfords to get some ISO connectors and some crimping connections.

Works perfectly smile


Paynewright

659 posts

76 months

Friday 5th July 2019
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Looks OEM - well done.

I keep researching PCM replacement in my 996.2 to a simple single DIN unit but the more I look the more complicated it seems! Amps, fibre optics, speaker ohm rating - its twisting my swede!

cornershop

2,136 posts

195 months

Friday 5th July 2019
quotequote all
Isn’t there a version with Amber back lighting? Or is the colour switchable?

Paynewright

659 posts

76 months

Friday 5th July 2019
quotequote all
The VDO and Continental units look very similar/same - continental range seems to have more orange backlit versions

InitialDave

11,856 posts

118 months

Friday 5th July 2019
quotequote all
I like the look of that, bookmarking this for future reference, might suit some of my stuff.

gwsinc

Original Poster:

317 posts

79 months

Friday 5th July 2019
quotequote all
Paynewright said:
Looks OEM - well done.

I keep researching PCM replacement in my 996.2 to a simple single DIN unit but the more I look the more complicated it seems! Amps, fibre optics, speaker ohm rating - its twisting my swede!
Thank you. I was pleased when it worked first time, it had previously had aftermarket amps in the boot and it was a right pain to remove:





Nothing a little crimping and deciphering of writing diagrams couldn’t sort.. smile

Longman66

367 posts

207 months

Saturday 6th July 2019
quotequote all
cornershop said:
Isn’t there a version with Amber back lighting? Or is the colour switchable?
The Continental ones are orange and the VDO blue Shirish , other than the lighting and the branding they are the same

NAS

2,543 posts

230 months

Wednesday 10th July 2019
quotequote all
Looks nice! smile

Gio G

2,945 posts

208 months

Wednesday 10th July 2019
quotequote all
Great thread! Been thinking of getting one for our 3.2 Carrera. So the VDO unit does not do an amber coloured back light? As I assume that matches the other instruments?

G

Longman66

367 posts

207 months

Wednesday 10th July 2019
quotequote all
Gio G said:
Great thread! Been thinking of getting one for our 3.2 Carrera. So the VDO unit does not do an amber coloured back light? As I assume that matches the other instruments?

G
No amber on VDO branded ones, only blue , if you want the same radio but amber you need the Conti, 3.2 instruments are lit white.... unless you've changed the bulbs that is....