Replace PCM1 in 996
Discussion
Hi all,
Quick introduction from a newbie, my name's Marek and I have a 996 C4 Tip S Cabrio. It has the original PCM1 Sat Nav unit with the upgraded sound and DSP, however the sat nav is useless as the discs cannot be updated and the only way I can connect my iphone is via one of these cassette adaptors (yes believe it or not this has a cassette player too!)
Have read a few reviews on the Sony double din unit with built in TomTom, interested to know if anyone has this installed in their Porsche and it it's worth the money (think they retail for around £900?)
Cheers
Quick introduction from a newbie, my name's Marek and I have a 996 C4 Tip S Cabrio. It has the original PCM1 Sat Nav unit with the upgraded sound and DSP, however the sat nav is useless as the discs cannot be updated and the only way I can connect my iphone is via one of these cassette adaptors (yes believe it or not this has a cassette player too!)
Have read a few reviews on the Sony double din unit with built in TomTom, interested to know if anyone has this installed in their Porsche and it it's worth the money (think they retail for around £900?)
Cheers
Two things here. Yes the maps can be updated. I have 2010 maps but I believe there are also 2011 maps out too. I got mine pretty cheap too.
Also if you have a working CD Changer, you can get a lead to pipe the sound from your iPod/iPhone through the PCM1 (much better quality than a cassette adaptor). The lead is about £20 and can be fitted very easily/quickly yourself.
A friend has the Sony unit with TomTom and it works really well but I would be looking at the Pioneers as I believe they are better. I am particularly interested in the AppRadio which I think is an excellent idea.
HTH
M
Also if you have a working CD Changer, you can get a lead to pipe the sound from your iPod/iPhone through the PCM1 (much better quality than a cassette adaptor). The lead is about £20 and can be fitted very easily/quickly yourself.
A friend has the Sony unit with TomTom and it works really well but I would be looking at the Pioneers as I believe they are better. I am particularly interested in the AppRadio which I think is an excellent idea.
HTH
M
surfymark said:
Also if you have a working CD Changer, you can get a lead to pipe the sound from your iPod/iPhone through the PCM1 (much better quality than a cassette adaptor). The lead is about £20 and can be fitted very easily/quickly yourself.
How do you get the lead from the CD changer (in the front boot) to the cabin?Hi Marek
I have fitted a pioneer and currently have an Alpine S900BT
Not sure if they are better on the double din units, but the sound from Sony units used to be fairly poor compared to the other majot manufacturers.
They were also not as well made.
On mine, the Pioneer (F900BT) was fairly intuitive, and the menus were excellent, along with a decent sat nav and bluetooth. However if fiound that I prefer the sound quality from the Alpine, even though it was slightly more expensive, and you don't get as many menu options.
I have fitted a pioneer and currently have an Alpine S900BT
Not sure if they are better on the double din units, but the sound from Sony units used to be fairly poor compared to the other majot manufacturers.
They were also not as well made.
On mine, the Pioneer (F900BT) was fairly intuitive, and the menus were excellent, along with a decent sat nav and bluetooth. However if fiound that I prefer the sound quality from the Alpine, even though it was slightly more expensive, and you don't get as many menu options.
surfymark said:
Two things here. Yes the maps can be updated. I have 2010 maps but I believe there are also 2011 maps out too. I got mine pretty cheap too.
Investigated that surfymark, but apparently I have the old 8bit Reader, and only the newer 16bit can be upgraded apparently using Vauxhall maps?!Tino said:
Hi Marek
I have fitted a pioneer and currently have an Alpine S900BT
Not sure if they are better on the double din units, but the sound from Sony units used to be fairly poor compared to the other majot manufacturers.
They were also not as well made.
On mine, the Pioneer (F900BT) was fairly intuitive, and the menus were excellent, along with a decent sat nav and bluetooth. However if fiound that I prefer the sound quality from the Alpine, even though it was slightly more expensive, and you don't get as many menu options.
Always had alpine in previous cars, but the thought of TomTom maps made me think the Sony would be a good option? Do you have any of the sound pack or DSP in yours Tino or does that all go to waste?I have fitted a pioneer and currently have an Alpine S900BT
Not sure if they are better on the double din units, but the sound from Sony units used to be fairly poor compared to the other majot manufacturers.
They were also not as well made.
On mine, the Pioneer (F900BT) was fairly intuitive, and the menus were excellent, along with a decent sat nav and bluetooth. However if fiound that I prefer the sound quality from the Alpine, even though it was slightly more expensive, and you don't get as many menu options.
mazza911 said:
Always had alpine in previous cars, but the thought of TomTom maps made me think the Sony would be a good option? Do you have any of the sound pack or DSP in yours Tino or does that all go to waste?
Mine has the Bose sub. This is simply run off a small amp from the sub output of the unit.I did plan on getting a PDX5 amp from alpine, but with 2 kids haven't got much time to fit it for a while.
monthefish said:
How do you get the lead from the CD changer (in the front boot) to the cabin?
The way it is done is that there is actually two leads going from the CD changer in the front to the head unit. One is for control, the other is for the actual sound.You buy a new lead which replaces the sound lead in the back of the head unit and plug your iphone/ipod into that. The head unit still thinks it is controlling the CD Changer but passes the sound from the iphone/ipod.
You still need disks in the CD Changer and you get a slight pause in the sound when it changes disks. You need to control the iphone/ipod from the iphone/ipod.
It works pretty well and is simple to install but only works on a PCM1.
M
mazza911 said:
Investigated that surfymark, but apparently I have the old 8bit Reader, and only the newer 16bit can be upgraded apparently using Vauxhall maps?!
Interesting. I wasn't asked whether I have 8bit or 16bit, mine just worked. Mine is like a special copy of the Porsche maps, not the Vauxhall ones. I can put you in contact with the guy who sorted me out if you like. I think it cost me like £25. Might be worth a go if you want to keep the unit and you could always sell them on eBay if they didn't work.
M
My view is that yes the TomTom is excellent on the Sony units. However the sound will be much better from Pioneer. The control system is also much better on the Pioneers plus my friend's Sony unit with TomTom in has had a few issues with it freezing and rebooting randomly.
I would strongly recommend the Pioneer units over the Sony units but either would be way better than the PCM1!
HTH
M
I would strongly recommend the Pioneer units over the Sony units but either would be way better than the PCM1!
HTH
M
surfymark said:
monthefish said:
How do you get the lead from the CD changer (in the front boot) to the cabin?
The way it is done is that there is actually two leads going from the CD changer in the front to the head unit. One is for control, the other is for the actual sound.You buy a new lead which replaces the sound lead in the back of the head unit and plug your iphone/ipod into that. The head unit still thinks it is controlling the CD Changer but passes the sound from the iphone/ipod.
You still need disks in the CD Changer and you get a slight pause in the sound when it changes disks. You need to control the iphone/ipod from the iphone/ipod.
It works pretty well and is simple to install but only works on a PCM1.
M
Thanks.
Is it an easy job? I'm guessing not if we're talking removal of head unit...
surfymark said:
Interesting. I wasn't asked whether I have 8bit or 16bit, mine just worked. Mine is like a special copy of the Porsche maps, not the Vauxhall ones. I can put you in contact with the guy who sorted me out if you like.
I think it cost me like £25. Might be worth a go if you want to keep the unit and you could always sell them on eBay if they didn't work.
M
Cheers for that, problem is my drive isn't working properly either, keeps coming up error reading cd, hence the reason to just get rid of it all and get something decent. Had a look at an Alpine unit but stupidly expensive! What's the modelI think it cost me like £25. Might be worth a go if you want to keep the unit and you could always sell them on eBay if they didn't work.
M
Number of the pioneer you recommend?
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