New head unit

[david.mt]

Ok....I have almost finished the electric mirror installation and whilst the door panels were off I sneaked in some JL Audio C5-650x speakers. I bolted the crossovers to the bottom of the door (I know they should really be in the cabin but there is not much room and hopefully there will not be too much water in the doors!). I also left the tweeters in the speaker unit for an easy install.

Now I should really replace the headunit - I would like suggestions on two options:

1. Music only - therefore CD/MP3 player, radio and iPod control
2. Multimedia - as above but with DVD and screen/reversing camera etc.

Both need to have a mini remote control.

So what do you have in your car and what do you recommend?

How easy is it to remove the existing headunit and are any special pullers required? I also presume that it is a standard ISO connector?

Thanks

[noblesparky]

Dont know about replacement models but pull the front outer cover off, it just unclips and there are 2 silver lugs at the side which I just wriggled with a pair of long nose pliers and out it slipped (the head unit)...may be worth releasing the panel underneath the parcel shelf (3 screws) as it gives you good access to the rear of the unit

[art411y]

im pretty duff in the ear department but ive installed the alpine cda 9887 and it rocks

[ajg31]

Multimedia, who are you installing it for, you or your passenger? Reverse camera idea, could you actually see the screen properly when its mounted on the wrong side of the car?
When i had the Noble i installed a Pioneer HU (6900 IIRC) that worked will, was cheapish and had USB/IPOD control.
In Aus i have just bought an Asian import Pioneer 7150 (maybe same as 600 series in uk?) and its a nice unit for music. Again USB or IPOD control and std Pioneer settings. Ability for me to hook up an external HDD is the selling point for me (with the hastle of using a usb y cable to provide more power).

[andygtt]

Im intending to replace mine soon with a DAB radio one with ipod controls etc..

whats the requirement, extra volume, bass, functuality?... or maybe some radio reception? lmao

[bernhund]

I do like my music and admit that sometimes I've had to notch the volume up on motorways just to be able to hear it. When I bought mine it already has a fg great 14in base speaker behind the passenger seat. I've had to fade it down! Also 12 cd changer and amp behind the drivers seat. I reckon if I removed it all I could increase my performance figures!

[Biggriff]

Alpine.

[ajg31]

I also remember it being posted that the wiring up to the head unit was pretty dire. Think a few owners rewired the supply feeds. I didn't and had no issues

[david.mt]

Ok....have looked around and as there is no space for storing CD's (or cassettes ) it would seem the right time to go straight for a USB/iPod head unit like the Alpine iDA X305 which looks like a decent replacement at the moment.

Unless there are some better recommendations I will order one this week.

[Biggriff]

Ive got an Alpine ipod jobby. Superb.

[mr-manners]

I went for the Kenwood CD USB direct ipod head unit{with this one you can control the unit via remote control or direct from your ipod],upgraded door speakers and 6 x 9 Pioneer subwoofer behind passenger seat.

Cost me £400 fitted and im very happy with it.

Simon

[david.mt]

Biggriff said:

Ive got an Alpine ipod jobby. Superb.

Did you fit it or was it already installed - my car has the Sony CDX F5550 head unit and Sony connector hard wired so just thinking ahead if I get the Alpine what adapter if any would be required. I presume they should all share the same connector?

[Biggriff]

Think it has an ISO connector already. Mine was fitted and apart from dubious connections not heard anyone say it was difficult.

[andygtt]

david.mt said:

Ok....have looked around and as there is no space for storing CD's (or cassettes ) it would seem the right time to go straight for a USB/iPod head unit like the Alpine iDA X305 which looks like a decent replacement at the moment.

Unless there are some better recommendations I will order one this week.

what about the remote, is it any good?
as we cant reach the stereo Ive decided the quality of the remote controler will be a critical factor in my choice.

[mgbond]

I was looking for a replacement unit so i could attach the Ipod to and USB stick. Most remotes these days are crap (not like the old day remotes).

Anyway I found another Sony that has these features and it also had the Input for the steering column controller.

I think its:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SONY-CDX-GT828U-CAR-CD-MP3-U...

Bondy

[Biggriff]

Remote on the Alpine is also very good

[S26VE P]

i have a version of this JVC. (will confirm model later) http://jvcmobile.co.uk/product.php?pr=152

The remote does everything that can be done on screen also has option of reverse camera. (if you really want one but doubt you could see the 3.5" screen) Keeps the wife happy as she can even watch a film on long journeys.

[mgbond]

Biggriff said:

Remote on the Alpine is also very good

In the old days I used to have the remotes attached to the center of the steering wheel (on other cars) so easy to use by feel rather than looking at it. Ever since then (Alpine included) I have found that you have to point the remote directly at the stereo to get it to work rather than it just pointing in that direction.

I think its just down to the remotes being smaller these days and the batteries can't give it enough power for a long time so compromises were made.

In the Noble its probably worse.

Just IMO

Bondy

[ajg31]

Pioneer DEH P7000
My recommendation. I own the black version with white text. Can play usual Mp3 as well as WMV and AAC. Can plug in a HDD up to 250gb with 15000 files or 500 folders. Decent remote too.

[david.mt]

OK....new head unit arrived this morning and now taken out the old Sony unit but .....the loom is hard wired to the Sony 16 pin connector which clearly does not fit the Alpine head unit. I presume this is normal

Looks like I will be cutting the loom again to hard wire the Alpine in or may even or a proper ISO adapter.