What stereo to fit?

Post by **MrDenis** » 19 Jun 2006, 10:53

Hi there, fairly new around these parts so I hope I'm posting in the right place.

I've recently purchased a camper and its stereo appears to be knackered or locked out or both. I want to buy a second hand unit and I've seen cheap VW Gamma radios on ebbay - will they fit, are they any good and does anybody know the power output on them?

Cheers

Post by **Horza** » 19 Jun 2006, 12:11

Will it fit?

Yes. Anything will fit given enought time and effort, the question is will it be easy to fit, given that you have one to come out and you're not buying anything exotic I would say also yes.

Are they any good?

Nope. (obviously my opinion only but I stand by it)

anybody know the power output on them?

Not me but I'm sure it isn't much. Are Bling amps what you are looking for though? Possibly better to get something capable of producing some quality?

If you're not arsed about all the new features and whatnot then look for something non cutting edge and get it cheap. I got a decent head unit that doesn't do all this MP3 stuff, so I got a very good price.

Post by **tonytech** » 19 Jun 2006, 12:15

The hole in the dash for a stereo is a bit shallow. There are lots of pipes and wires to shove out of the way.
Get a right angle aerial adaptor to improve things.
If you can get the measurement of a prospective unit and compare with what you have.

Post by **MrDenis** » 19 Jun 2006, 12:28

Horza wrote: Not me but I'm sure it isn't much. Are Bling amps what you are looking for though? Possibly better to get something capable of producing some quality?

If you're not arsed about all the new features and whatnot then look for something non cutting edge and get it cheap. I got a decent head unit that doesn't do all this MP3 stuff, so I got a very good price.

May I ask what you got and what you think is a good price?

Post by **R0B** » 19 Jun 2006, 14:06

http://www.aldi-stores.co.uk/..well worth 50 squid

Post by **Horza** » 19 Jun 2006, 14:25

I got a Sony (make up your own numbers coz I forget) brand new with free fitting and a garantee for about £50 as the new MP3 playing ones had come out and the shop wanted rid.

Given my time over I would probably have got what Rob linked above and fitted it myself. But perhaps not because I'm a brand snob.

Like Tony said, length is important but not that bad, a standard depth unit will fit fine, it's these fancy dandy long ones you want to steer clear of as unlike other cars you can't move the obstruction behind the dash if it wont go all the way in. There are adapters that cover the bit that sticks out the front though.

What are you doing for speakers?

Post by **MrDenis** » 19 Jun 2006, 15:04

Horza wrote: What are you doing for speakers?

There's currently 4 6" Pioneers that I've yet to hear so not sure whether I need to upgrade or not - do you have any recommendations if I do?

I'm thinking of getting this

unit as it's got AUX in, remote control and decent output power - 4x52!

Post by **Horza** » 19 Jun 2006, 15:27

Go for it, I just fitted something similar in a classic mini, works a treat and the JBL 6x9s (another going out of stock bargain) under the back seat give a nice sound reproduction though I think they could do with an amp myself.

I'm waiting for Disco Dave and the rest who have strong opinions on this stuff to come along. My position is you can probably afford something that is quite nice if you shop around instead of plumping for something that isn't very good because it seems cheap. As someone said when this came up before though you are never going to have serious sound quality in a car or van, not on a budget anyway but you can expect to get something you can hear above the road noise without clipping and crackling.

Post by **Horza** » 19 Jun 2006, 15:31

In fact it was This one but the from ebay price was much better!!

Post by **Dan Wood** » 19 Jun 2006, 18:40

How about this for a nice cheap solution.

OK, so it looks a bit naff, but if it's anything like the MP3 CD player I got from Lidl last year, it'll sound very good.

Post by **MrDenis** » 19 Jun 2006, 19:17

Dan Wood wrote:How about this for a nice cheap solution.

OK, so it looks a bit naff, but if it's anything like the MP3 CD player I got from Lidl last year, it'll sound very good.

Tempting but I quite fancy the remote control that comes with the Sony

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 19 Jun 2006, 19:41

Not exactly cheap but there are some unbranded japanese MP3, DVD/CD DIVX players on Ebay (£70-£99). Serves a dual purpose as you can then watch DVD films at night (output to an LCD or small colour TV in the back) so they work out good value for money. The other adavantage is that you can store hundreds of music tracks on one DVD - great for those long runs. I bought one - very pleased with it. To be honest, CD and tape are dead now and what you don't need is distractions on the move trying to change a CD or tape. Worth a thought.

Sometime ago I mentioned that there is actually quite a lot of room at the front under the dash, enough to put a reasonable sized pair of speakers under there. Admittedly you can only get in there by removing the dash but it solves a lot of problerms trying to find speakers of any real quality for door panels and suprisingly it has little effect on the quality of the sound if they are angled down. I found a cracking pair on a boot sale that seem to handle anything I throw at them - even the Stanglers with the bass up

Post by **kevtherev** » 19 Jun 2006, 19:44

MrDenis wrote:as it's got AUX in,

Where does it say that? (sorry just enlarged the pic)....
The AUX leads for sony are £28 odd quid.

I have been searching for a sub £100 head unit too. With remote and RCA AUX as the leads are cheaper and longer!
We intend to run the DVD through it with 6X9 two way (rear) and 6" two way (front)
Found this but not available yet

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 20 Jun 2006, 07:05

price comparison websites can be useful too. i got some 6x9 3way sony door speakers, old stock etc.

Post by **MrDenis** » 20 Jun 2006, 08:57

CovKid wrote:Not exactly cheap but there are some unbranded japanese MP3, DVD/CD DIVX players on Ebay (£70-£99). Serves a dual purpose as you can then watch DVD films at night (output to an LCD or small colour TV in the back) so they work out good value for money. The other adavantage is that you can store hundreds of music tracks on one DVD - great for those long runs. I bought one - very pleased with it. To be honest, CD and tape are dead now and what you don't need is distractions on the move trying to change a CD or tape. Worth a thought

Great idea

- saves all the hassles of wiring up an iPod and then trying to operate it on the move - and one less thing to worry about getting nicked. Just found thison ebbay for about £60 - might give it a go!

kevtherev wrote:The AUX leads for sony are £28 odd quid.

A mini-jack into the front AUX of the Sony could cost you less than a quid. Wiring an iPod into the back with head-unit control considerably more.