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lkc

lkc

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Damn it. I need to get the car stereo in the GP replaced before I drive to Cornwall next month and the two companies I’ve used in the past have either stopped doing audio installation or gone bust. I don’t want much – just a decent head unit that will play wma/mp3s and has a random function. I’d happily lose Blue & Me but would like to keep the steering controls if possible.

So can anyone recommend me somewhere local that would be able to do this (preferably not Halfords) or the worst case scenario tell me what I need and give me an idiots guide to fitting. I’d really rather not do that btw - much as I dislike the factory fitted stereo it is better than none at all.
 
Think to retain the steering wheel controls you need some sort of adaptor between the aftermarket headunit and the buttons on the wheel though I'm sure some head units can be compatible with some car steering wheel controls straight away. Bar that and an adaptor for the headunit recess and it should be a straightforward plug and play job.
 
Martyn said:
Come to peterhead... Michael Findlay does them, I think. Or if you can get the fascia, stereo and cables im sure we could help.
Click to expand...

Ah, he didn't turn up in my google search but then I did only put Aberdeen in. Thanks, will take a look

muppet42 said:
Think to retain the steering wheel controls you need some sort of adaptor between the aftermarket headunit and the buttons on the wheel though I'm sure some head units can be compatible with some car steering wheel controls straight away. Bar that and an adaptor for the headunit recess and it should be a straightforward plug and play job.
Click to expand...

I had a wee look on the FF ice section and that's pretty much what they're saying too about the steering controls. I'm sure a commercial place will know this right? And nothing's ever straightforward with me ;)
 
all stereso need a specific adapter so if you get a sony youll need a sony type adapter for steering controlls so best option is to choose a stereo you like tehn look for the steerin adapter
 
Id personally reccommend the Alpine ida x305s, had it for a year now and still loving it :) Its built for ipod/usb so has a cable running to glove box and ipod is fully controllable with the turnwheel on the actual headunit. The ipod display comes up on the screen and is extremelly easy to use and has shuffle function. Only down point is that it has no cd facility but never found that a problem as all my music is on the ipod anyway x
 
Matthew said:
Id personally reccommend the Alpine ida x305s, had it for a year now and still loving it :) Its built for ipod/usb so has a cable running to glove box and ipod is fully controllable with the turnwheel on the actual headunit. The ipod display comes up on the screen and is extremelly easy to use and has shuffle function. Only down point is that it has no cd facility but never found that a problem as all my music is on the ipod anyway x
Click to expand...

Definitely not for me then but thanks anyway. I'm old school and still like to listen to an original cd on occasion even though all my music is backed up to wma/mp3 :) I've had an alpine stereo in the past though and it was excellent. I'm looking at them again.
 
Where to start :(

No mp3 capability
no ability to play things at random
Even plugging an mp3 player into the usb port is a waste of time. It cancels any random function on your player and as soon as you switch the car off resets to track 1 which means if you only have a 30 minute commute you get the same 5-7 songs. Plus it spends ages searching for a media device even after you've unplugged it and gone back to cds/radio. Frankly it's a pile of crap
 
go for a sony head unit, they always have been and always will be the best and are resanobly priced.

as for speakers, find the GP sizes and get aftermarket ones the same size, go for the highest RMS wattage not PEAK wattage.

you want tweeters up front, mid base in your doors and bass in the rear.

bass doesnt have to be a sub either it can be componant speakers but there not cheap.

tbh some aftermarked speakers and HU will do you well.
 
Guys, speakers are going to have to stay the same for now. I'll probably upgrade them later but for the moment I need to concentrate on sorting out the head unit to something that doesn't **** me off on long journeys. Think I've got it sussed what I need but I'm in the wrong office to spend time posting the details - I'll do it later tonight and you can let me know if I've got it right/wrong and your opinions of my choices then ;)
 
Harper said:
Guys, speakers are going to have to stay the same for now. I'll probably upgrade them later but for the moment I need to concentrate on sorting out the head unit to something that doesn't **** me off on long journeys. Think I've got it sussed what I need but I'm in the wrong office to spend time posting the details - I'll do it later tonight and you can let me know if I've got it right/wrong and your opinions of my choices then ;)
Click to expand...

Ok no probs Katie.
 
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