General What Stereo

[StiloBoy]

Right guys I've got the basic tape head unit in my Stilo, the CD changer packed in years ago and I've finally got fed up of using a battery powered FM modulator.

So has anyone any views on all singing all dancing Head Units? Double DIN or Single, prefer one that either integrates with my iPod or has a SD slot or USB slot. Big screens optional, although I do prefer a knob to twirl when adjusting sound.

But I don't want to pay the earth!

Any pics of install also appreciated.

 

[JayEm]

Depends on how much you want to spend; there's loads of decent ones in the £100-£150 range.

I've got this one:
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpine-cde-9880r.html (Was only £125 before the credit crunch!) Does everything you want and has room for expanding the system if you choose to add an amplifier later one. The USB port and the iPod connection are on the back attached to short leads, which you can hide away in the glovebox so that you don't have wires and thumbdrives sticking out of the dash. You can also change the lights to orange so they match the rest of the illumination in the car.

 

[StiloBoy]

I always thought Alpines looked a bit old fashioned, probably due to the calculator display they normally have. But that one looks pretty nice.

Decided I'm going single DIN rather than Double DIN. So its on the list. Any others?

Anyone tried a cheapola chinese one with a screen? Bad choice? I mean I don't ask for much, just ipod or SD/USB input really.

 

[sunbeamsupreme]

Go for the Clarion double din unit it does everything you want it to do and it really suits the stilo

 

[StiloBoy]

At what sort of price though?

 

[12[X]]

tape adapter (this is a tape emulator.. same size and looks – goes directly into the tape deck) requires no power and simply gives you a headphone plug that can be connected to your ipod or mp3 or phone), it is silent, requires no modes, gives excellent sound quality, doesn’t suffer interference, requires no batteries and, best of all, costs around 5 squid

 

[StevenkSengwayo]

tape adapter (this is a tape emulator.. same size and looks – goes directly into the tape deck) requires no power and simply gives you a headphone plug that can be connected to your ipod or mp3 or phone), it is silent, requires no modes, gives excellent sound quality, doesn’t suffer interference, requires no batteries and, best of all, costs around 5 squid

which tape adapter are you using 12

 

[12[X]]

bought mine from argos about 8 years back.. £4.99 with a free tape (and it is all the above.. after it was opened and all moving parts were removed.. they were making annoying noises.. now it is totally silent!)

 

[StiloBoy]

I think you might have hearing issues lol.... You get the sound of the tape motor constantly rotating, and plugging the 3.5mm jack directly into your iPod isn't ideal as one accidental stroke of the volume on the ipod results in your ears exploding!

I had an battery powered FM modulator which i'd plug into my ipod, but you get some hiss with it, and its very annoying when I don't have the ipod as you get assulted with blank channel hiss when you start up if you forgot to change the radio to a normal channel before you switched the engine off.

Hence the reason I want a dedicated HU that can plus my ipod, ,or an SD/USB at a push.

 

[bozzy]

You might be able to use the original head unit and Ipod with a connects2 adaptor. I just got one for my Clio and it even allows me to use the steering wheel controls.

If you do go down the aftermarket route think about the colour of the display; I had a blue Sony that was distracting. In the end I went for a Pioneer with a customiseable background scheme.

Tape deck is cack so is FM tuner.

 

[onfire_82]

I've gone through a few H.U's really liked the pioneer stuff as it gives you a lot more options when doing sound staging etc..

currently have the pioneer DEH 9800BT

bluetooth, 2 aux imputs and a full set of 3 RCA's means i can have the front and rear speakers amplified and a sub.

I don't think this model exists any more though.

 

[12[X]]

I think you might have hearing issues lol.... You get the sound of the tape motor constantly rotating

the motor is silent (not that you'd be able to tell.. as you won’t be able to start it without a tape.. not unless you remove all the moving parts from an adapter and put that in.. ) but yes.. user error is still a problem (i’ve only a cheap Samsung mp3.. but even that has a volume limiter and a lock key). All in all, depends on how much you are willing to spend.. this is simply the cheapest best alternative as for noise.. there isn’t any (unlike fm transmitters which i’ve tried and found dreadful.. and if you were able to put up with that – i don’t see how you would have a problem with my option )

 

[StiloBoy]

I've tried both of your options over the years, and I don't find either acceptable., hence the need for a change.

I did look into the option of a ipod connector of some kind, but I was paranoid about it not working properly with the Fiat Head unit, also the fact that you'd not have any ipod control as such just an input. And finally I wasn't prepared to spend £90+ on a half-assed solution if I could get a new HU for just a few quid more.

I also considered a standard Fiat Stilo CD-player, would still be better than the tape. But I cant believe the cheapest is usually £100 on ebay.... obviously fellow Stilo owners upgrading from the CD feel the need to financially rape anyone with a tape unit lol.

I have looked at various HU's with colour adjustable setup, but the problem is the price goes up quite a lot just so I can have orange keys lol.

I'm not one for big ICE setups, I just want a cheap stereo that'll do what I want through the standard speakers. The hunt continues, but I think I might have found what i'm after! If I buy it and find its pants I can always put it in the mini lol.

 

[Bulletproof Saint]

I love my stereo! I think its great!:slayer:

 

[StiloBoy]

Yeah that does look nice, but ain't Clarion double din units about £200.

Oh see the facia panel, what are those 2 holes? Is that where it screws to the car? And dont you get blanking plugs?

 

[sunbeamsupreme]

That is the Clarion HU I am using it is a very worthwile improvement it is even remote controlled for those of us with no steering wheel controls.

 

[StiloBoy]

Will this fitting kit work with the Stilo loom and get around issues? Can't be arsed with cutting wires or running new ones for power etc that i've seen on here.

 

[StiloBoy]

Sorry didn't attach the link.... muppet moment.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FP-01-05-Fiat...ash=item2302edc99f&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

I got one of these ISO connectors now, but when I plugged it all up it didn't power up the stereo? Any idea's. Do I have to faff about moving pin layouts? I assumed it would be fine seeing as its sold as a Stilo ISO cable.

 

[Argonought]

Pretty sure you don't need an ISO converter if you just connect RED & YELLOW together. You'll need to manually switch the radio on/off but otherwise should be OK.

Don't mess with the CAN bus though as that can never be used on after market stuff

 

[StiloBoy]

Connect the red and yellow? How do you mean? The red from the Bus to the yellow from the HeadUnit?

I'm actually half decent technically normally, but keeping the smoke in the wires with cars ain't my usual area of expertise.