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Current Radio Choices
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Summers420us
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 7:48 am    Post subject: Current Radio Choices Reply with quote

I know this topic has been discussed in length before, but there are constantly new products being offered in the market place.

I also could have posted this elsewhere in the forum, but I am specifically interested in radios that fit well into a Vanagon.

Now that I have my flame suit on Rolling Eyes ... here it goes:

It is time for a radio upgrade in my 88 Vanagon Wesy. I am looking to keep around $150. I will be using CD, CDR, and CDRW, but my main source of input will be iPod or other MP3 device.

I would like to have a USB port on the front as well as on the back in hopes of building a custom docking station in the ash tray for the iPod.

Other things that would be nice, SD reader, maybe DVD capability (can store a lot of music on DVDs), blue tooth, provision for future sub and amp additions, remote control, etc.

I would love to hear of some current options that are currently installed in your Vanagons, and pictures would be GREAT!

Here is one that I am considering: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=16914345

Please feel free to tell me of things to avoid as well.

Gracias!
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Wildthings
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 7:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Be the only guy on your block with an 8 track. Letting an old 8 track spool out the window is way more fun than trying to use a junk CD for a Frisbee.
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Summers420us
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 7:53 am    Post subject: Record Player Reply with quote

Now that is funny! Wish I still had all the old 8 tracks!

I had a record player in my 88 Ford B600 Schoolie... with a few pennys glued to the needle you could almost play it going down the road! Laughing
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vela123321
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 8:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I went with this...

Pioneer DEHP3100UB

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM188145...5857390801

It has good audio and the USB plug in the front. I was lucky, in that the PO had a pioneer in there, so I only had to swap it out of the rack. I like the radio, and the remote gets some use when sleeping up top.
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Last edited by vela123321 on Thu Sep 29, 2011 8:30 am; edited 1 time in total
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Larry Davick
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 29, 2011 8:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Recently I put a Kenwood unit in our Maxima. My wife loves the bluetooth hands-free cell phone feature so much, I can't get her to stop calling me!

It's a bit more than your budget, but if they had a referb unit available it would work.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_613BT645U/Kenwood-KDC-BT645U.html?cc=01&tp=13566

Our new Westy doesn't yet have a radio, but I'm not sure the hands-free bluetooth would be such a good thing in a wind blown environment like our Westy.

By the way, I've always had great luck with Crutchfield. They are not the cheapest place in town, but their service is very good.
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Summers420us
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 5:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the help guys. The idea of the BlueTooth was not for phone necessarily, but for music transfer...

I will check out the ideas posted. Thanks.

Anyone else particularly proud of their choice and wants to post a pic?
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BillWYellowstone
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 6:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a Pioneer that has the USB port in front, plus if you have connectivity it will support Pandora on yout iTouch. Great sound, remote control No Bluetooth, but didn't feel the need. Right at your price level at Best Buy in the spring.
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VisPacem
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 9:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ach so ... no Blaupunkt, no Becker, no Grundig...

Crying or Very sad
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0to60in6min
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 9:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I got an Alpine CDE 122 and very happy with it. The feature I like the most is the USB port which I plug in a 8GB USB stick drive instead of a CD.. no more scratch...

You can go larger USB drive if you want (32GB)... imagine how many hours of music without changing disk... LA to New York anyone? Very Happy
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r39o
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 10:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

vela123321 wrote:
I went with this...

Pioneer DEHP3100UB

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM188145...5857390801

It has good audio and the USB plug in the front. I was lucky, in that the PO had a pioneer in there, so I only had to swap it out of the rack. I like the radio, and the remote gets some use when sleeping up top.

I have the DEH-P3000IB

Mine has NO USB on the front and needs an adapter to use an iPod.

The unit works but I find the controls hard to use.

It is OK, but I don't think would buy one. It came in my Multivan.

Anybody have instructions on how to remove this unit so I can plug my new antenna in? I can not find such instructions in the owners manual. NOTE: This unit bumps into the heater box, too.
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BillWYellowstone
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 10:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My 16g iTouch currently has close to 2500 songs, still space avail. Just hit random. Then, with the Pandora app running, even more. I do not need a tuner.
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BillM
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 11:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have an alpine cd player that I despise. First because of it's location and viewing it from the side the display is very hard to see during the day. I have to lean way over to see it. Plus the control just are not what I find easy to use. Last complaint is that is has no USB port on it. I am going to replace it with a new one. I need something with USB on front and a good tuner. I don't listen to CDs at all. I use my iPhone as an iPod. Even though I have been to the store several times and cruised crutchfields website nothing has jumped out at me. I do see a tuner that has USB port on it and has no mechanical moving parts but it's made by low quality company that I can't recall right now. If I could find something like that in a better brand that would be perfect. Does anyone have any other websites worth looking at for deals on stereos and speakers?
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syncroluvr
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 6:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow, more hi tech in the radios than in the Vanagon! I have a JVC unit in mine that has WMA/MP3/AAC playback (whatever that is) 1728 back light colors and even a remote. I hate it. In my Y2K Passat I have a tape deck radio and in the lower DIN opening there was a CD player. I pulled the CD player and hooked up a kit that fit into the back of the radio and into my IPod. Has worked great for 5 years. I think I might put the Passats radio in the Syncro or just try to find a 90's era VW (Hiedelburg) radio! Very Happy Our Westy is not a music conseratory, normally we just open the windows and let the dogs bark at cows!
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 7:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have the Dual XDMA6415 in my mini and soon in my vanagon.

The bluetooth works with my iphone for calls and streaming music. Plus it had a usb port on the front for charging or mem stick.

It is nice to turn it on, then start Pandora. Put the phone back in my pocket. Can skip songs from phone, face of device, or the remote.

If a call comes in, it pauses. You can click answer on the phone or the unit. Comes with hands free mic as well

It only cost $80 new off of ebay.

Check it out, I really like mine Very Happy
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rcook52459
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

my brother hasa dual cd player in his car with bluetooth and loves it.walmart $100.00 or so.have jvc with dual amps in my van and love it.has usb aux no bluetooth.
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Californio
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 1:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I kind like the look of these

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/pix/3928254.jpg

no CDs but they look more in keeping with the original.
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1971BugGuy
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm loving the look of my stock VW Eurovan AM/FM Cassette stereo in my Vanagon. It just looks "right" in the dash and has decent sound quality when matched up with good speakers. It has CD changer connectivity as well as iPod,MP3, SD & USB when connected to an interface unit. Best of all, the interface is Plug-N-Play as is the Eurovan deck (if your OE radio plugs are still in your dash) Best of all, you can get them cheap!!!
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Car-MP3-Player-V-W-New-Polo...282wt_1037

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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purplepeopleeater
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

1971BugGuy wrote:
I'm loving the look of my stock VW Eurovan AM/FM Cassette stereo in my Vanagon. It just looks "right" in the dash and has decent sound quality when matched up with good speakers. It has CD changer connectivity as well as iPod,MP3, SD & USB when connected to an interface unit. Best of all, the interface is Plug-N-Play as is the Eurovan deck (if your OE radio plugs are still in your dash) Best of all, you can get them cheap!!!
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Car-MP3-Player-V-W-New-Polo...282wt_1037

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


This one has my vote. I have a dealer installed casset/radio but the display is dead and its hard finding stations without it...so i'm forced to look for a new setup. being able to plug my phone in and stream pandora would be a big plus.
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1971BugGuy
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

purplepeopleeater wrote:


This one has my vote. I have a dealer installed casset/radio but the display is dead and its hard finding stations without it...so i'm forced to look for a new setup. being able to plug my phone in and stream pandora would be a big plus.


Just remember... If you go with a stock VW head unit you will also need to obtain the security code for it. In my case the code was unavailable so I got the VIN number from the van it was pulled from instead and got the code from my local VW dealer.
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GMByers
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

summers42us,

It's been a few months....So, what stereo did you go with?
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