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69tr6r
Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2017
Posts: 130
Location: Shelton, CT
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9.5isCanadian
Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2017
Posts: 465
Location: In your blind spot.
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 Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:13 am Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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Great timing on this post as I am hunting for a new head unit and this one looks perfect.
Ordered.
_________________
9 1/2 - missing a few pieces.
1987 Getaway Hightop
1980 Sunroof Vanagon
2018 BMW R Nine T
2012 Golf tdi |
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Crankey
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2004
Posts: 2656
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| Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2021 11:30 am Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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Saved a VDO radio in my ebay for a week or so, yesterday the seller gave me an offer of $160 so I took it. Blue light virsion.
Hope it's good. Looks like controls are simple enough not to require a lot of looking.
Good bye alpine 3 disc changer.
I know some folks collect older alpine so I guess I'll have a pile of that for ebay. |
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Crankey
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2004
Posts: 2656
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| Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 12:18 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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One positive review of the VDO head unit
Link
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7915
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 12:43 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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| Crankey wrote: |
Saved a VDO radio in my ebay for a week or so, yesterday the seller gave me an offer of $160 so I took it. Blue light version.
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My only issue with mine (in my Cabriolet), is that it doesn't remember the last track played in USB mode, so every time I start the car, the same sequence of song files plays in the exact same order off the USB stick, unless I hit the "random" button every time. Other than that, I like it; modern radio that has a more vintage, simplistic appearance.
_________________
~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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Rorke
Samba Member
Joined: August 04, 2016
Posts: 255
Location: Traverse City, MI
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| Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 3:27 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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Swapping my Blaupunkt head that I bought in July. The Bluetooth needed to reconnect after manually forgetting device…every time I wanted to connect. Much work went into trying to get it to function.
Unbeknownst to me, it was already discontinued when I bought it.
Moving on, the Pioneer avh 3500 that so many samba folks have recommended is back in stock at retailers. Mine is coming next week.
Going from retro to futuristic. |
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Crankey
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2004
Posts: 2656
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| Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 6:29 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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| kamzcab86 wrote: |
| Crankey wrote: |
Saved a VDO radio in my ebay for a week or so, yesterday the seller gave me an offer of $160 so I took it. Blue light version.
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My only issue with mine (in my Cabriolet), is that it doesn't remember the last track played in USB mode, so every time I start the car, the same sequence of song files plays in the exact same order off the USB stick, unless I hit the "random" button every time. Other than that, I like it; modern radio that has a more vintage, simplistic appearance. |
Can't that be overcome by using your phone screen and whatever app you play out of ?
I would expect to use this radio as a pass through for my phone.
I may stick a thumb drive in it though.
Unless I'm listening and glancing at the phone for directions i usually just listen to the engine. |
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BrownLoaf
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2021
Posts: 94
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 7:00 am Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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Installed the Continetal / VDO model number TR7412UB-OR and am quite pleased with how well the lighting matches the 87 syncro.
Have not played around with it much yet. The van had no stereo from the PO and I wanted something simple that wouldn't look out of place.
_________________
83.5 Vanagon Riviera WBX 2.2 "Brown Loaf"
87 Vanagon Syncro Tin Top WBX 2.1 "Bubbles" |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7915
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:54 am Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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| Crankey wrote: |
| kamzcab86 wrote: |
| Crankey wrote: |
Saved a VDO radio in my ebay for a week or so, yesterday the seller gave me an offer of $160 so I took it. Blue light version.
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My only issue with mine (in my Cabriolet), is that it doesn't remember the last track played in USB mode, so every time I start the car, the same sequence of song files plays in the exact same order off the USB stick, unless I hit the "random" button every time. Other than that, I like it; modern radio that has a more vintage, simplistic appearance. |
Can't that be overcome by using your phone screen and whatever app you play out of ?
I would expect to use this radio as a pass through for my phone.
I may stick a thumb drive in it though.
Unless I'm listening and glancing at the phone for directions i usually just listen to the engine. |
Not using my phone, just a little USB thumb drive/stick/whateveryoucallit, which has no screen or app.  Using the AUX input with my iPod is issue-free (haven't used the USB input for the iPod yet).
_________________
~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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joetiger 
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5076
Location: denver
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 8:19 am Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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Installed this over the weekend.
I could not justify spending a lot on a stereo, so I decided to try a cheaper knock-off digital media receiver and see if it would work. It's an ATOTO single DIN with floating 8" screen. The Amazon reviews are plentiful and mostly favorable.
https://www.amazon.com/ATOTO-F7-Single-DIN-Double-...U&th=1
It has SiriusXM (with the added adaptor,) wired backup camera and ports for a front camera, Carplay and Android Auto, high power charging, and USB, Micro, and Aux ports.
The buttons feel kind of cheap, but the screen seems nice. It was a tight fit with my Vintage Air unit back behind the dash, but it fits.
I ran the wires for the backup camera but haven't quite finished that part. I'm also adding a USB link port to the dash so that big wire won't be dangling beneath the heater shroud.
All in all I'm impressed so far for $250 total.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12114
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 10:02 am Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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^^^That looks like an interesting option. Please follow up with your longer term impressions.
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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moxbox
Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2014
Posts: 24
Location: United States
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| Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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Hey when I follow that link, and plug in my Vanagon specs to the "will it fit?" tool, it shows that this Does NOT fit.
Has anyone here installed one of these in a T3 camper (mine is '87)? |
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BrownLoaf
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2021
Posts: 94
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 5:29 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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| moxbox wrote: |
Hey when I follow that link, and plug in my Vanagon specs to the "will it fit?" tool, it shows that this Does NOT fit.
Has anyone here installed one of these in a T3 camper (mine is '87)? |
I've installed the TR7412UB-OR stereo in an 83.5 and an 87, but purchased elsewhere. Since it's not a CD player, it is not as deep and frees up space for wiring between the back of the stereo and the ventilation box.
_________________
83.5 Vanagon Riviera WBX 2.2 "Brown Loaf"
87 Vanagon Syncro Tin Top WBX 2.1 "Bubbles" |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12114
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 8:05 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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We were looking for an inexpensive HU with Apple CarPlay and a few other features. I settled on a Boss BCPA9 double DIN screen mounted on a balljoint that can also be moved up and down for a large range of motion. I installed this in our Passat, but we've decided to move it to our EV because it's pre-wired for both front and rear cameras.
I test fit it, and it should fit rather nicely into a Vanagon. The chassis is shallow and single DIN. The screen is also removable. Ebay sells refurbished models for $230, directly from Boss. It also has a volume knob which is a big deal for me.
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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shagginwagon83
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 3794
Location: VA/TN
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| Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 8:07 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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Can you inform me why you like Apple CarPlay? I am new to the Apple ecosystem.
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12114
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 8:15 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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My state has a strict hands free phone policy, so finding a way to minimize staring at my phone is a big deal. Apple CarPlay allows me to plug in and access navigation, iPod, phone calls, texts (audio only), Siri and other features. Double DIN is typically touchscreen, so there's less fiddling about with menus and whatnot.
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6242
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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| Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
| My state has a strict hands free phone policy, so finding a way to minimize staring at my phone is a big deal. Apple CarPlay allows me to plug in and access navigation, iPod, phone calls, texts (audio only), Siri and other features. Double DIN is typically touchscreen, so there's less fiddling about with menus and whatnot. |
I'd love to see a photo of this unit installed in your van.
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12114
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2022 9:30 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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It's currently installed in our Passat, but I'll take a pic of it when it's briefly physically installed in my T3 prior to being fully swapped into the T4. I'm currently waiting for two cameras to arrive to facilitate all this swap activity.
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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moxbox
Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2014
Posts: 24
Location: United States
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| Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2022 2:12 pm Post subject: Re: Official Stereo Suggestions Thread |
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| loganthecyclist wrote: |
I've installed the TR7412UB-OR stereo in an 83.5 and an 87, but purchased elsewhere. Since it's not a CD player, it is not as deep and frees up space for wiring between the back of the stereo and the ventilation box.
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Thanks! That looks really nice. Simple and clean. How do you like the sound quality?
Also -- did you use the suggested wiring harness (sold separately)?
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-continental-parts/vdo-headunit-wiring-harness/ac1111-slash-330~vdo/ |
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ALIKA T3
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 6345
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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