New car radio

NavalLord · 07-25-2008, 06:38 PM

I'm going to install a new radio in my car but I need some help. First off, I have no idea what I'm doing, but I refuse to spend the extortionist rates that places like best buy and circuit city charge to install it. Also, I have no idea what I want to get. I'm looking to spend under $140 and I'd like to have the iPod adapter so that I can control the iPod through the radio controls. Anyone have any suggestions or experience doing this?
I was looking on Crutchfield and I found one I like the looks of, but the iPod adapter is an extra $50.
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...8GT520&tp=5684

This one is a little cheaper and the adapter only costs $30, but there are no preset buttons, everything is controlled by using the knob to go through menus. It got high ratings, but I'm not sure if I'd like that while driving.
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...p=5684&avf =N

This one comes with the iPod connection cable and is cheaper than the first sony, but I don't know if I like the looks of it.
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...p=5684&avf =N

I'd appreciate any advice from anyone who has experience with this kind of stuff. I read somewhere that if you don't connect the wires correctly you could set off the airbag. Sounds badass, but also expensive.

hsimah · 07-25-2008, 07:33 PM

Are you getting speakers/amp/wooker etc? If not, installing the head unit itself is really easy.

Also, I would go with one with a 3.5mm audio jack rather than an iPod adaptor, mainly cause the iPod connection may change (mine is now useless) and other people may had their non-iPod mp3 players.

NavalLord · 07-25-2008, 07:48 PM

I'm just getting the head unit. And yea, I'll get one with the 3.5mm jack, seems like they all come with it. But the thing I like about the adapter is that it charges the iPod and you can also control it using the radio buttons. I was thinking of putting the connector in my glove box so I could just keep the iPod in there.

Caslon · 07-25-2008, 07:54 PM

What model car?

There's a forum for it. I own a Tacoma pickup. I bet ya there's
a cool forum for your ride. One of the sub forums for Tacos is Interior/Audio/Electronics.

Super good info on taking apart your dash to install it, stuff like that.

Plenty of help.

Example:

CustomTacos.com - Discussion Forum

NavalLord · 07-25-2008, 09:47 PM

I might try that Cassy. It's a 1999 VW Jetta. I'll post on some VW forums and see if I can find some car radio specific forums and try those too.

Caslon · 07-25-2008, 09:55 PM

egads, a jetta?

http://www.volkswagenforum.com/

Amraam · 07-28-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NavalLord

I'm just getting the head unit. And yea, I'll get one with the 3.5mm jack, seems like they all come with it. But the thing I like about the adapter is that it charges the iPod and you can also control it using the radio buttons. I was thinking of putting the connector in my glove box so I could just keep the iPod in there.

They don't charge the iPod Touchs mind. Or mine doesn't. A lot of people are saying that the functionality is there, but for some reason, the iPod interfaces aren't charging the iPod Touches/iPhone.

How about getting one with a USB interface, and then getting a 4GB USB stick? You can control the music directly from that, and it's digitial too which is nice

NavalLord · 07-28-2008, 05:06 PM

I've got a touch and a nano, so I would just keep the nano in the car. It's weird that the adapter doesn't work properly with the touch. Guess it's the different software that the touch has.

I talked to my mechanic and he said that installing a radio into a Jetta is really easy. All I need to do is maybe get an after market harness and an adapter for the antenna. Now I just need to choose a radio.

Mad Monk · 07-28-2008, 07:16 PM

I got a Sony system from Crutchfield for my wife last Christmas. It has the iPod control built-in (along with a USB port) and was a snap to install with the kit they sent with it. I don't know what about other's, but this one charges it when it's hooked up (it's a Nano). I'll probably never buy a car stereo anywhere else. It took me less than 30 minutes to install it. What took the longest was making a hole in the center console for the iPod cable. Since it was a built-in control, the cable doesn't disconnect from the back of the head unit and I had to make a slot in the plastic console to fit the cable through. I found a great place that doesn't even show, but it was kind of tight. I used a spiral saw bit in a cordless drill and had no problems.

NavalLord · 07-28-2008, 07:21 PM

Which sony system did you get?

insinuwait · 07-28-2008, 08:37 PM

I've got a Pioneer system that has a USB chord coming out of it that you can hook up your ipod with. When I plug my 6th Gen ipod to it, it actually shows the Pioneer logo on it. It charges while its playing too...I had Best Buy install it and they ran the USB cable through the glovebox, very easy to tuck away the ipod and just use the radio to control it.

it also has in input jack in the front where you can plug a 2.5mm audio jack between your ipod and it.

I really like it because it gives a whole lot of control of the sound, and really good control of my subwoofer too.

Pioneer - 50W x 4 MOSFET Apple® iPod®/Satellite Radio-Ready CD Deck - DEH-P4000UB

NavalLord · 07-30-2008, 10:49 PM

That's one of the one's I was looking at. How do you like using it without the preset buttons? I was put off by the fact that you have to use the knob to access anything like preset stations. Seems like it would be a pain trying to scroll through menus while driving.

insinuwait · 07-31-2008, 12:40 AM

Using the main control knob to do everything is kind of a pain, The remote control that comes with it makes everything pie. It doesn't have a ton of buttons so its easy to memorize the buttons and not have to look at em while driving.

I don't really listen to the radio that much, so I don't really use presets...but from what I remember its just a few button presses to get to your presets.

Bort · 07-31-2008, 01:10 AM

No one likes Jettas... Jeep ftw

Mad Monk · 07-31-2008, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NavalLord

Which sony system did you get?

This one:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-EblZz2E...x?i=158GT610UI

Apparently it's no longer available. I paid $170 for it last November.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bort

No one likes Jettas... Jeep ftw

I don't mind Jettas, but I do love my Jeep. What do you have? Wrangler? Cherokee?

Caslon · 07-31-2008, 05:43 AM

Basically, once you get your dash apart, the radio should plug in with module plugs. That's the time consuming part....getting to the radio inset area.

Any existing radio power is already fused. That VW site mentioned...
It should have an area for dash take apart instructions for your car (if it's any good a site).

07-25-2008, 06:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
NavalLord Forum Moderator Brigadier General Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 6,103	New car radio I'm going to install a new radio in my car but I need some help. First off, I have no idea what I'm doing, but I refuse to spend the extortionist rates that places like best buy and circuit city charge to install it. Also, I have no idea what I want to get. I'm looking to spend under $140 and I'd like to have the iPod adapter so that I can control the iPod through the radio controls. Anyone have any suggestions or experience doing this? I was looking on Crutchfield and I found one I like the looks of, but the iPod adapter is an extra $50. http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...8GT520&tp=5684 This one is a little cheaper and the adapter only costs $30, but there are no preset buttons, everything is controlled by using the knob to go through menus. It got high ratings, but I'm not sure if I'd like that while driving. http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...p=5684&avf =N This one comes with the iPod connection cable and is cheaper than the first sony, but I don't know if I like the looks of it. http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...p=5684&avf =N I'd appreciate any advice from anyone who has experience with this kind of stuff. I read somewhere that if you don't connect the wires correctly you could set off the airbag. Sounds badass, but also expensive. __________________

07-25-2008, 07:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
NavalLord Forum Moderator Brigadier General Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 6,103	Re: New car radio I'm just getting the head unit. And yea, I'll get one with the 3.5mm jack, seems like they all come with it. But the thing I like about the adapter is that it charges the iPod and you can also control it using the radio buttons. I was thinking of putting the connector in my glove box so I could just keep the iPod in there. __________________

07-25-2008, 07:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Caslon Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Deep inside the Earth. Posts: 4,803	Re: New car radio What model car? There's a forum for it. I own a Tacoma pickup. I bet ya there's a cool forum for your ride. One of the sub forums for Tacos is Interior/Audio/Electronics. Super good info on taking apart your dash to install it, stuff like that. Plenty of help. Example: CustomTacos.com - Discussion Forum Last edited by Caslon : 07-25-2008 at 08:06 PM.

07-25-2008, 09:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
NavalLord Forum Moderator Brigadier General Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 6,103	Re: New car radio I might try that Cassy. It's a 1999 VW Jetta. I'll post on some VW forums and see if I can find some car radio specific forums and try those too. __________________

07-25-2008, 09:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Caslon Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Deep inside the Earth. Posts: 4,803	Re: New car radio egads, a jetta? http://www.volkswagenforum.com/

07-28-2008, 05:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
NavalLord Forum Moderator Brigadier General Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 6,103	Re: New car radio I've got a touch and a nano, so I would just keep the nano in the car. It's weird that the adapter doesn't work properly with the touch. Guess it's the different software that the touch has. I talked to my mechanic and he said that installing a radio into a Jetta is really easy. All I need to do is maybe get an after market harness and an adapter for the antenna. Now I just need to choose a radio. __________________

07-28-2008, 07:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mad Monk Major Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: O-O-O-O-Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain. Posts: 3,033	Re: New car radio I got a Sony system from Crutchfield for my wife last Christmas. It has the iPod control built-in (along with a USB port) and was a snap to install with the kit they sent with it. I don't know what about other's, but this one charges it when it's hooked up (it's a Nano). I'll probably never buy a car stereo anywhere else. It took me less than 30 minutes to install it. What took the longest was making a hole in the center console for the iPod cable. Since it was a built-in control, the cable doesn't disconnect from the back of the head unit and I had to make a slot in the plastic console to fit the cable through. I found a great place that doesn't even show, but it was kind of tight. I used a spiral saw bit in a cordless drill and had no problems. __________________

07-28-2008, 07:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
NavalLord Forum Moderator Brigadier General Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 6,103	Re: New car radio Which sony system did you get? __________________

07-28-2008, 08:37 PM	#11 (permalink)
insinuwait First Lieutenant Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,861	Re: New car radio I've got a Pioneer system that has a USB chord coming out of it that you can hook up your ipod with. When I plug my 6th Gen ipod to it, it actually shows the Pioneer logo on it. It charges while its playing too...I had Best Buy install it and they ran the USB cable through the glovebox, very easy to tuck away the ipod and just use the radio to control it. it also has in input jack in the front where you can plug a 2.5mm audio jack between your ipod and it. I really like it because it gives a whole lot of control of the sound, and really good control of my subwoofer too. Pioneer - 50W x 4 MOSFET Apple® iPod®/Satellite Radio-Ready CD Deck - DEH-P4000UB __________________ I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out. - Bill Hicks

07-30-2008, 10:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
NavalLord Forum Moderator Brigadier General Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 6,103	Re: New car radio That's one of the one's I was looking at. How do you like using it without the preset buttons? I was put off by the fact that you have to use the knob to access anything like preset stations. Seems like it would be a pain trying to scroll through menus while driving. __________________

07-31-2008, 12:40 AM	#13 (permalink)
insinuwait First Lieutenant Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,861	Re: New car radio Using the main control knob to do everything is kind of a pain, The remote control that comes with it makes everything pie. It doesn't have a ton of buttons so its easy to memorize the buttons and not have to look at em while driving. I don't really listen to the radio that much, so I don't really use presets...but from what I remember its just a few button presses to get to your presets. __________________ I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out. - Bill Hicks

07-31-2008, 01:10 AM	#14 (permalink)
Bort Captain Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 202, Chocolate City Posts: 2,002	Re: New car radio No one likes Jettas... Jeep ftw __________________

07-31-2008, 05:43 AM	#16 (permalink)
Caslon Lieutenant Colonel Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Deep inside the Earth. Posts: 4,803	Re: New car radio Basically, once you get your dash apart, the radio should plug in with module plugs. That's the time consuming part....getting to the radio inset area. Any existing radio power is already fused. That VW site mentioned... It should have an area for dash take apart instructions for your car (if it's any good a site).