Head Unit and Changer advice needed

delroy · 08-05-2005, 11:14

I'm sure this must have been discussed, or something similar, but I can't find the specific answer I'm looking for.

I'm thinking of upgrading my Fabia's (vrs) standard head unit (and probably speakers). I've also got a factory changer and didn't want to lose or replace that.

Are there any headunits that the existing changer will plug straight into or with an adaptor?

I don't really want a headunit where I need to remove the facsia, I quite like the idea of a Kenwood mask but will the changer plug strait in? I'd also like it to not look too flashy, mainly as the FAbia dash is a bit bland and I don't want it to stand out too much!!!!

I know I'll need to buy the dash fascia adapter.

Any ideas, thoughts or pics welocme.....

Thanks

**mannyo** · 08-05-2005, 11:18

Nope, you will need to replace the changer to. The changer is made by Panasonic and the connection to the HU is not panasonic compatible, it is a blaupunkt connector but a blaupunkt HU doesnt recognise the changer.

If you dont want flashy pioneer do a good MP3 compatible HU that seems popular with fabia owners, or maybe go and get a black blaupunkt HU. Although the blaupunkt has lots of stupid equaliser stuff on the display at least you can turn it off.

bengie · 08-05-2005, 11:23

sadly you can't use the standard changer on another stereo, you can buy adapters to use an aftermarket changer on the standard stereo but not the other way round

if you want basic looks then i really would suggest going for a blaupunkt woodstock, they look like a standard fit unit but have DAB, MP3(maybe WMA too but not sure), take memory cards for MP3's and all at a reasonable price.

delroy · 08-05-2005, 17:54

Ok, seems I might have to forget about the existing changer then.

Any ideas for a decent head unit and changer combo. I'd ideally like the new changer to fit under the passenger seat as the old one does.

I'd also like a mask type head unit, do only kenwood do these?

I know some of you will be thinking to forget the changer and get an MP3 compatible H/U but being as lazy as I am id like to still have a changer. In fact it is my laziness that doesn't want to have to remove the radio face and carry it around with me.

hussein · 08-05-2005, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by bengie

...take memory cards for MP3's...

It takes SD/MMC Cards. Not really all that useful, though I suppose you can get 1GB SD these days.

I wish they had Compactflash. Sticking a microdrive into a headunit sounds like a great idea!

bengie · 08-05-2005, 20:09

the blaupunkt is sd/mmc yes, don't forget you can get 1GBSD cards

some one does do a microdrive headunit though, think it might be sony but not sure

**mannyo** · 08-05-2005, 20:47

Yep, I have the woodstock dab52. Looks pretty standard, is black and you can turn the graphic display off for a plainer look.

delroy · 09-05-2005, 12:37

I know I said I didn't want it to be too flashy but been looking at this alpine combo...

http://caraudiosecurity.com/catalog/...oducts_id+3667

any thoughts?????

**robmawer** · 09-05-2005, 12:45

That's a bit like the Alpine bundle I got, except my HU was just a (relatively) cheap Alpine tape player - I didn't want anything too flash as I have to park the car in some pretty dodgy places.

The MP3 changer is really good though, can't fault it. And on the Octy, there's a perfectly sized cubby-hole in the polystyrene under the boot floor for it.

Rob.

delroy · 09-05-2005, 14:28

It would be to go in a fabia - I'd like to know if the chanager is the same size as the std one as I'd like to just swap it over.

I think the green illumination would look good.

**robmawer** · 09-05-2005, 14:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by delroy

It would be to go in a fabia - I'd like to know if the chanager is the same size as the std one as I'd like to just swap it over.

It's quite a bit smaller than the standard Symphony changer...

Rob.

anotherbadname · 09-05-2005, 14:42

delroy if your selling your old changer let me know.
Tom.

delroy · 09-05-2005, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by robmawer

It's quite a bit smaller than the standard Symphony changer...

Rob.

So it would easily fit in the hole under the passenger seat....or maybe glove box

I popped into my local ICE store and showed them a print out of the above link, without asking them to price match they took about £75 off their prices - i would rather buy from them but they did still want £50 to fit. Not too bad I guess for a professional install.

Still a little worried about losing the standard look and having my windows smashed.

delroy · 11-05-2005, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by anotherbadname

delroy if your selling your old changer let me know.
Tom.

I'll let you know - might not be for a month or so

anotherbadname · 11-05-2005, 19:06

cheers. Tom.

08-05-2005, 11:14	#1
delroy Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kent Posts: 593 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Head Unit and Changer advice needed I'm sure this must have been discussed, or something similar, but I can't find the specific answer I'm looking for. I'm thinking of upgrading my Fabia's (vrs) standard head unit (and probably speakers). I've also got a factory changer and didn't want to lose or replace that. Are there any headunits that the existing changer will plug straight into or with an adaptor? I don't really want a headunit where I need to remove the facsia, I quite like the idea of a Kenwood mask but will the changer plug strait in? I'd also like it to not look too flashy, mainly as the FAbia dash is a bit bland and I don't want it to stand out too much!!!! I know I'll need to buy the dash fascia adapter. Any ideas, thoughts or pics welocme..... Thanks __________________ You've been Skoda'taken!

08-05-2005, 11:18	#2
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 11,045 Thanks: 31 Thanked 296 Times in 277 Posts	Nope, you will need to replace the changer to. The changer is made by Panasonic and the connection to the HU is not panasonic compatible, it is a blaupunkt connector but a blaupunkt HU doesnt recognise the changer. If you dont want flashy pioneer do a good MP3 compatible HU that seems popular with fabia owners, or maybe go and get a black blaupunkt HU. Although the blaupunkt has lots of stupid equaliser stuff on the display at least you can turn it off. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

08-05-2005, 11:23	#3
bengie splash!!!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: planet earth Posts: 14,933 Thanks: 15 Thanked 126 Times in 110 Posts	sadly you can't use the standard changer on another stereo, you can buy adapters to use an aftermarket changer on the standard stereo but not the other way round if you want basic looks then i really would suggest going for a blaupunkt woodstock, they look like a standard fit unit but have DAB, MP3(maybe WMA too but not sure), take memory cards for MP3's and all at a reasonable price. __________________ owner of a skoda octavia 4xvrs3

08-05-2005, 17:54	#4
delroy Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kent Posts: 593 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Ok, seems I might have to forget about the existing changer then. Any ideas for a decent head unit and changer combo. I'd ideally like the new changer to fit under the passenger seat as the old one does. I'd also like a mask type head unit, do only kenwood do these? I know some of you will be thinking to forget the changer and get an MP3 compatible H/U but being as lazy as I am id like to still have a changer. In fact it is my laziness that doesn't want to have to remove the radio face and carry it around with me. __________________ You've been Skoda'taken!

08-05-2005, 20:09	#6
bengie splash!!!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: planet earth Posts: 14,933 Thanks: 15 Thanked 126 Times in 110 Posts	the blaupunkt is sd/mmc yes, don't forget you can get 1GBSD cards some one does do a microdrive headunit though, think it might be sony but not sure __________________ owner of a skoda octavia 4xvrs3

08-05-2005, 20:47	#7
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 11,045 Thanks: 31 Thanked 296 Times in 277 Posts	Yep, I have the woodstock dab52. Looks pretty standard, is black and you can turn the graphic display off for a plainer look. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

09-05-2005, 12:37	#8
delroy Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kent Posts: 593 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	I know I said I didn't want it to be too flashy but been looking at this alpine combo... http://caraudiosecurity.com/catalog/...oducts_id+3667 any thoughts????? __________________ You've been Skoda'taken!

09-05-2005, 12:45	#9
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,418 Thanks: 2 Thanked 69 Times in 62 Posts	That's a bit like the Alpine bundle I got, except my HU was just a (relatively) cheap Alpine tape player - I didn't want anything too flash as I have to park the car in some pretty dodgy places. The MP3 changer is really good though, can't fault it. And on the Octy, there's a perfectly sized cubby-hole in the polystyrene under the boot floor for it. Rob. __________________

09-05-2005, 14:28	#10
delroy Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kent Posts: 593 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	It would be to go in a fabia - I'd like to know if the chanager is the same size as the std one as I'd like to just swap it over. I think the green illumination would look good. __________________ You've been Skoda'taken!

09-05-2005, 14:42	#12
anotherbadname Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: northwest Posts: 328 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	delroy if your selling your old changer let me know. Tom. __________________ keep an eye on the assassins

11-05-2005, 19:06	#15
anotherbadname Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: northwest Posts: 328 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	cheers. Tom. __________________ keep an eye on the assassins

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