The pros and cons of an aftermarket headunit

[cont1204]

Hello fountain of knowledge.

I'm quite sick of my knackered CDR2005 now, its started to chew CDs so it really must go. I've been looking around and have set my sights on a Sony MEX-BT3800U headunit. It ticks all the boxes for me and looks good too. However I have some questions. I'm guessing I would need to get another box of tricks to get the steering wheel controls to work (half-CAN bus) and to keep control of the GID? Ideally I'd like it to show radio/song information up there too but I doubt that would happen. Control over the GID is important though, to keep access to the trip computer and the buttons for clearing things like the ice warning. I also believe that I would need to put the original radio in to change the clock - is this correct?

Some links.

Radio:
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/sony-mex-bt3800u.html

Interface box thing:
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/prod...ducts_id=10175

[rushy]

I believe the GID is fully controllable from the stalk mate, the HU doesn't come into it unless its showing Radio/CD options. You can get lead to show your aftermarket HU's songs/radio station on the GID. I know i've seen a Sony set up like this.

Do you not have an MP3 player? You can mod the CDR2005 to have an aux in, many have done it and as a bonus when connected to my SE it also works as a hands free, to the point where i've disconnected my old Parrot kit.

[cont1204]

I believe the GID is fully controllable from the stalk mate, the HU doesn't come into it unless its showing Radio/CD options. You can get lead to show your aftermarket HU's songs/radio station on the GID. I know i've seen a Sony set up like this.

Do you not have an MP3 player? You can mod the CDR2005 to have an aux in, many have done it and as a bonus when connected to my SE it also works as a hands free, to the point where i've disconnected my old Parrot kit.

Cheers mate.

I have all my music on my iPhone but am currently burning it to CD. I'd thought about that but some of the buttons on the front panel are starting to not work again. Used to just be able to push on the panel and they'd all come back to life but not now.

Regarding the GID, that's good news! Does anyone know the name of the box of tricks I would need to talk to the steering wheel controls and get the radio/CD info up on the screen?

The name of the radio is in the first post.

[rushy]

Sorry, i dont know the name off the part your after, but just do you know you can take the front panel off. Its more than likely you just have a dirty connection. Try autoleads website for the lead. Sorry for no link as im posting from my phone.

[cont1204]

Sorry, i dont know the name off the part your after, but just do you know you can take the front panel off. Its more than likely you just have a dirty connection. Try autoleads website for the lead. Sorry for no link as im posting from my phone.

Cheers dude I'll give them a try. See what they say.

[si_hoss]

Cont1204 - I have the BT2500 MEX Sony and I HIGHLY recommend going for it! I bought the stereo for the phone side of things, and connected my ipod via the front aux connector, but now I've got an iPhone like you I only ever stream music from that via bluetooth! It sounds CD quality so well worth it.

I'm getting the audio controls this xmas to make my steering wheel work, I haven't bothered with the display as I'm not bothered about it.

Try the ebay shop "DynamicSounds", they do the steering controls but not sure about the rest. They seem pretty cheap so I've found (got the fascia for the Vec from them too).

DITCH THE CDR2005!!!

[mickydoos]

I got rid of my old CD2005 in favour of a sony unit and have never looked back!

Pros: Essential install anything you want. I installed a unit with a aux in, so I connect my mp3 player to it.

Cons: A single DIN unit like mine simply doesnt look as good as the stock headunit, but the additional functionality is worth it.

You can maintain the steering wheel controls you need a few bits...

One of these...

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/pro...s_id/7101.html

You need one of these, depending on which brand stereo you get of course:

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/pro...tch-leads.html

Annnnnd one of these:

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/pro..._id/12850.html (check what colour you need to get, not all cars are in anthracite.

Hope that helps!