View Full Version : Head Units for Astra G
kitchpoo
01-06-2003, 21:01
I want a head unit for my Astra G that will completely work the display unit (not just the date....I'm a fussy cow!) and will work the steering wheel controls. On the previous forum there was a list of which ones did this.
Can anyone list them again?
Cheers.
Jo
cant u get adaptors n stuff to make ur steering wheel controls works n the display to work from autoleads? i think they work on most sony systems
cant u get adaptors n stuff to make ur steering wheel controls works n the display to work from autoleads? i think they work on most sony systems
Yeah you can for the Sony, but you don't want any Sony Car audio at any cost :P. Sony should stick to making TV's etc.. as their car audio is awful.
Kenwood do an interface for some units that works with the steering wheel controls and display.
Does it HAVE to work with the display, its no great loss and you'll get used to it quite quickly.
I'm ordering the new pioneer P77MP tomorrow and will tell you what its like shortly, but don't think i'll be spending the £30-£40 for the steering controls adapter.
Hey Mark, let us know how you get on with that new Pioneer.
I'm interested in the quality of the buttons, my current pioneer facia is getting a bit worn.
cheers
It's a beautiful looking head unit, and i want one !
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/shop/acatalog/dehp77.jpg
No problem, should of been here tuesday but i think it may be wednesday now, shouldn't be too long now though hopefully.
Nah, get with Alpine, it's the best make, l got the 7893A, gonna update it shortly though to the built in TV one. Can't fault Apline though top gear.
Don't think you can get the display to work though, and you also lose the date.
Sorry Jamee, but in my opinion Alpines look sh*t.
Too many buttons, too many lights, etc.
Granted they are supposed to sound good, but they are just not stylish. :lol:
Fair enough mate, everyone to their own, l like pioneer as well, as that's what l had in the Fiesta turb, nice unit, just prefer Alpine, mine is 4x60 (had to wire it straight to the battery), 3 pre-outs(l think), and is funky with the blue screen, sounds suberb.
Alot of the makes are bringin out doody stereo's now, it's just some of them think style is all that counts, thats where Sony and all are going wrong.
Never owned a kenwood but heard some not so good rumours bout them, but some of them look quite nice
i have a kenwood mask headunit 4*45w 2 pre outs; and a kenwood 10 disc changer, sounds loads better than my mates cameleon, looks trick too when you turn it off, the face flips over and leaves it totally flat and black, can't even see where it's supposed to be from the outside !!
Sorry Jamee, but in my opinion Alpines look sh*t.
Too many buttons, too many lights, etc.
Granted they are supposed to sound good, but they are just not stylish. :lol:
I have to disagree with that statement. My new Alpine CDA-9815RB sounds the dogs, and doesn't look too bad either.
I would go for sound quality over looks any day, and that Pioneer looks shite IMO
Sorry Jamee, but in my opinion Alpines look sh*t.
Too many buttons, too many lights, etc.
Granted they are supposed to sound good, but they are just not stylish. :lol:
Oooooh...u in trouble now buoooy!! haha :lol: I bought apline for a few reasons:
1. Quality
2. Quality
3. Quality haha :lol:
Seriously tho, Alpine have a very good reputation! Classy units for a start...'u gotta have Alpine in da car' as all the rappers say ;) lol. They may not look particularly nice/stylish ect but look at nakamichi units?!?
Sound and build quality alpine win hands down, touch wood i've never had a problem with my stuff, they have loads of features and are easy to use once u get the hang of it lol :wink:
Its all personal preference at the end of the day...i've had pioneer before and i couldn't fault it, i like their units almost as much.
http://www.manifestation.org/~ill/fs/upload2/In-Dash%20screen%20re%20sized.jpg
Heh Heh Heh let the debate rage on.
Yep Alpine have a great reputation for quality, but why don't they try something different with their design?
You can get normal looking pioneers with buttons and colours all over the place (like my P6000R) etc , but at least they try something different with HUs like the P77MP.
:P :) :) :)
mmmmmmmmmm....alpine 8) haha
http://manifestation.org/~ill/fs/upload2/Alpineboxes.jpg
mmmmmmmmmm....alpine 8) haha
http://manifestation.org/~ill/fs/upload2/Alpineboxes.jpg
Very nice indeed 8)
This is you two this is : :lol:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/440000/images/_442708_chuckle_bros.jpg
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The Jester !
This is you two this is : :lol:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/440000/images/_442708_chuckle_bros.jpg
-------------------------------------------------------------
The Jester !
LOL
ive got an mp3 kenwood stereo, which you can also buy a lead for that works the display and the steering wheel controls, the lead is a 'smart lead' and there about £45.00 i didnt bother getting 1 cos my head unit came with its own remote hope thats some help to you
kitchpoo
07-06-2003, 11:37
Thanks Gazza....
Won't go with Sony.....but I do want the display to fully work - I just think its a waste of space otherwise, plus we've put blue LED's in.
Would quite like something silver with blue display to match the car (but sound quality is important as well)
Anyone suggest something? I don't mind paying out for the extra leads and stuff.
Jo
Don't think you can get the display to work though, and you also lose the date.[/quote]
don't have to loose the date just cut the red/white wire on the Astra's iso plug and the date stays on all the time :lol: .BTW Kenwood h/u are one of the best sellers in europe and they come with 2 years guarantee and theft insurance you should have a look at the new range about 25 to choose from! 8)
Don't think you can get the display to work though, and you also lose the date.
don't have to loose the date just cut the red/white wire on the Astra's iso plug and the date stays on all the time :lol: .BTW Kenwood h/u are one of the best sellers in europe and they come with 2 years guarantee and theft insurance you should have a look at the new range about 25 to choose from! 8)[/quote]
I've found that Kenwood units look good, but haven't got the sound quality to match.
that's your opinion m8,you're an alpine man i'm a kenwood both are respectable names in h/u no doubt! At the mo I have the kvt- 920 dvd as a h/u ,psr71p front components and hq178 for the rear driven by a kac8401 than 2 kfc1205db driven by a kac - ps810d.Now if that's not SQ idon't know what is! check yhis out! http://www.m1gst.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=251 8)
that's your opinion m8,you're an alpine man i'm a kenwood both are respectable names in h/u no doubt! At the mo I have the kvt- 920 dvd as a h/u ,psr71p front components and hq178 for the rear driven by a kac8401 than 2 kfc1205db driven by a kac - ps810d.Now if that's not SQ idon't know what is! check yhis out! http://www.m1gst.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=251 8)
Yeah both good names, but not the best. Only went for an Alpine due to wanting to keep the steering wheel controls!
Don't get me started about SQ LOL
Set-up in my old car:
Nakamichi CD-500
Focal 165K Polykevlar Components
2* JL Audio 10in W0 subs in sealed box
Phoenix Gold PLD1 line driver
Phoenix Gold 232EQ
Phoenix Gold Bass cube
2* Phoenix Gold Tantrum 250.2's
Directed Audio 1 Farad ICE Cap
£1000 of Dynamat Extreme.
RTA score of 36.8 8)
now that's a nice set-up but then again with kenwood .............blah,blah, bla :roll: ......LOL :wink:
Comparing any headunit from a set price point all boils down to personal preferance. So which is best depends on you and the rest of your setup. Getting your partnering equipment right is probably as improtant as your headunit choice. A case in point over the years I have seen systems that have got the balance right wipe the floor at SQ soundoffs over systems that cost 2x or even 3x as much.
Besides with the exception of Alpine and its F1 most manufacturers don't release there top headunits in Europe. Kenwood, Panasonic, Nakamichi, Denon et al only release them in Japan and perhaps the US and then they expect it to be partnered with top notch electronics in the rest of the system.
After_Shock
17-06-2003, 20:58
Not sure what the problem is with Sony head units? They look mint, have some really good features and are easy to use, admittedly I would rather burn sony speakers and amps as they are crap but the head units are very good, have excellent output stages among other things.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ringroad/dash77.jpg
wanderer
23-06-2003, 10:05
autoray is that definitely correct about cutting the red/white wire on the iso connector to get the date working? has anyone else done that?
Hey Mark,
That Pioneer unit looks lush !
Thanks.
I'll set it up properly shortly although i need to sound deaden the passenger door more as the driver door has had more added and gives out a noticable amount of extra midbass and the front 6.5" cones have seperate gain controls so i don't want to overdo the passenger one till it frys.
Any chance you could take pics as you're sound proofing the door. I'm thinking about doing it to mine before I fit new components.
Could you also maybe describe exactly how you get the top of the door card off the door. Is it just a case of pulling hard? I'm afraid to pull too hard in case I break it!
I did take some pictures when i did the first lot ages ago but they are not on my laptop, if i'm lucky they are on my tower pc otherwise they are gone.
I have a 5dr and remove the battery ground before doing this, what you do is up to you.
It find it easiest to remove the tweeter triangle where the manual mirror adjusters are if you have them(manual adjusters that is) first.
To get the door card off there are a couple of screws underneath the door card right at the bottom.
Then you need to take the plastic door handle cover off on the door card, you may need to remove any electric window switches you may have first then there are a number (4 i think) screws under there that need removing.
Then pull the bottom part so the poppers(plastic clips what ever) come undone then pull the door card away from the door and it should still be connected at the top by the glass, you then need to push the card (the section next to the glass) up, i use my thumbs underneath the doorcard to do it and after alot of effort, (i found it very tight when its not been done before) the card should come away, then just unclip the cable going to the handle on the door card.
I think thats everything.
I used a haynes manual to find out what needed to be done
Any chance you could take pics as you're sound proofing the door. I'm thinking about doing it to mine before I fit new components.
Could you also maybe describe exactly how you get the top of the door card off the door. Is it just a case of pulling hard? I'm afraid to pull too hard in case I break it!
I've not got any sound deadening in my Astra, but I did have loads in my old Corsa.
To remove the door trim panel (Coupe):
1) Prise out any switches (Electric windows and mirrors) with a screwdriver
2) Prise off the door handle surround with a screw driver working around it gradually
3) Remove the mirror casing that holds the tweeter
4) Take out the 4 screws at the bottom of the door panel itself
5) Prise off the panel itself until you have enough room to disconnect the door pull cable
6) Remove the panel over the top of the door pin
To refit:
Opposite of the above
Tips use a piece of card under the screwdriver to avoid damage.