Hi all Has anyone got an after market DAB radio fitted (MK2 mainly) ??? are they any good now ???? I had a personal walk about one years ago and shite wasn't the word for it.
I have one in a mk3 and it's pants, but I don't really care as I don't use it Don't bother with the antenna in the glass - make use of the antenna in the roof instead, should be a massive improvement
I'm about to pick up a DAB. Getting the antenna for windscreen with it but how would I use the pre-existing one out of interest?
I am sure you can't use the standard aerial for DAB reception, a lot of them need a power supply so i presume they have an amplifier built in.
Yeah - I meant run the new wire and use existing aerial That's what the guys that did my install said I could have done but couldn't be done with the aggro, so left it on the windscreen
It depends on the coverage in the area you frequently drive as to whether they are any good surely? I had the factory fitted one in a Twingo and the reception was better than the equivalent FM stations, in both quality and coverage.
looked at a Kenwood DDX4016DAB got a price of £349, £150 for a roof DAB Ariel fitted, steering control loom £65 and all in fitted for £660. Don't know what the coverage is like down here but they said it's better up country !!!!!!
That's a chunk of money if just for DAB. Have you got a AUX in socket (3.5mm)? If so, you can get most stations via your phone and feed that to the head unit either via the socket or even bluetooth. This does need a working data connection at all times, and it will eat the data on your plan but you could use some of the money you are looking at spending on upgrading your data allowance possibly. Just an idea.
I do have a Aux lead, but i am very reluctant to use the phone due to the apps wanting to know everything that's on my phone, big brother is everywhere now
I can relate to that mate - reluctant user here too, but I feel I can trust the BBC (probably a mistake lol)
I have an aux in and was thinking of getting a Pure Highway which seems to have very good reviews and a windscreen aerial. Much cheaper but no experience of the setup and have to find somewhere in the car to stick the interface thing.
As an update to this I have fitted a PURE 300DI over Christmas and it's spot on. Cost was around £150 including an upgraded aerial and a fancy mount for the interface box. Installation was pretty simple for me to do although I took my time as want everything hidden and tidy. Probably not for someone who's never touched ICE but if you've changed a headunit you can do this. Nice, clean solution if, like mine your car came with a flash headunit which you want to keep. The one I bought is this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Portable...TF8&qid=1483619266&sr=8-1&keywords=pure+300di It looks too cheap but everything is there apart from an aerial which I gather is crap anyway and it comes with a patch lead that slots straight into to megane loom so no need to arse about finding switched lives etc. The socket on the box for the aerial looks a funny size and is stated as being for a FAKRA connection which is a nightmare to find but it definitely does work with an SMB female plug which is far more readily available. Aerials and stuff here: http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/DAB_car_aerials.html Groovy mount thing here: https://www.brodit.co.uk/brodit/vehicles/Renault/Megane II/2005.htm?steer=rhd Hopefully of use to someone!
