[s-cars] aftermarket head units

[Stott Hare]

Couple things to be aware of should you choose this head unit (Alpine
CDE-103BT)

Colors:
(+) you can choose from blue (default), green, orange or red 
(-) only the blue will dim with the headlight circuits, all the others will
remain at full blast.  Choosing orange isn't as blinding at night as the red
is for whatever reason, and still look mostly red within an Audi interior.

Options:
(+) has BlueTooth and the ability to insert a USB stick for music
(~) if you have one of those USB sticks that blinks or lights up when in
use, you will find that majorly annoying in short order, especially at
night.  I opted to run a 16GB micro SD card in an USB adapter which
protrudes less then 1/2", and has no blinky shit.
(-) if you leave the USB stick in (and selected as the source when powered
off?) the radio will forget that you enabled BT, and if you use the internal
amplifier, it turns that off as well.  So at every restart you have to go
into the config settings, turn the amps back on to get sound, and re-enable
BT. This is a known bug by Alpine and they will say take it back where you
bought it to exchange it with another before sending back to Alpine to be
repaired.  I've gone through two head units so far exhibiting the problem,
both with supposedly the most recent firmware...

Just my .02
-Stott

-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Jeremy Palenchar
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2010 10:52 PM
To: 'Steve Mills'; 'Phil Mische'
Cc: 'S-Car List'
Subject: Re: [s-cars] aftermarket head units

I like this head unit:

http://www.crutchfield.com/s_500CDE103B/Alpine-CDE-103BT.html?tp=5684

It has BlueTooth built in and it has RCA outs that can be used with the
ground loop isolators connecting to the Bose amps. iPod connector can be had
for another $30 or so.

You can trick Crutchfield into giving you the correct wiring harness (has
RCA inputs to Audi wiring harness) and plastic surround by playing around
with the car you are trying to outfit.

I agree that the controls are not the best but this is a great price for BT
and iPod in a headunit that can match your audi interior.


-Jeremy

> -----Original Message-----
> From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:s-car-list- 
> bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Steve Mills
> Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2010 7:06 PM
> To: Phil Mische
> Cc: S-Car List
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] aftermarket head units
> 
> You're in luck since you have a 95.5. Simplest might be to retrofit a 
> Concert I (not II) and get any of the iPod adapters that work with the 
> Panasonic CD changer pinout the later cars used. There should be 
> multiple writeups on line.
> 
> Steve
> 
> On Sun, Dec 19, 2010 at 9:50 PM, Phil Mische <pmische at att.net> wrote:
> 
> > Hey Guys,
> >
> >
> >
> > What's the story on aftermarket head units with the Blose stereo?  
> > My
son
> > wants iPodability for what was my 95.5 S6; I'm hoping I'll find 4
line-outs
> > when the stock head unit gets pulled and we can simply substitute a 
> > new head.  Wishful thinking?  Advice appreciated.
> >
> >
> >
> > Phil
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > S-CAR-List mailing list
> > http://audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list
> > http://www.audifans.com/kb/List_information
> >
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