[perksy]

Evening everyone.

I'm thinking about changing the very basic radio/cd head unit in my 159.

It would be great to have something a little more interesting than the standard unit and having DVD for the kids to watch during long journeys would be great.

I was looking at these units on ebay for the astonishingly low price of £130. clicky You can even connect a reversing camera or a freeview reciever as well - endless "project" potential.

Has anyone had a unit like this in the past and/or do you think it would fit in the standard stereo space?

Any views very much appraciated.
James

 

[Moel]

The main problem with these jobbies is that (in the main) they aren't CANBUS compliant, which basically means when one of the god knows how many ecu's can't see the stereo, it throws up a fault, and makes the odometer flash permanently.

 

[LJ_GQV]

i know its not in the same car but ive recently done the same thing in my GTA

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gta/297500-new-headunit.html

if you can find 1 which will fit they are great :thumbs:

 

[Snokio]

If it. Helps, i have done a review on a pioneer (sat nav etc) / alpine (digital TV) review in a 159 in the ice section,

I think there will be issues with the connection cables, not that it Wont fit, but will need adaptor cables to make it work (had to buy them for the Pioneer)

 

[perksy]

Thanks Moel - good point about the Canbus issue. I'll email the seller.

LJ_GTA - thats a superb looking install - I just wish I could afford a Kenwood!

Snokio - I'll look in the ice section now...

James

 

[MarcG]

Seems very cheap for what you get.

A quick google shows his thread discussing it. Only ready page one, and it seems to suggest it's pretty good...

Xtrons TD714 Headunit review+pics - Vectra C / Signum Owners' Club Forums

 

[perksy]

Thanks MarcG - I've read about 6 pages of the link you gave and sounds 90% good comments...

James

 

[Cobratwin]

Hi bud ive got the Xtrons unit and it was fitted to my old 159 with no problems but you do need to rewire it to work with a alfa, i was going to fit it to my new 159 Ti but ive decided to go for the factory gps unit instead so mine will be up for sale when i get around to it,

a link to the one i have is Alfa Romeo forum: Aftermarket GPS thats with it in the 159 and working,
id be looking for about 100 notes for it if your interested my one was the TD717G 7Inch

 

[GhostyDog]

It doesn't look bad at all for the money but my only reservation would be that the button colours can only be set to orange or blue, great if you have a BMW or a VW but not so good for alfa as the dials and backlighting is generally red.

This would really bug me.

 

[Nefe 159]

Cheap, cheap, cheap head unit to replace with the original one, your car interior is so nice, therefore replacing it with a cheap one it would spoil the look of it. please stick with the original radio or save up and
Get a proper multimedia head unit such as Kenwood, pioneer etc.

 

[Commanderfish]

THis JVC unit is a really good solution at just £390 - it has Bluetooth, Ipod control, 7" DVD, and dual zone function, so you can connect rear head rest screens and play DVDs for the kids whilst you listen to your tunes in the front!

I'm getting one for the wife's new car, it's the best all round solution I can find.

JVC KW-AVX840 Car CD/DVD Multimedia Stereo, Bluetooth Handsfree KWAVX840 Player

 

[Snokio]

With a lot of models, there is also an option to add TV and Satnav modules to the head unit (sold separately), so this could be an option at a later date? (I know Pioneer and Alpine do, I'm sure there are others).

Although having said that, they don't look bad, but kinda feel like this is going to be 'you get what you pay for' scenario but then again, the branded ones do seem expensive for that they are!