AlanH Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 Decided to upgrade the H/U in my GTi, and had an Alpine unit installed yesterday with the iPod adapter. Improvement in sound quality is quite significant, and it's great having full control of the iPod from the H/U. Only two small drawbacks - the H/U has is powered all the time, meaning I have to switch it on and off manually - it doesn't work with the ignition. The installer fitted an Audioleads(?) double DIN fascia panel that looks OK, but not great. Anyone found a fascia panel that matches the existing dashboard exactly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbogolf Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 There's also a company called 'Connects 2' which makes these but I don't know it they are any better. My local VW dealer also mentioned that VW make their own although I suspect they will probably just be the Autoleads ones re-packaged. I'd also be interested to hear if there are any better options than the Autoleads version as I'm also waiting to fit an Alpine unit to mine when it arrives. Jamie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted July 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 As I said, the Audioleads unit looks OK, and the installer fitted a "pocket" in the spare DIN cutout, but it still looks too "aftermarket" for my taste. I think you'll be impressed with the improvement in sound quality when you get your Alpine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbogolf Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 Have you fitted any other kit besides the head unit? I'm having some JL650CSI component speakers fitted in the front and a JL10" sub and amps in the boot. I'm really hopeing the sound is awesome with how much I've ended up spending on it all. The installation alone is probably going to be close to £1000! Jamie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted July 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 No, just the Alpine and the iPod adapter, and then the money ran out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentandy Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 You can get a can-bus adapter for about £100 to get the ignition switch to an aftermarket stereo, alternatively some people have just picked it up from the fuse box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted July 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 The installer offered a lead soldered to the ignition switch barrel, bur weren't too keen to do this. With the iPod connected to the adapter, it's always receiving power, even when the H/U is switched off, and this doesn't seem like a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet_Pimp Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 Can you sort out a picture of your new unit so we can have a shufty please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted July 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2005 I'll try! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChalkyWhite Posted July 17, 2005 Report Share Posted July 17, 2005 Agree AlanH, looks OK but not gr8, but then it's all about the sound quality isn't it? Good luck finding a more decent fascia panel. I'd certainly like to see a photo of the replacement! Cheers for the pic, Chalky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted July 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2005 7/10 for appearance, 9/10 for improved sound quality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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