981 and dab - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

I've been looking at second hand 981's and it seems that most owners didn't originally specify dab (or it wasn't available) when the car was purchased. Has anyone found a reasonable solution to adding dab to a pcm equipped car? I've been looking at the pure highway solution and it seems pretty good, I'd be interested in hearing if anyone's tried it and where you placed the controller. Also, anyone know if adding aftermarket dab impact the warranty?

One solution might be a dab equipped phone - there are one or two around. PCM supports bluetooth audio - and I've used it with my phone (not dab). Not a cheap solution though.

Changing phone isn't really an option, but I guess there's always the option of getting a portable dab radio that has Bluetooth. But it's all a bit Heath Robinson, really looking for something that's at least a bit more integrated into the pcm

mathmos said: Changing phone isn't really an option, but I guess there's always the option of getting a portable dab radio that has Bluetooth. But it's all a bit Heath Robinson, really looking for something that's at least a bit more integrated into the pcm Unfortunately dab doesn't appear to be a post build dealer fit option, so I suspect any "solution" is going to be a bit HR.

I'm in the same position so I may try this http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9...

Currently speccing a GTS and wasn't going to bother with DAB as I stream everything through my phone - even radio. Also if it has online services I think you can get the radio through that. Would DAB be a big factor in you buying used?

Not absolutely certain, but I think you'll find that the PCM already has the hardware for DAB radio built in. It just needs activating, which a OPC should be able to do - with sufficient beer tokens.

I've got DAB I my GT3 and have to admit I never use it ! I use my Spotify music so DAB is a white elephant

I've got DAB on my GTS and I couldn't be without it as I use it all the time.

DAB is handy (but it's a shame UK DAB is such crap quality), but I find the reception in my Spyder to be poor. Anyone else having this on a 981?

981Greg said: Not absolutely certain, but I think you'll find that the PCM already has the hardware for DAB radio built in. It just needs activating, which a OPC should be able to do - with sufficient beer tokens. Worth asking, but since it doesn't appear here http://content3.eu.porsche.com/prod/pag/tequipment... I'm doubtful

TB303 said: DAB is handy (but it's a shame UK DAB is such crap quality), but I find the reception in my Spyder to be poor. Anyone else having this on a 981? I barely ever lose reception in my Cayman, have done twice in 3 months and drive in a lot of rural areas.

Kazandy37 said: Currently speccing a GTS and wasn't going to bother with DAB as I stream everything through my phone - even radio. Also if it has online services I think you can get the radio through that. Would DAB be a big factor in you buying used? I would spec it, there are huge areas of the UK with decent DAB reception and no mobile data reception. Add to this the fact that it works without the need for a phone and its a bit of a no-brainer.

981Greg said: Not absolutely certain, but I think you'll find that the PCM already has the hardware for DAB radio built in. It just needs activating, which a OPC should be able to do - with sufficient beer tokens. I think it is actually a separate module which connects to the MOST bus.

Sorry to spam the thread but to answer the original question there are proper bus integrated aftermarket solutions available, eg: http://www.carcommunications.co.uk/oem-accessories... Likely looking at £800 to £1000 fitted (Although also does TV). Edit: Looks like above is discontinued, not sure if the 981 works with these sorts of devices or if it is PCM 3/987 only. This product is current, might be worth asking them if 981 compatibility is in the works: http://www.mobridge.com.au/products/most-dab Edited by Krobar on Sunday 10th January 11:52

Malo said: I'm in the same position so I may try this http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9... I've found a couple of options, these guys seem to have 2 possible solutions, but I think I would need to be sure that it could easily be removed in case the car ever went back to Porsche for any warranty work - http://www.carcommunications.co.uk/car-accessories... The other option seems to be this http://www.autodab.com/Product/GO.aspx that has the ability to stream through blue tooth and doesn't have anything that needs installing...might be a workable option if I can get the cables hidden away somewhere. Kazandy37 said: Currently speccing a GTS and wasn't going to bother with DAB as I stream everything through my phone - even radio. Also if it has online services I think you can get the radio through that. Would DAB be a big factor in you buying used? Not the end of the world, but it was something I looked for...I listen to the cricket quite a bit and having 5 live sports extra is really nice, I also listen to 6 music fairly often. For most people it's probably not the end of the world (well until they start the FM switch off!) but I was surprised when looking on how few cars had this, maybe 2 in 10 had it as an option, for something that's relatively cheap I was surprised more cars didn't have it. 981Greg said: Not absolutely certain, but I think you'll find that the PCM already has the hardware for DAB radio built in. It just needs activating, which a OPC should be able to do - with sufficient beer tokens. When I spoke to the sales chap he said not, and trawling through various forums it seems that you actually need a full PCM replacement to get it...I was going to call my local OPC tomorrow and see what the deal is. TB303 said: DAB is handy (but it's a shame UK DAB is such crap quality), but I find the reception in my Spyder to be poor. Anyone else having this on a 981? Do you have anything plugged into your 12v supply? I've read a few things that cheap chargers can put out a lot of interference.

mathmos said: Do you have anything plugged into your 12v supply? I've read a few things that cheap chargers can put out a lot of interference. I had this problem on FM (don't have dab) - so it's well worth investigating.

Krobar said: 981Greg said: Not absolutely certain, but I think you'll find that the PCM already has the hardware for DAB radio built in. It just needs activating, which a OPC should be able to do - with sufficient beer tokens. I think it is actually a separate module which connects to the MOST bus. Interesting. The reason for my initial comment was that my PCM failed and had to be replaced. The replacement was supposed to have DAB (as the original did), but appeared not to have - until the OPC enabled it was some clever codes.

Maybe it is coded for the 981, might explain why none of the aftermarket providers are offering a module. I think there are different head units though, some don't have the sim slot.

Why does DAB cut out in short tunnels? Rugby station tunnel for instance. Did it today. Also, sometimes it cuts out, and then seems to be trying to find another mast or something? Not impressed. What did I have before, FM? Can't recall any issues with that. Edited by DJMC on Sunday 10th January 22:50

Just reading about this, seems like it could be a good option - http://www.dension.com/products/dab-solutions/dabu Plugs into the USB slot and the radio is controlled as if your selecting an MP3 track from a USB drive. Only thing to install would be a screen mounted antenna, so all could be removed prior to taking the car to Porsche for any service or warranty work.

Just thought I would give an update. I looked at the dension product that plugs into the USB but was put off when the instructions reveled that changing stations can take between 15-40 seconds due to the way the unit talks to the PCM. I've gone for a Autodab Connect solution. It's an FM transmitter type however it doesn't need any installation above putting an aerial on the windscreen. A 981 with PCM has the 12v socket in the glovebox so all you do is plug the unit into the socket, connect the aerial and it just works. I haven't had time to sort out the aerial properly yet so even with it sitting on the dash in it's wrapping it still had an excellent signal. I drove into London earlier this week and it kept the DAB station tuned the whole way and I had no problems with other FM stations breaking in. If you want a simple solution that requires no installation (and therefore can't impact the warranty) then this seems like a good answer.

bcr5784 said: mathmos said: Do you have anything plugged into your 12v supply? I've read a few things that cheap chargers can put out a lot of interference. I had this problem on FM (don't have dab) - so it's well worth investigating. Thanks guys, I do. Will experiment.

Alpine EZI-DAB is generally the best aftermarket solution for £179 from Amazon, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpine-ALPINE-EZI-DAB/dp/B...

Ozzie Osmond said: Alpine EZI-DAB is generally the best aftermarket solution for £179 from Amazon, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpine-ALPINE-EZI-DAB/dp/B... The Alpine one looks like a good solution, but requires some installation and part of the unit needs connecting into the car's power loom....it may be fine and Porsche may never blink an eye at it being there but I would rather not risk my warranty at the moment. If you don't have a Porsche warranty then it looks like a really nice solution though!

mathmos said: The Alpine one looks like a good solution, but requires some installation and part of the unit needs connecting into the car's power loom.... .... but not if you plug it into the cigarette lighter socket! It's designed to be "built in" for a tidy solution but you could easily just sling the gubbins in the glove box.

It didn't seem to come with a 12v connection but I did mean to look into seeing if you could get some sort of adaptor....if you can it does look excellent!