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YOUR RESEARCHWhy are aftermarket stereos stuck in the 90?s?
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Install isimple tranzit blu
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I just installed the iSimple Tranzit Blu, which plugs into the stock system via the antenna.
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Suggestion
The one thing I did think was maybe getting a newer system that you can change the display and backlighting color to amber to match everything else.
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So after going through a whole process of trying to understand, diagnose issues and finally understand and fully use my USB connection features on my head unit, to their full benefit, I have to ask WHY is this technology, thats built into the head unit, sooooo outdated ???!!!!!!
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I personally prefer stock units to the ugly look that even the most high end aftermarket stereo manufacturers sell in 2019. I remember as a kid (young adult) in the late 90�s-early 2000�s they looked bad. The funny thing is that they still mostly look bad even with car play. Our phones have these gorgeous displays, but our car stereos still look at least a decade behind. I have a 2003 TT and I would like to replace the head unit to gain Bluetooth connectivity, but can�t bring myself to doing so. Anyone find a great looking aftermarket unit?
The best looking stereos are the 80's Alpines with the six green square buttons. Anything after that with a thousand LEDs and software screens are just … ugly.
I agree most of the modern aftermarket stereo units look like something out of a spaceship. I think all of the designers of these things are Star Trek fans. It would be nice if they'd create a few with nice matte black with logical buttons and back lighting tone adjustments. (to match the orange LED in our cars).
I installed a Pioneer Avic8200 head unit. It�s modern with a touch screen but a subdued orange color scheme is one of the choices and it matches the factory dash well. Gives me Apple CarPlay and Android Auto options as well. I get keeping things stock but in this case convenience trumps looks.
Yeah. I'm stalled in figuring out what to do with mine. I like the stock look but it seems the CDR23 is one of the units that you can't convert to add stereo bluetooth. I'd like to have bluetooth for Waze and Slacker Radio.
The one thing I did think was maybe getting a newer system that you can change the display and backlighting color to amber to match everything else. I think I saw someone else mention this.
One of the reasons things still look old is because of the background technology that has to exist for the cool displays on cars today. There's no way to build that technology for an aftermarket unit.
Now about displays, yes, they could upgrade that one thing, but how many people would buy them? No ROI on their investment.
If you want the latest, you'll have to buy new, sorry.
https://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/i...rs/mex-xb100bt
Least offensive. Can be made to look orange. I had this deck in my mustang which couldn’t do double din (1985).
400 watts too. I was ver happy with this deck. Sticking to factory with 996. Cigarette lighter adapter gets me bluetooth and ability to play jump drive.
To to be honest, I don�t even care for the latest tech in the new cars. It is just that the displays that are made for the current stereos by the big guys like Pioneer and Kenwood, look stuck between a 90�s rave party and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The displays are slow and not super clear either.
F
You can add a Dension gateway plus a Bluetooth dongle, but you�re in for a few hundred $ and still left with the finicky, crash-prone CDR23. When the setup works, it�s fine.
I just installed the iSimple Tranzit Blu, which plugs into the stock system via the antenna. It's was really easy; I've previously never installed any type of electronics in a vehicle. I powered it via the unused cell phone harness's switched 12 v and ground. I also installed the rennline phone mount. Together it gives me all the multimedia I need. I switch my phone into Android Auto mode and easily stream my music and get directions via Bluetooth. It's perfect. The sound quality it fantastic to my ears. I have the Bose MOST system which I think sounds just fine. And most importantly, it retains the stock look with minimal add ons... a small button behind the steering wheel and a mic attached to my visor are all you see, plus the small magnetic puck for my phone.
Newer cars have much more curves and design features. The times when stereos looked good in cars was then 80’s and 90’s when single din boxy dashes were standard. There are some good period correct usb options from Becker. I got an iPhone interface to my 996 stereo that works really well and keeps the stock look. The aftermarket stereos today are kind of in no mans land. They don’t look good in anything really besides boats and 90’s cars. Manufacturers have proprietary dash and stereo setups. So upgrades are not even worth it. The answer to the question why aftermarket stereos suck now is because manufacturers basically made them obsolete. Name a car in the last decade with a below average or unlistenable stereo...they are all pretty good
I looked at every stereo available and this one is the least offensive. Even the Kenwood and Sony have buttons that don�t fit with the look of the 996. This just flat panel with no buttons almost looks OE. Boss isn�t the best brand, but who cares it has car play and I maintained the factory amp so everything is plug and play. My father who hates anything aftermarket got in my car and thought it was a factory upgrade from a later 911. That to me says it looks good.
Thanks for the replies guys. Quaz, your set up looks nice. I have the single din stereo and don�t really want to move the air component down to make room for the double din.
Thanks for the info Porschetech, The Continental unit looks great, period correct as stated. Definitely not modern but that is not the look I want with the 996 anyways. I actually like having a CD player even though I don�t play many. Here is a pic in case anyone is interested. I might pick this unit up.
The 90's had the best stereo designs. Kenwood, Clarion, Alpine, and some Sony's were fantastic. Was never a fan of Pioneer.
Funny to see this thread. I am helping a friend clean out his shop's garage this weekend and found a few 80's and 90's aftermarket head units yesterday. One was a ****-style Alpine and the other is a Kenwood pullout radio. I am keeping those suckers!
I agree. The newer radios after the early 2000's are horrible. That seems to be the timeline when most things like cars, etc lost the emphasis on style and class for flash.Unfortunate.
If you don�t care about smart phone connectivity and navigation my vote for the single best looking and best sounding single din head unit for the 996 would be the Nakamichi CD45z with amber illumination (offered in green as well). Probably not easy to find but had one in an e36 years ago and loved it.
I just had my old Porsche traffic pro radio that I have installed in my 951 fixed by Becker Auto Sound in NJ. I also asked them to upgrade it to Bluetooth, which they did. I won't be able to plug a microphone into it for a phone, but the 20 year old stereo now has bluetooth. You might want to call them and see what they can do, it was $125 for the Bluetooth retrofit.
https://www.beckerautosound.com/
I have a single-DIN recent Alpine unit that allows (some of) the lighting to be ( a slightly mismatched) orange. It and a new power amp have brought my 2003 Bose/MOST system to a very high level of functionality and sound fidelity. For me, functionality takes precedence over visual conformity. I have been an Alpine user for decades, and they have never really blended into the interior decor of any of my cars.
I think that the better units for these cars are becker and blaukpunt from the correct time period
For instance, a Blaukpunt RDM 42 (year 93) would look pretty cool in our car, with the vintage securty card
http://antique-autoradio-madness.org..._Cata93_01.htm
A london RDM 126 (year 98) with more rounded buttons should look good with the oval 996 buttons on the side
http://antique-autoradio-madness.org...(12-97)_03.htm
And the good thing is that they have quite cheap prices on ebay.
A becker indianapolis, with phone and navi, is also a nice upgrade with oem look
https://www.ebay.com/i/153372607774?chn=ps
Modern devices, this unit from becker is nice
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-911...gAAOSw0Rlbx6~T
That last unit of your list, the one from Becker Audio, looks like the VDO/Continental unit without the Continental badging.Has all the modern features USB. Bluetooth, ect, with the period correct look.
Those continental units are super nice, I believe they are designed to be used in work machines like lifters etc. Air cooled guys love them in the 964�s and 993�s as well.
So after going through a whole process of trying to understand, diagnose issues and finally understand and fully use my USB connection features on my head unit, to their full benefit, I have to ask WHY is this technology, thats built into the head unit, sooooo outdated ???!!!!!! 32 gb max, maximum of 8 subfolders per stick, Fat 32/Exfat, Seriously? The technology is out there and its probably just a codec and file formatting/reading rewrite of code..... I drive long distance for work and do not want to rely on features that require any kind of mobile connection and requires it to be plugged in to stay charged, answer? USB connected music files... I just dont get it
I was about to recommend Blaupunkt. I've installed them in both of my Porsche cars for a couple of reasons... 1. They don't look like something that came out of Darth Vader's spaceship. 2. The pin connectivity is basically identical to the CDR-220 analog series and with the exception of the pre-amp outputs, it's pretty much plug and play.
Btw... that Blaupunkt you listed has been a true winning for that company. Apparently selling like hotcakes.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_423BRE...B.html?tp=5684
Just bought a 996 with a god awful pioneer system with green, red and blue LEDs flashing all over the place. Very excited to have ordered a VDO stereo with orange backlighting. I will only be using it for Bluetooth music and radio so had no interest in a double din.
Will track down black vinyl or a small Porsche sticker for the continental logo.
Do the **** and buttons feel cheap or quality? I remember an old analog Blaupunkt the volume **** had a cushioned rubber coating and there was a Dolby button that made FM sound amazing. At that time Blaupunkts looked and performed great.
The Continental units look really nice! My 996 came with an Alpine head unit which I replaced with the best looking Pioneer unit I could find,
Pioneer DEH-80PRS.
The display colors can be changed to match a bit better. Includes BT for phones access, a number of USB inputs, and a number of other nice features.
I just purchased a Continental radio for my 993. I haven't installed yet but it looks very nice and period correct. I also bought a Porsche decal to cover the Continental name. These decals were hard to find. The website most people recommended is in Europe (Belgium?) so when I went to order the decals for $7.00 they added about $28.00 for shipping which is, maybe justifiable but, insane. I found a vendor through Etsy (Decals305) that made me the decals for just $10 with no shipping costs. It looks pretty good.
Just keep in mind that Blaupunkt, like the company that we knew, doesn't exist anymore
The rights to the brand were purchased by an investment group and todays, it is operated in a licensing format
That means, that any company can join the licensing program and sell their products (after approval) with the "blaupunkt" brand.
You can find now from lawn mowers to hair dryers... or car audio products manufactured by different companies
But this products are not related in any way with the production of the Bosch owned "Blaupunkt"
Thats exactly what I'm looking for and my experience was the same with the shipping estimate from Euro. Thanks for providing the link to the ETSY page, is it a "stocked" item, or is it something I would have to give a description or measurements for? Would like to order one exactly as yours as I have the conti radio on the way.
It wasn't a stock item until a couple of weeks ago since they made them for me based on the measurements I sent them. I did tell them that if the decals worked out OK I would mention their product on this forum. I suppose if they get enough requests they will stock them....
Not to beat a dead horse, but I just installed this very stereo from Bergvill F/X using their wire harness. I love the stock look instead of the aftermarket screens which look out of place imo. BT audio and hands free calls work very well. Many have mentioned in other posts that the guy who runs Bergvill, Tore, is very helpful and responsive.
Bergville sells the Porsche stickers shown above to oem-ify your aftermarket stereo. Considering they have to come from Norway, shipping was quite reasonable.
I agree with Porschetech3, however, a lot of the radios that are made today seem to have buttons made for a child's fingers. It's bad enough that a lot of dashboards today look like retro 1950 jukeboxes complete with chrome accents....and yes, I tolerate the 996 dash at least it still has analog gauges, and the later models have corrected the offense, but it just seems to me that almost every audio maker is trying to outdo each other with more buttons and other appendages. If I ever turn on a station, at least I want to be able to do so without having to take my eyes off the road and drive.....
I don't have any particularly good photos of it, but I have a Kenwood DDX396 in my car and I'm overall pretty happy with it. A major draw for me was it has an actual **** for the volume control, and the backlighting can be changed to orange to match the factory dash lights. The UI is fairly decent as well.
