Raymondo Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Has anybody succesfully installed a HU with DAB? More importantly did you manage to find a DAB aerial that you can use to replace the OEM aerial? The aerial always seems to be the weakest link when trying to get half decent DAB reception. Yes yes I know that DAB is sh*t but it's the only way that I can pick up Planet Rock in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanski Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 Planet Rock is ccccccccccooooooooooool Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan! I really dont think they have made a decent DAB car radio yet - still think its early tech? However as a cheaper option - mate at work got a portable DAB radio from Tesco and plugged it into his aux socket via the headphones jack and it works fine in the car? http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.204-2946.aspx Only downside is its AA batteries! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raymondo Posted September 22, 2010 Author Share Posted September 22, 2010 Planet Rock is ccccccccccooooooooooool Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan! I really dont think they have made a decent DAB car radio yet - still think its early tech? However as a cheaper option - mate at work got a portable DAB radio from Tesco and plugged it into his aux socket via the headphones jack and it works fine in the car? http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.204-2946.aspx Only downside is its AA batteries! I've got something similar in my BMW . It's a Clarity In Car DAB http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Clarity_CDAB7-AUTO_DAB_car_radio.html that I have got connected to the cigarette lighter and aux-in in my centre console. The aerial is a magnetic job which is meant to be mounted outside but I find that it works quite well stuck upside down to the boot lid. It's a neat install with no batteries or fiddling around but occasionally drops out around town. As the Z has got an external aerial (unlike the BMW) I could probably get much better reception if I used a proper external DAB/FM aerial. If I can find one thats fits. Unfortunately they all seem to be roof mounted. http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/DAB_car_aerials.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lincolnbaggie Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 I've got a Kenwood DAB unit connected through my HU and a glass mounted aerial on the top of the windscreen. Reception is great. Saves having to worry about fitting a new FM/DAB aerial Also got a DAB Pure Highway unit in the X-Trail, again connected to a glass mounted aerial on the windscreen and also works fine. The Highway works via a built-in FM transmitter, but the sound quality is fine for in the car and is also removable so you can take it from car to car and listen on foot as well via headphones. About 60 quid I think. You can buy the glass mounted ones at most car audio specialists As said already, PlanetRock is THE station to listen to.................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UNABASHED Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 goota love Planet Rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 We'd all better get used to the idea of DAB, given that the (alleged) switch over is only 5 years away now... Yeah, never going to happen by then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 I had dab in first car 5 years ago. The aerial was on the windscreen and signal was good. Was as crisp a sound as the fm was though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raymondo Posted September 22, 2010 Author Share Posted September 22, 2010 I've tried loads of different models including the Highway with the stick on aerial and to be honest I was disappointed with all of them. Maybe the signal is not great on the South Coast. I spoke to the Chairman (a friend) of Digital One (commercial stations) and he promised to get the signal cranked up on the M3 for my commute. Since then it seems to be a little better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEADPHONES Posted September 22, 2010 Share Posted September 22, 2010 I got a JVC DAB single din unit......love it to bits. See my original thread for pics etc viewtopic.php?f=27&t=37876&hilit=bose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lincolnbaggie Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 I've tried loads of different models including the Highway with the stick on aerial and to be honest I was disappointed with all of them. Maybe the signal is not great on the South Coast. I spoke to the Chairman (a friend) of Digital One (commercial stations) and he promised to get the signal cranked up on the M3 for my commute. Since then it seems to be a little better. The stick on aerial that comes with the Highway is not very good - an external glass mounted one is miles better and gives good results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 Ditto the Planet Rock thoughts I agree with lincolnbaggie ref the Highway stick on antenna. Next year DAB+ should be launched which hopefully will mean a decent selection of in car DAB at last. We live in hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 Planet Rock is ccccccccccooooooooooool Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan! I really dont think they have made a decent DAB car radio yet - still think its early tech? However as a cheaper option - mate at work got a portable DAB radio from Tesco and plugged it into his aux socket via the headphones jack and it works fine in the car? http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.204-2946.aspx Only downside is its AA batteries! Looking at the reviews this looks a good bet, might invest in one tomorrow if its in stock at my local tesco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raymondo Posted September 24, 2010 Author Share Posted September 24, 2010 I'm pretty sure that i tried that one and it's reception was not great. I used to use a battery powered Goodmans Personal DAB in the car but the Clarity that I have got now is much better as it's ready to go when you switch the car on. (no batteries) http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Clarity_CDAB7-AUTO_DAB_car_radio.html You can get it for £50 if you don't get an external aerial. It works really well in my Touran with it's own aerial but for some reason I need the external one in the BMW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 I'm pretty sure that i tried that one and it's reception was not great. I used to use a battery powered Goodmans Personal DAB in the car but the Clarity that I have got now is much better as it's ready to go when you switch the car on. (no batteries) http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Clarity_CDAB7-AUTO_DAB_car_radio.html You can get it for £50 if you don't get an external aerial. It works really well in my Touran with it's own aerial but for some reason I need the external one in the BMW. I think it must your area Ray, I got the Technika DAB-108P from Tesco last night and it works great perfect reception all the way home but then i'm in London so if the receptions isn't good here then we are all doomed! Just got to take my dash out (again) and wire it into the centre cubby and i'm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raymondo Posted September 24, 2010 Author Share Posted September 24, 2010 Glad to hear that it works so well. I tried every Portable DAB on the market and the only one that was any good in Dorzet is the the Clarity (IMHO). The Chairman of Digital One lives in Harrow so he is obviously looking after No 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Glad to hear that it works so well. I tried every Portable DAB on the market and the only one that was any good in Dorzet is the the Clarity (IMHO). The Chairman of Digital One lives in Harrow so he is obviously looking after No 1. Haha, I lived in Wellington (Somezed) on the Dorzet border and lovely part of the country (if a bit backward.... runs away) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raymondo Posted September 24, 2010 Author Share Posted September 24, 2010 I went the other way. I used to live in Harrow and then Pinner before moving down to Bournemouth 10 years ago. No I didn't retire!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 I went the other way. I used to live in Harrow and then Pinner before moving down to Bournemouth 10 years ago. No I didn't retire!!!! I'm an Essex boy originally so I made the move and back again! Might move back when I retire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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