Car Radio

[cx]

My motorhome gotta have a new radio. I mostly listen to satellite radio when traveling and didn't care much wen the tuning and searching features mostly quit and never missed the cassette player much. But then the volume control got a bit finicky and needed constant diddling to hear the radio at all. That did become a problem.

So I pulled it out and got it apart in hopes that it might be repairable, but it ain't. So I gotta buy something to replace it.

Started looking about and could not find anything at all that's just a radio and has controls large enough to see and recognize. Guess those days are gone.

Decided if I can't have one with an on/off/volume control, a tuning knob, and maybe a few presets, I would hafta go all in and get one of the double DIN models with a screen that might be readable. And if I gotta do that I might as well get one with GPS and maybe a warning device to tell me I forgot to take the tea pot off the stove before I got under way.

Anybody have an after market 12v radio they just love? I've got room to install pretty much what I want since I made an extra 18x15 dash panel where I removed one of the TVs the manufacturer thought I really needed.

[pooky]

I just put a new radio in my rig --

make sure you have bluetooth , usb , and a 1/8th in jack --

my radio also has presets for pandora and several other streaming services

I find the most useful feature bluetooth , which allows hands free calling but also lets me stream my music and podcasts from my smartphone or any other bluetooth device. Spent 200 bucks on the radio . . . very pleased with it.

Panasonic --

you seem like a sirious kinda guy . . . I know nothing about that equipment --

good luck

[Tiger Mountain Tile Inc]

Are you giving up the satellite radio?

[cx]

Panasonic what, Stephen?

No, Jim, not giving up the satellite radio. The one I have usually lives in my pickup, but I've got a docking port for it in the hovel. Figger I can't drive but one at a time.

[jwmezzanotte]

We bought our double din unit from these guys :
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/

They were fast with shipping, price was great, and they had all the wiring harness' and mounting hardware. Was very easy, and looked factory when we were done.

They do have a section on their website for RV's, may be able to find some features you like.
(Actually no they dont. I misread, they have a marine/atv section. But still Im sure you couldfind something you like, they have a large selection)

[cx]

I see a tab for Marine, Motorcycle & ATV on that site, John, but nothing that says RV. I'm missing something?

[jwmezzanotte]

No your not missing something, I misread. Edited my post above. Sorry about that. I found they had a good selection though, should be something in there.

The head unit we bought had just blue tooth. Gps and back up cam (and various other things) are all add ons that can be added as needed.

[cx]

Yeah, they got a lotta stuff. I don't know what would be application specific to an RV as opposed to an automobile, anyway. Mine is on a Chevy chassis, but I have no real idea who's electrical system might be in the coach. There's always a little surprise around every corner.

[pooky]

kenwood actually

http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-KDC-BT.../dp/B00IFB36FC

radio with 2 speakers mounted right behind my head . . . hard of hearing and
a van has crappy acoustics in general --

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-TS-X20.../dp/B00009QOQB

installed was 250 ish

already had a power amp from my previous setup

anywho I like the setup -- not a thumper but good for listening to news music and podcasts

[cx]

Thanks, Stephen.

Originally Posted by Stephen

radio with 2 speakers mounted right behind my head.

I've built a wall immediately behind my driver's seat and have intended to do the same for years. Needed some nice surface mount speakers and those look like just what the doctor ordered.

For under a hunnert bucks I can try that radio to see if I'll ever really use any of those other features and won't cry much if I decide to put in a different one in a different place later.

But what about the un-dimable bright blue lighting reported by one reviewer? You experience any of that?

[pooky]

but It doesn't bother me

if you are sleeping while driving it might be an issue

[jwmezzanotte]

This should do the trick, no?

[Kman]

If you had posted two weeks ago, I threw one away that had been lying around the garage for the last three years. It was out of a Dodge pickup.

[cx]

Thanks, all (except Kevin, of course ).

I'm gonna give that one Stephen suggested a try and see can I make the light dim. If not, won't cost much to throw it away and I'll still have finally installed some speakers where I want'em.

[cx]

I bought that Kenwood, Stephen. Got it installed and that lighted part is bright! Gotta think of some sorta cover to put over it on accounta ain't no way I can drive at night with that light in my eyes. Waaaaay too bright for me.

Most interesting part is it has a dimmer for the display window, but not that damn dial light. You can turn down the display window such that it's not at all intrusive, but can't do a thing about that big blue light.

And the controls are far too complicated for my taste. I'm sure I'll learn to do what I need to do without looking at the instructions, but I'd still like one with an on/off/volume knob and a tuning knob and maybe a few preset buttons. All the rest of the "stuff" on there is a complete waste for some of us.

I sent back the speakers, though. Thought they could be wall mounted and thought they were a lot smaller than they were. Turns out the volume on the radio is so much better than the old one that the current speakers might be enough. Need to take a trip before I'll know for sure and I can always find something else to add if I still need help.

Thanks for the recommendation.