Stereo Dilema

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Sbryantgb

Active Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2011
Messages
134
Location
Near Canterbury, Kent. UK
Car
2000 SLK200 Kompressor
A request for a new car radio has been authorised as a Christmas gift by my lovely partner, the problem is though what to get. I don't listen to loud music in the car and I am quite happy with the overall sound of the stock speakers. So peak audio performance is not a goal. I am smitten with the idea of a 7" drop down touch screen, but wonder if I should just stick with a standard type head unit. Any input would be appreciated.
 
What car are you putting it in? If it is for your 230CE then a Becker unit would be ideal. Very good sound and the look matches the older mercs nicely. Some have bluetooth and satnav. Unfortunately no longer available new unless you are lucky and find someone with some left. German ebay is a good source. Tend to be a bit pricey even if used.
 
be very careful with the cheap drop down touch screens as they tend to break , i have just installed a pioneer AVH-3300BT, only small screen but very good picture and sound. not bad for under £300:rock:
 
Thank you, yes it is for the 230CE. I will research Becker units, the pioneer AVH unit is nice but unfortunatly double din sized.
 
I have found the Beckers to be superior to anything else I've come across in three areas - FM reception, sound quality and build quality

Going down the dip at Pyecombe on the A23 every stereo I have ever had would drop FM till I installed a Becker

Nick Froome
the independent Mercedes Estate specialists
 
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Now I do like that, and would suit the aesthetic of the car. Unfortunately it does not not have the min feature I require which is an aux in. My budget is anywhere up to £250ish.

All Blaupunkt have aux in. You just need the aux in cable. http://www.bluespot.co.uk/car-audio.aspx/7607001509-adaptor Depending on what unit you get you can also get an add on bluetooth & usb interface.

Becker do units with navigation too and single din but you will need to search ebay etc for one as Becker have stopped making them. Becker also support aux input.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BECKER-TR...8?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item415eca1a7e
 
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I'm sure Nick (Bolide) won't mind me linking to his website, but this is my ex-coupe with a Becker Hi-Speed in (not the Grand Prix I have but I can't find a photo).

Becker

Just click on the relevant photos.

I think they look absolutely perfect in the W124, sound great and if you don't go for the most expensive ones, for what they are on Ebay, not bad value. You get logical buttons which you can read, and you don't get lots of ludicrous lights flashing at you. The only thing I find irritating is the default traffic programme which comes on automatically if power has been disconnected. A minor flaw, and easily cancelled.

Edit - until my super duper hifi is fitted, I am putting up with a Blaupunkt. It is pants. Loses the signal easily, thin sound, cheap plastic, silly dancing lights and worst, it defaults every time you start to a standard (very quiet) volume, so the first thing you have to do is turn it up. Not a patch on a Becker and nowhere near the quality of Blaupunkts of old.
 
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The only thing I find irritating is the default traffic programme which comes on automatically if power has been disconnected. A minor flaw, and easily cancelled.

My new Audio 20 does that.
I agree Becker grand prix, just need the right colour for your dash.
If you want a screen then there is the flip up type but at that price will be poor quality.
 
I would go for the Blaupunkt, going by what npuk says about the aux. It ends soon, today.

Otherwise, if it's Becker you want:

Becker Radio CD with built-in Sat Nav, 6 - Great Yarmouth, Norfolk - Car Spares & Accessories | Ad Trader Local Free Ads

BECKER TRAFFIC PRO BE4720 CD/RADIO/SAT NAV!!! | eBay

ASTON MARTIN DB7 BECKER TRAFFIC PRO CAR STEREO | eBay

And this is a bit pricy (£180) but is exactly what you are looking for and is complete wit aux cable: BECKER TRAFFIC PRO BE4720 Nav/CD/Radio/Aux | eBay
 
Becker every time. Sound is great. More recent ones have twin tuners so dont lose signal and switch seamlessly between transmitters. We have a Becker cascade in the 124 - superb sound, bluetooth phone connection, i-pod and satnav. Bought of german e-bay a few years ago. The other plus is that few people know what they are so not a magnet for thieves.
 
Definitely go for a Becker, you should be able to get an Indianapolis for your budget.
 
All Blaupunkt have aux in

In my experience only the later units have Aux in. You used to be able to download the manuals free and check before buying but the website has gone

The 1990s units with a CDC (CD Changer) connection don't have an Aux in but after that they all seem to have one. The DAB radios have two

If the unit has a third connector (above power & speaker) and the pins run in the opposite direction to the other two if probably won't have Aux in. If the third connector has pins that run the same way it uses three separate plugs for Aux, phone & CD remote. But I suspect not all of those units have Aux in

The Aux in cable is generic and works for Beckers and Blaupunkts. Only the Aux 2 on a Blaupunkt DAB needs a different cable

Nick Froome
the independent Mercedes Estate specialists
 
Thanks for all your advice; I'm sorry for the long delay in my response. Becker seems to be the clear favourite.
 

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