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Posted by: Amphicar770 Jan 28 2015, 08:41 PM

I think I have lost my mind.

I decided that I wanted to go with a more modern radio but did not want something that looked like it came from a disco. Unfortunately, most modern units fall into that latter category.

First, I decided to go with a Nakamichi MBVI. The first one I ordered got lost in transit. The second one, from eBay, was supposed to be new but was used and defective. Got refunds on both and decided to give up on the Nakamichis. I also hear units of that time period were problematic.




I then discovered a VDO unit that I think looks quite good and the VDO label sort of fits in. I ordered one from Germany and it should be here shortly.



But wait, then I saw another Kienzle which is very feature rich yet subtle in appearance. Yup, also ordered one of them from Germany.



Lastly, I then saw a Becker Traffic Pro BE4763 which was fitted to early Boxters. Not a great GPS but kind of neat to have and it says Porsche on it. That will be here soon also.



Not sure which unit I will ultimately wind up using. The others will likely go up for sale here.

Craziest part is that I mostly listen to the sound of the engine when driving the 914.

Just thought I would share what I found for anyone considering a more modern unit without too much bling.

Posted by: Cairo94507 Jan 28 2015, 09:58 PM

Wow- that looks like my kitchen granite! OK- of the selection provided, the Boxster radio would be the choice for me.

Posted by: Cuda911 Jan 28 2015, 11:55 PM

I have a dish towel that looks very similar to the one in the back ground.

Posted by: RobW Jan 29 2015, 12:00 AM

The air is a dead ringer for the air we breathe here at our house...

Posted by: JimN73 Jan 29 2015, 12:30 AM

try retrosound.com

Posted by: MJHanna Jan 29 2015, 07:18 AM

If you go with the Boxster one I have a "Porsche " 6 disk player that goes in the trunk........ you could have a full "factory" set up.

Posted by: rick 918-S Jan 29 2015, 07:26 AM

How do you see a GPS with the Boxster unit? Does it display it that mail slot or just talk to you? Never seen one.

Posted by: DBCooper Jan 29 2015, 07:51 AM

I'm almost all mechless now, like that Kienzle. CD's are a pain, take up too much space, always seem to be visible, tempting thieves, I'm always breaking the cases, and they aren't stable with harsh suspensions. A mechless player is smaller, cheaper, more durable, a 32GB micro SD card is tiny, easy to copy/update/change so you can have a copy for every car, they hold a huge amount of music and are just all around more convenient. I haven't seen that Kienzle before, it looks killer.

Posted by: CptTripps Jan 29 2015, 08:11 AM

I don't know the last time I played a CD in a car. Get something that'll read USB, an SD card, or your iPhone.

Posted by: A&P Mech Jan 29 2015, 08:29 AM

I really like the idea of a not having a radio visible in the dash. I am considering this unit from vintage car radio. http://www.vintagecarradio.com/store/index.php?cPath=20_42_747

You can use Bluetooth from a smart phone or an mp3 player.

Ray

Posted by: Amphicar770 Jan 29 2015, 08:33 AM

I agree, CD's are dying off fast.

The Keinzle has bluetooth, and supports usb and SD card. The VDO has USB port in front. There is a version of the VDO that supports blue-tooth but on either that or the Becker I will probably just put a small bluetooth dongle behind the dash and wire it into the aux.

Posted by: Amphicar770 Jan 29 2015, 08:46 AM

By modern GPS standards, it is pretty lame. It does not show rolling maps but uses text and arrows along with voice guidance. Likewise, I imagine the latest map updates are probably a few years old. For everyday use I would want something better, for the 914 it is more about appearance (I can use Waze on my phone if I really need directions).






BTW, there is a Harmon Kardon version of this unit currently on EvilBay with current bid of $80

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Becker-Harman-Kardon-TrafficPro-OEM-replacement-/231464228981

Posted by: rick 918-S Jan 29 2015, 08:50 AM

it's about the look in a 914. I like the top one. It looks almost dated with slightly larger knobs. What year is it out of?

Posted by: green914 Jan 29 2015, 08:53 AM

"Craziest part is that I mostly listen to the sound of the engine when driving the 914."
That's not crazy.

Posted by: 76-914 Jan 29 2015, 08:59 AM

I have an old Sony/cassette model that has a but load of power and sounds great. Plug my IPhone to it for modernization. The cool thing about it is that when turned on it scrolls the banner "Porsche 914 3.0" across the screen. My wife made me edit the previous "Ass or Grass" banner.

Posted by: Amphicar770 Jan 29 2015, 09:00 AM

Here is a link that has pictures of all of these units installed in (mostly) 911's

http://www.911uk.com/viewtopic.php?p=990769

Posted by: monkeyboy Jan 29 2015, 10:15 AM

You do need to watch what radios you order. US radio bands are not the same as other countries. They do overlap somewhat but you can end up with a unit that will not work as a radio here.

I do know that Japanese radios do not work here. I was going to import one once.

Posted by: Amphicar770 Jan 29 2015, 11:17 AM

Yes, Japan operates FM at lower frequencies than most of the world. Analog radios from EU will also stop around 104 versus 107.9 for the USA.

Many, not all, of the electronic units are designed so that you can select the region of the world in which you are using it.

Much like CD's, terrestrial radio seems to be dying off. For a daily driver, you may want the full spectrum for your country. May be less important if you are going for a certain look and / or mostly use functions other than the Radio,

I do have a Blaupunkt AM/FM/CB radio that I was thinking of using (actually have 2, one is NOS, the other does not seem to work on CB). Those stop at 104 on FM. The 24 CB channels all are the same as the US but there is no channel 19 which is the main frequency in the USA. You could switch out one of the crystals but they are soldered in place and it was a hassle I did not want to deal with. Still, it is a cool, mostly period correct unit with dual shafts.

Posted by: Amphicar770 Jan 29 2015, 11:33 AM

[/quote]

it's about the look in a 914. I like the top one. It looks almost dated with slightly larger knobs. What year is it out of?
[/quote]

You want pre-2003. That would be these or the CDR-220 (same unit without navigation). In 2003 Porsche went to the fiber-optic MOST interface (CDR-230). Those will not work.

Becker and Harmon Kardon both offered these without the Porsche logo. I am told that at one time Crutchfield was clearing out the new Harmon-Kardons for $300 but that was some years ago.

Posted by: eriqx Jan 29 2015, 12:39 PM

i really like the look of the VDO (and honestly, the kienzle as well...)

...and since my 914 came with a SATURN factory radio wedged into the dash, now you've got me thinking...

Posted by: MJHanna Jan 29 2015, 12:39 PM

[/quote]

2, one is NOS, the other does not seem to work on CB). Those stop at 104 on FM. The 24 CB channels all are the same as the US but there is no channel 19 which is the main frequency in the USA. You could switch out one of the crystals but they are soldered in place and it was a hassle I did not want to deal with. Still, it is a cool, mostly period correct unit with dual shafts.


[/quote]
Ummmm no body even uses channel 19 I have one in my truck and turn it on once in a while... I have never hear anybody on it...

Posted by: Amphicar770 Jan 29 2015, 04:53 PM

I'll probably wind up selling one or more of them so will let you know. Won't make my final decision on which one I use until I see them in person. The two shipped from Germany pretty fast but I find that things often sit in customs for days or weeks before finally arriving and the DHL tracking is useless for international.

Posted by: barefoot Jan 29 2015, 05:28 PM

We listen to books on "tape" (Tapes have all but disappeared, but lots of books on CD) all the time when on the road. Once the 914 is running, not sure how long road trips will be envisioned, however want that option. Also want USB front jack for IPOD or phone

Posted by: Ed_F Feb 1 2015, 01:33 AM

I'm a huge fan of Nakamichi. Probably the best sounding aftermarket deck I have ever experienced. Had one in a Miata many years ago, and regret not pulling it before selling the thing. They are pricey, even for older models though.

Posted by: malcolm2 Feb 1 2015, 08:53 AM

Do you need a 6 disk changer? I found that i prefer the USB port. One in front and one in the rear. Buy a short USB extension cord and run the back one into to the glove box. Then you can use an ipod or a large gig thumb drive and never be limited by disks. Or have them all over.

Use the front one to charge your phone or for Siri directions.

Blaupnkt san fransico is the one for me.

Posted by: Amphicar770 Feb 10 2015, 01:32 PM

This weekend I installed the TrafficPro. Redid all the old wiring which was using vampire taps and ran everything properly to the fuse box. Then added a porsche / VW reverse harness so that I can just plug into radio. Install was very easy overall.

While I was at it I added the following Bluetooth kit and connected that to the rear aux of the Becker.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FRU5UNA/?tag=theampfor-20

I now have Bluetooth for the phone and to stream music. Was able to hide all the wires for that and the GPS antenna

While not period correct, I do give this unit thumbs up for a well matched, not too blingy, look. The only downside is that the face has a curvature where I would prefer something completely flat. The porsche logo is a plus.

The radio reception and sound quality are a huge improvement. I am only using two speakers (upgraded units, I forget the make and model) in the original front housings. An audiophile would gag but I do not drive the 914 for the radio.

The Keinzle arrived from Germany this morning. I may try popping that in just to see. It looks REALLY nice as a modern option with a very retro look. May be the perfect balance between look and features. It has everything (except CD) built in.

Posted by: gryphon68 Feb 24 2015, 06:08 AM

Porsche Classic Radio Navigation System

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=553l5ZrkyYU

Posted by: Amphicar770 Mar 14 2015, 04:36 PM

Here are the three units lined up on top of each other.

I think any of the 3 provides a nice, not too blingy option for the 914. Each has it's pros and cons.

I think the Kienzle is the most discreet, least blingy. It is only about 1/2 chasis depth so it fits very easily. Includes SD card and flash drive support as well as built in blutooth. No CD drive, it is mechless.

The Porsche / Becker unit from the Boxter has the advantage of the Porsche logo and, in this case, also has GPS (albeit dated). It does have more shiny bits than the others. It also has the largest display which is both good and bad.

The VDO is also a nice choice if you want CD player. I like the classic two know look and the VDO logo matches the gauges. A bit less discreet than the Kienzle but still goes well.

One nice thing is that they all use the same Porsche style electrical connector. Once you have wired one up, you can plug any of them in using the same harness.





I won't yet reveal which I went with but, what do you think of the three?

Posted by: Amphicar770 Mar 14 2015, 06:47 PM

Crazy expensive and no USA maps.

Posted by: Amphicar770 Mar 30 2015, 08:39 AM

So, I installed the TrafficPro and it seems to work well / look good. I added a bluetooth kit to the aux so I have phone and can connect ipod or other device.

One snag I discovered with the TrafficPro which is important for anyone considering this option. The TrafficPro requires feed from a VSS speed sensor in order to calibrate. It will not function if it is unable to calibrate. Becker does make some sort of adapter for the speedo cable but it requires cutting the cable which I was not to keen on.

The solution I went with was to use an Alpine NVE-K300 speed pulse generator which magnetizes a tire to provide speed pulse (sounds weird but works well). JVC KV-PG1 and Pioneer ND-PG1 are the exact same unit with different name. Unfortunately, these are NLA and very hard to find. I did pick up a new one but it cost me more than $150. If I did not already have the Traffic Pro I probably would have just gone with another option like the Koblenz or the VDO without GPS.

Posted by: Amphicar770 Jun 14 2016, 01:59 PM

For anyone considering the TrafficPro, here is a readily available and easy way to address the need for a speed pulse sender.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Intellitronix/556/S9020/10002/-1