914 Radio Madness Options

[Amphicar770]

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.

[Cairo94507]

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

[Cuda911]

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

[EdwardBlume]

The air is a dead ringer for the air we breathe here at our house... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[JimN73]

try retrosound.com

[MJHanna]

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. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

[rick 918-S]

How do you see a GPS with the Boxster unit? Does it display it that mail slot or just talk to you? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Never seen one.

[DBCooper]

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.

[CptTripps]

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.

[A&P Mech]

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...cPath=20_42_747

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

Ray

[Amphicar770]

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.

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.

[Amphicar770]

How do you see a GPS with the Boxster unit? Does it display it that mail slot or just talk to you? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Never seen one.

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-Kard...t-/231464228981

[rick 918-S]

How do you see a GPS with the Boxster unit? Does it display it that mail slot or just talk to you? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Never seen one.

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).

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) 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?

[green914]

"Craziest part is that I mostly listen to the sound of the engine when driving the 914."
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) That's not crazy.

[76-914]

I have an old Sony/cassette model that has a but load of power and sounds great. Plug my IPhone to it for modernization. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) The cool thing about it is that when turned on it scrolls the banner "Porsche 914 3.0" across the screen. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) My wife made me edit the previous "Ass or Grass" banner. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[Amphicar770]

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

[monkeyboy]

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.

[Amphicar770]

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.

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.

[Amphicar770]

[/quote]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) 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.

[eriqx]

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...