| Author |
Message |
    
R. B. Bailey (Rover50987)
| | Posted on Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 01:32 am: | 
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I have a '97 Saab 900SE Turbo (The only affordable car that I like to drive other than my Rovers, since it is fast. It's the anti-thesis of a Rover) Anyway, it has an integrated audio system not unlike the Disco, but much more tied into the cars systems etc... etc... The CD Changer is a Clarion that fits in the trunk. I just bought one for $37.00 on eBay - works great, sounds good.
The interesting thing is that it comes with an FM Radio Modulation Unit, along with it's own control screen to mount anywhere in the car, and antenna cables. In the Saab, you don't need any of this, you just plug it in. But in any other car you are suppose to be able to use it with any radio once set up with the modulation unit.
It seems like a pretty straight forward install, and while I know I won't get "CD quality" sound, I thought it might be cool to install the module under the seat, and set up a quick disconnect for the CD changer so that I can switch it from car to car when we go on long trips. Have any of you done this before? Does it work? How does it sound? And considerations for installation?
http://landrover.mrbaileyshistory.net |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 09:26 am: |
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I've done a RF Modulator install on a '89 535i a long time ago. That was my first and last RF CD install. Don't bother when there are cheap cables out there to use on almost any aftermarket CD player/car combo. |
ken
| | Posted on Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 12:05 pm: |
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You won't be able to tell the difference between the RF and the non-rf unit. I used to own a stereo shop and installed hundreds if these units the only draw back is the mounting the control screen it can have wires hanging ect. As far as what Al says above I'm not sure what he's means there are many cables availible for many cars but you can't just use any cd player. For the disco (it's been a while) but I think You need a Pioneer. Alpine works for most hondas and BMW's Clarion works for VW & SAAB. There are exceptions for model years ect. Anyway your Idea will work the only thing to consider is where to mount the CD Changer since you will be moving it from car to car you will have to have 2 sets of brackets also make sure to adjust the set screws one the side in the event that the mounts pos. are different from one car to the next ie. Saab Vert. and Rover Horizontal. Other then that I would say do it.
Ken |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 12:18 pm: |
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The D2 uses Alpine units. I wasn't very clear on my other post. But there are other, and in my opinion better, choices than RF. For the D2 see http://www.blitzsafe.com/blitz_appguide/BlitzAppGuide.pdf
I'm sure there are similar cables available for the D1.
I could always tell the difference from RF and non RF installs. I have yet to hear Frequency Modulated Radio signals that sound as good as CD. If they were that good I don't think XM and Sirrus Sattelite radio would do very well. |
ken
| | Posted on Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 12:39 pm: |
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Al
I agree that you don't get cd quality sound from a RF changer but it is as good if not a little better then the radio. I think the fact that he got the changer for $39.00 if he can get it to work in 2 cars that is a bargin. When I bought my rover I passed on the changer because I would never pay $1000 for a $300 part I figuered I would just put one in after the fact. But you are right I wouldn't pay 3-4 hundred dollars for a RF changer. That being said the one thing they don't say on Blitz-safes web page (unless things have changed) is that their adaptor doesn't work for radios with DSP which is what I have. So 3 years later I still have no CD.
ken |
R. B. Bailey (Rover50987)
| | Posted on Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 02:16 pm: |
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OK, the problem is not so much the sound quality, I can deal with it. It will be better than the FM radio quality around here, and a much better selection of music.
Anyway, the Disco I has the wires ready to install a Pioneer Changer I believe, but unless you actually buy a LAND ROVER Pioneer changer, even if it is the same model number, it won't work! The Land Rover Radio is programed not to allow anything but the special changers to work. You have to buy the right changer, right model number, that has the Land Rover code, and they usually go for over $200 on eBay. My point was that I have seen several of these Clarion changers for very cheap on eBay. I have heard good things about them, and mine happened to include the Modulator - so why not install it? Also, I don't have to change out the original LR stero unit which looks good in the dash - other aftermarket radios and CD's that go in that dash just end up looking too - "Gansta" if you know what I mean.
By the way, I just velcro-ed the changer to the trim in the Saab, works great!! I will probably devise a strap system for under the seat in the Rover, and that way I wont have to change back and forth from the Vert - Horiz.
I will let you know how it works when I have it all installed. |
Shane C. (Qsiguy)
| | Posted on Friday, September 06, 2002 - 12:17 am: |
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I also own a stereo shop and that sounds like a really great idea to me. I have also installed 100's of FM modulated cd changers and for most of the population they are great. There are always a few people who must have "perfect" sound and seem to have super sensitive ears that think the FM modulation sounds horrible, or maybe they just got a bad unit or install. I feel that in most vehicles you would have to have each type of cd changer wired up at the same time and be able to switch back and forth to really tell the difference. Also, most people that want an FM modulated changer still have everything else stock so the systems ability to reproduce the music is still quite limited anyway.
There ya have it, my "expert" opinion. 
Shane |
Po Chen (Discopo)
| | Posted on Friday, September 06, 2002 - 02:00 pm: |
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I agree with Shane. I have a '96 D1 with fm modulated 6 cd Alpine changer(under passenger seat)and the rest stock. Purchased for $120 with installation. Wanted to be able to play CDs when radio reception was nil in the mountains and off-road. Quality is fine for me. Except for that that slight buzz when you turn down the volume. No big deal since the Disco isn't the quietest ride anyway. |
Rich Lee
| | Posted on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 03:11 pm: |
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Shane,
Have you wired any iPOD or other portable MP3 players into a Land Rover system? If so, is a cassette adaptor any better/worse than an RF modulator for sound quality?
I have heard bad reviews about the Dr Bott RF modulator that comes with their car kit. Is there any aftermarket RF unit that better than most?
My ENTIRE music collection takes up less than 10 Gbytes in MP3 format. It makes a lot more sense to be able to play it in any vehicle/home/cabin via an iPOD than to buy/replace a CD changer.
Lastly, the changer in my wife's 91 Rangie is not working. I hear the caddys loading, but no spinning of the disc. I am willing to see if I can fix the "spin" drive, but noit much else. Is this an easy task, or is it iPOD time?
Thanks,
Rich |
Shane C. (Qsiguy)
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - 02:54 am: |
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Well, you typically loose some sound quality with mp3 anyway so I wouldn't be too worried about that. I would personally go with an FM modulator over the tape adapter option. But for ease of install, of course the cassette adapters will win. I've had good luck with pretty much all the FM modulators I have used, Audiovox and OptiView are a couple I have used and work well. I've had a few customers in the shop that were getting engine noise and were blaming the modulator but we traced it to their poor amp or head unit install about every time. I sell them for about $45.
As for the defective changer...I seldom have luck fixing them unless or course I send them to a repair shop which takes the cost way to high for me. I usually suggest that maybe it's time to upgrade the head unit and changer or just get an indash cd. Now if you decide to upgrade the head unit, many of the mid to high end models will have line level inputs you can just plug right into with your iPOD.
Shane |
Eugene Elin (Glex)
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - 06:28 pm: |
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I realy did not undestand if i can use any aftermarket cd changers with OEM LR radio?what dose it reqvire for installation?
Thank's
-Eugene |
Shane C. (Qsiguy)
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - 09:46 pm: |
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we are talking about FM modulated cd changers which are designed to wire into the antenna of any FM stereo. To play cd's you tune your radio into a preset station like 89.7 and your cd's are playing through the FM stereo. They are, in my opinion, a great option for most people who need to add cd to a stock system.
Install is pretty simple, just a few wires and plug it into the antenna of the stereo.
Shane |
Eugene Elin (Glex)
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 01:12 pm: |
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Thank you...now i need cd changer with fm modulator |
Shane C. (Qsiguy)
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 06:06 pm: |
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Eugene, email me at [email protected] and I'll send you some prices on several different models my company sells.
Shane
www.c4caraudio.com |
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