I think VAG are pushing it..standard in the new golf and leon? certainly standard in the new octavia
DAB in cars
- Thread starter ash_scotland88
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I think VAG are pushing it..standard in the new golf and leon? certainly standard in the new octavia
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I wouldn't make an effort to buy a DAB radio as they carry a premium - I'd rather go for a head unit that offers more in terms of quality. If the price range you're looking at negates any need for saving money, then go for it. Otherwise, for the moment (for me) there's little point in it.
Bought the cheaper Pioneer DAB unit for my wife recently (think it's the 4500 rather than the 8500 model) and it's been really good.
Was actually cheapest in Halfords as well, the sales lad was saying that the gov have been giving them some sort of push to discount them a bit to get people buying them. Not sure I believe that but either way means it was a tenner cheaper than anywhere online
Bought one of the aerials that powers just off it's normal connector, it's hidden away in the A pillar with the little clear bit poking out.
Reception is good, sound quality sounds the same in the car and get the benefit of more stations as we have bugger all down here.
Only downside I've noticed is for some reason Absolute 90s sounds like it's streaming off the internet at a poor rate when all the other stations are bright and loud!
Was actually cheapest in Halfords as well, the sales lad was saying that the gov have been giving them some sort of push to discount them a bit to get people buying them. Not sure I believe that but either way means it was a tenner cheaper than anywhere online
Bought one of the aerials that powers just off it's normal connector, it's hidden away in the A pillar with the little clear bit poking out.
Reception is good, sound quality sounds the same in the car and get the benefit of more stations as we have bugger all down here.
Only downside I've noticed is for some reason Absolute 90s sounds like it's streaming off the internet at a poor rate when all the other stations are bright and loud!
My life would be so much simpler if BBC 6Music just broadcasted on FM. Now I have to resort to streaming it from my phone over Bluetooth because BMW charge a fortune to have the DAB module retrofitted, and it's not even fully integrated into iDrive.
This is my point, the government aren't forcing it through, which is why its not being adopted.
Soldato
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I thought A4's were the same, he gabbled on about picking up the strongest twenty stations automatically when we went for a test drive.
Have factory DAB in mine and no problems with reception at all, only lose it when in the middle of nowhere or inside multi-story carparks and the like.
When mine drops back to FM there's absolutely no interruption at all.
Yes of course it is
Quality-wise, DAB doesn't really sound any different from a good FM signal. The main advantage is the wider choice of stations compared to FM. I've found this handy for listening to more "niche" stations but also for things like 5 Live sports commentaries where, without DAB, I'd be restricted to ghastly AM reception.
When mine drops back to FM there's absolutely no interruption at all.
Yes of course it is
Quality-wise, DAB doesn't really sound any different from a good FM signal. The main advantage is the wider choice of stations compared to FM. I've found this handy for listening to more "niche" stations but also for things like 5 Live sports commentaries where, without DAB, I'd be restricted to ghastly AM reception.
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got DAB in my insignia - love it just to have Absolute radio 90's on the way to work
Yup, the absolute range of stations is what i want.
And Real XS, which broadcasts in FM in Glasgow fine but drops out Harthill sometimes can make it to Livi, but can't tune to it till reaching Showcase.
Seems to be the it's all in the aerial. Looking at options for the Golf mkIV
The Piorneer x6500 might be the ideal choice for me too, as it has the aux in and front USB too which I want.
got DAB in my insignia - love it just to have Absolute radio 90's on the way to work
It's all about Christian O'Connell in the mornings
The thing is, I just have my smartphone in a dock and use that to listen to any internet radio I like using TuneIn and then streamed via BT to my headunit.
This is a much better solution than using a DAB tuner.
Also, is it me or does there seem to be no decent headunits with DAB tuners in them? All the top-end units from Alpine, Pioneer etc don't have it. Only the mid-range ones.
This is a much better solution than using a DAB tuner.
Also, is it me or does there seem to be no decent headunits with DAB tuners in them? All the top-end units from Alpine, Pioneer etc don't have it. Only the mid-range ones.
Soldato
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this, although it does chomp through your data allowance so best on a unlimited plan.
It chomps through your phone's battery too. I lose 6% during the 10 minute drive to work when streaming over 3G to my head unit with Bluetooth.
We don't have DAB+ in this country.
Powered dock
Hi everyone Ive just joined and not sure what this forum is all about cars etc or other things as well as I found it by accident when I was reading another post about DAB in the car and reception, it wasnt this post TBH but this one seems to be about the same thing anyway.
Im a licensed radio amateur and the antenna side of things is what interests me and Ive read lots on this subject and make my own but so after buying DAB for the car and not being able to find any other reviews of DAB antennas I thought I would do my own review with photo proof.
I recently bought a Pioneer head unit and obviously needed an antenna for it, lots of claims out their saying this is best thats best etc, I bought one of the active stick on the windscreen ones after allowing myself to listen to the sales man, I was really jubious about this decision as the antenna really didnt make sense, no proper ground plane/counterpoise. After reading I want to share my own experiments and observations.
I read someone saying the cheap ones are no good well in my experience I would say its the other way round.
I also want to say Im not selling anything and Im no spammer, I have an amateur radio forum and a travel forum my only interest is to stop people wasting money on stupid antennas that dont work very well and warning them not to listen to salesmen in the likes of Halfords that dont know what they are talking about.
The link below is my review with my photo evidence, I done it for another forum and added it to my site for my members. You are all welcome to share this knowledge with anyone thinking about buying DAB for their vehicle. I really hope this saves someone a lot of time and money. Please fell free to contact me if you need anymore help, Im not saying Im an expert but I am a hobbyist I have a proper antenna analyzer and will be doing further experiments in the future, I will also be explaining the importance of antenna length etc......
http://nears.forumotion.co.uk/t365-car-dab-antenna-test-which-one-should-you-go-for
Im a licensed radio amateur and the antenna side of things is what interests me and Ive read lots on this subject and make my own but so after buying DAB for the car and not being able to find any other reviews of DAB antennas I thought I would do my own review with photo proof.
I recently bought a Pioneer head unit and obviously needed an antenna for it, lots of claims out their saying this is best thats best etc, I bought one of the active stick on the windscreen ones after allowing myself to listen to the sales man, I was really jubious about this decision as the antenna really didnt make sense, no proper ground plane/counterpoise. After reading I want to share my own experiments and observations.
I read someone saying the cheap ones are no good well in my experience I would say its the other way round.
I also want to say Im not selling anything and Im no spammer, I have an amateur radio forum and a travel forum my only interest is to stop people wasting money on stupid antennas that dont work very well and warning them not to listen to salesmen in the likes of Halfords that dont know what they are talking about.
The link below is my review with my photo evidence, I done it for another forum and added it to my site for my members. You are all welcome to share this knowledge with anyone thinking about buying DAB for their vehicle. I really hope this saves someone a lot of time and money. Please fell free to contact me if you need anymore help, Im not saying Im an expert but I am a hobbyist I have a proper antenna analyzer and will be doing further experiments in the future, I will also be explaining the importance of antenna length etc......
http://nears.forumotion.co.uk/t365-car-dab-antenna-test-which-one-should-you-go-for