Choosing a deck

[skeeboo]

Want to replace the standard factory tape deck in my 99 outback. Saw some of the great write-ups here in the DIY forum and it looks like something I can handle myself.

My question is this. Can I pretty much choose any decent deck? Are the connectors on most of those standard across the board? That's what I'm confused about. If not, what are the most compatible with older model Subies? There are so many choices out there. If you go to a site like Circuit City, they have a system that lets you choose your car model/year, and it'll show you what they have that's compatible. Naturally, everything is "no fit", other than some bulky Sony CD changer thing that I guess fits everything.

Anyway, what I'd like is a standard radio/CD deck. If it can play CD-RW/MP3 discs, then cool. If it has plugs for USB or SD cards, that would be a bonus. Any suggestions?

[acjx880]

I think most aftemarket audio deck manufactures sells the connectors for the car decks for different car manufactures, which will run you an extra $60-70 on top of the deck of your choice.

I had mine deck installed in a friend's shop and he just spliced in all the necessary cables to save me a few bucks from getting a connector.

[shazapple]

Id get the connector. Extra insurance so you don't screw over your stock harness. They are only $30 or so anyway.

Pretty much any deck will work. Buy the adapter (Impreza one works too) and wire it to the plug that comes with the deck. like so
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/486000-486999/486027_1_full.jpg

[Wiscon_Mark]

30 bucks?! Mine was 14.99

I know the conversion between Candian and US dollars isn't that far off.

[shazapple]

I couldn't remember the price, I was guessing. Plus it was 5am :lol:

I have an MP3 CD player. Its great and I'd never consider getting a normal CD player. Mine is a kenwood but I'm not impressed with its performance (I had to open it up to adjust things in order for it to work properly). Perhaps the new ones are better though

[d1giPhux]

$30!!GOOD JUMPING JESUS! There is NO need to spend that much, im sure you could find one for $15 max.. or just straight wire it yourself. Let me see if i can find some website that has all the info you need to straight wire / make your own harness.

edit: i see you didnt remember the price.. but some stores do sell them that expensive.. shit, id rather just straight wire, and keep the stock harness somewhere safe.

2nd edit : i found the site www.installdr.com (http://www.installdr.com) .. but they apparently dont have any info for subaru! hmm =/ .. maybe there is some info in the FSM?

[skeeboo]

Sounds like a connector is the best way to go. I appreciate the tip. Are these available at any good electronics store, or are they special order? The only connectors I've looked at was in Walmart one day. They have a booklet there hanging off the decks where you can look up your car and see what kind of connector you need. Naturally there was nothing for my Outback. I think they do have the Impreza one listed, though.

[Superu264]

I have an MP3 CD player. Its great and I'd never consider getting a normal CD player.

+1

I have a JVC though, never had 1 problem with it. I made sure I got one with the aux jack on the front for my iPod. I got the JVC because out of all the head units I have had experience with the JVC has held up best.

Dont spend more than $15-20 on a harness.

[d1giPhux]

If you buy the deck at a store, you should be able to get the connector from them.. or check ebay. But mostly you should be able to find one from the people you buy the deck from.. but chances are, they will rip you off. Hope you find a deck you like though! =]

[Wiscon_Mark]

Circuit city and best buy should have what you're looking for in a connector. Splicing the wires is easy.

I also have an MP3 CD player (Eclipse 3414) and I absolutely love it. 7 hours of high quality music on one CD is yummy :smile:

[acjx880]

I think most aftemarket audio deck manufactures sells the connectors for the car decks for different car manufactures, which will run you an extra $60-70 on top of the deck of your choice.

I had mine deck installed in a friend's shop and he just spliced in all the necessary cables to save me a few bucks from getting a connector.

Sorry guys,

That was the price quoted by a friend, which I've yet to look into. But if you can get it cheaper, by all means get it. As the guy who installed my deck had reversed the rear left/right speaker wires initially, so I had an interesting experience when I was adjusting the balance of the sound... lol!

[Sarra]

I think most aftemarket audio deck manufactures sells the connectors for the car decks for different car manufactures, which will run you an extra $60-70 on top of the deck of your choice.

I had mine deck installed in a friend's shop and he just spliced in all the necessary cables to save me a few bucks from getting a connector.

Sorry guys,

That was the price quoted by a friend, which I've yet to look into. But if you can get it cheaper, by all means get it. As the guy who installed my deck had reversed the rear left/right speaker wires initially, so I had an interesting experience when I was adjusting the balance of the sound... lol!

Lightning stuck the side of my house where I keep my PC. Somehow, lightning fried ONLY the left sound output, so I only had 2.1 sound, just two right speakers and the sub. :( I thought it had fried my speakers, until I took them apart and everything was okay.

[skeeboo]

Thanks again for all the advice and info, guys (and girls). I ended up going to Circuit City and grabbing the Sony CDX-GT510 (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-In-Dash-Player-CDX-GT510/sem/rpsm/oid/163507/catOid/-13641/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do) (click for a link to their page for it).

The interface is nice and flush with the rest of the panel compared to some of the others I saw. I also liked that the LED backlight can be changed from red (default) to green if desired. It was the only unit that could do that. At CC anyway. It doesn't have a USB/SD card port, but is iPod ready with an Aux port and can play MP3/WMA/etc formatted discs. That's good enough for me.

The connector cost an extra 20 bucks, so not too bad. Followed the wonderful write-up in the DIY section to install it. It's in and working great with no major issues. Probably need to upgrade the factory speakers (any suggestions?) to get the full effect but other than that, perfect. :grin:

[Superu264]

When I got mine and saw the remote I thought "Ha.. I'll never use this."

Turns out I use it 90% of the time :lol: :roll:

[Wiscon_Mark]

I should buy a remote for mine. The Eclipse remote looks pretty badass.

[skeeboo]

Mine came with a little remote. I also didn't think I'd use it, but while driving earlier I had it in my lap to control the volume and scan the FM. Now I'm going to be too lazy to lean forward. :lol:

Look at it this way, the remote is easier to replace than the unit. The more you use the remote, the less wear and tear you put on those buttons. Which the guy at Circuit City made a point of telling me about (when pushing the extended warranty). "There's only so many times you can push those buttons before normal wear and tear happens and they just stop working".

[d1giPhux]

I got a remote too.. its called my fingers! :lol: I dont even have to look to use it!!

[Wiscon_Mark]

Look at it this way, the remote is easier to replace than the unit. The more you use the remote, the less wear and tear you put on those buttons. Which the guy at Circuit City made a point of telling me about (when pushing the extended warranty). "There's only so many times you can push those buttons before normal wear and tear happens and they just stop working".

Good point. I think I'll get that remote soon.