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Time to say by by to the Denso satnav

1K views 12 replies 2 participants last post by  raynkar 
#1 ·
Good afternoon peeps,,
I've decided I'm going to replace the Denso with an aftermarket stereo????
My questions are?????
Single or double din what's the best option ?? DAB radio or not?? Satnav ??....
I already have the complete surround for radio and a single din adapter?? From my old radio....
Are the Denso units worth anything ?? Would obviously include 6 disc changer and satnav rom unit???

Just want something that'll play usb, SD card and if possible to Bluetooth me phone too as a hands free but not to bothered.
Thanks peeps ,,, have about £170ish saved so far but can wait and save more for a decent unit
 
#2 ·
I'd always go double DIN, That will give you more options.

Almost everything will have bluetooth, so will allow you to make calls etc. A voice connection to your phone would allow for sending or reading texts or emails.

I don't have satnav in my mk3, but never needed it. If I go anywhere that needs satnav I'd be driving my Ioniq.

I have DAB in the Ioniq and had it in the last Focus. It was very good on the motorway, but the signal regularly comes and goes when I'm close to home.

The Kenwood I have in the mk3 is getting old now, but does have a USB connection. I tend to keep 150-200 CDs worth of music on that. Obviously the unit has bluetooth, so that adds all the music stored on my phones.

If you go for double DIN you could choose something with a disc drive, so could play CDs or DVDs in the car.

A good size screen would give you the option of having a reversing camera with auto switching to show the camera in reverse.

For many years Ive only used Apple phones so couldn't play things like video through a lead on the head unit, but now I've also got an Android phone so may see what I can do with that.

Most new head units have Android support, but I'm not sure about Apple car play.

You need to think about what sound quality you want. For me the top brands are more expensive, but give the best sound.

There is another option, and that is to buy a tablet head unit mounted in a complete new fascia panel. These are Android units and sold from overseas sellers. I tend to see them on the Ali Express site.
 
#3 ·
I've posted loads of pics of my Kenwood in the past, but I'll add a few more just to go with the above post.

Normal screen.

Car Gear shift Vehicle Motor vehicle Automotive design


Reversing cam.

Gadget Display device Audio equipment Font Technology


Films.

Vehicle Car Automotive design Motor vehicle Plant
 

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#5 ·
Wow cheers raynkar,,,
Double din does seem the better option,, could I ask if that's just a USB socket next to the stick???
Films I'm not fussed about as I have the DVD player in the rear headrests from the factory??
I do like the Ali express one ?? May have to have a proper look
Thanks again mate,,, oh and yes I'm an iPhone user so I know that kinda makes a difference,, as for DAB maybe I'll leave it and possibly buy one of those extra dab devices should I need too
 
#6 ·
Wow cheers raynkar,,,
Double din does seem the better option,, could I ask if that's just a USB socket next to the stick???
Films I'm not fussed about as I have the DVD player in the rear headrests from the factory??
I do like the Ali express one ?? May have to have a proper look
Thanks again mate,,, oh and yes I'm an iPhone user so I know that kinda makes a difference,, as for DAB maybe I'll leave it and possibly buy one of those extra dab devices should I need too
It's a Ford cigarette lighter socket next to the gearstick. by having a cigarette lighter socket it can be used for 12v plugs like cool boxes or tyre inflators, it can have USB socket plugs in, or surprise surprise.......can have a cigarette lighter in it :)

Lots of people just fit a USB socket, but I prefer things being more versatile.

The USB stick I use for the head unit is plugged into a lead in the glove box.

With regard to watching DVDs, I used to use it for watching things while waiting to pick my other half up from work, it wasn't for rear seat passengers :)
 
#7 ·
Awesome cheers mate,,
Do you still have the one in the ashtray??? Mine in there was no good so as you said I swapped it to a USB type,,then realised most of my plug in power leads where the cigarette type adapter ????????...like the idea of just a standard cig lighter socket there so that I could plug in a USB adapter or power cables ?? Will definitely be looking to add this. In fact I'm going on fleabay to purchase one now ????????.
Thanks mate
 
#8 ·
Awesome cheers mate,,
Do you still have the one in the ashtray??? Mine in there was no good so as you said I swapped it to a USB type,,then realised most of my plug in power leads where the cigarette type adapter ...like the idea of just a standard cig lighter socket there so that I could plug in a USB adapter or power cables ?? Will definitely be looking to add this. In fact I'm going on fleabay to purchase one now .
Thanks mate
Yes, I've still got the original one in the ashtray.

I also have one in the boot and one at the rear of the centre console.
 
#9 ·
Awesome cheers mate,,
Do you still have the one in the ashtray??? Mine in there was no good so as you said I swapped it to a USB type,,then realised most of my plug in power leads where the cigarette type adapter ...like the idea of just a standard cig lighter socket there so that I could plug in a USB adapter or power cables ?? Will definitely be looking to add this. In fact I'm going on fleabay to purchase one now .
Thanks mate
Yes, I've still got the original one in the ashtray.
I also have one in the boot and one at the rear of the centre console.
Hmmmm boot one is a good idea??
Is that the one you use for the torch ???
I assume you've just tapped into the plug in the ashtray to feed the gear surround ??
Is there any issues fitting into the gear surround mate??
 
#10 ·
Awesome cheers mate,,
Do you still have the one in the ashtray??? Mine in there was no good so as you said I swapped it to a USB type,,then realised most of my plug in power leads where the cigarette type adapter ...like the idea of just a standard cig lighter socket there so that I could plug in a USB adapter or power cables ?? Will definitely be looking to add this. In fact I'm going on fleabay to purchase one now .
Thanks mate
Yes, I've still got the original one in the ashtray.
I also have one in the boot and one at the rear of the centre console.
Hmmmm boot one is a good idea??
Is that the one you use for the torch ???
I assume you've just tapped into the plug in the ashtray to feed the gear surround ??
Is there any issues fitting into the gear surround mate??
There is a rechargeable torch in the original cigarette lighter socket.

There is a rechargeable torch in the boot, but that torch and the 12v socket in the boot are spliced into the ignition live side of the towing loom.

The 12v socket next to the gear lever is spliced into the original cigarette lighter loom.

The only issues with fitting a socket by the gear lever are that you need to cut away some of the foam under the trim so the socket and wiring will fit (and to reduce a fire hazard if the socket is hot), and to fit the socket far enough rearwards so the cup holder will still open if a plug or cable is inserted into the socket.

If you look at pics online of sockets fitted in this area you will see that lots of them are so far forwards that any cables in them would stop the cup holder being used :)
 
#11 ·
Boot socket in home made surround.

I used a Focus lighter socket there as it has a cap help on with a rubber flap so the cap can't get lost.

Automotive lighting Hood Bumper Automotive design Vehicle door


Torch and bracket on the opposite side.

Automotive lighting Automotive exhaust Automotive tire Hood Exhaust system


Rear of centre console.

The cap on this socket comes off, but was sold as an option for the mk3 when they were new.

Automotive design Motor vehicle Vehicle Automotive exterior Car seat cover
 

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#12 ·
Awesome cheers mate,,,
Double lights in the boot too???
Autobeam do an LED upgrade to the boot light (strip and double) Thant's the in my purchase list and me todo list ????. Always thought the boot light is pretty poor,, think I've asked before about the rear footwell lights too and I think they also sell a kit for that too,, so that's still something I'm thinking of as well,,,
 
#13 ·
I added a second boot light to get more light in, and fitted a mk3 boot light lens directly opposite the first.

That way both lights are factory fit items. They both have LED festoons in them, the second light was just spliced into the original boot light loom.

The rear footwell lights have LEDs in them too, and are Ford lenses to keep the Ford factory fit look.

They were done using Escort/Fiesta/Sierra boot light lenses. These seem to be the most popular lenses for rear footwell lights, they are very easy to install. All they need is a rectangular hole cut, then the lens grips into the hole with small lugs, and they have built in bulb holders. The rear footwell lights are spliced into the front footwell lights loom. The lenses I used can be picked up for £3-5 each on ebay.

Some people stick an LED strip under the base of the front seats, but then the light from those us blocked by the feet of anyone sat in the rear.
 
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