Hi All

I know this has had some past debate but wondering, 2 weeks into 20VT ownership:

- if anyone has upgraded the Clarion unit to a single DIN recently and could give some advice on what was currently available and good quality? Not too bothered about DAB or CD, will be used mostly for streaming from smartphone (LDAC preferred if poss).

- On the latter issue, I'm assuming the single-DIN CarPlay/Android Auto options with floating screen are a non-starter due to the recessed stereo positioning and proximity to gear lever etc? Or maybe just on the grounds of taste...

- Which of the Clarion pre-2005 removal keys are needed - there are a few options on eBay. any Pics available of one that works?

- In which case, any advice on the best positiong and anchoring for a phone holder. Does for example the internal body coloured trim hold a suction cup?

Many thanks! Currently using a Home Bargains sourced Goodman Bluetooth-to-FM convertor which.. actually works amazingly. Although on the downside the Clarion has a tape in it with what appears to be Eric Idle-adjacent musical theatre and the eject button doesn't work....

Cal

I know it's a bit pricey, but I have been looking at this to replace the Clarion:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blaupunkt-Frankfurt-RCM-82-DAB/dp/B09C1RMR1Y

It keeps the 90s look but adds DAB and Bluetooth

I have that Blaupunkt. Really happy with how it looks in the Coupe. You can change the led lighting to about the same color as the interior lights.
The only downside I found was the gain for the sub out is already very high on the lowest setting.

Classy

Have you got good reception for DAB with your existing aerial?

I've just received the new unit, but I haven't fitted it yet. I must admit I haven't looked at the can of worms that is DAB aerials yet...the past posts about them look fun!

People's experiences will differ.

Briefly, even in Edinburgh, I often had squelching using the internal adhesive aerials, mounted both vertically or horizontally. Oddly our Seat Mii has one of these and works pretty well, so perhaps it's a coupé thing/interference from the engine bay?

As you'll read I ended with a £10 magnetic aerial from Halfords which I plant on the rear wing well away from the engine and I'm happy with it, putting up with storing it in the boot when not in use.

The best way to go is a fixed external aerial but it would be understandable if you didn't want to drill a hole in your coop!

I saw one in NL once which had a factory-fit rear-mounted electronic aerial - that could be a tempting A/M option...

I've fitted the Blaupunkt RCM-82 now - it looks and sounds very good. For the aerial I used one of these - https://blaupunkt.com/c_ee/produkt/funline-am-fm-dab-dab/ - the reception sounds good so far. My only regret is not trying to remove the Blaupunkt logo from the adhesive side before I fitted it to the windscreen. For the front speakers, I've fitted these - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IFAC8O8 (Focal Access Series 165 AS). The crossovers are fairly large, the passenger side was OK, but the driver side was a bit of a squeeze.

Next up are the rear speakers.

That aerial is a lot neater than the myriad of standard windscreen-mounted jobs

Aerial seems neater but the installation instructions are baffling at the end

I have literally in the last couple of weeks fitted this head unit
Pioneer MVH-S420DAB 1-DIN receiver with DAB/DAB+, Bluetooth, Red illumination, USB
I did quite a bit of research and chose this because the app syncs nicely with you phone, almost giving double din. I also fitted a cheap powered DAB aerial onto the front windscreen and don’t find this too intrusive.

One word of advice if this effects you is need to pick up a switched live. I piggy back off my cigarette lighter. Happy to share any more details

This one,

ellisp?

Yeah that the one, it’s the app that sold it to me