More gadgetry: car stereos

[Lee G]

We're looking to replace the factory CD deck in our 2000 Honda Odyssey with one that's iPod-compatible (summer road trips, you know). I realize people prolly buy car stereos less often than most other kindsa electronics, but I was wondering if anyone had bought one that they particularly liked, or had some other basis to recommend one.

Also, I'd be interested to hear if you've had any notable experiences, good or bad, with big-box electronics places in re installation. Everybody seems to have the same prices, so I figure the installation/service/non-evilness factors might make the difference. The big ones around here are Best Buy, Crutchfield, and Tweeter.

Much obliged for any get backs.

[spinetingler]

Crutchfield

There's an actual physical Crutchfield place in Balti?

If that's an option, that's what I'd choose. I've had nothing but good experiences doing multiple mailorders from them.

[Randall]

I have a Sony in my truck that has been a good one. It's 7 or 9 years old now, and still works great. It was tops back when I got it because it plays mp3 discs. Of course, that's standard now I reckon, and "iPod-ready" is the buzzword. I had a Kenwood before that and it was good, too. FWIT, the Nissan factory model in my Versa is also great.

The Sony was installed at Circuit City (before they did that bad thing to their employees), and I had some speakers installed at Best Buy. Both did the job.

[Headless Geisha]

Lee,
I used a local stereo business that assured me they would beat the big box store prices (and did). You may be able to find that and keep some $$ local.

[jah]

I'm interested in how you replace the factory stereo with an aftermarket. I can't envision how that would work in the dash.

Also, wouldn't it be easier just to get an fm transmitter?

[spinetingler]

I'm interested in how you replace the factory stereo with an aftermarket. I can't envision how that would work in the dash.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-o8hPjgbTo6U/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?I=120997893

[Lee G]

I'm interested in how you replace the factory stereo with an aftermarket. I can't envision how that would work in the dash.

Also, wouldn't it be easier just to get an fm transmitter?

Most of the sites I've been to so far have an option called something like "fit your car," in which you punch in your make, model, and year, and then whenever you click on a deck, a little icon appears to let you know if it'll fit in that vehicle or not. So far, most of them will. The rest is just magic, I guess.

I used an FM transmitter for a long time, and, if an electronics nerd I talked to about it is to be believed, that's what happened to my first two iPods. The transmitters that run off the Pod battery don't really have enough power to cut through with a strong signal, and the FM transmitters that you plug into the lighter port "recharge your Pod" with variable current from the car that can (and in my case, apparently did) fry the gadget's board. I stopped using the plug-in transmitter and have had no problems since. I use a cassette adapter in our other car.

[Lee G]

There's an actual physical Crutchfield place in Balti?

If that's an option, that's what I'd choose. I've had nothing but good experiences doing multiple mailorders from them.

That's one of the names the Honda dealer threw out, but now that I look closer at their site, looks like no bricks and mortar 'round here. Oh well.

[skirob]

I'm interested in how you replace the factory stereo with an aftermarket. I can't envision how that would work in the dash.

You take the dash off. Depending on the car and where the stereo is located, you may have to take the entire dash or just remove the center side panel. Best case scenario, you pop off the faceplate and remove it from the front.

[jah]

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-o8hPjgbTo6U/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?I=120997893
I think you'd find it doesn't work that easy.

[jah]

Most of the sites I've been to so far have an option called something like "fit your car," in which you punch in your make, model, and year, and then whenever you click on a deck, a little icon appears to let you know if it'll fit in that vehicle or not. So far, most of them will. The rest is just magic, I guess.
Yeah. I have a Honda Odyssey. The hole is huge and awkwardly shaped.

Like I said, I'll be interested to hear how this turns out.

[spinetingler]

I think you'd find it doesn't work that easy.

Always has for me, and I've done Hondas, Dodges, Volvos, Chevy's, Fords, etc., all with adapter kits from Crutchfield. Usually takes removing a couple of screws. The Honda was the most difficult because it was so small and there was very little space in which to work.

Buy the physical adapter, and buy the wiring harness. As long as no hack has been in there before you, you're good to go.

[trancendyce]

Buy the physical adapter, and buy the wiring harness. As long as no hack has been in there before you, you're good to go.

you do have a way with words