Replacing a factory fit radio with a new model

Kashkai

I'm the proud owner of an iPhone which was bought for me by my wife. At first I thought it was a gimmicky thing but now I love it. I've been looking for ways to play the music stored on my phone through my car stereo. I was going to use an FM transmitter like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-iTrip-AutoPilot-Transmitter-Smartscan/dp/B0010X7H4S/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1245883362&sr=8-7 but there are lots of reports of interference from radio stations when playing your music from the iPhone/iPod through a transmitter like this.

So then I thought why not get a new car radio that has an aux in slot where I could hardwire the iPhone and avoid bandwidth noise from radio stations and after a little research I came across some radios that were bluetooth enabled as well so I could use them for hands free phone calls while driving e.g. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MEX-BT2600-Bluetooth-CD-Tuner/dp/B00133UH4C/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1245883846&sr=8-4.

Now the question is, if I replace the factory fit radio in my car (Renault Megane) will I lose the remote control features that come with the existing radio and will I have to take my hands off the wheel to change stations etc on the new radio? Or is there a radio that will be compatible with my existing remote control unit in my car.

stratos

Dave I don't know too much about this. I did it with a mercedes I replaced the standard radio with a pioneer unit, I then had to cut the connector off the two wire control circuit (steering wheel) and route it through a module I got from halfords.
The Pioneer had a connector for the steering wheel but it communicated in a different way to the canbus system in the merc. The module did the translating. This was a while ago but I figured it out by scouring the net. I can't remember all the ins and outs now, a few projects ago.

Jip

Look up the specs of the head unit on Sonys site. Some head units will work with existing remote features but they will specify if they do or not. I got a Kenwood a while ago which does work with existing remote features without the need for any additional modules, however my car doesn't have controls on the wheel.

scanner1

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

I'm the proud owner of an iPhone which was bought for me by my wife. At first I thought it was a gimmicky thing but now I love it. I've been looking for ways to play the music stored on my phone through my car stereo. I was going to use an FM transmitter like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-iTrip-AutoPilot-Transmitter-Smartscan/dp/B0010X7H4S/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1245883362&sr=8-7 but there are lots of reports of interference from radio stations when playing your music from the iPhone/iPod through a transmitter like this.

So then I thought why not get a new car radio that has an aux in slot where I could hardwire the iPhone and avoid bandwidth noise from radio stations and after a little research I came across some radios that were bluetooth enabled as well so I could use them for hands free phone calls while driving e.g. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MEX-BT2600-Bluetooth-CD-Tuner/dp/B00133UH4C/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1245883846&sr=8-4.

Now the question is, if I replace the factory fit radio in my car (Renault Megane) will I lose the remote control features that come with the existing radio and will I have to take my hands off the wheel to change stations etc on the new radio? Or is there a radio that will be compatible with my existing remote control unit in my car.

Dave,

Try and have a look at this link below, beware though the unit is bulky and
may nor have room to fit in behind, it will only work with Sony Head units as well.

http://www.connects2.com/c2search.aspx?catID=12&manID=225&modID=582

Jip

re my initial post, I would need an addition module but it would be much smaller than the one in the post above.
As I said Kenwwod do head units that cater for steering wheel/stalk controls so I reckon Sony do tool.
Have a look at this for example

http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/technologies/stalk_adaptors/stalk_list/

Zube

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

Or is there a radio that will be compatible with my existing remote control unit in my car.

Just get a USB kit like this.

scanner1

Jip wrote: »

re my initial post, I would need an addition module but it would be much smaller than the one in the post above.
As I said Kenwwod do head units that cater for steering wheel/stalk controls so I reckon Sony do tool.
Have a look at this for example

http://www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk/technologies/stalk_adaptors/stalk_list/

Lets not get into an argument of which one is smaller;)

Kashkai

How hard is it to replace a radio in a car that has steering wheel mounted controls like my Megane? I'm fairly handy at DIY but would it work out cheaper to go to my local Halfords and let them install it, rather than buying all the bits and bobs myself?