neander… Like the look of that Pioneer; be interested to see how it fits. If anyone is considering yanking the OEM unit you might think seriously about an XM (or Sirious) radio. I signed up with XM early this year. The result has been the best radio experience I've ever had. With 150 stations to choose from I can focus in on just the type of music I want to listen to at just the time I want to kisten. You can retrofit an OEM radio with the satelite receiver; it's hidden away, so everything looks stock, or just buy an XM-ready radio. It's the best $9.99 a month I've ever spent on entertainment.

 

See my personal gallery :wink:

Don't know XM radio, via satellite... don't think we have it here in Europe or I was not paying attention to the hi-tech evolution. Mostly I play MP3, WMA, and regular audio CD's

Nean

 

Thanx, neander. The installation looks great. Wwere there any special problems with the install? The silver color appears to match; is that correct?

 

The side fitting of the radio is painted silver and matches almost perfect (a very little bit darker). The face plate is brushed aluminium so matches perfect.

Most people say wOw they put in a PIONEER as original radio, COOL!

After tasting the audio quality for a few days now I made up my mind. I will not put in an other amplifier. I like it allot like this :lol:

Nean

 

I'd like to go back to the earlier question about poor reception. How would changing the radio improve reception? Isn't that a function of the antenna? Am I missing something?

Maybe after today's rain and flooding washes away the snow & salt, roads will be driveable for the XF again.

 

Thanx, Nean. Checked with the local dealer; they have no info on any radio TSB or recall. I'll probably go the Pioneer route.

 

It is a function of both the radio and antenna. We can't really change the antenna (embedded in the rear window i believe), so the only option is to get a new tuner (radio), or I believe they sell antenna boosters that can be placed between the radio and antenna to boost reception. I am going to go the radio route, once I save up enough for a navigation system with fold-out screen.

 

The TSB info can be found here:

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...hp?p=4278#4278

 

Can neander (or anyone else) confirm whether that Pioneer unit has an AUX input? I'm looking at Pioneer's website in another tab, and the page for that model doesn't mention anything about it having AUX...

Cheers,

Greg

 

Picked up my Crossfire this past Monday which has VIN # 9255 and it has the updated radio.

 

My Pioneer has no AUX input, and most pioneer radio's don't have. Pioneer has "the IP-bus", on this connector you can put other devices like cd changer etc. Pioneer offers a little box called "CD-RB20 RCA to IP-BUS Adapter" with this box you have a AUX input via the IP-bus. Price for this is around ops: 70$ ops: But there is always an other option, depends on what you want to do with it... There is a cellular phone input jack which gives a MONO input. For this function you have to install a little button which gives a - (mass or negative) signal to the cellular function on the back of the radio.

Hope that will do...
Nean

 

I was in a spending mood today and went out and purchaced a
Alpine CDA-9807, installed price $369. It has aux inputs, changer controls, MP3/WMA reader, XM ready, wireless remore ( really needed ). First off, you can read it in the sunlight it has much better overall sound quailty than the original. Looks good in the dash. Radio station reception is difforent, im not sure I would say better, little antenna the weak link it think. I still must spend time and read the instuctions and see what else I can make thing do. I figured there was not much point in waiting for the Chrysler replacment if all I was going to get was a display I could read.

 

Did the installers have to do any special wiring--I heard that there is something about the Xfire AUX and antenna that they "cannot replace the radio"--that's what a I was told by one idiot installer when I went looking. Did this Alpine plug and play for you?

 

Chrysler supplied the dealers with 2 keys that slide in on the sides of the radio to unlatch it.I'm not sure how installers get them out at their shops.I checked out the pioneer radio at circuit city(the one neander put in)They had it for $500 I found it online for $320.I will let you know how the install goes!I will also keep a look out for the radio TSB and post when I see it.

 

The Installers had the keys, standard European, deck slid right out. He then looked at the connecyors and said ......yep, looks like Mercedes.
They had to use a couple of adapters to go from Alpine connectors
to Mercedes connectors, all seems to work well. They said if i did have
any problems or questions just come back in.

 

The Alpine looks like a nice radio...I just saw it online for $229!

 

GW: Where did you have the install done? Lott's, by any chance?

 

Lott's

 

stopped by for an oil change today and they ordered the replacement radio no questions asked. should be a couple of days to get it in. had a sony installed temporarily but all the after market units look a little zoomy for me...