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Converting Jap import stereo to NZ


angie

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Just purchased a new BR9 Legacy. CAn get Rapid Radio to install band expander for $140. What are the pros and cons of this cheap fix? HAs anyone had a head unit (in my case a Panasonic Strada) converted to be fully useable in NZ and if so what were your experiences/costs/whodunnit etc. And is it more economical to just replace the unit? Cheers

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 angie said:
Just purchased a new BR9 Legacy. CAn get Rapid Radio to install band expander for $140. What are the pros and cons of this cheap fix? HAs anyone had a head unit (in my case a Panasonic Strada) converted to be fully useable in NZ and if so what were your experiences/costs/whodunnit etc. And is it more economical to just replace the unit? Cheers

Just replace the whole unit. It's not extremely hard to do it yourself, lots of how-to write ups and videos online. You can get a semi-decent 1din stereo for $140.

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Just replace it. $1000 stock unit is in no way comparable to even a $600 aftermarket one if installed correctly. Just go for a kenwood double din unit and hook up the rear view camera and be happy. Or go for the new alpine apple airplay one, its internally inferior to many but you wouldn't notice that with stock speakers. Has pretty sweet features for linking to iphones, music, messages, maps and all that.

Edit: now googled that unit and realise its not stock

Edited by Andy_Mac
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 angie said:
ahh...just checked... why would i want to replace a $1000 head unit with a crappy supercheap stereo? a bit hard to get the reversing camera to run through that dont you think...

Your supa-dupa flash $1000 Japanese Strada only worth $50 here in New Zealand. How do I know? Because I sold one of those, top of the line Strada with all the bells and whistles, $50 on TM. Why? Because it is completely and utterly useless here in New Zealand.

If you want more detailed answers post more detailed questions. I.e what set-up you have and what you want from a new one.

Get a 2din stereo with a screen then, connect your rearview camera to it and be happy. Or pay $140 to hook up a $10 expander to your existing $1000 stereo.

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Thanks... and where in Auckland would one get the best deals on head units and installation? Hyper Drive? Rapid Radio?

Sobanoodle if you are gonna get snarky with simple questions just dont bother wasting your precious time and throw a tanty...

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Are you competent at installing headunits? Can save a truckload sometimes just getting one online and doing it yourself with adaptors. Could already have the adaptors there since its got the panasonic in there already, and the compatible stereo surround i'm assuming?

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Nope, wont be installing myself. Am happy to pay the professionals to do this. So with a 2din stereo how/where would the Eyesight reversing camera be installed... I cant quite see where the monitor would go thats separate to the head unit...

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You should be able to hook up almost any reversing camera's wiring to the wiring of the new unit. If you're not doing it yourself you'd be better to go to a place and getting their opinions since they'd be doing it. Not everyone does things exactly the same so let them tell you how they would do it. Hyper and rapid each have good names, a mates commadore had everyhing removed and a complete high end system put in at rapid radio so can vouch for their quality work.

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It depends on what you're happy with Angie. Reality is what can you put up with. I can personally vouch for Rapid Radio. They are professional and don't mess around. The fix (band expander) will give you extra capability for your radio, which will allow you the usage of the camera and the radio. If you have managed to get around using the Strada in Japanese and don't mind it. Keep it. I have a Eclipse head unit in my car. I was intending on getting a Kenwood double din unit but realised that I actually quite like the hard drive in my unit. I was able to figure out most of the buttons for the DVD player/hard drive/and the vehicle log inputs. While it was annoying initially it was nice to be able to make use of the installed head unit. the biggest thing you have to assess is what you actually want and how much you want to spend. In order to get a decent double din screen head unit in NZ it's not cheap. If you want to keep all the functions on your Strada e.g. Bluetooth/DVD/Reversing Camera/iPod you'll need to find a head unit with all those capabilities and get the camera rewired unless you can find someone on here that has the knowhow and most importantly time to rewire/install for you. Either way it won't be a cheap option to buy a new head unit. There are multiple solutions to this.

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 gldmne said:
It depends on what you're happy with Angie. Reality is what can you put up with. I can personally vouch for Rapid Radio. They are professional and don't mess around. The fix (band expander) will give you extra capability for your radio, which will allow you the usage of the camera and the radio. If you have managed to get around using the Strada in Japanese and don't mind it. Keep it. I have a Eclipse head unit in my car. I was intending on getting a Kenwood double din unit but realised that I actually quite like the hard drive in my unit. I was able to figure out most of the buttons for the DVD player/hard drive/and the vehicle log inputs. While it was annoying initially it was nice to be able to make use of the installed head unit. the biggest thing you have to assess is what you actually want and how much you want to spend. In order to get a decent double din screen head unit in NZ it's not cheap. If you want to keep all the functions on your Strada e.g. Bluetooth/DVD/Reversing Camera/iPod you'll need to find a head unit with all those capabilities and get the camera rewired unless you can find someone on here that has the knowhow and most importantly time to rewire/install for you. Either way it won't be a cheap option to buy a new head unit. There are multiple solutions to this.

Awesome... thanks for that. Basically want to use it for radio/CD/Reversing camera/iPod. Am happy to use my TomTom for nav. I have heard that a band expander reduces the quaility of the sound or there could be interference issues. Car currently waiting to pass compliance so thinking ahead. It seems a waste to throw out a system that can be used, esp as its only 3 years old.

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