Radio CD Player that is easy to use in Porsche Cabriolet

[GVCCBob]

About a year or so ago I had a Kenwood Excelon KDC-X998 installed in my 1987 911 Porsche Cabriolet.

It is not a good product for this car, too hard to use when driving, too many buttons and options, difficult to see the display, and dangerous to operate when driving.


To me not a very usable product, just too difficult.

So I need a good Radio, CD, USB media that is easy to use, see display, when driving this car.

A mechanic told me that I needed an analog product.

Anyone have any ideas on what would work best in this car that also is easy to use and see. Thanks

[darrin]

big fan of my blaupunkt Bremen sqr-46 -- it doesn't. have CD, but integrates beautifully/comprehensively with my iPhone -- which I use to select an album/etc. to listen to. Once listening, I can adjust volume, change tracks, etc. from the Bremen

Here's a link. https://www.crutchfield.com/S-KnknNf4JTQ2/p_423BREMENS/Blaupunkt-Bremen-SQR-46-DAB.html?XVINQ=GZ0&XVVer=1A15&awcr=628423847952&awdv=c&awnw=g&awug=9028775&awkw=pla-904551996683&awmt=&awat=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjwteOaBhDuARIsADBqRegxgtyRc7rli7TpK5ri Sz5qAzDSeU58cGdBn0gTv3Rnolt1FwW_D60aAq89EALw_wcB

[almostordinary]

Following.. I'd love to see a single DIN solution with Apple Car Play for enabled maps. And not the Porsche product that I hear is almost unusable with the small screen and inherent glare inside the car.

[darrin]

almost ordinary -- I've been VERY happy with my rennline mount/iPhone combination for navigation/entertainment control https://www.rennline.com/exactfit-magnetic-phone-mount-sku-pm01-06/?setCurrencyId=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwteOaBhDuARIsADBqRegFjsqzzUD8JKRJrhCm a43TZqK0uuZXQ6ODTCisp_YQUZkVMz274ooaAmbSEALw_wcB -- puts my phone right in my line of sight (MUCH better than any single din display could be) and, with the Bremen's bluetooth integration, sends audio cues through my speakers.

[almostordinary]

Originally Posted by darrin

almost ordinary -- I've been VERY happy with my rennline mount/iPhone combination for navigation/entertainment control https://www.rennline.com/exactfit-magnetic-phone-mount-sku-pm01-06/?setCurrencyId=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwteOaBhDuARIsADBqRegFjsqzzUD8JKRJrhCm a43TZqK0uuZXQ6ODTCisp_YQUZkVMz274ooaAmbSEALw_wcB -- puts my phone right in my line of sight (MUCH better than any single din display could be) and, with the Bremen's bluetooth integration, sends audio cues through my speakers.

Well... heck. $75 solution! Adding to cart, thank you!

I'd love to get something as minimal as a media receiver... I don't listen to the radio/etc. Just hook up to an amp and speakers & bluetooth.

Just a pairing device, super simplistic and minimal.

Love this, not the pricetag. $1300

https://amzn.to/3gLKRUb

I think when car manufaturers stop wasting money on bespoke infotainment systems and just do what some airlines are doing and just let people use their devices these media receivers will come down to earth in price.

[EC900]

Anyone have opinions on these 7412\7416 Continental’s ?

https://www.continental-automotive.com/en-gl/Trucks-Buses/Interior-Cabin/Infotainment/Radios/FM-AM-Radio-with-CD-USB

[darrin]

Originally Posted by EC900

Anyone have opinions on these 7412\7416 Continental’s ?

https://www.continental-automotive.com/en-gl/Trucks-Buses/Interior-Cabin/Infotainment/Radios/FM-AM-Radio-with-CD-USB

Number of folks use/like them. However, they lack preamp/line level outputs (Last I checked) and therefore are not ideal for applications that use an external amplifier.

[kenzinger]

I just added a bluetooth module to my original radio and am very happy with that, doesn't do great when the top is down but I love the originality and the look - combine with the Rennline phone mount as stated above and I'm good to go on anything I need.

[dubby911]

I have an 83 Cab and use an Alpine CDE HD 149 BT. It has a cd, is Bluetooth enabled and does everything that I need

[almostordinary]

Originally Posted by kenzinger

I just added a bluetooth module to my original radio and am very happy with that, doesn't do great when the top is down but I love the originality and the look - combine with the Rennline phone mount as stated above and I'm good to go on anything I need.

What do you have stock? I bought mine with a 90s headunit... 87 Carrera, would love to use something stock w RCA jacks and then wire in a BT receiver to keep it period correct, and just do any amp wiring/upgrades as needed.

[kenzinger]

Originally Posted by almostordinary

What do you have stock? I bought mine with a 90s headunit... 87 Carrera, would love to use something stock w RCA jacks and then wire in a BT receiver to keep it period correct, and just do any amp wiring/upgrades as needed.

My stock radio was a Blaupunkt Monterey SQR22, I have a Monterey SQR23 that I'd be happy to sell but that is a few years too early for 87 and doesn't have RCA input.

I had a classic radio shop add the Bluetooth to my SQR22 while they were repairing it.

[darrin]

almostordinary -- FWIW, my '86 came with a blaupunkt Monterey sqr 23 (like this one http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads22/P10700441379278708.jpg) -- the new Blaupunkt Bremen sqr 46 looks quite similar (virtually identical to the Bremen sqr 46 from that era -- see https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/t~wAAOSwsC1jNmT5/s-l1600.jpg) and does not look out of place/out of date in our vintage 911s (see https://www.maxim.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/blaupunkt-sqr-46-promo-788x443.jpg)

[kenzinger]

Originally Posted by darrin

almostordinary -- FWIW, my '86 came with a blaupunkt Monterey sqr 22 (like this one http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads22/P10700441379278708.jpg) -- the new Blaupunkt Bremen sqr 46 looks quite similar and does not look out of place/out of date in our vintage 911s (see https://www.maxim.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/blaupunkt-sqr-46-promo-788x443.jpg)

In that case my Monterey SQR23 might be period correct, let me know if you want it @almostordinary

[berndtj]

I've got the following Alpine head unit installed:

https://www.alpine-usa.com/product/ute-73bt

In my case I didn't want a CD player. I just wanted something pretty simple that has bluetooth support. I'm really happy with it, and I think it looks pretty great in the dash. But then again, the 80s and 90s were all about aftermarket stereos.

No point in spending too much in a cab or targa (what I've got) as the wind noise is still ever present.

[kenzinger]

Originally Posted by berndtj

I've got the following Alpine head unit installed:

https://www.alpine-usa.com/product/ute-73bt

In my case I didn't want a CD player. I just wanted something pretty simple that has bluetooth support. I'm really happy with it, and I think it looks pretty great in the dash. But then again, the 80s and 90s were all about aftermarket stereos.

No point in spending too much in a cab or targa (what I've got) as the wind noise is still ever present.

This is what I was using before I had my original radio repaired, agree that it worked well and agree that it's no use spending a bunch of money on the stereo system in a cabrio...

[jlex]

My '88 coupe has the Blaupunkt Reno SQR46.... radio with cassette player.
Had the thing repaired a few years ago to fix the non-functioning display. Worked great until a week or so ago when the cassette player won't accept tapes.
Want to retain the radio/cassette player combo, but don't know if I should look for a comparable replacement or get this one fixed. Any suggestions?

[86 911 Targa]

One thing I like above and beyond simple, is reliable.

We have had the Blaupunkt radio Reno and IDC A09 CD/Tape in several
of our 911's & one 930.

The CD player is located under the passenger seat.

Not very flashy but, never let us down.

Best,

Gerry

[Marine Blue]

Out of curiosity why stick with tapes or CD if you can have all the same music stored on your phone and streamed to the head unit?

The new Blaupunkt SQR46 looks almost identical to the original tape head unit and has similar easy to use controls. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XVMBKW4?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder-t1_ypp_rep_k0_1_9&amp=&crid=MQ79GR9RQJUU&amp=&sprefix=blaupunkt

[Coastr]

^as above anyone still using physical media is experiencing inferior sound quality, use ability and expense. Add in navigation, podcasts, hands free phone calls, voice to text and the rest - stuffing around with CDs is like sticking with sealed beam headlights. Get a rennline phone mount and a Bluetooth solution and go for it. Don’t bother with the Porsche single din nav - you can’t see it. Using Waze has saved me from speeding fines and saved hours from getting stuck in traffic.

[Qtrfoil]

Why do you say physical media is of inferior sound quality?