VXOC Astra-J/GTC

(16:th-Apr-2016, 21:23:51)mrtc Wrote: [ -> ]

(16:th-Apr-2016, 19:36:58)bhalay207 Wrote: [ -> ]I must be childish at heart.... Winca [FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY]

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do you also chuckle at the wankel engine, i do lol

Without a doubt i do!


Anyway, back to business. As you know, i have a love of DAB. The fact that this unit doesn't come with DAB has been a sticking point for me. Anyway, i emailed the manufacturer directly asking whether they did a unit with DAB. They came back to me advising that their partner in Essex does a interface that works with the unit,

http://navallstore.com/Head-Units/BMW/da...dab-navall

Granted it's expensive but at least we now know there is an option.

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(17:th-Apr-2016, 02:30:50)bhalay207 Wrote: [ -> ]

(16:th-Apr-2016, 21:23:51)mrtc Wrote: [ -> ]

(16:th-Apr-2016, 19:36:58)bhalay207 Wrote: [ -> ]I must be childish at heart.... Winca [FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY]

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do you also chuckle at the wankel engine, i do lol

Without a doubt i do!


Anyway, back to business. As you know, i have a love of DAB. The fact that this unit doesn't come with DAB has been a sticking point for me. Anyway, i emailed the manufacturer directly asking whether they did a unit with DAB. They came back to me advising that their partner in Essex does a interface that works with the unit,

http://navallstore.com/Head-Units/BMW/da...dab-navall

Granted it's expensive but at least we now know there is an option.

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great find mate, im sure lots of people will be happy, i dont think it is alot of money, deems fair tbh

(16:th-Apr-2016, 18:11:22)CraigSRi Wrote: [ -> ]@ronnie63 when ordering I'd order directly from the icebox website. When I got my reply from Rob there he told me prices are cheaper due to not having ebay/paypal costs.
http://www.iceboxauto.co.uk/

Thanks Craig I did order direct but PayPal seemed the only payment option? Think postage is a bit steep at £16 odd but hey ho most be insured etc

Getting back to the gps Ariel I wonder if it would reach behind the mirror, probably not

Cheers Ronnie

(17:th-Apr-2016, 09:29:00)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]

(16:th-Apr-2016, 18:11:22)CraigSRi Wrote: [ -> ]@ronnie63 when ordering I'd order directly from the icebox website. When I got my reply from Rob there he told me prices are cheaper due to not having ebay/paypal costs.
http://www.iceboxauto.co.uk/

Thanks Craig I did order direct but PayPal seemed the only payment option? Think postage is a bit steep at £16 odd but hey ho most be insured etc

Getting back to the gps Ariel I wonder if it would reach behind the mirror, probably not

Cheers Ronnie

It's quite a long cable so would probably reach up there behind the mirror if you wanted to mount it there. Sheppy has it mounted in front of the middle front speaker on the dashboard.

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I do indeed have it coming up behind the head unit and just out of the front speaker grill... Looks good I think [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES].

Also if you're near Liverpool he will allow you to collect it so you don't have to pay the postage. That's what I did

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Cheers guys, I guess I will decide once I start to fit it, I'm up in Scotland so collection not an option.

The above dab unit looks good but I think it's expensive for what it is! My old vectra had dab but was not always good when going any distance it kept loosing the station and was not clever enough to retune like rds does.

Ronnie

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Seen this dab module in the uk?

http://www.bmwpowerandaudio.co.uk/#!prod...0dbd41256c

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Apparently this is a cheap dab option too?

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic29498.html

(17:th-Apr-2016, 10:30:14)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]Cheers guys, I guess I will decide once I start to fit it, I'm up in Scotland so collection not an option.

The above dab unit looks good but I think it's expensive for what it is! My old vectra had dab but was not always good when going any distance it kept loosing the station and was not clever enough to retune like rds does.

Ronnie

---

Seen this dab module in the uk?

http://www.bmwpowerandaudio.co.uk/#!prod...0dbd41256c

---

Apparently this is a cheap dab option too?

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic29498.html

The DAB in my car auto tunes if it's a local station (Derby, Leicester etc) so it must have changed since the vectra.

I think cost wise it's reasonable. You could make the cost back from selling the OEM modules so alls not lost.

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Just been told that ice box auto have seen quote an increase in sales for this unit for the Astra j since I bought mine [WINKING FACE] ha

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(18:th-Apr-2016, 12:03:40)sheppy1 Wrote: [ -> ]Just been told that ice box auto have seen quote an increase in sales for this unit for the Astra j since I bought mine [WINKING FACE] ha

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They paying you commission?

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If not they should be doing club discounts I know that as much!

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(18:th-Apr-2016, 12:13:39)marcus Wrote: [ -> ]

(18:th-Apr-2016, 12:03:40)sheppy1 Wrote: [ -> ]Just been told that ice box auto have seen quote an increase in sales for this unit for the Astra j since I bought mine [WINKING FACE] ha

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They paying you commission?

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Haha not yet! Will ask him if he wants a business partner lol

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I see no one has posted any reviews on the icebox shop! might be worth posting for prospective buyers to read? Mine will be here this week, looking forward to getting it fitted

Cheers Ronnie

(18:th-Apr-2016, 12:15:35)sheppy1 Wrote: [ -> ]

(18:th-Apr-2016, 12:13:39)marcus Wrote: [ -> ]

(18:th-Apr-2016, 12:03:40)sheppy1 Wrote: [ -> ]Just been told that ice box auto have seen quote an increase in sales for this unit for the Astra j since I bought mine [WINKING FACE] ha

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They paying you commission?

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Haha not yet! Will ask him if he wants a business partner lol

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Haha. He appears to need some help sometimes. Update. Yay I got Spotify working again. Ended up using the Root Explorer app to find the old Spotify folder in data/data. Deleted it and it installed fine. Delighted. Thanks


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Another question springs to mind! where have you fitted the small speaker that does the car sounds? I take the old unit puts it through the main speakers?

Cheers Ronnie

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:16:53)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]Another question springs to mind! where have you fitted the small speaker that does the car sounds? I take the old unit puts it through the main speakers?

Cheers Ronnie

I stuffed it behind the unit towards the right hand side. It's a bit tight with that and the extra wiring looms. Doable though. Might be handy to take the charge port/aux in unit out as well when installing. Might give you a bit more space.

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My headunit should be with me early next week fair to say I'm very excited for it!


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(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:22:22)Tonto Wrote: [ -> ]My headunit should be with me early next week fair to say I'm very excited for it!


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Good stuff. It's a good piece of kit. I'm around Longbenton this weekend so watch out for stray blue Volvos following you around.

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(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:27:25)marcus Wrote: [ -> ]

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:22:22)Tonto Wrote: [ -> ]My headunit should be with me early next week fair to say I'm very excited for it!


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Good stuff. It's a good piece of kit. I'm around Longbenton this weekend so watch out for stray blue Volvos following you around.

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Haha I will do mate! I had a look at Sheppy's on Saturday and loved it!!

(16:th-Apr-2016, 13:39:34)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]I'm ordering one this weekend, just wondering about Nav software? what are you guys using? is it free? and does the live one's need internet or does it come through gps? I guess it will come loaded with some sort of software.

Cheers Ronnie

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:16:53)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]Another question springs to mind! where have you fitted the small speaker that does the car sounds? I take the old unit puts it through the main speakers?

Cheers Ronnie

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:19:36)marcus Wrote: [ -> ]

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:16:53)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]Another question springs to mind! where have you fitted the small speaker that does the car sounds? I take the old unit puts it through the main speakers?

Cheers Ronnie

I stuffed it behind the unit towards the right hand side. It's a bit tight with that and the extra wiring looms. Doable though. Might be handy to take the charge port/aux in unit out as well when installing. Might give you a bit more space.

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Cheers Marcus, yes I will be removing that too as bought one of those usb sockets so will need to cut a hole beside the charging socket!

Ronnie

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:53:35)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]

(16:th-Apr-2016, 13:39:34)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]I'm ordering one this weekend, just wondering about Nav software? what are you guys using? is it free? and does the live one's need internet or does it come through gps? I guess it will come loaded with some sort of software.

Cheers Ronnie

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:16:53)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]Another question springs to mind! where have you fitted the small speaker that does the car sounds? I take the old unit puts it through the main speakers?

Cheers Ronnie

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:19:36)marcus Wrote: [ -> ]

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:16:53)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]Another question springs to mind! where have you fitted the small speaker that does the car sounds? I take the old unit puts it through the main speakers?

Cheers Ronnie

I stuffed it behind the unit towards the right hand side. It's a bit tight with that and the extra wiring looms. Doable though. Might be handy to take the charge port/aux in unit out as well when installing. Might give you a bit more space.

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Cheers Marcus, yes I will be removing that too as bought one of those usb sockets so will need to cut a hole beside the charging socket!

Ronnie

You might want to see if you can get a second hand unit complete with USB socket. Sheppy sourced me one on eBay for 20 quid. Bargain.

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(19:th-Apr-2016, 11:19:10)marcus Wrote: [ -> ]

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:53:35)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]

(16:th-Apr-2016, 13:39:34)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]I'm ordering one this weekend, just wondering about Nav software? what are you guys using? is it free? and does the live one's need internet or does it come through gps? I guess it will come loaded with some sort of software.

Cheers Ronnie

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:16:53)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]Another question springs to mind! where have you fitted the small speaker that does the car sounds? I take the old unit puts it through the main speakers?

Cheers Ronnie

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:19:36)marcus Wrote: [ -> ]

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:16:53)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]Another question springs to mind! where have you fitted the small speaker that does the car sounds? I take the old unit puts it through the main speakers?

Cheers Ronnie

I stuffed it behind the unit towards the right hand side. It's a bit tight with that and the extra wiring looms. Doable though. Might be handy to take the charge port/aux in unit out as well when installing. Might give you a bit more space.

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Cheers Marcus, yes I will be removing that too as bought one of those usb sockets so will need to cut a hole beside the charging socket!

Ronnie

You might want to see if you can get a second hand unit complete with USB socket. Sheppy sourced me one on eBay for 20 quid. Bargain.

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I did have a look but only found a new one for thirty quid ( I think) the socket was a tenner so will just need to stick with that and try and make it look tidy

(19:th-Apr-2016, 11:24:00)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]

(19:th-Apr-2016, 11:19:10)marcus Wrote: [ -> ]

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:53:35)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]

(16:th-Apr-2016, 13:39:34)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]I'm ordering one this weekend, just wondering about Nav software? what are you guys using? is it free? and does the live one's need internet or does it come through gps? I guess it will come loaded with some sort of software.

Cheers Ronnie

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:16:53)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]Another question springs to mind! where have you fitted the small speaker that does the car sounds? I take the old unit puts it through the main speakers?

Cheers Ronnie

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:19:36)marcus Wrote: [ -> ]

(19:th-Apr-2016, 10:16:53)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]Another question springs to mind! where have you fitted the small speaker that does the car sounds? I take the old unit puts it through the main speakers?

Cheers Ronnie

I stuffed it behind the unit towards the right hand side. It's a bit tight with that and the extra wiring looms. Doable though. Might be handy to take the charge port/aux in unit out as well when installing. Might give you a bit more space.

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Cheers Marcus, yes I will be removing that too as bought one of those usb sockets so will need to cut a hole beside the charging socket!

Ronnie

You might want to see if you can get a second hand unit complete with USB socket. Sheppy sourced me one on eBay for 20 quid. Bargain.

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I did have a look but only found a new one for thirty quid ( I think) the socket was a tenner so will just need to stick with that and try and make it look tidy

Update on the sat nav. I have now switched to google maps as the default sat nav. I prefer it because of the good traffic coverage. I can flip to it easy enough using the FAV button. I use the Wifi from my phone.

I have binned sygic sat nav as the search is really not very good. Also the app takes up the whole screen which means you can't get to the Android notification bar. As an offline option I am using offline gps app which is fairly basic but free. It's good enough if I don't have a data connection.

I might look into copilot when I get a chance. Cheers




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Hi Stigeye, thanks I see what you mean but I'm going for the factory look with the socket fitted same as aux in, I bough this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281713011700?_...EBIDX%3AIT

(19:th-Apr-2016, 11:24:00)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]I did have a look but only found a new one for thirty quid ( I think) the socket was a tenner so will just need to stick with that and try and make it look tidy

You could have got one for around £19 inc postage...

REALLY! has that one got the USB socket?

(19:th-Apr-2016, 14:54:04)stigeye Wrote: [ -> ]

(19:th-Apr-2016, 11:24:00)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]I did have a look but only found a new one for thirty quid ( I think) the socket was a tenner so will just need to stick with that and try and make it look tidy

You could have got one for around £19 inc postage...

Does it have the usb port? Difficult to see from the picture

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In the listing you can see the usb, but I have also emailed him to ask if usb and aux are attached as although the item is used it could be a generic image and not represent the actual item.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Astra...Swr7ZW5ADM

seller just messaged me to say the item is as shown in the picture :-)

Hmmm... Sounds vague to me.

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(19:th-Apr-2016, 16:56:11)bhalay207 Wrote: [ -> ]Hmmm... Sounds vague to me.

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What's vague mate?, the item in the picture is the one you receive and the item shows it has a usb and an aux in.

I dunno. Call me synical but getting what's in the picture could mean just the surround. I don't understand why the seller hasn't specifically come back and said yes you will or no you won't get the aux and USB port, especially considering that's whats been asked.

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It's probably because I asked if was the same as the illustration and he replied that the item shown is what you get. What would be the point in him lying, he would end up having to take it back, cost him needless negative feedback and I would make him pay postage also as it wasn't as described in the message. As long as he says it's the same as the picture he has committed himself.

I have messaged the seller to ask if the actual usb port is included in this sale, will update with his reply

Also have decided on a set of these speakers to pair up with the head unit - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162031830934?_...EBIDX%3AIT

I know they are well regarded so I'm hoping they do the system justice  

I know what your saying but it technically is as illustrated... You get the same style and colour surround. Some sellers can be sneaky....you really have to eek the information out of them.

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I believe what he is saying mate is the picture on the listing is the item itself. Have a look at is other listings, most of the photos are done in the same way.

The seller confirmed the presence of the usb socket this morning

(20:th-Apr-2016, 09:18:37)CraigSRi Wrote: [ -> ]The seller confirmed the presence of the usb socket this morning

Took him long enough.

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I have just noticed that this company offer a buy back option for all units purchased from eBay after 12 months. They will give you up to two thirds off any upgrade head unit so long as it was purchased from eBay and your new purchase will need to be made through eBay. This is a good option for those who like to have the newest versions available.

You pay a little more from the eBay store but the obvious benefit is the amount you save on the upgrade and exchange after 12 months of ownership.



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUTORADIO-DVD-...SwQPlV8ZOQ

That's the same icebox auto that everyone is buying them from anyway including me [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]. I'm sure he would do the same deal if you got it via his site too

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I am also looking to replace the stock unit in my 2012 Astra J, not having an integrated bluetooth solution is starting to take its toll.
like most on here I was edging towards the car vision solution but reluctant to pay 600 pound for the oem look unit.

I then cam across this brilliant forum and post regarding this unit, however I just have a couple of questions,
has anyone fitted this unit themselves at all and how difficult was it? I plan to use Rustys guide to remove the stock display etc.

Does the unit require any further purchase of cables or looms, is it pretty much plug and play?

Does everything come with the unit (like gps receiver, external mic)

Any info on the above would be appreciated. Thanks.

Is it just me or do the fitting instructions not relate to this specific unit?

Ronnie

I didn't even read them haha

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(22:nd-Apr-2016, 10:12:42)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]Is it just me or do the fitting instructions not relate to this specific unit?

Ronnie

Lol I think that's the best option! just adds confusion

(22:nd-Apr-2016, 11:17:45)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]

(22:nd-Apr-2016, 10:12:42)ronnie63 Wrote: [ -> ]Is it just me or do the fitting instructions not relate to this specific unit?

Ronnie

Lol I think that's the best option! just adds confusion

Haha. I don't even remember seeing any instructions to fit..... Or else they were clearly forgettable.

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borrowed this from another site, a guy had placed his gps on the metal bar over glove box, this is a reply to him.

seems interesting



Car Vision told me that they have a lot of problems with the GPS aerial being installed inside the car. Signal loss, drop out, etc. They found the best place to fit it was just beneath the scuttle panel under the bonnet. I can just see mine through the vents of the plastic scuttle panel on the nearside of the car.

Mines on the dash and I have it coming out of the front speaker grill (barely visible) and no signal issues at all

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Same here, no issues with signal having the receiver placed in front of the instrument cluster

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I have read elsewhere that some people have put their receivers in the scuttle panel just under the bonnet near the windscreen

Talking about placing the gps could you guys post some pics so I have an idea where to place mine!


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I cut a small notch into the back of the front speaker grill for the wire to go up behind the head unit and out onto the dash...



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