Waterproof, dustproof, vibrationproof stereo

[Dave Ireland]

I've just come across something very interesting...
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Auto..._78_77_80,searchweb201644_5,searchweb201560_9

Ok, it's not exactly brimming with features, in that it only does radio and Aux In, but that's enough for many purposes. I've just sprung for a very cheap and cheerful noise-maker, but the next one will be equipped with one of these, I think. If I need more power from it, it's trivial to hook up an auxiliary amp in the fairing pocket, but the indestructible head unit can be left up top, exposed to the elements and easily accessible. I'd come across agri-quality head units before, but they were stupidly expensive, and I'd forgotten about them. This is a whole new ball game, if it's not a piece of junk.
For fifty bucks, I think I'll find out.

Oops, here's one with a USB port, too.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/DC12...P3-Player-USB-AUX-IN-and-LCD/32317941482.html

And even better, here's one with an SD card, USB and Aux... even cheaper via Alibaba (still direct from the maker)
http://hidaka.en.alibaba.com/produc...tation_parts_car_radio_with_AM_FM_USB_SD.html

 

[Kynan C.]

Looks to be marine grade. Good price too.

 

[brianinpa]

My version of a weather proof stereo for the bike is one that is CHEAP! That way when it gets wet, I won't worry too much about having to buy another.

 

[Dave Ireland]

Well, I bought an ultra-cheap Radio-Shaped-Object, with no expectation of it lasting for very long, but it's just to get some noises on the go. * If it gets wet and dies, it's no great loss, but I only have to do that a couple of times before it would have been better to go a bit extra and get something that's designed to stand up to it.
As I said, these ruggedised head units have been around for a while, but the prices were daft, until now.

* Of the old units I have here already; one is now starting to appreciate in value as a classic restoration accessory, and the other cost me too much a few years ago to risk wrecking it.

 

[brianinpa]

Those prices are what I was referring to. Most marine stereos will cost you at least $200 where as those are 1/4 that price.

 

[roncar]

My version of a weather proof stereo for the bike is one that is CHEAP! That way when it gets wet, I won't worry too much about having to buy another.

Cheap? Did someone say CHEAP?? I am the king of cheap!

FREE!!! OEM Kia Motors Radio laying around my shop. If it dies, I'm out nothing.
Steal that, I dare you.

 

[Kynan C.]

The big question is what cassette is that?

 

[Dave Ireland]

The big question is what cassette is that?

That could be an early Abba recording, and worth, oh.. ten cents.

 

[roncar]

Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991

 

[Larry Fine]

Concern about radios in top post: "User can select Europe FM frequency or USA FM frequency through software"

 

[Dave Ireland]

Concern about radios in top post: "User can select Europe FM frequency or USA FM frequency through software"

Yes, that's the FM (and AM) channel spacing - I quote from this post
http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum...-us-vs-europe/?do=findComment&comment=3111263

AM radio dials in Europe tune to every 9 kHz while North American ones are set for every 10. (most most people don't listen to AM today anyway)

As far as FM dial goes, US radios (with digital tuners) can only tune to every .1 MHz, so a typical US radio will only see frequencies such as 89.9 99.1 99.3 99.5 99.7 99.9 100.1.., European Radios can tune to every .05 mHz giving them many more stations, so in Europe you can tune to 99.0 99.05 99.1 99.15 99.2 99.25 99.3... The good news is many modern auto radios have a setting that allows for both regions and it's probably best to confirm before purchasing.
This is the reason why AFN Europe transmits on most of the frequencies that it does.
http://www.afneurope.net/Radio/RadioFrequencies/tabid/89/Default.aspx

I see I was slightly amiss with the HI-M95 - it has AM/FM SD, USB, but no AUX in. No matter, it's still good.

Here's the operating manual and price list...

 

[brianinpa]

I find that I hardly listen to an am or fm station while riding. I have about 700 song on a USB drive and it just plays randomly.

 

[Kynan C.]

Pandora! Via 1/4" or Bluetooth