After searching quite a bit without much joy, does anyone out there know of any decent replacement stereo that has the same or similar colour system to the octy? Zenec do one, but there are a few issues that are making me steer away from this. Pioneer do a few user customisable units where you choose the colour variants but most makes seem to do them with blue buttons and knobs and backlight unfortunately.

Just thought if anyone's found anything it'd probably help out lots of people trying to keep the dash looking vaguely skoda-esque.

Oh, and compatability with a multi function steering wheel would be useful too (don't think Pioneer's do that, which is the problem with it!)

Edited 17 January, 200917 yr by blackspaven

I went for an aftermarket Pioneer unit but wasn't bothered too much about the display colour rather the functionality, USB input and bluetooth being the main criteria.

After much deliberation I went for this one

FH-P80BT - Features - Pioneer Car Audio - CD Player - Car Entertainment

It has a blue backlight as do the majority of aftermarket headunits. The only time you notice the difference is when you are driving at night but it doesn't bother me.

I can post some pictures of it fitted if you like and also at night with the dash lights on etc if that would help?

Yeah, I saw that model and thought about it. Very understated. Nice. I was looking at the F900BT, especially since they're chucking in a iPod touch if you get one before the end of January. (My car is however a '58 L&K with an Audience headunit so i'm having to balance whether it's worth getting rid of a brand new unit this soon!)

It's the steering wheel bit I need to find out about. Do you know anything about possible compatability from your experiences? It says about the Hardwired remote in the spec but I know little more than that.

Mine was a brand new vRS with a Stream MP3 headunit but as it was the same as was in my last vRS I decided to change it.

Not sure about compatibilty with steering wheel controls as that wasn't one of my requirements. Mine does have a remote control although I'm not sure what the point of it is. Maybe when my little girl gets a bit older she will control what we listen to from the rear passenger seats

most makes seem to do them with blue buttons and knobs and backlight unfortunately.

I'm sure someone managed to change the dash, etc illumination - but it wasnt easy i dont think. TBH that would be my preferred option, as the gren just reminds me of the old Fords

what about the Skoda mfd2 or mfd2? Or failing that the new touch screen radio (baelro or vw rds510?) out of the faclifted octavia 2 or golf? You'll get the oem look plus they will fully work

James

what about the Skoda mfd2 or mfd2? Or failing that the new touch screen radio (baelro or vw rds510?) out of the faclifted octavia 2 or golf? You'll get the oem look plus they will fully work

James

I have been considering bolero (if price is right) but cant seem to get a price for one anywhere!

I'd wait a bit to see what the RNS310 (Amundsen for Skoda) is priced at on ebay when it comes on...

Translated version of http://www.geo24.de/news/view_668/1.6.8.html

After searching quite a bit without much joy, does anyone out there know of any decent replacement stereo that has the same or similar colour system to the octy? Zenec do one, but there are a few issues that are making me steer away from this.

I've got my eye on the Zenec ZE-NC5602 - "coming soon"

Zenec - Touch another World : ZE-NC5602 für SKODA Octavia II

Could you share your thoughts on issues with this or Zenec products generally?

Thanks

I changed all the dash bulbs on my MkII golf and can't really be arsed to do it all over again, especially as i'm only 5 months into my 3 year warranty (which is making me unsure of what to do with the stereo).

I don't know anything about Zenec really as there's not much written about them outside of Germany. I think if I do do it, i'll probably go for the Pioneer option, especially if they chuck in an iPod (which I don't currently own). It'll probably sound better than any Skoda built equivalent and cost the same or less. I'm willing to sacriifice the fact it won't look exactly factory spec, but it'll still look good.

How about this:-

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/8065.html

Seen it in the flesh and its a fantastic bit of kit

The buttons can be changed to suit any shade of colour, so a perfect match is ensured, and IIRC you can have your own backgrounds, eg Skoda badge etc.

That would look cool.

As well as DVD's you can also have your Ipod video's play on its screen (cable required £15 off Ebay) then there's Bluetooth (adapter required), front input, reverse camera etc. and all at a reasonable price

Even Navigation could be added at a later date

I know its not got your steering wheel functions but for the money its fantastic and when personalised could look quite OE

When you take into account the mfd3 is £800ish it looks a bargain

Cheers

Damian

I've the Kenwood DPX-503U in the Vectr, it can change to any colour you like.

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/9560.html

Sounds pretty good too, no complaints at all. Have the KCA-BT200 and the iPod connection on it as well.

I'll have a look at that Kenwood when I get a moment. Had two very different experiences with Kenwood stereos before and they're usually not in the same league as Pioneer and Alpine for sound quality. I'm gonna phone Pioneer tomorrow and ask them about a few things on the f900bt. They do a product called an RC-IR...

RC-IR Pioneer Car Accessories - Car*Entertainment

...which appears to be compatable with the MFSW on the octy judging by their hard wired compatability chart. I hope so, that's be sweeeeet!:thumbup:

The only thing that doesn't play ball is the maxidot, but I'm fairly sure that wouldn't bother me: I have it set on road functions all the time anyway! ...but I will be asking them about that too!

Blimey! Just looked at the add on to get the sat nav up and running on the Kenwood...

IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE BLOODY HEADUNIT!!:eek:

Thinking about it, does anyone know what would happen to the parking sensors if you change the headunit? I understand you'd lose the picture on the screen itself, but where does the beep eminate from? I'm guessing it's independant from the stereo to allow you to change it, but can someone confirm that? Also, what happens to the muting/quietening factor on the stereo when you do activate the parking sensors?

Well, the Kenwood certainly isn't an Alpine for quality, but to be honest it's half the price. Plus I'm not too fussed as I'm almost deaf in one ear :lol:

Brings you back to thinking what good value the MFD3 is bearing in mind it has built-in sat nav.

I was concerned that I might not have great access to an ipod, but then I thought I can fit 4.7gb of music on each DVD, so you wouldn't need that many in the car to have access to a huge collection.

Was at my local Skoda dealer yesterday and saw the MFD3 in the new Superb, and it looks absolutely great.

Here's the link to Stu's original comments on the MFD3, just to remind people how good it actually looks :-

http://briskoda.net/ice-security-insurance/skoda-mfd3-trinax-my-thoughts-warning-lots-pictures/90971/

IMHO it looks better than most of the aftermarket competition

Edited 18 January, 200917 yr by thebrymar

If you add bluetooth connectivity and iPod recognition it takes the price to over a grand though, and the sound quality will be good, but not in the league of the big boys of the stereo world, I feel. If I could get the Columbus with both the above for about £800 i'd probably have one, but I think i'd rather have the extra bunce in my sky rocket!

That's the great thing about this website though, there's something to everyone's taste offered up.