Just picking the brains of the chaps at my local dealer about best way to remove trim to run the cable for a Kenwood changer and they said they're a bu**er to get off, but suggested trying the Kenwood HU with the standard Skoda changer. Anyone know if this is feasible? Anyone done it? Or am I best using brute force and ignorance and running the cable for the kenwood changer? I'm not fussed either way as it's the head unit that I really want to change as the Kenwood has mini disc etc. A changer's a changer as far as I'm concerned.

Domhnall

but suggested trying the Kenwood HU with the standard Skoda changer.

Didn't know this was possible - thought that the only thing compatible with the Skoda changer was a Skoda HU! Did they recommend a Kenwood HU which would work?!

Laying the cables is easy, the plastic trim down the sides comes up with firm gentle persuasion...

Rob.

Tell your dealer to stick to servicing as he's talking blox. The Skoda changer wont work with any other HU, and the Skoda HU wont work with any other changer. You could use the current loom if you have the patience to find out which wire goes where, but it is far easier to run another loom from HU to boot. The plastic trim is a bugger, but not impossible to conquer.

The Skoda changer wont work with any other HU, and the Skoda HU wont work with any other changer.

Apart from other VAG group kit. The VW Gamma will run the Skoda changer but calling it 'overpriced' is being kind.

Cut your losses mate and get an mp3 compatible HU. An entire changer magazine on one disc.

If your desperate for an autochanger, you can get away with tucking thte cables under the trim (thats what the dealers do)

cheers guys

you've all confirmed what I thought - I'm going to have to change the changer.

As I said, not a huge drama as far as I'm concerned I was just curious. On reflection I think I may go with tucking the cable underneath the trim as the trim sounds a bit "persistent" shall we say.

Thought about the MP3 route but the kenwood unit is sitting here bought and paid for from 2 octavias ago. It would have been in the last one if I'd known about getting the adaptor from blue spot. Back then (pre Briskoda) I believed the horror stories from the dealer that there was no way to use non VAG "coz it messes with the windows, central locking etc etc".

All I need now is for some daylight and less snow so I can get outside and fit the damn thing :-)

Domhnall

I should imagine you wouldnt struggle to find a buyer for a genuine Skoda autochanger.

For people like me who didnt want to wait for a Fabia with options.

lets wait and see if I can safely extract it first :scratchch

Domhnall

I should imagine you wouldnt struggle to find a buyer for a genuine Skoda autochanger.

For people like me who didnt want to wait for a Fabia with options.

Well, mine has only been for sale... oh... 6 months?

I knew the Fabia lot would come in handy one day. Whatever Q's price is I'll beat it :smileyrai

I' ll be interested in one if my changer doesnt work, its not a dead cert yet, should be trying it out at the weekend.

I' ll be interested in one if my changer doesnt work, its not a dead cert yet, should be trying it out at the weekend.

You're most welcome to try mine out before you buy. Only 15 mins away remember

I will remember that mate

Ive got a VAG Autochanger as fitted to SEAT/VW/Audi and not sure if its the same as Skoda, but will find out soon enough.

Cheers

Ross

You can run a Sony changer (or I think a Kenny) from the standard head unit with a suitable adapter, but I've not come across any info about the other way around. Shame as its an obvious thing to want to do.

Anyone know who actually makes this gear? Is it still Blaupunkt?

Cheers

Anyone know who actually makes this gear? Is it still Blaupunkt?

IIRC the head unit is Blaupunkt but the changer is some kind of Panasonic thing. I've seen the Sony changer somewhere, but for the cost of it you could get a decent new headunit and changer from a different manufacturer...

I do agree the changer isn't that bad, so a way of using it with an aftermarket head unit would be good, but unfortunately there aren't any industry standard for CD changer interfaces so it would be quite complicated.

Rob.

I will remember that mate

Ive got a VAG Autochanger as fitted to SEAT/VW/Audi and not sure if its the same as Skoda' date=' but will find out soon enough.

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Well I presume it's the same, my wife got an Audi and they charged just short of

Quentin,

If you really want to sell your autochanger stick it on ebay, they easily clear

Tis sold now, but you dont really believe that an Audi owner is going to stick a radio into his 'precious' with a Skoda logo on it ?

just that the changer only has a vw badge on it, getting very tempted to sell it myself as I will have the car for a good few years anyway.

Changer in the Octy is made by Panasonic and the head unit is made by Grundig. However the changer has a Blaupunkt type connector on it.

I guess it is possible to run changer with a Panasonic HU but you'd have to sort out the connector.

Even that is not a guarantee it will work. The HU and changer might not talk the same language.

If its got a blaupunkt connector, has anyone tried it with a blaupunkt head unit?? Personally am tempted by a DAB53 anyway - it would be great if that would run the standard changer too...

If its got a blaupunkt connector, has anyone tried it with a blaupunkt head unit?? Personally am tempted by a DAB53 anyway - it would be great if that would run the standard changer too...

As a matter of fact, yes. Was more of an accident than a trial, but tried it none-the-less. And I can confirm the Skoda changer did diddly squat with a Blaupunkt (DXR 52) HU.

Isn't the DAB53 mp3 compatible? :confused:

The DAB52 is and has MMC/SD slot soon I guess the DAB53 does as well.

I know the Blaupunkt MP72 definately is MP3 compatible.