Becker Grand Prix

[jeegnesh]

My Boxster has an after market Blaukpunt London MP35, personally I do not like it.

I an thinking about going for a Becker Grand Prix with Ipod kit, wanted to know if anyone has one and could answer a few questions, could not find any reviews of the stereo.

1 - Does the Bluetooth work well ? How many phones can you pair ?
2 - Ipod - do you have full control of the ipod from the unit ? Does it work fast ?
3 - Is the head unit any good in terms of sound quality ?

Thanks for any help.

There is also Pinoeer head unit with bluetooth and you can get ipod connector, are they any good, same questions as above.

 

[Mark Elder]

Jeegnesh, Hi,

I have a Becker Indianapolis, which I think is the same as the Grand-Prix (except it has Sat Nav too)

1 - Bluetooth - Yes, very well indeed. Best bluetooth connectivity I've had, just works everytime with no button pressing.

Manual says 5 phones can be paired, pairing a 6th makes it forget the 1st etc

2 - ipod. I'm impressed by this too, but.... It's better than I guessed it would be, but it's not perfect. It emulates the CD changer, so you use the CD controls. You have full control (my ipod stays tucked up in the glove box) but if you switch off the car (eg for petrol) when you are playing the iPod, when you switch back on it's reverted to radio. You only have to touch the CD button to jump back to the iPod (and it remembers where it was and which track it's in) - but it's just slightly annoying. The other problem I have with it is that, on the direct iPod, you can "spin" the wheel quickly to easily jump a long way down a listing. This does not seem to happen using the twist knobs on the Becker. Does not matter how fast you twist it does not jump quickly along a listing. This means if you have a few hundred albums, you have to set up playlists to segment your collection, otherwise you would twist your arm off trying to get to Zztop!

But apart from that, I'm please with it.

3 - Quality. I'm not an audio expert, so I can't really comment. It's better than the Sony I had before I fitted it.

 

[rubenthedog]

MARKE 2

I am just in the process of getting the indianapolis fitted to my Boxster, can you advise where you got it done. (I'm in the glasgow area) and did you have to use an adapter to fit the stereo to the sound system?

 

[jeegnesh]

Thanks Marke that really helps.

So all ipod controls can be done from the unit, but scanning artist etc is pretty slow.

When you get calls, can you hear clearly, and can people on the other side hear you, or is there alot of noise or you need speak loud ?

So just need more comments on quality as say compared to Alpine units.

 

[jeegnesh]

Does anyone know the RCA output are they 4v ? If not what are they ?

The slow speed of scrolling does it make it unusable or just a little niggle ?

 

[jeegnesh]

This is an OLD thread, but I did buy the Alpine XDA-001 with Bluetooth Module BT-300, it works all ok, but finally I started to get upset with the non OEM look, can you believe it, or I am bored and I have started thinking about getting the Grand Prix again

I just want to know if I have 200 playlists, will be able to navigate through them with relative easy? I heard something about a +10 jump on one of the buttons, I don't know anyone with the unit to verify this. I also read about install issues and having to change a pin, is that still the case? Lastly I got that beep when I lock the car, so I read about some wire that needs to taped up, any pics on which wire?

 

[Mark Elder]

Yes there is the 10+ button and it works - it is vital! The Becker does not react in the same way as the iPod wheel (ie faster you go the more it jumps) - so you need the 10+ to get around at a reasonable speed with large lists.

I've never had any issues with the PIN (eg when changing battery you just have to type it in again).

 

[poprock]

Yep, it's a lot more awkward to navigate than the iPod, but it works. I find that setting up plenty of playlists helps"”it's easier than scanning through by artist, for example. The +10 button is a toggle between +10 and +1. It's essential"”takes forever to find anything without using that!

I find the Bluetooth phone thingy works well. I have to raise my voice, but that's all.

 

[jeegnesh]

I only ever use playlists, so that works for me. I spent a hell of alot of money upgrading the sound, I have the custom Jenhert door builld and dash speakers. Now I am just wondering how the Becker is in terms of any adjustments or is it just Bass and Treble. Reason I ask is using ipod and all the variety of qualities of the source can change the sound a great deal. Just wondering if I should consider one of the other units in the Becker range.

NOTE: I don't plan to buy new, its going to be an ebay purchase when I find something thats good value.