Been trawling the ICE forum for the last hour or so and am getting a bit confused and not sure what to do!! Not sure what to look at/for and there are so many posts...

Will be ordering a MY03 any day now but looking to upgrade the headunit. I'm a bit of an ICE virgin and a bit of a tart :D so, for the time being at least, want a nice looking, good performing head unit, as well as a CD changer.

Is it worth bothering with an of the double din units and CD changers on the Subaru accessories list? As I said, I'm a bit of a tart so I want it to look good. But, what with the cd changer I would have no need/want for cassette or single in dash CD functions (which, as far as I can tell, all the OE/accessory ones have).

I am also worried about security - it looks to me as if none of the 'factory' head units have any particular security measures (as in face off/removable etc...).

So, would I be better to get an aftermarket single din unit and changer? If so, any mid-range-ish suggestions?

What would I do with the gap left? Is there anything ICE related or any good toys that are recomended?

Remember, I want it to look good (in terms of the headunit itself and the fit and finish of the completed set up) as well as perfrorm well, but I would also like greater security.

Any help, or the highlighting of any particularly good threads, would be much appreciated.

Once again, I'm know jack about ICE so sorry if this is a bit of an annoying post!

Many thanks

John

In my humble opinion the first thing you should do with the standard head unit is bin it. :D

http://www.mcs-direct.co.uk Is where I buy stereo stuff from.

I'd get a single din stereo to replace the double din unit. I normally buy Alipne head units and CD changers as I have done for years.I find them to be very reliable and they sound good. Not the best looking I admit but they work well.

As for what to put in the other din slot you have a few options. First is to buy a single din pocket from Subaru that just slots in above or below the new head unit.

Secondly, and this is what I've done, you can buy a SECS unit.

Like this http://www.o-power.co.uk/images/news/fizz.jpg

This is an ECU reader that plugs into the select monitor port underneath the steering column.

You can buy these from http://www.psi3.co.uk

A thread about the SECS monitor is Here (http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/thread.asp?ThreadID=168968)

Cheers Nathan..



[Edited by Nathan L - 3/7/2003 5:00:09 PM]

Have you seen the FAQ? (http://www.chiark.com/scooby/icetoc.asp)?

Nathan,

YOu git, that looks fantastic - deeply jealous.

Cheers,
Nick.

Many thanks guys :)

Nathan - damn, now I want one of them SECS things :D

Nick - cheers, I hadnt seen your FAQ - will begin studying it shortly :)

I'm veering towards just leaving the standard gubbins in there for now and upgrading to a single din something or other and something like one of those SECs units. Tasty. :)

Cheers again!

My STi8 Set-Up

http://upload.turbosport.co.uk/getpic2.asp?File=200337175333691677.jpg

Phil G
WCSR (http://www.wcsr.co.uk)

Noooooooooooo

I can't take the credit for that install, thats Fizz's MY01.

Mine is the same except I have an Alpine head unit.

I've now put the SECS on top of the head unit as you don't have to glance so far down to look at the BP when giving it large ;)