Ok just hear on another post that US head units don't have RDS. Something I never knew but I've done a bit of research and this seems to be very true. So my question is can you fir RDS afterwards or is that not possible. It just seems so stupid to have to pay another £200 for the same head unit just so that I can get RDS. Also someone mentioned that they thought that the power needed was different on US head units, I find this hard to believe seeing as all car Batteries run on 12 volts. Can anyone confirm any of this.

Cheers


Peter

 

You cannot fit RDS afterwards. It's part of the internals of the radio, unfortunately.

I think there may be some issue with FM tuners too. I vaguely recollect a difference in the tuning spacings. Check that one.

Power most definitely won't be a problem!

 

Thanks chiark, I'm actually thinking sod it I'll just listen to CDs and MP3's then. If it meant only spending another £50 to get it from Britain then it would be worth spending that little bit more. But for that amount I could get a good amp plus something towards speakers.

 

That does sound more like it Pete - the FM signal steps rather than the power - was early morning and I was tired

 

other things to be aware of...

4% import duty, then 17.5% vat on top, then potentially a "customs clearance fee" of around £13...

 

I hate Britain.

 

Sorry

Just, when comparing prices, be aware of what it might cost once shipped, VAT & duty & fee paid, that's all.

I've ordered things from the states that have come through with no VAT/duty to pay, and other things have had the +4%, +17.5% plus £13 quid "fee" from ParcelFarce. Last time, the helpful delivery man told me that I had to pay there and then with either cash or cheque, or the goods would be returned to sender at the sender's expense! Customer service with a smile

Things are less likely to get clobbered if they go to a home address, but you can still be charged and should probably budget to be charged.

 

Most American-spec tuners go in steps of 0.2 on the FM band, only tuning in to the odd frequencies - i.e. 95.7, 95.9, 96.1 etc. Lots of UK stations broadcast on the even steps so this is a fairly major problem if you want to use the radio !

As for customs clearance, if the place supplying the radio is fairly savvy they'll put a nominal value on the invoice that ships with the unit, which is what C&E will base the tax on. My Empeg cam over labelled as a hard drive costing $80

Steve.

 

...which is absolutely fine until something's damaged in transit and you have to claim on insurance, in which case you are completely screwed.

 

The last yank spec headunit I fitted was about 4 years ago and what Shifty says about the tuner is correct.. The unit i fitted was a Kenwood, tut tut. It had the ability to alter the tuner to operate the same as a UK spec unit.

 

My Blaupunkt Los Angeles MP72 (CD/MP3) has UK and American modes in its setup menu, and RDS fitted as standard. I believe the same would be the case for all Blaupunkt skyline range head units. Therefore, I assume it's exactly the same head unit you'd buy in the states, although I don't know how much it would cost or whether it's worth importing. If any other manufacturers do the same trick, I don't know.

Not sure if that helps?

Phil