USA Headunits?

[AndyMk3Astra]

Basically are they compatible over here?
Ie if i bought one and wired it up to my car would work ok? -Things like FM frequencies etc: are they the same?

Cheers

[MikeWarner]

The FM frequencies are not the same - but I'm not sure what they are. Should be able to find the info online somewhere. I would imagine if you only listen to Radio1 you would be okay. As far as I know, everything else should work.

[Astranut]

It would work but the frequencies would be wrong

for instance Radio down this way is 98.8 on the U.S headunit it might be 103.1 or sumthing

oh yeh and most U.S headunits dont come with ISO plugs, the havn't worker that out yet bless em

[cavvysri]

?? FM frequencys are the exact same, but AM is the same frequency range but with 10KHz spacing instead of 9KHz. Depends on the AM tuner but you should still get most am stations. some have switchable 9/10 KHz spacing.

[AndyMk3Astra]

So...are the fm frequencies the same or different? I was thinking that they're different.

Any one else shed some light?

[nickyboy]

I bought a Pioneer Deh P7300-R when i was in The States last year, cost me $320 which works out at about £260, the equivelent over here was £399.

It works fine and is compatible apart from the FM frequency which is basicly the same as over here but the stations count up as follows.

99.1
99.3
99.5
99.7
99.9
100.1
100.3 etc etc.

It didnt bother me as i dont listen to the radio much, also they dont have RDS but picking up the stations is fine, you just have to tune it manually to find the nearest.

Well worth it, i'm getting a new one next time i go out there + sub or two.

If you order on line dont forget the VAT at Customs.

[AndyMk3Astra]

Cheers Nickyboy.

Was all the wiring the same then? The Loom etc just plug straight in or just a matter of spade/bullet-connecting each wire?

Thanks.

[LEE69]

andy because it hasnt got an iso it will need bullets.

[nickyboy]

All the wiring was the same as far as i could tell, i've not had the English equivilent to compare to but its the same as i've wired up B4, if i remember rightly there was one wire that is for something on American cars only so didnt use that. The multipin plug is the same, i just bullet connected it all to keep memory etc. I'm running a full system, amp, sub, 6x9's etc and its a treat. you wont get a warrenty unless you pay extra or contact the manufacturer direct and enquire about a Worldwide warrenty.

I'm lucky, my Dad lives in The States so if i buy anything i get it sent to him and he opens and re-packs it as 2nd hand so i get away without paying duty @ Customs.

www.sounddomain.com is a good on-line place.

[cavvysri]

if you hold down func. on the pioneer for 3 seconds with ignition on but stereo off youll get a menu where you can change the fm channel spacing from 300KHz to 100KHz

[nickyboy]

Well blow me down, i never knew that.

[SapperGSi]

U can get a frequency converter which acts as a Kc shift for grey import units, im sure theyll work with US imports too.

[AndyMk3Astra]

Cheers Sapper.
By any chance do you know where I can get one of these from?

[SapperGSi]

ummmm..........errrrrrrrrr no ill look around and post if i find somewhere

[SapperGSi]

give these guys a ring, they "may" be able to help.
(01223) 301212
apart from that im sorry, i DO know these parts exist but i had a clear out of all my old magazines a while ago.

[cavvysri]

theyre for japanese imports, not american because jap FM frequency range is 70odds to 89MHz. AN AMERICAN HEADUNIT WILL WORK IN BRITAIN WITHOUT A CONVERTER. some might not have 100 KHz spacing, but will still tune into and listen to all the stations without any probs.