After a lot of deliberation about modifying the radio position on the Loyale, and then having my CD deck screen be not visible as a result of the angle, I said "to heck with it" and took a chance on this head unit on ebay:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/220807673959?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_3035wt_985

 

Skeptical? Hell yeah I was. $45 for a head unit just seems to be asking for trouble. Then again when you get right down to it, it's a glorified MP3 player with a radio tuner; but still seems too cheap.

 

In any case, I went to RE Audio's website and didn't see the head unit anywhere. I figured it had to be a knockoff with their name on it, but I went ahead and researched that. Come to find out that RE Audio is using the ebay seller as a test market for the deckless set up, and that it is, in fact, legit.

 

So $45, whatever. I bought one.

 

Showed up today, and I'm thoroughly impressed by the quality on something so cheap. Initially, I was put off by the weight, or lack thereof. Of course it's going to be light without a CD unit in it. The screen is bright and easy to see, the controls are easy to use and feel like they're well put together. The USB and SD card slots are conveniently located and auto read immediately. The unit is light enough that mounting the cage to the Metra dash kit is plenty stable, and the harness was marked VERY clearly with tags as to what wire goes where.

 

The USB and SD inputs should have dust covers IMO, but it's not a huge issue. The folder navigation is a little funky, but not impossible. There's only subwoofer preamp RCAs, so a full system isn't happening (then again, you wouldn't be using a $45 head unit if you had amps and subs now would you?)

 

All in all, 10/10 for value, 8/10 for ease of use, and an 8.5/10 for quality.

 

You can see the pictures in the ebay ad, and here's one of it installed in the Loyale. Plenty of room to spare behind the deck for wiring.

 

What he said

 

 

Wow! I have been wanting to replace the stock radio(radio only, not even a cassette) in my loyale. I think that you may have just sold me on buying this one. Thank You very much

 

edit: went ahead and bought one right after posting this

Edited October 28, 201114 yr by Skysm182

Has a tuner right?

How is the AM and FM reception on pulling stations? clear, or static.

 

bh

AM 1610 (Weather advisory) came in clear as day.

 

FM is really hit or miss as it is around here, but it came in as clear as my Montero's stereo does.

Got told about this one as well - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/170513867839?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

I'm in Australia but it comes from Hong Kong so shipping to US shouldn't be an issue.

 

Apparently fits easily in the stock fascia depth wise so no need for the spacer plates & only minor trimming to the sides to fit nicely.

 

Keen to get mine to fit.

 

http://www.ausubaru.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2983&d=1319443059

Got told about this one as well - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/170513867839?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

I'm in Australia but it comes from Hong Kong so shipping to US shouldn't be an issue.

 

Apparently fits easily in the stock fascia depth wise so no need for the spacer plates & only minor trimming to the sides to fit nicely.

 

Keen to get mine to fit.

 

http://www.ausubaru.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2983&d=1319443059

 

Their ebay page is SO china! lol.

 

The bluetooth would be nice, but that one just looks... Hokey? Have people said it's a good unit?

The Autozone chain of stores carries one very similar by Dual, and I've been considering it or ordering a slightly more feature packed (read: more RCA outs) version directly from Dual. They sound like a great deal; what I hear inside the car is more important than impressing people outside the car, I've given up on the $2000 sound system a long time ago.

I've never been a fan of Dual. They just feel cheapy, and for not being much $ less than Sony and JVC, not worth it.

 

If I was going to buy a mechless with more RCA outs, and that is generally a nice unit; I'd go with the Clarion FZ501. $200 isn't that steep, and I've got a DXZ655MP from Clarion that's been in 3 cars now, bought in 05, and it still blows a lot of newer decks out of the water.

 

If I keep the Loy, that's probably the unit I'll stick in it.

Can you tell us more about the face plate? Very interested since the factory plate is definitely not single din width friendly.

Can you tell us more about the face plate? Very interested since the factory plate is definitely not single din width friendly.

 

 

I think you mean the height?

 

I used the Metra 8900 dash kit.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002BEVR0

The link you sent me to says the kiit is for a 98? Just checking you gave the correct link, would hate to order the wrong part!

The link you sent me to says the kiit is for a 98? Just checking you gave the correct link, would hate to order the wrong part!

 

That's the exact kit I ordered. I think the 98 is just part of the part number.

 

Order the 70 - 8900 wiring adapter while you're at it.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Metra-70-8900-Harness-1990-up-1985-1989/dp/B0002BEQMA/ref=pd_cp_e_2

Should I still even if my harness has already been all hacked up? I'm looking at changing the common ground situation as well.