opinions on Panasonic head unit

[turbo_nine]

Hey all.

I was searching for a while to find a 90-91 Panasonic unit with the line input on the face to replace the one in my '93. Used ones were all kind of pricey when I found them at all, and I had questions about whether they needed to be adapted to the harness (not a real big problem, but still).

I just found this unit online which looks like a very modern update to the one in the car! All the features I was looking for and not lots of money. Has anyone here used/installed one of these? It's a Panasonic CQ-5800U.

[Subaru_Nation555]

No experience with that unit but I love how simple it looks, no stupid displays or blinking lights. Looks like it could be stock.

[turbo_nine]

No experience with that unit but I love how simple it looks, no stupid displays or blinking lights. Looks like it could be stock.

That's the appeal it holds for me.

Now that I look around a bit more, I see that the original unit is a actually a 1.5-DIN. I wonder if that means a lot more work or what.

[Subaru_Nation555]

I guess you would have to fill the 1/2 DIN gap left over. Some members who have installed WRX radios used plastic to fill the gap:

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic. ... =wrx+radio
(scroll about half way down).

[Aerotech]

I put this unit in over the summer. Can't beat it for the price. It sounds great, and has modern functionality like MP3/WMA disc support, AUX-IN jack, weather band, and a USB plug-in for memory stick MP3s.

I replaced a WRX 6-disc unit with this one, simply for the MP3 support... a single CD of MP3s replaces all those discs, and gives you unlimited mix capabilty, along with random play.

The fit is not *quite* perfect for the SS stereo surround, the unit is a hair bigger than the plastic trim, but if you play around with it a bit, it will click into place. Looks very nice, blends in with the stock interior, not flashy and it won't attract unwanted attention. Green background lighting, has a clock, easy-to-see and operate controls.
You do end up with a 1/2 DIN gap below the unit.... Installation is simple, just remove the two brackets off the original stereo, and screw them to the new one. The gap, well you can ignore it, blank it off, or find another bit of tech to fit into it; equalizer, boost controller, turbo timer, etc.

Two thumbs up!

I did have one issue with my unit; the power antenna trigger wire was dead, rather than send it back, I wired up a switch for the antenna to the switched power lead.

The place I got it from on Ebay also had the correct Subaru wire harness adapter...

[turbo_nine]

The place I got it from on Ebay also had the correct Subaru wire harness adapter...

Hey now! That's encouraging -- any part number or by some chance do you remember the seller's name?

[Aerotech]

These guys... Free shipping on the unit, and on the harness. Read the whole ad, they tell you how to buy the set.
Check out the store, they have many 2-DIN head units.

EBAY STEREO LINK


Here's the harness plug;

Harness Link

[SiCkSTi04]

I put this unit in over the summer. Can't beat it for the price. It sounds great, and has modern functionality like MP3/WMA disc support, AUX-IN jack, weather band, and a USB plug-in for memory stick MP3s.

pictures of it installed?

[soobrdad02]

+1 for pics! This looks like EXACTLY what I've been looking for, a no fuss, no muss, no B.S. head unit that has all the features of "modern" stereo's, but without all of the ridiculous colored lights, chrome and extraneous garbage that seems to be slapped on everything I look at to replace the stock unit. Straight, simple and to the point; just like the car.

[ericem]

Ya I like this one to. I really miss having a clock in the car, and mp3/wma discs would be great. Also SHOULD sound alot nicer with some better speakers since it has more power. I think the only thing that kind of sucks is there is no sub out.

[ericem]

Just bought it haha.

[Binford]

Eclipse (made by Fujitsu Ten) has a similar "factory look" unit called the CD1200G. It is basically a double DIN version of their CD1200. Front AUX IN, front USB, and two pairs of pre-outs (front/rear). There is an optional IPOD cable that plugs into the back. Illumination is selectable between green or red, with a blue display. This unit was never really advertised except through select dealers. I currently have (4) of these in stock at work and would offer free shipping to anyone here that is interested. I'll match Sonic Electronix price of $109.95 also. Here is their link to it:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_216 ... 1200G.html

Here is Eclipses' website:

http://www.eclipse-web.com/us/cd/cd1200feature.html

Please note I am not trying to become a vendor on here, I merely wanted to give you guys another option.

EDIT: I can also include a Metra part #70-1780 (Subaru wire harness adapter) for an additional $14.95. Plus tax of course.

[evolutionmovement]

Yeah, I love how simple that looks! I bought my Kenwood ages ago because it matched—green display, simple buttons, matching dark gray plastic. I hate the stupid animated displays. What am I supposed to be 10 years old? Wait, I thought I was supposed to be friggin' driving, so who's looking at the stupid thing anyway?

I covered the hole in mine with a piece of "H"-shaped styrene (pretty much any thin plastic sheet would work) that I painted to match my gear shift knob. The horizontal portion of the "H" covers the hole and the vertical parts of the "H" sit under the finishing trim and are secured with the same screws as the trim. Except for the color, it looks completely stock.

[Josh222]

You can have the factory deck from my car, its got the line in. Just pay shipping, though the back light is burnt out on the CD player part.

[ericem]

Got it installed will post pics. Works great, sounds great! BUT power antenna does not work however don't care going to put a non powered one getting sick of hearing the stupid thing. Really nice having USB and mp3 cd playback.

Also the trim need to be shaved a bit with a razor blade other then that fits just fine!

Oh and I suggest getting a antenna cable extension unless my car has a short antenna cable I tried rerouting it which worked still very difficult to hook up.

[ericem]

Radio in

[SiCkSTi04]

Looks good ericem, did you ever plug the hole?