Thread: Should I...?

most definately drop the head unit idea. that is what is so great about going with the car pc. you can make it look oem very easily while having endless options and tailoring it to your taste. You're only spending the money once so the $200 saved isn't that big of a deal imho. plus you can add the radio later after you tire of your endless supply of mp3's on hand. Plus a $60 head unit is going to be crappy quality, probably break on you and sound crappy.

if it were me id look into the hd radio option that is out there. yes it'll be the most expensive option but a great option none the less (and no monthly fees like xm).

just my $.02

Thanks scott, I appreciate the input.

When I said 30-60, I meant used... I saw a few good pioneer/alpine and so on HUs with built in MP3 cd player (my current oem HU plays mp3 cds) for about that range on ebay. Plus I already purchased a good amplifier so I don't really have to rely on the HU for sound (and the radio stations i'd listen to the most are probably talk radio and NPR for news and the occasional traffic update), and you can only listen to mp3's for so long before you want something different.

Who has used/is currrently using the Hqct and doesn't have problems (that's the other thing that keeps me from wanting to buy the Hqct... all the problems and complications). Plus I don't touch coding/programming, so that's not a selling point for me either.

Keep that input coming guys (also, pictures of setups including an additional HU for comparison will be much appreciated!)

Well just to throw an another option out, if you get a detachable face HU, then you can remotely mount the actual unit and just put the faceplate upfront by extending the contacts with some Cat5.

Personally, I would not do that though. I think unless you are deeply in love with your morning show programmes on radio, I don't even think you need it. I know some people live or die with the radio personalities, but I personally could not stand them and the commercials, so I haven't listened to terrestial radio since June of 2002. I recently (January) got Sirius and I love it. I listen to it every now and then when I have a passenger in the car, or for a short run. But my mp3's keep me company most of the time.

I think you should try just the PC, and see if you want to listen to any songs you don't have that the radio does. Then if you find yourself getting bored or something, you could just buy the HQCT later as scott said.