Single vs Double Din fitting

jcstockdale · 05-03-2009 1:47pm #1

Hi All,

I'm looking at new stereos for my car and was wondering what are the pros and cons of single versus double din sizes. I once got a single din stereo for my Ford Mondeo and I had to get some blanking plates and adapters. I still have them so that's not a problem. My main concern is that when I had the single din stereo fitted at a garage, it was always a bit wobbly if you touched it. The factory fitted double din model is absolutely rock solid... i mean there's no movement at all if you press on it. So I always felt like the garage fitted single din one felt a bit flimsy and that it wouldn't take much for somebody to pull it out. Did I just have it badly fitted?

So I was thinking that if I got a double din one this time around, it might feel a bit more solid. Is that a reasonable assumption? Any opinions?

Thanks,

J. Stockdale.

OldmanMondeo · 05-03-2009 2:01pm

Sorry, but are you talking about the plugs on the back of the stereo? or the high of the stereo?

If you talking about the high issue, I would say the garage fitted badly. I had a focus and changed from the Ford stereo to a Pioneer unit, as the Mondeo, Pre 03 models, I used the facisa plate and an adaptor for the electrical connections. The stereo was fitted fine, never moved.

What car are you changing the stereo in?

jcstockdale · 05-03-2009 2:10pm

I'm talking about the size of the stereo unit itself. The factory fitted one is about 5 inches high while the single din ones are about half that height. When I had the single one fitted, you could wiggle it about in the slot... I never actually pulled it out, but it didn't feel at all secure. The factory fitted one literally doesn't move at all.

The electrical and audio connection was never a problem. The car is a Mondeo hatchback 99.

OldmanMondeo · 05-03-2009 2:15pm

Ok, the same size stereo was used for years by Ford. Once you fit the cage and the facisa plate correctly, the stereo will be fine.

Eric Cartman · 05-03-2009 7:12pm

pros of double din :

navigation/dd can be done without a flipout screen
more controls on the face, less need to hide things in menu's
older models : tape and cd on the same unit

pros of single din :

navigation or dvd is less likely to be robbed as it looks like an audio only stereo
smaller if your fitting it into say a classic car where no stereo was included from the factory

Single vs Double Din fitting

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