DAB head unit - waste of money?

?Cee?view

Hi everyone,

Counting on you people here knowing what you’re talking about as I haven’t the first clue.

I’m think of upgrading to this:

https://www.pioneer-car.eu/eur/products/avic-z910dab/parts?brand=Alfa%2520Romeo&model=Brera&year=2007&category=products

However, virtually the same thing but without DAB seems to be quite a bit cheaper.

Does DAB even work effectively in Ireland? I understand that in the East RTE has some channels, but that’s it. I’m based in the West.

Am I better off getting a cheaper unit without DAB? I’d intend keeping it for a few years and transferring it to my next car.

Thanks in advance!

listermint

Whatever the thoughts are on it, Rule of Thumb.

never buy a headunit that you 'plan' on moving to your next car. Because thats just stupid. 3 years come down the road and the new car doesnt take / suit the new car and you'll have forgotten all about that.

Eric Cartman

DAB works amazingly on the east coast all the way up to the north , love having ad free radio and the quality is amazing. In the west id be doubtful of it.

bazz26

Isn't there only something like 11 DAB channels available in Ireland?

cros13

bazz26 wrote: »

Isn't there only something like 11 DAB channels available in Ireland?

Just the RTE stations in Dublin, Cork & Limerick. There was a small commercial multiplex in Cork and Dublin but that finished up late last year.

The coverage for the RTE multiplex hasn't expanded in 10 years. Norway has already had their digital switchover and turned off FM radio.
If for no other reason than freeing up the radio spectrum, FM is going to need to be shut down at some point.

I prefer DAB when I do listen to radio as some of the RTE DAB-only stations are commercial-free. Don't think I've had a car in 10 years (bar one of the Nissan Leafs) that didn't have DAB.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Absolutely zero DAB coverage anywhere outside of Dublin/East of the country and I don't see the government making any headway in trying to introduce it anywhere in the next 20 years...hopefully.

colm_mcm

There’s DAB in Limerick Cork and Galway. Limited but hardly zero coverage.

R.O.R

I cycled through all the DAB stations available on the way home, earlier this week - first time I'd ventured in to DAB territory.

Didn't take me long to switch to bluetooth audio as there was nothing worth listening to on the DAB stations.

tossy

If your data plan allows it then 3g/4g and using the likes of tunein FM to listen to the radio is a much better alternative.