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I would like to add DAB to my van but do not want to replace the head unit. I have seen usb DAB recivers for about £20 - 50 with external aerials and it seems like a good solution but they look to be aimed at android head units rather than phones. I would just Bluetooth connect to my head unit.
Anyone have any experience with these?
I got something incredibly similar to this from Aldi a couple of months ago:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074KY6XG1/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1
It's identical, just different brand and was only £35 in Aldi.
But, it's powered by micro usb and inputs in to your car stereo via either aux-in or as an FM transmitter. Has a windscreen mounted DAB antennae which is powered by the unit so no other wiring required.
Also plays music from a micro SD card and is bluetooth so you can connect your phone (don't know if you can use the bluetooth to connect it to the car/van).
Aux in would be fine too.
How do you find reception when driving?
I bought one of the DABs that pocpoc linked to above (also from Aldi). It is a great little device, the aerial needs to stick onto the a-pillar metal (easy job in my vito, just had to pop the plastic cover off). With the aerial fitted correctly reception is great, I used it for a while with the aerial just loose on the dashboard and that was flaky.
Reception is generally faultless. I've got the earth bit stuck to the A-pillar with a bit of paint scraped off to give metal contact and the rest of it stuck to the screen. Regular journeys from East Yorkshire down to the Midlands and never lose signal.
I had a proper DAB headunit with magnetic external aerial on my previous car and, while it was probably stronger signal, I can't tell the difference.
I also scrapped some paint off of pillar for optimum reception!
Top tip thanks.
I bought this: PAMA PNG1220 Pama Plug N 820 Dab Radio https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00F0HYFVI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_zgiZAb33F5Q3V
it works, but can loose reception once into the countryside or at motorway speeds. The ones posted above sound like they have better antennas and I’m tempted!
Check your local Aldi because mine still had one in last week.
Just picked one up from Aldi. £25 has to be worth a try
I bought one of the Aldi one's, Leeds to Cornwall with no issues with reception, Bluetooth works well too, can't fault it for £25.00
Can I just check (as the spiel on that seems to be written in gobbledegook) - does one of those also work as a BT receiver, ie I can play the tunes on my phone through it and switch between that and the DAB radio?
Just connected the Aldi one. Much better than the unit I linked to above. Proper aerial for a start and you can Bluetooth music to it. Worked with Spotify, music on the phone and iPlayer. It also doesn’t suffer with interference from the reversing camera.
All in all a bargain for £25.