Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => Electrical and Instruments => Topic started by: bowdie on December 21, 2010, 05:03:32
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Hi all - does anyone have any feedback on this unit? Does it look ok in the pagoda dash?
http://www.beckerautosound.com/Classic/retro%20replacement.html
My car has a modern alpine unit and this looks like a reasonabley priced (i.e. no sat nav, etc.) option - without having to hide a modern radio under the seat. (appreciate its not 100% original becker look)
It would great if someone could post a photo with it in their dash.
Thanks in advance for any feedback,
Chris.
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Looks pretty nice - and except for the digital display - also very original. How much are they? Can't find any prices on the link..
:-)
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Hi, I have this radio.
It works fine and the memory card function is handy.
Only gripe is that the front panel is a little deep.
Hope the pictures help.
Larry
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I've emailed Becker -- I will let you know once they confirm the price.
Thanks for the photos - I will take a look.
Chris.
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Before you buy, check out the price of the same radio here:
http://www.casmfg.com/radios.htm
Naj
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Well, you asked for opinions so I'll jump in and say that I think it looks pretty awful. Yes, you could do worse, but what are you gaining by doing this? My recommendation is to either go for a period Becker pinstripe and have MP3 input added (which works great!) or have a separate remote control radio. I'm afraid to ask, but if you go with a 4 x 40 watt radio, what are you doing for speakers? I know I'm not gonna like this...
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Have you looked at the "new" Becker Mexico TR. Not cheap but looks , in my opinion, looks so much better. Look at this site, and highlight Becker.
http://koenigs-classic.de
Let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Bob
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The production of the retro Becker unit was halted a while ago and they are sold out according to a note on the Koenig website.
Aside from that I completely agree with Scoot's opinion and his advice.
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Ok Scoot I agree it is not a perfect look but like bowdie I had a modern (Sony) in my dash with stereo
speakers installed in the footwells. I wanted something that looked a bit more period and is useable.
I like my music and prefer stereo sound (radio can be programmed to have all sound to the front speakers
so you do not need rear speakers). I guess it's a form/function thing.My radio is primarily to listen to but
also looks much better than the unit it replaced.
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I agree that an original Becker with mp3 added is the best and most original solution, but it also presents the challenge of first finding a functional unit in the first place (after all we're talking about electronics that are older than a lot of us), have the mp3-input added etc. If only the display was in a more discreet colour, I could be tempted - it would certainly look a lot better than my current late 70's Blaupunkt and sound a lot better too :-)
Merry Christmas, guys!
Ulf
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Have you looked at the "new" Becker Mexico TR. Not cheap but looks , in my opinion, looks so much better. Look at this site, and highlight Becker.
I think that the "new" Becker pinstripe product line looks great, and it has bluetooth and satnav. Unfortunately, navigation disks are not available for North America AND it is quite expensive. If I don't get navigation, I'm again back to using a nice "real" pinstripe with an mp3 input...
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Ok Scoot I agree it is not a perfect look but like bowdie I had a modern (Sony) in my dash with stereo
speakers installed in the footwells. I wanted something that looked a bit more period and is useable.
I like my music and prefer stereo sound (radio can be programmed to have all sound to the front speakers
so you do not need rear speakers). I guess it's a form/function thing.My radio is primarily to listen to but
also looks much better than the unit it replaced.
Becker Europa Stereo, Becker kick panel speakers.
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I agree that an original Becker with mp3 added is the best and most original solution, but it also presents the challenge of first finding a functional unit in the first place (after all we're talking about electronics that are older than a lot of us), have the mp3-input added etc.
I have a closet full of Becker radios in my queue for some sort of refurbishment, mostly cleaning and testing. Here is what I have learned about old Beckkers:
1. More often than not, an old AM/FM Becker works right out of the junkyard. I have sprayed the insides with tuner cleaner and gotten very good sound out of most that I have tested. The most common problems are cosmetic (faceplate cracked, knobs missing, chrome pitted) or that the clutch for the tuning knob needs to be adjusted so that it moves the needle.
2. More often than not, Beckers with auto-tune (wonderbar, seek) will not work correctly. The radio will work correctly, but the wonderbar will either work only in one direction, not at all, or ....
3. More often than not, the amplifier for Becker's with separate amplifiers work correctly.
4. More often than not, Mexico cassette decks don't play cassettes well. (rebuild kits are available, but who owns a cassette anyway).
5. Older Becker Tube radios or hybrid radios present a LOT more difficulties in getting them to work well.
My first choice for an old becker (assuming you have a large-face opening in your Pagoda) would be a Grand Prix because you get the push buttons, a separate amp, and maybe even the wonderbar. My opinion is that the Beckers with the separate amp sound better than the ones that are all-internal. Realistically, a stereo Europa would be a great choice and should not cost all that much. My last choice would be a tie between the 6-button Europa (buttons too small) and the Mexico (no preset buttons).
Regarding mp3, Becker radios with separate amps all have a plastic plug in back. You remove the plug and replace with an adaptor plug that has a 1/8" jack in a little box on the end of it and it becomes a switched MP3 input. I think that the sl113 technical manual actually has the wiring instructions for the adaptor. This may also be the case for Beckers that do not have a separate amplifier -- I can't remember at this point.
Finding a Becker pinstripe that works is not that much of a challenge.
<15 minutes later>
OK, so I was overly optomistic regarding ebay. It seems that prices are higher and there aren't many. This only means that I should get busy and clean up some radios and list them!!!!!
Anyway, I still vote for a pinstripe w/ MP3 added.
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Another problem we are having to face in the UK is the closure
of the analogue network sometime soon so digital is the way
to go :-\
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Another problem we are having to face in the UK is the closure
of the analogue network sometime soon so digital is the way
to go :-\
Are you saying that broadcast analogue FM is going away in Europe? How did I miss that news... Doesn't that mean that EVERYONE with a car radio today will not have a car radio? Another argument for MP3 input. I don't think anyone with a classic car is going to opt for putting a modern digital radio into the face of a pagoda. At least I hope not.
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They have been pushing digital radios here for some time now but domestic take up
has not been as hoped so I believe the switch off of analogue FM has been delayed some
but will happen eventually. I think 2012 was the planned year.
I do not know the plans for the rest of Europe.
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All over Europe (UK was first) governments are pushing some form of DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) over AM/FM. Why? DAB uses less spectrum so they can auction off the rest to broadcast companies, telco's etc for lots of money. Only in the UK are DAB sets available in large numbers, in the rest of Europe the public is ignoring it, and government has difficulty moving forward as few broadcasters are ready to make the switch.
But if it does happen, you can throw your old Becker, but also your current radio set in your modern car in the trash.... I reckon it will still take a while. Start getting worried when new cars are sold with dual sets: DAB/FM...
Peter
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If UK goes digital radio, you can just go to Sirus (sateilite) radio. It's digital. I play it thru my old Becker radio. Does UK have sateilite radio?
Bob
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I found this one listed on Crutchfield.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_068APACHE/Retrosound-Apache.html?search=retro
Any chance a Becker face plate could be modified to camouflage it a bit? Would also need to use the Becker knobs.
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I found this one listed on Crutchfield.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_068APACHE/Retrosound-Apache.html?search=retro
Any chance a Becker face plate could be modified to camouflage it a bit? Would also need to use the Becker knobs.
My god that is ugly. In answer to your question, no. Becker pinstripe facplates have space exactly where this radio wants an opening, and openings (for push buttons) exactly where this radio wants flat covering space. The radio you have shown is for cars that have a metal dash with an opening for the center of the radio and then two holes for the knobs. All becker pinstrips that I know of require a rectangular opening.
Regarding thread on DAB radio, etc. I'm not really sure how much it matters if they turn off broadcast FM for our older cars. I kind of assume that the DAB equivilent of an MP3 player will be available and people will still use their Becker as the head unit for sound.
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Actually these radios can mount in a standard din opening. If you go to www.retrosoundusa.com you can get different faceplates and knobs. I installed this unit in my 280sl. It isn't as correct as a becker but it sounds good and you can play mp3 files via a flash drive in the glovebox. They are easy to install and the company support is great.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cntstpdrmn/sets/72157617457770906/
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Actually these radios can mount in a standard din opening. If you go to www.retrosound.com you can get different faceplates and knobs.
I wasn't suggesting that you could not install it in a DIN opening. I was suggesting that the best value for this type of unit is for installation in a car where you do not have a DIN opening and you don't want to cut the dash. In situations like that you are much more constrained.
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Thanks for all the posts / views.
I decided to go for a restored Becker Europa Stereo pinstripe direct from Becker NJ.
Tom Mitchell at Becker will provide the MP3 cable/input, 1 year warranty, new knobs, trim, brackets, operation/install guide and its period for my car. I'll run the aux cable into the ashtray.
I never listen to the radio (just use ipod) so its not a concern for me if they switch off analogue FM in the future.
Thanks again for all the posts. Good forum.
Cheers,
Chris.
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Hi,
I bought a re-conditioned Becker Europa Stereo (plus ipod connector) from Becker NJ and had my garage install it.
It has worked out well with decent sound (even tho non-standard speakers).
Problem is that when the ignition is on, the stereo lights (red/green) stay on and there's a low frequency hum (even tho the becker unit is fully switched off on the left knob).
Q. Have you seen this issue before? Do you think its the becker unit or my garage's wiring?
Thanks for your thoughts,
Chris.
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Sounds like a wiring issue since, I believe, Becker tests the units before shipping.
I have the Becker Europa Stereo that Becker NJ reconditioned and added the I-Pod jack.
No lights , no hum when turned off (and ignition switch on). Workes great. Just remember to unplug the cable if you want to listen to the radio. It is not enough to just unplug the I-Pod.
Norm
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Hi, I have this radio. ....
Hope the pictures help.
Hi Larry,
the pictures do help but I am hoping that you can also post one with the face folded down or removed.
According to the Becker web site it has "fold down detachable face".
I am wondering whether it is possible to swap in the radio delete plate when the face plate is removed.
That might prevent upsetting purists (like Scoot) when they inspect your car. ;)
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Great Thread Fellows :)
I have a original Becker (not installed) in a box, I understand it is not working according to the last owner. When I ask my friendly Mercedes parts fellow he simply said "We chip it to Toronto they evaluate it for repairs, expect to pay up to $1K for the repair". He added, "The estimate is free, you pay for the shipping". Naturally I am not impressed ;D
In the car there is a SONY FM/AM removable Cassette Car Stereo installed (apparently the lady that owned the car originally in Florida loved her tapes). This radio also does not work.
Questions,
1) any of you had a Becker radio repaired or reconditioned? If so where did you have it done?
2) any of you have such a Sony radio in your car? (see photo below)
3) kbudd, If you should see this, where did you get your set and how does it work for you?
Thanks in advance everyone!
Cheers,
Rolf-Dieter
EDIT ----> Photo to follow later ... having some issues adding it
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If you need your radio repaired I would start with http://www.beckerautosound.com
I was thoroughly impressed with the service I received and I was only buying bits for a radio.
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Alter Peter,
I fitted a RetroSound and I am really pleased,
simple solution at reasonable price, a few others also use them,
Check out "retrosound" in the search function on here,
keep well
Paul
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Here is a photo of the Becker retro radio with the face plate flipped down to insert a CD.
I would still like to see a photo showing the installed radio taken from the front with the plate completely removed.
Who can take one - Larry?
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Am I missing something? Early on, NAJ said to checkout a CASMFG radio (called USA-4DIN). I've been looking at that model for some time, trying to decide. It's $159. Has anyone found the price of the Becker Europa Retro? As far as I can see, they are one and the same, and I think it's manufactured by Classic Auto Sound (CASMFG). I can't believe that Becker would sell it at the CASMFG price, but I may be wrong. Does anyone know?
Tom Kizer
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Tom,
you don't miss anything.
The USA-4DIN (http://www.casmfg.com/radios.htm) is the Becker Retro (http://www.beckerautosound.com/Classic/retro%20replacement.html) except that Becker will add the knobs of your choice for a significant up-charge - about $100!
I am considering it also if I could somehow swap the radio delete plate with the removable face plate whenever I don't want the radio to be seen. This obviously depends on how much the radio body sticks out and whether there is room to clip the delete plate on.
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Thank you Paul for the feedback, I will check it out.
Have a great summer and safe travels!
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I have always been a fan of Custom Autosound radios. Just bought my third one from www.vintagecarradio.com (http://www.vintagecarradio.com) and have never had any problems. They also come with European frequency.
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I am wondering how to adjust the tuning clutch on a Becker Europa 2. Scoot mentioned this on a post from long ago. Any insights will be greatly appreciated!
JIMV