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Old 07-12-2015, 02:36 PM   #1
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Replacement Radio/CD?

It seems our Sony CDX-GT210 AM/FM/CD player that was original with the trailer has died an untimely death...probably due to getting wet when our solar panel blew off and allowed water to drip onto it via the cables that went between the panel and the monitor and then the batteries inside the trailer.

So we wrestled the radio out (no small feat) and checked everything we could to determine if it was the fuse, the faceplate vs main unit, power to the radio, etc. The verdict kept coming back - dead radio.

We could buy an identical used model on ebay...they don't make this model anymore. Or we could replace it with something new.
Some of you have replaced your units or just put in a unit of your own preference from the start.

Any suggestions? Pro's and Con's....
Also - we would rather not have to redo the wiring harness that Escape installed for the original Sony unit. So something that is either directly compatible or able to be compatible via an adapter would be preferred.
Thanks in advance!
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Old 07-12-2015, 02:40 PM   #2
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Don't know anything about the wiring harness or electrical connections, but I am very pleased with my Pioneer unit (CD/DVD/radio). It's a standard double din size so should be compatible with any standard auto unit (although I don't know what size unit you had).
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Old 07-12-2015, 03:21 PM   #3
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Thanks Karen. We have the older smaller size unit...not the double size like yours. We'd prefer not to have to make a larger hole in the cabinet. In the picture below, the faceplate has been removed from the radio. But you can see there is not much space to enlarge the opening given that the solar panel monitor is there too.
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Old 07-12-2015, 04:17 PM   #4
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Replacement Radio/CD?

Fran and Dave, I would think that any quality single DIN car stereo would be fine. I'd probably opt for one that plays multiple formats, has internet capability, Bluetooth, HD Radio, etc, because they're actually pretty cheap even with a load of features. Crutchfield has always taken care of me. If you haven't tried them, check out their website.
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Old 07-12-2015, 06:54 PM   #5
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Fran and Dave, I would think that any quality single DIN car stereo would be fine. I'd probably opt for one that plays multiple formats, has internet capability, Bluetooth, HD Radio, etc, because they're actually pretty cheap even with a load of features. Crutchfield has always taken care of me. If you haven't tried them, check out their website.
Thanks. We agree - there are lots of features available for not much more than a no frills unit. We have plans to call Crutchfield this week and see what recommendations they have. But real life recommendations are always helpful!
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Old 07-13-2015, 08:28 PM   #6
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Ok, fair enough. I'm a fan of Kenwoods:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113BT76...D.html?tp=5684
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Old 07-13-2015, 09:08 PM   #7
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Ok, fair enough. I'm a fan of Kenwoods:

Kenwood KDC-BT762HD CD receiver at Crutchfield.com
Do you happen to know if the wiring harness that ETI puts in for the Sony will plug into this unit?
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Old 07-13-2015, 09:34 PM   #8
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Do you happen to know if the wiring harness that ETI puts in for the Sony will plug into this unit?
No, but there's a wiring harness adapter for almost any stereo. Google Sony to Kenwood Harness. But, there's nothing wrong with replacing it with a Sony. I was just throwing a brand out there, based on my good experiences with it. Karen's right about the Pioneer head units too. Very nice.
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Old 07-13-2015, 09:54 PM   #9
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Just chatted online with Crutchfield. They said we'd have to rewire...probably even if we went with another Sony since they change things over time. Darn...there are a lot of wires there!
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Old 07-13-2015, 11:16 PM   #10
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I did an Alpine that has Bluetooth - wifey plays her iPhone music through it. A separate Sony Bluetooth speaker works to about 30 ft so we can have it on the campsite table. Has an earphone jack which we use for the tv sound
.
Din-1 form factor.
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Old 07-14-2015, 12:19 AM   #11
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Just chatted online with Crutchfield. They said we'd have to rewire...probably even if we went with another Sony since they change things over time. Darn...there are a lot of wires there!
I dunno. There are a TON of harness adapters out there and I've retrofitted alot of stereos without having to do a full rewire. Find a stereo you like then do a bit of research on what adapters are available.

In many cases you can also do a simple rewire at the harness itself - by matching wire colors.
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Old 07-14-2015, 06:56 PM   #12
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We went the route of least resistance and purchased a Sony CDX-GT66UPW:
Sony CDX-GT66UPW Flip-Down CD Receiver - Walmart.com
It is an exact match for the existing wiring and plug...just plugged it in to the harness and it fired right up. No fuss, no muss. It sounds fine and has some of the new bells and whistles but not all of them. It has a USB input which we might use. We weren't that likely to use most of the new stuff anyway.
As long as it keeps working we're happy campers. Now back to getting the leak from the solar panel cables plugged, the fiberglass repaired and the replacement solar panel bolted on. Expecting the kit and stuff to arrive in the next few days.
Thanks for the input!
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Old 07-14-2015, 07:33 PM   #13
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That was a good plan, easy swap out.
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