- AM/FM-MPX/USB/SD MP3 Stereo - Classic Car Audio Replacement Allows For Zero Dash Board Modification using Shaft Style Opening
- Built-In USB/ SD/ MMC MP3 Player (2 Gig Max - Adjustable Shaft Knobs from 4.65''-6.5')
- Volume/ Balance/ Tone Control - Mounting Hardware Included
- 1.2 Volt RCA Line Out (Amplifier Line Output - DC 12 Volt 3 Amp Power Consumption
- Clock Function - Unit Dimensions: 7''W x 4.72''D x 1.96''H
- - 2 Channel Output 80W x 2 (160W Max)
- AM/FM-MPX/USB/SD MP3 Stereo -
- AM/FM-MPX/USB/SD MP3 Stereo - Classic Car Audio Replacement Allows For Zero Dash Board Modification using Shaft Style Opening -
- Classic Car Audio Replacement Allows For Zero Dash Board Modification using Shaft Style Opening - 2 Channel Output 80W x 2 (160W Max)
- 2 Channel Output 80W x 2 (160W Max)
Be sure to read my update at the bottom of the review because many of my first impressions changed after living with the stereo awhile:
I got my stereo to install in my 1968 Plymouth Fury VIP. My criteria was for it not to cost too much and to blend in as much as possible with my 1960's interior. The price from Onlinecarstereo.com was only 25 dollars plus shipping which seemed too good to be true. So far it has been money well spent.
Pros: Very simple MP3 player controls and the use of an USB thumb drive like a micro 8-track. Handles up to 2 gig drives which if full, I could drive all day and not repeat a track. Read my thumb drive without issues. Did not try the SD card feature as I prefer the USB thumb drives. I like the old fashioned manual tuning and it pulls in FM signals surprisingly well. I was picking up low power local stations my digital JVC in my Dodge was not getting. I have not tried the AM part because I rely on my original 1968 radio for that. The sound for the price is also surprisingly good though if you really want to blast the windows this is not the unit for that. You can add an amp to it with the RCA line outs but I don't really need it. I find that it plays as loud as I want it to because I'm old enough now I don't need it THAT loud anymore. I will add that the quality of your MP3 files will affect how loud you can go with the volume. The better the file, the better the sound at loud volume. I can hear it with the windows down just fine. It's also only a two channel stereo which is perfect for this car as I have only the two rear factory 6x9 cutouts and don't need or want four speakers.
Cons: Almost too simple MP3 player controls if you have your music organised into folders. You can manually click through one file at at time. If you hold down on the button in either direction it acts as a fast forward/rewind on an individual track. I did find that clicking through tracks backwards from the first song played got me into the only folder on my thumb drive. It's too much hassle to click that many times to get to something. I decided if I am in different music moods as I drive that it would probably be best to have individual thumb drives devoted to those musical moods and swap them around. I consider this acceptable given the extremely basic nature of the stereo.
Other cons: While I understand this is a cheap stereo could Pyle at least used thicker wires to attach speakers, power etc.? I was surprised at how difficult it was to get sound out of it and the problem was making sure there was true connections at the speakers. Ignore the online specs where it list "clock function". This model does not have a clock, the LCD version does. The "manual" could be better in addressing whether or not the unit could handle folders and whether it could skip back and forth between them though it was adequate in other respects. It would have allowed me to plan what I put on the thumb drives differently. But then it's a 25 dollar stereo so what do I expect? On the whole, it exceeded expectations and provides me with a way to have MP3s in my old car at a ridiculously inexpensive price.
After I ordered my radio, I saw the reviews here for the LCD screen version and I was glad I did not buy it. The old fashioned manual tune radio with no LCD seems to be a better product. If there was anything I'd change about it aside from beefing up the wiring, I'd add a couple of folder skip buttons to it.
Update July 2011: After living with this stereo for awhile, it didn't take long to see that it does absolutely nothing with folders. I thought I'd gotten into a folder but discovered I'd gotten into duplicate tracks outside the folder. At no point did the unit play anything inside the actual folder. I removed a star from the rating because the manual says nothing about this. I also observed that after playing for a couple of hours on a trip that the USB drive was surprisingly warm to the touch when I pulled it out. Don't know if this is normal or foreshadowing some kind of failure of the unit.
Also have noticed that some tracks have a background clicking sound. It's not quite loud enough to be truly irritating but it's enough to be noticed. Again, I cannot overstate the need for MP3 files to be the highest quality to keep it from sounding like crap. I've removed several tracks for this reason. Again, I only paid 25 bucks so my expectations were not high but still...
As other reviewers have mentioned, the tuner dial is merely a suggestion of the proximity of stations you might possibly be interested in. My initial positive review of its ability to pull in stations changed once I drove the car a few miles into a town where the one station I wanted to hear was impossible to tune where even my crappiest aftermarket and OEM radios in other cars had picked it up fine. I gave up on it. Agree with other reviewers that this unit is not as powerful as advertised. For me, this isn't a problem but I can see where it is for others.
For all of us who have classic cars, surely someone out there can make something that looks like a period radio, play MP3/WMA files and be a nice quality unit. I'd pay more for that. Custom Autosound was making stereos for classic cars with cassette decks etc, but I'd like to see a quality mechless two shaft stereo. Even with my low expectations, I'm finding that I'm now looking around for something to replace this with but since my unit is working more or less as designed which at this point is not a compliment, I'm taking my time finding a replacement.
Buy Pyle PLR14MPF In-Dash AM/FM-MPX MP3 Shaft Style Dual Knob Radio with USB/SD Card Now
Zero dash modifications is like saying one size fits all which is generally not the case and so goes my install.The spread was off and some of the mounting holes needed adjustments but that said the tuner works great and the reception is good and clear. The sd 2 g holds tons of tunes and is one option older models didn't include. The look is right which was the main reason i bought it and it serves the purpose. A little headache to install but that's no reason to complain for the twenty i spent good to go!Adj. shaft knobs do not span to 6.5" as the specs. state. . The max span is 5.5" instead. Customer service long distance number is overworked and almost useless. Sent back to Amazon.
Want Pyle PLR14MPF In-Dash AM/FM-MPX MP3 Shaft Style Dual Knob Radio with USB/SD Card Discount?
I really wanted all the reviews to be wrong. But they're actually spot on.Junk, junk, junk!
I figured my standards were low enough because all I listen to is one AM channel in my 86 Toyota, so I would be safe. Problem with that is, the stupid thing won't even go up to 1180 where it needs to be! Beyond that, it won't even hold a channel if I manage to get one. Big bummer. All I wanted is a period correct looking 2 post & dial radio.
Guess I better start trolling the salvage yards.
Pyle should be spelled pile as in pile of crap.
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It gives the look of an older style radio but plays sd cards and also fits inmy dash without having to cut or change the opening
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