[vjp5]

Here is my set-up:
Alpine CDE-102 Tuner ($120)
Apline KTP-445 Head Unit Power Pack amp ($80)
Polk DB521 speakers ($60/pr)

Positives
* Overall Sound - this unit rocks. Hard to tell how much difference the amp makes, but all I can say is that at 75mph on the highway, I can hear my tunes with almost no distortion.:mosh: This is at "19" and I believe the dial goes up to "30".
* Love the USB - I almost always use this as opposed to plugging in my i-pod to the aux jack. You can't 'random' from my thumbdrive, but that is not important to me. You can still FF to the next song if you want. Easy to use, no wires, and I slip it into my pocket when I'm done. :cheers: They do make an iPod specific jack so that you can control the iPod thru the head unit controls, but I didn't want another wire hanging. It connects to the back of the head unit so you would have to drill a hole in your fairing and leave it dangling :hmm2:

Negatives
* Too many things operate from the knob (insert joke here :spank. I cannot tell you how many times I went to lower/raise the volume, only to realize I changed the bass/treble/balance/fade. It is VERY sensitive.
* I do not like the detachable face. The release button is right under the knob, and my finger has slipped twice already and hit it. Fortunately, it doesn't just eject out all the way so you can snap it back in quickly. I cannot even imagine how difficult this will be with gloves on. It will also be interesting to see if this weakens over time and wiggles loose on its own.

Never tried the CD (what's the point) and the radio works fine when you can lock in on a signal.

I tried to be brief and explain my experiences. Ask away if I missed something. I'm more than happy to oblige. Hope this helps.

 

[lamaybl5711]

What type of fairing did you install it in, where did you place the amp, have you been in the rain yet, and do you have the "weather door" for it?
Oh, and thanks for the review.

 

[vjp5]

What type of fairing did you install it in, where did you place the amp, have you been in the rain yet, and do you have the "weather door" for it?
Oh, and thanks for the review.

I have an XR Fairing. The amp is only 7"x2.5"x1.5". It's one of the smallest ones out there. It fit right under the head unit.

The XR's are known for one major flaw - the opening is not big enough for a weather door. I am looking at different ways to rig something up to protect the radio. Lord knows I'm gonna be in "it" sooner or later

and you're welcome :cheers:

 

[hoss37]

I have the same stereo in the new addition to my vtx collection. Nivensid rigged up a cover using a face-plate cover cut in half with a very thin strip of velcro on the very top of the head unit and the cover. Surprisingly strong and he never had any issues with the rain getting in.

 

[lamaybl5711]

When I can get to a ccomputer i'll find the thread but there was a recent thread about an fairing build/rebuild. If I remember correctly, the fairing was an XR and I think there was a link for a weather cover that fit.

Well i couldnt get to a computer here at work but searched with my phone (see smartphones can be useful). Anyway, i'm thinking I was wrong about the thread but I found a link to a thread that linked to an answer on the oa. Here is the link to the thread that should take you to the oa thread. http://www.vtxcafe.com/showpost.php?p=763167&postcount=3
If it works, here is the link to the thread on the oa: http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301160

 

[LazyDawg]

I have an XR Fairing. The amp is only 7"x2.5"x1.5". It's one of the smallest ones out there. It fit right under the head unit.

The XR's are known for one major flaw - the opening is not big enough for a weather door. I am looking at different ways to rig something up to protect the radio. Lord knows I'm gonna be in "it" sooner or later

and you're welcome :cheers:

Vince there is a weather door that "sorta" fits, I chose not to use it at this time, gonna see how the unit holds up. Riding in the rain the radio should stay dry with the amount it is recess pluss the windshield overhang. I put a Water Shed over the head unit internally in the fairing to keep water off that gets inside.

Here is a link to the thread I found the cover in
http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301160

Side note, are you running one of those "flip" style windshields? I ordered one for my ride this weekend. I also added the 2 additional bolts to the windshield (like the old 5 bolt style) to pull the fairing lip in more evenly

 

[vjp5]

I have the same stereo in the new addition to my vtx collection. Nivensid rigged up a cover using a face-plate cover cut in half with a very thin strip of velcro on the very top of the head unit and the cover. Surprisingly strong and he never had any issues with the rain getting in.

Can you shoot a pic of that Dave? I might do something like if it gets too much water. Just worried about durability.

If it works, here is the link to the thread on the oa: http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301160

I saw that link and had the guy send me a couple more 'close ups'. It looked a little on the flimsy side so I passed on it. Thanks for checking though.

Vince there is a weather door that "sorta" fits, I chose not to use it at this time, gonna see how the unit holds up. Riding in the rain the radio should stay dry with the amount it is recess pluss the windshield overhang. I put a Water Shed over the head unit internally in the fairing to keep water off that gets inside.

Side note, are you running one of those "flip" style windshields? I ordered one for my ride this weekend. I also added the 2 additional bolts to the windshield (like the old 5 bolt style) to pull the fairing lip in more evenly

I think I'm going to risk it for now too, Jeff. I agree that the 'overhang' is enough that it should keep the face dry. I have a lip/shield inside as well. Not as nice as yours, but that's cuz I didn't see yours until mine was already done :banghead:

I'm running just a straight HD shield. I think adding the 2 bolts is a wise move. Jason (Mr VTX) did his for the same reason you did. IMO the gap is too big for just 3. I'm just freaking out about drilling a hole in my BD paint :icon_frow:icon_omfg:icon_yike

Can you please let me know how you like it (flip shield) and if it makes that much of a difference?

 

[LazyDawg]

I think I'm going to risk it for now too, Jeff. I agree that the 'overhang' is enough that it should keep the face dry. I have a lip/shield inside as well. Not as nice as yours, but that's cuz I didn't see yours until mine was already done :banghead:

I'm running just a straight HD shield. I think adding the 2 bolts is a wise move. Jason (Mr VTX) did his for the same reason you did. IMO the gap is too big for just 3. I'm just freaking out about drilling a hole in my BD paint :icon_frow:icon_omfg:icon_yike

Can you please let me know how you like it (flip shield) and if it makes that much of a difference?

I will let everyone know about the shield :cheers:

I got the idea from Jason in the first place

Drilling is easy, put down some blue painters tape on both the outer and the inner. Mark the center spot between the existing holes. I started with a small drill, then worked my way up to size. I drilled from the Outer to the Inner, that way if anything did chip it would have been on the inner . By putting the tape on both sides and stepping the drills up in size I had no chipping anyway:mosh: