Super 1479

- The unit must have 1-DIN size and possible ISO Connector
- Bluetooth Handsfree with external microphone was important to me
- The sound should be good
- MP3 via USB was a must (like with port on the back)
- Audio streaming from the phone would be nice
- Multi-line display would be nice
- Color matching would be nice
- CD would be nice

I then had some equipment in the shortlist, Alpine was not first, for I found the price a bit high for the respective equipment. A highly competent dealer advised me of Alpine 130er series - first I did and then asked him why just Alpine? His reasoning was that by far he has with these devices the fewest complaints, less than 1%, the second best but after all, already 3% and the sound of Alpine's just very good. For me convincingly, so I looked at the device again. The 130er series fell through because my screen was too plain, scroll to the track or the phone book I wanted to see at one time more than one entry. And that was only the 177 or 178, both actually above my price limit.

Last I then spent the money for the CDE-178BT, it fulfills everything and after installation I can see how easy and intuitive it uses. For other devices that ran not so. The sound is excellent, hands-free system works! Great, pairing of Bluetooth devices is a breeze and even if the phone is in the trunk, the connection works. The device has many more features that I do not use.

A downer there anyway: The radio switches off when the ignition is identified. Okay so far, but I would hope that I can activate it without ignition. Obviously, however, the manufacturers do not want to allow.