Question on Becker Radio

It's simple to replace the head unit with anything out there, but it's a splicing operation and your signal won't be very good. Won't matter much as long as you're not planning on replacing the speakers, too. You might consider just adding a changer w/FM modulator instead. Think that'll work.

 

The Becker Cassette and the Becker CD Units have the EXACT SAME pin connector. Precisely the same!

Pull it out and put a new one in.. provided its the becker unit that looks identical save for the CD vs. Cassette.

If you want to put another stereo in than a Becker, get an adaptor that fits to the harness in the car. (2003 2004 Ford Focus with Blaupunkt Radio Wiring Harness Adapter 1784 | eBay) FYI wiring chart is on a sticker on top of the unit.

 

Plugs are exactly the same between ferrari becker radios. (Also the same between Porsche and landrover becker radios FYI)

And.. if you opt to get the traffic pro unit with "GPS".. you'll need one of these:

GPS Antenna for Wiclic Becker Traffic Pro | eBay

 

Much as I hate the thought of replacing a becker with another becker, that does make a lot more sense than my suggestion.

 

Another option is to add a modern unit with bluetooth, hands-free, streaming audio without cutting into the harness. I recently did this on a 993 Porsche. I had the stereo installer in SF Bay take the plug for the new stereo and put snap in connectors on the wire leads. The snap connectors snap into the wires leading into the OEM plug. So no cutting the harness and switching back to stock would be a 1 hour job.

My only complaint is that the new head units are all glossy black. On the other hand the BT, hands-free, etc. are a big ease of use enhancement.

For my F430 I used the adapter from discount stereo to add a 3.5MM audio plug that replaces the plug to the 6 pack CD player. So I have the original Becker with streaming audio - just no hands-free.

 

Don't forget you can also put an Ipod or mp3 wire in the socket at the back (instead of a cd changer) to maximise options

 

is there any specific models or units you can recommend that work with this old becker

 

Not sure I understand the question - I don't know if you want an Ipod or MP3 player which affects the wire - the wires used to be really cheap on Ebay depending on whether it needs to charge or not - on the older units it is not possible to control the ipod from the becker

For more look at the many threads here or at the equipment shown at becker autosound's site

 

There are two options that you have available. All the Becker head untis are designed to interface with an external CD player. These plug connections on the back of the unit are usually light green or blue. The top-rightmost plug is the audio in plug for the CD player and telephone mute while the left topmost plug is for the digital controls of the CD player.
1) You can buy on ebay a two wire connector that plugs into the right top most plug on the back of the unit. This lets the stereo in "aux" mode act as a big speaker for your iPod.
iPod iPhone Aux Interface Cable Becker Mercedes Benz Rover Volkswagen Blaupunkt | eBay

Some units have a modified power source that recharges your ipod while its plugged in.

2) Some companies make an adaptor for the later Becker units (High speed traffic pro, Cascade etc.) that let it have true integration. It has a plug that connects to the top rightmost CD changer plugs and lets you change the tunes on your iPod like you change the tunes on your CD changer. I don't know how well or if this works for the earlier beckers.. but if it replaces the CD changer and in essence "converts" it to a digital CD player, I don't see why it shouldn't work with earlier units as the plugs are essentially the same.

You could also try a digital adaptor on ebay with SD cards etc. You could burn your music into MP3s and load it onto that or plug in your iPod..
iPod iPhone Car Adapter Interface Integration Player for Becker CDR 210 CDR220 | eBay

I have tried #1 but not any of the other options.

 

I replaced the Becker with an Alpine unit. The only feature advantage the Becker had was that it it was customized with the Ferrari logo. Other than that, there is no other redeeming characteristic. Without question, the Becker is far and away the most pitiful factory head unit I have seen on any car in the last several years.

Steve

 

I like it because I hardly ever listen to the radio... and every time I get into the car it matches the interior. Simple. You don't notice it. All these other radios might sound great and play MP3's.. but you notice the radio, it sticks out of the car. It's like a dress on a beautiful woman. If a man or woman says "beautiful dress".. it's a failure. If they say to her "you really look beautiful".. it's a success.

 

I think the match to the interior cannot be over rated, especially if you drive at night! I bought a later model Becker recently that is supposed to work with my ipod but they didnt ship the ipod cable so I haven't been able to try yet. It was a refurbished one from Becker Audio that they swapped a Ferrari inscribed front plate on, I presume, and "hopefully" it will light up with "Ferrari" when I turn it on. I say hopefully because there is a Land Rover sticker on the side of the unit! If it says Land Rover when I boot it up for the first time, there is going to be some frustration.

 

The entire sound system is worst possible grade, some of it so bad you can't even source parts that poor to replace. Ever open the bass box between the seats? One speaker is a ****ty two-voice that wouldn't cost $25 new if you could find one, and other is a passive, completely worthless. Door speakers are garbage, too.

In contrast, I brought home a new '13 Maser GT sport and it has the best factory sound system I have ever heard, ever, in my life. Funny. I'm sure the F sound systems are a running joke in Maranello.

 

Now now everyone knows the best sound system is the music box behind you... or in your case in front under the hood...

Best thing to do is replace the speakers IMHO. They are crappy.

 

The base unit is almost identical. The software they install is what makes the difference. If its a traffic pro, the difference between the Land Rover and the Ferrari is the startup screen and the settings panel. The Ferrari Traffic Pro lets you invert the screen Black background green letters -> green background black letters, etc. While the Landrover will not. I'd confirm that Ferrari shows on startup...

 

BIG PLUS 1...bluetooth audio...Pandora etc...love it in my truck and when I get that Ferrari, it will have it too!

Does anyone actually use CD's anymore?

 

I always try to upgrade the OEM setup. Last two cars I got rid of, the Cayenne TTS and the '12 vette, both had significant upgrades keeping the stock head unit and stock look. If there is any redeeming quality at all, any at all, I'll keep a stock look. There is no redeeming quality in the Blecher systems. It would never cross my mind to replace one with another. I'd add the FM modulator so I had a changer I could use with the new system once I was ready to sledge the stock head unit.

 

I switched off the power supply a week ago. I got back today, turn on power and went for a ride. When i pushed the "on" button on the Becker, got a message "wait" on screen. Nothing happened after that, i turned the radio off and on again 2-3 times to no result. What may have happened?

 

It's a theft prevention measure. It happens with power interruptions. Just press the power button on the radio with the key in the accessory position. It will ask you for the radio code in 20 min or so.

 

Got mine installed finally! It just says traffic pro on start up but the faceplate is right and the new shiny buttons and clean surfaces of the unit are a welcome addition to the cockpit.
The ipod cable works great and I tested it with my iPod and....works! I have been messing around with my playlists and getting all that in order. I have not decided on where to route the cable and keep the iPod but I bought one of these and hopefully I can find a nice place to put it. It looks like it will be a good match for the interior but we'll see. It's an "Elevation Dock" in billet aluminum.

http://www.elevationlab.com/
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Note that Blaupunkt radios use the same connectors as Becker as they both conform to the European standard. I know the harness on my 2007 F430 plugged right in, not sure about 360 although I bet they are the same. No wiring adaptor needed for either antenna or power/speaker connectors.