01'996C-24ME

I asked my local stereo installer yeaterday about the phatbox. It is the identical item to the Kenwood Music Keg. Both have technology developed by phatnoise. He told me that the software even with the voice guidance is very dificult to navigate through 2000+ songs. He told me he would sell me the kenwood for 350 plus a new kenwood head unit and even give me a free sirrus radio box for free (175$) for 800. This will allow me to play mp3 off a cd-r, musickeg, sirrus radio, and regular cds. Anyway, it will all be installed next week.

ckl93

Let us know how it turns out....any difference between the Kenwood Music Keg and the Phatnoise? Do they use the same software and do you navigate through songs the same way?
That sounds like a great price for all that your getting!

01'996C-24ME

To the best of my limited knowledge there is no difference besides the packaging between the two units. I did learn however, that Volkswagen now offers the phatbox as a 800 dollar FACTORY option. Yes they use the same software and navigate the same way. Which is the exact reason why I am getting a head unit that can cleary read the album and track instead of having a computer generated voice scream it at me.

VinceB

I found my 2002 C4S with the Nav system today. Turns out I left it my Malibu garage. Whoops...

Anyways, the PhatBox doesn't work with the PCM radio yet.

The PhatBox uses SSA navigation. To browse to a song quickly, just press one button (4) to switch to artist browsing mode, start fast-forwarding, the box will go through the alphabet. Stop on the letter of the artist you want, then spin the track **** to get to the artist. Then just change tracks to the desired song. I do it without taking my eyes off the road.

The Music Keg/Kenwood solution will display the text of the playlist and track, but doesn't have the SSA browsing. You have to put a little more work into making good playlists to find things easily.

David in LA

Let me make sure my understanding is correct: if I buy a phatbox from phatnoise to work with a stock Porsche Becker radio and later I get a Kenwood or put it in another car with a compatable head unit, phatnoise will sell me the proper cable as well as a software upgrade, right?

But if I get a Kenwood music keg to work with a Kenwood HU and later want to use it with a non-Kenwood HU, will Kenwood or phatnoise be able to provide me with the correct cable and necessary software? Or once I buy Kenwood I am locked into Kenwood? Also, none of the Kenwood Kegs use SSA, right?

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure what kind of flexibility I will have in the future.

<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

VinceB

That is correct about the PhatBox. The Music Keg is Kenwood only, and will only work with Kenwood head units. It does not have SSA right now.

David in LA

Thanks Vince!

Kevin M.

Vince, Kenwood makes this unit
<img src="http://ebay2.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_bb13a5ffb0bf978f21f75b87b0ded1cd/i-1.JPG" alt=" - " />
KCA-R70FM $75
Which allows you to hook up the music keg to any head unit via FM mod. Im putting thus unit in my boat, and another unit in my Cab with the Kenwood Deck..

ZeeZee

Just a note: the Phatbox that comes direct is new, has updated software, and apparantly has significatly improved audio converters. Otherwise I believe they're the same.

BTW: The voice system is a really good way to navigate - I have about 15 gigs so far on my drive and its a breeze getting around...