ckl93

I'm thinking about getting one installed. This way I won't have to burn CD's, just download the MP3's and you're done. Just wondering how it works with the factory Becker head unit. Here's the link to their site. <a href="http://www.phatnoise.com/products/digitalmediaplayers/porsche.php" target="_blank">http://www.phatnoise.com/products/digitalmediaplayers/porsche.php</a>

Rob in WA

Why not use an iPod w/the Aux input on the Becker head?

David in LA

A few months back I had looked into getting a phatbox to work with the factory Becker CDR210 in my 993. I'm not sure what the status is now but at the time the phatbox did not have an emulation for any Porsche Becker units, although it is compatable with Beckers in BMWs...so the only option was to use an FM modulator. This is the official answer; the unofficial answer is that there is a non-supported emulation workaround that lets the phatbox work with the Porsche units - a guy has made it work in his Boxster. If you're interested in using one with an aftermarket head unit, a guy on the 993 board has just installed one along with a Kenwood head unit. If you pursue the non-supported workaround I be interested on how you get along...thanks.

If you are thinking of using in iPod you can use the aux input as Rob suggested, or think about using a Griffin iTrip wireless modulator.

ZeeZee

Phatbox is the ONLY way to go in a Porsche. I'll be having one installed in the next few days. First off the new ones are made to work with the Becker. Next they've upgraded the device with Burr-Brown DACs and it's supposed to sound much much better. Finally, it's the only device made to work specifically in a driving environment, as opposed to an iPod which is made to be hand-held.

Everyone I know that has the Phatbox loves it...

David in LA

ooopps...just checked the phatnoise website and realized that they've just released a porsche emulated version. <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />

VinceB

The PhatBox is supported with the CDR-220 now. The CDR-210 will not work. But, as Becker will tell you, the 220 is a drop-in replacement for the 210.

The 230 MOST people are still out of luck...

With the PhatBox, you use the cd changer controls to go through your music collection. There's a flash demo on the PhatNoise site that explains how it works. It's a much better in-car environment than spinning an iPod wheel with a tiny display - talk about an accident waiting to happen! Of course, the iPod doubles as a portable player, so it's not without it's own advantages.

David in LA

Vince - is the Porsche TrafficPro supported? thanks.

VinceB

Yes it is. It's the same as the Becker/Harmon Kardon Traffic Pro listed on the PhatNoise site. It's quite nice actually, the only one that uses both a text display and the SSA browsing.

David in LA

Vince -

Are you the same Vince who is the phatbox employee who installed one in his boxster? if so, great as I can ask you some specific questions. If I buy the phatbox for the CDR220 and later get a TrafficPro, will it work - ie. is it the same unit/interface? If not, would I be able to have it modified so it will, and if so how much would it cost? What if at some point down the road I get, say a Kenwood head unit, would I be able to have my Porshe or HKTP phatbox to work with the Kenwood?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm not sure what is phatnoise's policy with regards to customers who want to keep their units for other cars rather than buy new ones.

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

Keyvan

Does it work in 08/02-03 cars with PCMII?

pete01_996

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Keyvan:
<strong>Does it work in 08/02-03 cars with PCMII?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I think all PCMII cars have the MOST bus. So according to Vince, the Phatbox doesn't support that yet.

BUT, Does anyone know how to tell for sure which unit they have? I just looked and don't see any id info on my system, or in the docs that came with the car. Also, I searched the forums and found nothing about it either.

Also, for those of us with NAV, where does the CDR-2x0 end and the Siemens PCM unit begin?? Anyone with PCM1 using the Phatbox yet??

Khalid

"Compatible with all 1999-2002 Porsche car stereos that are designed to control an external CD changer." &gt;&gt; Found @ <a href="http://www.phatnoise.com/products/digitalmediaplayers/porsche.php" target="_blank">http://www.phatnoise.com/products/digitalmediaplayers/porsche.php</a>

does this mean if i buy this Device it will fit in my Car ? 2002 996 with PCM1 ....

ckl93

Thanks for the replies guys. The local audio dealer just got certified to sell Phatbox so I'll be getting one installed shortly. I'll probably go with the head unit controlling things instead of the voice activated controls. I know how poorly voice activation works on my cellphone while driving in the P-car.

VinceB

If you buy a PhatBox from PhatNoise, you can use it with most other PhatBox compatible head units with just a new cable and firmware upgrade. Just contact PhatNoise to get the new cable. Going from a CDR-220 to a Traffic Pro will use the same cables, so it's just a simple firmware upgrade.

The PhatBox has not been tested with the PCM system (I must have misplaced my 996 Turbo with the nav system...). It should work, though. Contact PhatNoise if you have PCM, there's some sort of money-back test program there.

The interface doesn't have voice control, but voice feedback, which allows you to easily audibly browse your music collection without taking your eyes off the road.

Details of my install are at:
<a href="http://boxster.sixpak.org/mp3/" target="_blank">http://boxster.sixpak.org/mp3/</a>

CAndrew

It sounds like installing the Phatbox unit in the CD changer location is not very hard, but does anyone have any experience with the difficulty factor in threading the cable from the Phatbox unit in the trunk into the head unit in the dash?