Well, all's well. Mk.2 is in the TT now, thanks to Neil (Neill?) from CambsCarAudio.

Highs:

* Looks great - the red really matches the Audi red colour. I like that a lot.
* The Sub is awesome! It really adds to the overall sound impression. I was very sceptical about adding the sub - not wanting to ensure that people 3 miles away could hear it, but the pioneer self-amp'd sub (10cm) is just right - subtle enough, but still great at high volume.
* Emplode over ethernet is amazing - sooo much faster than USB

Lows:
* Looks like the implementation of the cell-phone mute is a little broken. Both Dominic and Neil failed to correctly get this to work in the (5 hours) time they had my car.
* Noise - I still get a lot (as much as the mk1) of alternator/engine noise in the car. It's not too noticeable, but enough to annoy at low volume/quiet passage. Neil had to put in some floating grounds on the RCA's to stop the *really* bad noise.

Dominic took a number of photos - look out for these soon! I'll be taking some myself, but these are analog (via a scanner) - watch this space.

Anyway that's my 2p.

Paul.
(also posted to Installation Notes).

Paul Haigh, 6GB, Blue
Reg: 4120 - Serial 00254

Random extra thoughts:

* Hopefully the tuner module is going to be very small, since I've got basically no room behind the cage for the mk2 now.

* Feels strange entering the date/time with no place to see them (I know that this is in 1.1 - strange omission though IMO).

* Being a 'biter' of nails - I actually find it quite difficult to get the unit out of the dash - my stubby fingers can't quite seem to grip the handle enough to pick it out.

* Definitely no problems with the angle of the screen - I can see all of the pixel perfectly (although I sit on the 'right' side of the car).

* I'm missing the AR coating on the screen - it's definitely more difficult to read in the daylight than the mk1. (I know that this is in the plan too, but I'd like to re-iterate that this should be a free upgrade, since it's not unreasonable to assume that the faceplate should be the same as the mk1.).

* The red isn't too dark, even during the day. Especially groovy with visuals on during the night!

Cheers,

Paul.


Paul Haigh, 6GB, Blue
Reg: 4120 - Serial 00254

> this should be a free upgrade, since it's not unreasonable to assume
> that the faceplate should be the same as the mk1.

The Mk.2 front panel has nothing whatever in common with the Mk.1 since it's injection moulded plastic, not a machined panel. We couldn't get an AR coating in time to begin Mk.2 production, and in fact we've only recently secured a supplier for the next major production run (in October).

Rob

I don't want to come accross as arsey (assy for you americans), but it doesn't really matter how the piece is made, does it?

I understand the problems with sourcing the faceplate - that's fair enough. My point is really that since I had a mk1 I was expecting the mk2 faceplate to be of similar properties (i.e. AR).

To be fair - it doesn't bother me that much, so I can't say that I'm that fussed, but I can see the point of view of the mk1 owners who say they are bothered.

Anyway, there's not a lot of point in flogging this dead horse again. I thought it so I put it down - that's all.

Cheers,

Paul.

Paul Haigh, 6GB, Blue
Reg: 4120 - Serial 00254

One last one:

* The volume knob is to die for. This alone is enough reason for me to justify the upgrade - the mk1 volume controls would drive me mad at times, but the rotary control is exactly spot on.

Paul Haigh, Reg. 4120
(mk1) 6GB, Blue, 00254
(mk2) 12GB, Red, 00357