Audi Phatnoise Phatbox.

[Biggied]

Just fitted one of these to my S3 ---- VW Teesside - Online Shop - Audi Phatnoise

Now I'm aware there not the latest in ICE tech but I had one lying around that I picked up really cheap a few years ago, I never used it because I initally intended to fit an Ipod interface for my Ipod touch but I then realised that the pod would of just ended up being left in the car all the time meaning I wouldn't be using it when not in the car or I would end up forgeting to take it in the car with me which would be a waste of time anyway.

I expected & quick easy install as even cars without factory disc changers often had the cable already fitted, turns out mine didn't so I had to remove most of the n/s interior trim (1/4 panel, sill trim, glovebox, boot trims etc) to run the cable to the sterio, then I found the o/s lower security clip for the sterio was bugered as the key just refused to grip so out came the lower dash trim so I could remove the hole centre dash/console that carrys the sterio, AC panel & ashtray etc, all in all it was a mega pain in the *** for what should of been a quick easy install.

Even after all the bugering about to fit it I'm pretty chuffed with it as I now have 20G of music storage with no need to carry or change discs & no Ipod to cart around with me when I wanted music in the car, the only draw back is that I dosn't display track names etc on the sterio or dash but what it does do is read out the names of the artist etc in a dodgy american accent as you run through the folders.

Anyone esle got a Phatbox fitted & how do you find it? I know RossBrownlee has one because I fitted it for the previous owner but never actually asked him if he uses or even likes it?

Ewan.

 

[fingermouse]

looked at one years ago but for the amount I use my car the radio is on going to work and if thats poor I have 6 cds that take nearlly all year to get through lol. They looked a good bit of kit when I was looking.

 

[DaveA3]

never heard of one til now seems pretty cool. the mark up is a bit nuts tho!

 

[kite]

I have a PB in the wife's TT
A good site for all things PB is.............PhatHack - Index

 

[sportquattro]

Hi got a Phatbox in my S3 and absolutely love it, much better than an Ipod dock as you can control it via the head unit safely whilst driving. 20GB cartridge so far used about 2GB with 80+ albums. Highly recommended additon to any Audi.

 

[Essflee]

Yeah I've got one too ! Bought it for my A3 and then transferred it to the S3, had to plumb the cable in for it to which wasn't to bad a job, my stereo removed easily so didn't have quite as much hassle as yourself...

Will definitley put it in my next Audi to if it's compatible

 

[leshkin]

I thought about one of these, but instead went to replace the whole sound system after got sick of the poop Bose speakers. I started with the head-unit, all Bose speakers replaced with Focal components, replaced wiring, and installed an AndyMac mdf sub. Every speaker area covered in sound deadening material to kill vibration and give a deeper sound. The Kenwood unit has a built-in iPod interface, which allows for full control to be done through the unit (including play-list browsing), so the old 5th gen iPod permanently lives in the glove-box and only comes out to get the music updated.

 

[StrmsekS3]

Yep ive one as well works really good no issues yet. only thing is as ive now changed my laptop the softwere wont work on windows xp? anyone sorted this?

 

[rossbrownlee]

Yeah as Ewan said I have one,
I use it all the time, couple of playlists with a couple of hundred tunes in each. never been near the radio since i had the car!
Well fitted bit of kit too...
Lucky to get them at that price too...
Sounds like a major pain in the **** to fit yours though!

 

[kite]

Yep ive one as well works really good no issues yet. only thing is as ive now changed my laptop the softwere wont work on windows xp? anyone sorted this?

Have a look on the Phathack site for the XP work around.

 

[pj123]

I've put it on 3 machines with XP and it works fine. Now have it on a windows 7 machine but have to run it in virtualization mode which is basically an XP mode.

The problem you might be having is with your firewall. I switch mine off when i use the software else I cant add the music to the cartridge correctly. Maybe try this?

Fitted my phatbox in place of the 6 disc changer 5 years ago and it's fantastic, especially the randomise all tracks mode!

Paul

 

[nadine_s3]

I also have one, there was one hanging around Audi MD last year and managed to get it for £90 I think (well the other half bought it for me for Christmas) It's brilliant, took me a while to get used to how I was putting music on but now I love it! Can have albums upon albums so you never get bored!!!

ONE thing though, I havent secured it down properly (yes a year on) so sometimes when I boot the car it moves slightly and disconnects for a little bit until I brake and it comes back on LOL!

Great piece of kit!!!

 

[colicabcadam]

Hi got a Phatbox in my S3 and absolutely love it, much better than an Ipod dock as you can control it via the head unit safely whilst driving. 20GB cartridge so far used about 2GB with 80+ albums. Highly recommended additon to any Audi.

80+ albums at 2gb?

 

[pj123]

My S3 Install...

 

[[Dave B]]

I want one of these!

 

[dg1988]

Got mine on eBay at the mo, no one wants it!!

Phatnoise Audi Media Player VAE-012-PBOX and 20GB 'keg' HDD NO RESERVE!! | eBay

 

[firestorm]

Evening all,
basic question - I bought some keys from ebay to remove the eom HU, got the rhs free, but not the left. Any advice on how to do it?
Cheers
fs