Well... maybe I'm a pioneer...

I installed the Phatbox in the non-nav T-Reg...

No reprogramming needed. The Phatbox booted up right away and the stereo recognized it.

I love this thing.

I'll post some pics of the installation later (camera is 400 miles away)

 

I also have a non nav T-reg. Does the Phatbox install the same whether you have nav or not?

 

Although I'm not 100% sure, I would assume it does. People who have the Phatbox hear a whining noise, probably due to the alternator... interestingly, I've found that these people all have NAV systems. I don't hear the whine at all. Probably just a coincidence.

 

I would imagine that the whine the people hear is a bad ground or not enough ground. I use to do SPL comps for my old jeep cherokee and that was always the problem with people systems. Bad grounds create a whine.

Does the phatbox display names of songs on the non-nav radio screen?

 

Nope... No display of the song... But if you hit SEEK, it "speaks" all of the ID3 info

 

 

Phatbox

Anybody with a NAVI and a phatbox can tell us the pros/cons ? like if it shows the song names, installation, noise etc ?
will be greatly appreciated !
Ilan

 

Based on what I have heard from others, there is no text interface from the PhatBox to the NAV. It is audio based only. It is controlled by the forward and back buttons from the CD changer input, and possibly a control knob.

As for install problems, it is supposed to replace the CD changer in the back. Make sure you get the proper brackets or the unit may stick out past the side trim. It should all fit behind that trim.

Last, I have heard from some that installing the Phatbox introduced a ground loop into the audio. In this case, a ground loop isolator will need to be installed between the PhatBox and the CD changer cable, which means that you will have to start hacking wiring apart.

Or Buy an iPod for $299 and an AUX cable for the NAV and forget about all of this stuff. You can install the iPod into the center console, or get a KUDA mount and mount it next to the radio.

 

Phatbox

Aircooled, thanks for your explaination. I think you just did me a big favour.
From what I understand and read here and on vwvortex - Touareg with a Navi and a Phatbox is nothing but trouble. whining sounds if you don't ground it, no low level frequencies if you do, and no support for navi display. excuse me but now the phatbox doesn't sound too hot.

I am trying to refrain from getting an iPod or any mobile mp3 player because the asthetic look of the center consol is important to me. is there any other product that can replace the cd changer, does provide support for the navi (extra points for displaying the name of the song on the navigation system screen) and sound descent ?

Thank you,

Ilan

 

there are many MP3 storage units on the market. ie. rockford and many others. Do some research i am sure there are some out there that will work

 

I have the NAV radio and Phatbox installed.

There is a whining noise which increases with engine RPM. It's especially noticeable at volumes above 35% of max volume. You'll notice it the most when the Phatbox prompts (for example, "Now browsing genres, the current genre is ..."). I'll be taking my Touareg in this week for it's 5k and the Phatbox issue will be one of the things I will ask them to look at. There is no text interface, it's all audible prompts. I'm also not real pleased with the current version of the firmware for VW/Audi. It seems we can't get the information for the currently playing track. There's also so weird skipping issues during prompts (sometimes). For the most part, it works well -- afterall, I decided to keep it.

In all fairness, as much as, this phatbox issue has p*d me off -- I don't think it's just the Phatbox. I think it might actually have something to do with this NAV radio. I'm currently using both AUX inputs on my NAV radio. I have an XM Roady, Apple iPod, and an Audivox PNP that I routinely listen to in my car (don't ask). Anyway, without a ground loop isolator on the AUX input, the Roady & iPod (only when plugged into power) will generate the same noise.


hm

Based on what I have heard from others, there is no text interface from the PhatBox to the NAV. It is audio based only. It is controlled by the forward and back buttons from the CD changer input, and possibly a control knob.

As for install problems, it is supposed to replace the CD changer in the back. Make sure you get the proper brackets or the unit may stick out past the side trim. It should all fit behind that trim.

Last, I have heard from some that installing the Phatbox introduced a ground loop into the audio. In this case, a ground loop isolator will need to be installed between the PhatBox and the CD changer cable, which means that you will have to start hacking wiring apart.

Or Buy an iPod for $299 and an AUX cable for the NAV and forget about all of this stuff. You can install the iPod into the center console, or get a KUDA mount and mount it next to the radio.

 

I've heard (Disclaimer: Never tried it, since I don't have any whine) that adjusting the floor lights reduces/elimates the whine heard by some customers with the Phatbox.

It would seem to me that these are unrelated, but who knows.

Give it a shot and let us know =)

 

Tried it ... no go! Doesn't work.

I've heard (Disclaimer: Never tried it, since I don't have any whine) that adjusting the floor lights reduces/elimates the whine heard by some customers with the Phatbox.

It would seem to me that these are unrelated, but who knows.

Give it a shot and let us know =)

 

Update on noise issue:

I was waiting for my 5k service to take it in. I had a feeling they would blow it off. At first, they denied the noise was there. I drove over to the dealer the tech got in the car and then told me it was a normal noise and that I was just sensitive to it. This was after he told me it had something to do with using a digital device in the car and plugging it into an analog radio.

He said all the t-regs on the lot with a Phatbox do it. I asked him to show me one Touareg without a NAV radio that does it. He said that wouldn't be a fair comparison. He said that if I wanted to pursue this, I would have to unplug the AUX adapters that I was using for the Satellite and my iPod. I told him all of this was happening before I installed the adapters and that he was free to remove them. I could probably have kept trying, but this guy was obviously not interested. I finally gave up.

hm

 

I picked up my OG, V6, non-Nav Treg two weeks ago.

Last week I had the dealer install a PhatNoise.

I was pretty much fit-to-be-tied. The dealer -installed unit was mounted in the recommended bracket to the top of the First Aid Kit space. Without the cartridge installed, I can almost put the trim panel in-place: With the cart in, there is no way.

The service folks brought the car out with the trim piece laying on the floor. According to them, it was installed according to the VW serive guide / database. They also mentioned that the CD changer (VW branded and intalled) was the same way.

I said I was taking pictures and sending them to VWoA. This can't be true. If it is, then I guess I'll take it over to the custom install place and have them do the cut-out work and trim on the panel.

Once I get the pics, I'll post 'em up here so y'all can compare with your installs.

The installer said that another customer had an PhatNoise installed the day before in his Treg, and he was "pretty upset" as well. I explained that if they would have mentioned that this install would leave a gaping scar in the cargo area trim, I probably would have not done the installation (or, at least, not a dealer install). They shrugged. I got more "upset."

Additional info: The dealer service manager said they can't do external surface mounts(ala the PhatNoise Installation Guide).

I do not have any unwanted noise in the audio ... no buzz, no hum, just (beautiful) music ... regardless of the light settings or any of the other factors mentioned in this thread or the other.

Other than that, I love the car ... and the PhatNoise unit (cosmetics aside).


FWIW

Scott

 

They installed it wrong.

http://www.phatnoise.com/vw/downloads/07-07-03 TOUAREG PHATBOX.pdf

Those are the instructions on how to install it direct from the manufacturer with VW's help and expertise.

I installed mine differently. I installed it where the normal changer goes then notched out a space in the cover for the DMS cartridge to stick out. It pokes out about an inch - just enough to eject it and replace it with ease. Pictures are in the photo album.

 

I saw your installation. I downloaded the PhatNoise installation guide before I bought the unit.

I asked how they were going to install it "Internal to the trim, or external?" They replied "External."

More than likely, I'll just order another trim piece, take everything over to my favorite custom electronics shop, and ask them to dress out the new trim piece similar to the way you have done it, with the cart available with the trim piece in-place. I'd do it myself, but this place has shown some real talent in fabrication adnd modification: I trust they'll do a nice, clean job of trimming it out and dressing it.

In the meantime, I had a sign made up saying "Factory recommended installation, Dealer (name witheld for this post) installed. and mounted it next to the open cavity. When I took the car back to the dealer for a finish and detail, they were not happy with my sign. I explained that I take it to all the local car gatherings. If they aren't happy with their own work, they shouldn't do it.

I'm getting pictures and correspondence together for VWoA. I want THEM to confirm that (as told to me by the dealer) this IS the factory-correct installation, according to the database / books / manuals provided by VW.

I'm still pretty irked. This can't be right.

The dealer said (after I bitched to the service manager and the installer), that they "aren't allowed" to do an external bracket install, as illustrated in the PhatNoise Touareg installation guide.

They said that the CD changer also sticks out and does not allow the trim piece to be re-installed ("by the book, factory recommended install"). I don't believe it.

We'll see what VWoA has to say, When I hear, I'll pass it along.

Thanks for your help & suggestions.


Scott

 

Update: After a three weeks of VWoA telling me they'd talk to the dealer and "call me right back" (their best time for "right back" was a week), I took the car to a local place that did high-end installs, and they cut a slot in the trim piece to fit around the drive cart. An additional ~3/8" (~8mm) piece was added to the outside to build out the trim and protect the cart.

I live in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, I took it to Abt Electronics. They did an excellent job ... it looks like it was meant-to-be. Abt does a lot of custom work ... other cars in the shop with mine included a Lambo, a Hummer or two, and a Bently. The whole procedure took about a half hour, the cost was minimal, and the work was exceptional.

Many thanks to Neil (the tech at Abt that did the work) for an outstanding job.

When I take the T'reg back for the airbag fix, I intend to reccommend to the dealer that they send their installs (or at leat the trim modifications) over to Abt to have it done properly (they're within a few miles of each other).

I'm going to try to get pictures today and post 'em.

- Scott

 

Here are the pics:

Hopefully I've added the pictures per limits & policy. If not, I can cut 'em down some more and re-post.

The pictures are 640 X480 .JPGs.

Scott

 

They did a very nice job.

 

Your shop did a fantastic job on the install. If you don't mind I would love to take a copy of the pics to use when/if I decide to get the Phatnoise installed on my TReg.

You mentioned that you do not have the whine that many other Phatnoise/TReg owners hear. Is that still the case?

 

The system is quiet ... no whine, no rumbles, etc.

Anyone wanting to use the posted pictures is welcome to them. The originals are in 1600 X 1280. If you need larger pictures to print, let me know and I'll email them (or re-post 'em in the original format in the scrapbook ... they're ~ 6 Meg each in full resolution).

The dealer installed the box; Abt did the trim job (I'm certain they would also do an outstanding job on the electronics install).

Good Luck

Scott

 

I've posted the full resolution images at http://briefcase.yahoo.com/scottmac.

I'll leave 'em up for a week or so if anyone else would like to download them.

The entire group is ~15 Meg (1600 X 1280 JPG).

Scott

 

Well, how time flys when you're having fun .... weeks turn into months ....

I'll be taking the pics off of the Yahoo site this week. If you want 'em, get 'em soon.

-Scott

 

You are the hero in this town!

I took my Touareg in yesterday to have a Phatbox installed... I sheepishly handed the service manager a printout of your pictures of your install and asked them if they thought they could do that... even told him not to worry about the cartridge sticking out and I would cut out and trim that... he looked them over, with furled brow, and said he would check with his service technician...

So, I popped in this morning to check on things and the guy that owns the dealership comes up grinning from ear to ear and says, "I think that installation of yours is going to actually work"... He was completely excited about it (of course, he is the one that had to give me the disclaimer speech about losing cargo space by installing a Phatbox)...

I go back and the whole service crew are acting like it's Christmas... they had neatly cut out the slot for the cartridge and the install looked really good... they asked if they could keep the copy of your photos that I had printed, so they can recommend the install to future Phatbox customers...

So, thanks a million - my installation looks far superior to the "standard" VW version and it looks like you will deserve the gratitude of future Phatboxers in the Baton Rouge area...

This is one great forum to be a part of...

Donald