I'm looking into buying my dad a new headunit for his car. Shouldn't be too hi-tech : just RDS tuner with front load CD-player and 4 x 45watts (minimum)

Problem is, I want one with an aux-input on the front of the unit. (so I can connect my iPod to it).
Pioneer is out of the question since they don't offer this, only RCA's on the back (with optional module, which is too expensive), I thought Panasonic provided this option, but I can't find any of their models that do now. I found some JVC models that have it, but they're all in the $300 + price range and to be frank I didn't mean to spend any more than $250 on this. As said before, my dad doesn't need an expensive unit, all he does is listen to the radio and the occasional CD.

I'm not limited to any of the mentioned brands, but I don't know of others that support this front aux-in option.

Worst case, I guess I could use a unit with a aux-in on the back, extend this input with a cable and hide the RCA connectors somewhere under the dash. I guess that would be just as good, only a little bit more trouble.
But I can't seem to find a relatively cheap HU with this option also.

Any ideas? Thanks!

http://www.aiwa.com/default.asp?page=products&action=viewProduct&prod=311

Now THIS is what I was talking about! Thanks a lot!

Just another problem : I don't know of any store around here that carries Aiwa.
Does anybody by any chance know of a (european) on-line shop that does?

All I can find are US stores (like crutchfield, etc...).

Thanks!

It's got a different model number for outside of the US by the looks of it. Does the distributor on the Belgium site not sell the equivalent?

- Trevor

I can't seem to find that model on the www.aiwa.nl site. AND of course as usual Belgium doesn't have a distributor of it's own, it looks like everything goes through Holland. This happens a lot here, and everytime it happens you can only hope that your local shop carries it or you're SOL. Damn. I really hope I can get my hands on the type that msaeger linked me to, I like that design the best.

That's why I think it's probably easier to just but it online, but I'd prefer to buy it from an online shop in Europe, because otherwise a lot of taxes will be added. (I've learned from my mistakes in the past )

I will make a few telephone calls to big electronics shops around here, maybe I'll be lucky and find one that carries Aiwa (AND the model that I want). Of course, that'll have to wait 'till monday.

most of the awia models I have found have the front panel aux in.

Last I knew, all of the new models have it. I actually have one myself at the moment: CDC-X517M. Although I don't know of any that have RDS, like Archeon wanted.

most of the awia models I have found have the front panel aux in.

msaeger :
Yeah, I've noticed that too. I'm not too worried about that. It's just that I don't like the models diplayed on the dutch distributor's site as much as the one you pointed me to. I can only hope this is because the page hasn't been updated yet.

Although I don't know of any that have RDS...

DeadFire:
I'm pretty sure that it does. I know RDS is not a common thing is the States, but here in Europe it's used VERY much. I can't imagine a certain brand producing a tuner now that doesn't have it. It would be like producing a cd-player without a skip track button.

I've looked for some reviews on Aiwa yesterday, and although they're cheap, the general consensus seems that their buyers are happy with their purchase. So this is looking good!

I'm not the one who pointed out Aiwa to you. I would have, because I own one. But msaeger beat me to it. Front panel AUX in was important to me last year when I was looking for a CD receiver.

I was quite happy with it. Although in the last year I have done a bit of learning about car and home audio and have decided I want a better one to take it's place. I've already picked out an Alpine I like, but it will be a little while before I can get it. Other things take precedence.

And as for RDS, I hadn't known it was so common "across the pond." So I imagine you're right about manufacturers usually incorporating it.

They are kinda cheap, but it's perfect for anyone who's just looking for a solid CD player without a lot of frills. That was me last year, and I got the model I mentioned for about $160, online, when it was new.

I'm not the one who pointed out Aiwa to you

I know, and I replied this to the text I quoted from his post. It's a shame I can only replie to ONE person. (I must admit I was too lazy to make two individual posts)
I'm sorry for this. I've edited the post now to get rid of this confusion.

So it seems you're also a happy Aiwa owner. Great ! This makes me all the more confident that this is the product I'm looking for because I have yet to read one negative review of their products. All the reviews I can find say the same thing : great value for their (low) cost !

I ordered this Aiwa HU with my regular dealer today. It seems that Aiwa is a sub devision of Toshiba and that way my dealer could get to it.
Price : 150euros. I'm happy!

Thanks all !