Sony CDX-GT100 Car CD Player
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Similar in In Dash Receivers
- Anti-Theft Protection: Detachable Face Panel
- Player Type: CD
- Controlled Devices: CD Changer iPod / iPhone
- iPod/iPhone Compatible: Yes
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The BEST ... CHEAP CD Car radio available?
Pros
A Cool looking, easy to use budget CD radio.
Cons
A few quibbles, but at $99 hard to really complaint too much.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
IF you're in the market for a budget priced radio that PERFORMS like a much more expensive model, do yourself a favor and check out this deck.
Ok, you really shouldn't expect very much from a hundred dollar entry level deck ... right? Well, if you spring the equivalent of dinner for two and a movie, you just might be surprised at how far your electronic entertainment dollar can go.
Let's first deal with who SHOULD NOT purchase this deck. If you are a major geek head looking for a Vegas light show, pick a different deck. Want to watch a motorized faceplate glide into place? You won't find that feature on the CDX-GT100. Need to playback MP3/WMA format data discs? Forget about it.
However, if you ARE looking for a down and dirty priced deck that seems to competently playback store purchased AND burned CD's (CD-R AND CD-RW) and even discs that perhaps rolled around the floorboard of your car, then perhaps you've found the deck to own. The fact that its CD resistance to shock, bumps and ridiculous cornering is well above average becomes icing on this budget priced cake.
Here are a few of MY "greatest hits" of features:
1) A ROTARY Volume KNOB - I HATE electronic up/down volume controls
2) Relatively large buttons that are reasonably easy to read.
3) A FRONT PANEL mini (1/8" stereo) plug for direct plug access of your favorite portable music device ... think iPod, iRiver, etc.
4) Bass, MIDRANGE and Treble controls
5) A clock to replace the clock in your factory radio.
6) If you plan to use it on a $99 radio, a preamp output that can be used as EITHER a rear audio preamp, or a more likely SUBWOOFER preamp output (every car needs just a little thump). Incidentally, when used in the subwoofer preamp output, the deck has selectable crossover choices AND provides a menu subwoofer volume control.
7) Detachable, anti-theft face for those less than desirable neighborhoods without street lights (and cheaper than a car alarm).
8) Decent amount of internal power. This deck is rated 54 Watts x 4 (Peak), or a more realistic 17 watts x 4 (continuous rated).
9) NO REMOTE. Yea, I consider this a positive. Call me old fashioned, or just OLD, but give me a break ... I sit 10 feet from my TV and about 10 inches from my car deck. I'll take and use the TV remote - I'll pass on a car deck remote. Incidentally, if you must have a remote, then spend a couple of bucks more and purchase the CDX-GT200. You'll get a remote and also a deck that will play MP3/WMA/ATRAC3 music data CD's.
Ok, what could stand improvement?
1) The display is a very cool looking blue/white under normal lighting conditions. Forget about being able to read this display at high noon or with lots of glare.
2) No PAUSE button on the CD. This has been one of my pet peeves for years with MOST car CD radios. Cell phone rings in the middle of your favorite song? Turn the deck OFF or switch to radio ... otherwise your song continues to play while you explain to your Mom why you are an hour past curfew (yes, I'm a parent, and I KNOW the drill).
Basic Features (not already reviewed):
1) DIN sized radio fits in the majority of cars. You might need a kit for it to fit in some cars. Incidentally, if you are installing this deck yourself, remember to check to see if you'll need an antenna adaptor and beg/borrow/steal to find a Metra "smart" wiring harness for your car. A "smart" harness has a deck AND car Molex plug. Otherwise, you're going to have to CAREFULLY crimp and/or solder a bunch of connectors.
2) Drive S - Sony contends that this new CD mechanism runs cooler and provides MUCH better immunity from shock and vibration. Additionally, it provides better sound quality, lower distortion and a better level of quietness.
3) EQ3 - A three band EQ with several Sony presets for different types of music. Xplod, Vocal, Club, Jazz, New Age, Rock, or Custom. You can customize EACH setting with the supplied Bass (centered at 60Hz), Midrange (centered at 1,000Hz) and Treble (centered at 10,000Hz). Incidentally, each of these frequency settings can be adjusted +/-10dB and they are adjustable in 1dB increments. Not bad for a $99 radio!
4) Angled Installation - Unlike many decks on this market, this Sony model can be installed at up to a 45 Degree angle in your dash. MANY decks will skip like crazy when mounted at such a steep angle.
5) 18 FM Radio Presets and 12 AM Radio Presets.
6) SSIR-EXA tuner does a decent job receiving those radio stations that you can stand to listen to. Sorry - give me XM ... but that's a different discussion.
All, in all a competent, affordable performer for someone on a budget ... or someone who's life doesn't revolve around having a "Tokyo by Night" in-dash radio.
Let's first deal with who SHOULD NOT purchase this deck. If you are a major geek head looking for a Vegas light show, pick a different deck. Want to watch a motorized faceplate glide into place? You won't find that feature on the CDX-GT100. Need to playback MP3/WMA format data discs? Forget about it.
However, if you ARE looking for a down and dirty priced deck that seems to competently playback store purchased AND burned CD's (CD-R AND CD-RW) and even discs that perhaps rolled around the floorboard of your car, then perhaps you've found the deck to own. The fact that its CD resistance to shock, bumps and ridiculous cornering is well above average becomes icing on this budget priced cake.
Here are a few of MY "greatest hits" of features:
1) A ROTARY Volume KNOB - I HATE electronic up/down volume controls
2) Relatively large buttons that are reasonably easy to read.
3) A FRONT PANEL mini (1/8" stereo) plug for direct plug access of your favorite portable music device ... think iPod, iRiver, etc.
4) Bass, MIDRANGE and Treble controls
5) A clock to replace the clock in your factory radio.
6) If you plan to use it on a $99 radio, a preamp output that can be used as EITHER a rear audio preamp, or a more likely SUBWOOFER preamp output (every car needs just a little thump). Incidentally, when used in the subwoofer preamp output, the deck has selectable crossover choices AND provides a menu subwoofer volume control.
7) Detachable, anti-theft face for those less than desirable neighborhoods without street lights (and cheaper than a car alarm).
8) Decent amount of internal power. This deck is rated 54 Watts x 4 (Peak), or a more realistic 17 watts x 4 (continuous rated).
9) NO REMOTE. Yea, I consider this a positive. Call me old fashioned, or just OLD, but give me a break ... I sit 10 feet from my TV and about 10 inches from my car deck. I'll take and use the TV remote - I'll pass on a car deck remote. Incidentally, if you must have a remote, then spend a couple of bucks more and purchase the CDX-GT200. You'll get a remote and also a deck that will play MP3/WMA/ATRAC3 music data CD's.
Ok, what could stand improvement?
1) The display is a very cool looking blue/white under normal lighting conditions. Forget about being able to read this display at high noon or with lots of glare.
2) No PAUSE button on the CD. This has been one of my pet peeves for years with MOST car CD radios. Cell phone rings in the middle of your favorite song? Turn the deck OFF or switch to radio ... otherwise your song continues to play while you explain to your Mom why you are an hour past curfew (yes, I'm a parent, and I KNOW the drill).
Basic Features (not already reviewed):
1) DIN sized radio fits in the majority of cars. You might need a kit for it to fit in some cars. Incidentally, if you are installing this deck yourself, remember to check to see if you'll need an antenna adaptor and beg/borrow/steal to find a Metra "smart" wiring harness for your car. A "smart" harness has a deck AND car Molex plug. Otherwise, you're going to have to CAREFULLY crimp and/or solder a bunch of connectors.
2) Drive S - Sony contends that this new CD mechanism runs cooler and provides MUCH better immunity from shock and vibration. Additionally, it provides better sound quality, lower distortion and a better level of quietness.
3) EQ3 - A three band EQ with several Sony presets for different types of music. Xplod, Vocal, Club, Jazz, New Age, Rock, or Custom. You can customize EACH setting with the supplied Bass (centered at 60Hz), Midrange (centered at 1,000Hz) and Treble (centered at 10,000Hz). Incidentally, each of these frequency settings can be adjusted +/-10dB and they are adjustable in 1dB increments. Not bad for a $99 radio!
4) Angled Installation - Unlike many decks on this market, this Sony model can be installed at up to a 45 Degree angle in your dash. MANY decks will skip like crazy when mounted at such a steep angle.
5) 18 FM Radio Presets and 12 AM Radio Presets.
6) SSIR-EXA tuner does a decent job receiving those radio stations that you can stand to listen to. Sorry - give me XM ... but that's a different discussion.
All, in all a competent, affordable performer for someone on a budget ... or someone who's life doesn't revolve around having a "Tokyo by Night" in-dash radio.
