Customer Reviews

ALPINE CDE102 E 50WX4 AM FM CD DET FACE

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was looking for a "cheap" car stereo to replace the factory head unit in my 2001 Mustang. I wanted AM/FM and CD, with mp3 compatibility, a USB connection, and an AUX in. Additionally, due to my car's unusual factory sound system, I needed preamp outputs with a high pass filter and a low pass filter for the subwoofers. The Alpine satisfied all these requirements, and it's been great so far.

Pros: cheap, sounds good, easy to install, plays mp3's on both data CDs and USB sticks, and supports iPod connectivity with optional cable as well as audio AUX input on the front panel.

Cons: User interface is a bit clunky.

Notes: I have a Mac, and to get songs to play properly and in the correct order on a USB stick, you have to copy them to the stick in the order you want them played, and then *remove* all the hidden files that the Mac copies as well. The Alpine will skip these hidden files, but it takes a few seconds for it to realize it can't play them.

Also, my unit does not seem to like Memorex CD media. A burned Memorex CD plays fine at first, but then in the middle and toward the end of a CD it starts to skip, drop out, and eventually stop playing altogether with "error" on the display. TDK media has no problems at all with everything else being the same.

Major CON. First of all, the user manual is on a CD and there is no hard copy. This does make it hard, not impossible, to use the manual in the car while working on the radio - just harder to handle a lap top than a piece of paper. And no, I did not want to print out the pertinent parts. It just seems as if having a small paper manual would be a nice touch. I do always find backup manuals for my gear, but a paper manual for car installed equipment would be wonderful.

SOUND out of this unit is SUPER. Even better than the premium radio that came in my Escape. Have had Alpine radios in my VW and BMWs in the past so was happy to find this radio. Had to get it because the Factory installed 6 CD player went out, but also wanted a few more sound options, like Aux and USB.

CD, Aux., and USB all work great with my gear and I had no problems with any of them.
a. I tried Factory CDs as well as home burned CDR and CDRW. All worked well with both Windows Media Player and I tunes being used as burners.
b. Used a 1 GB Kingston, 2 GB (Memorex) and a 4 GB Kingston DataTraveler I Flash drive. All worked downloading from both Windows Media Player and I tunes, as well as direct copy from a CD.
c. IPod - I have two different iPod Shuffles: The first Generation works fine with this plugged into the Aux Jack (front panel). Second Generation I pod does NOT work. Controls in the ear buds make this a very hard to use unit with anything not apple. (Do not buy 2nd Gen unless you are going to use it just by itself. If anyone knows how to make this work with this radio, please let me know.) There is a list of IPdos that will work with the radio, but this is on the user manual.
Both the Kindle and IPod 1st Gen use a standard (cheap) stereo to stereo cable for input to Aux.

Overall I have found this radio to be well worth the money.

Con - my wife cannot turn it on or off because there is not a switch labeled for this function. You have to hold in the source button for at least 2 seconds. Mt radio is wired into the key so it does turn off when the key is removed, but you would have to manually turn it off and on if wired differently.

Con: The only place the serial number is listed is on the bottom of the unit. Once installed you cannot see the serial. It would have been nice to have the serial number under the removal faceplate.

CON: Update 7/5/2011 - I finally had to print out the Clock Setting Procedure. You would think it should be simple to remember, but it is not. 2x a year is not enough to remember this fairly complicated (if you are not reading it) procedure.

I don't have time to write a full review on this receiver but the KCE-422i cable they try to give you is not the correct cable for iPod connection. You need to get the Alpine KCE-433iV cable. Look at Alpine's site. Just a heads up.

Great HU for anyone replacing any stock Stereo. It will make your stock speakers come to life! Many have given this HU a lower rating because of the USB port not being compatible with the Ipod/Iphone. The box clearly notes that the USB Port only plays flash-drives, hard drives, and any mass storage devises. For ipod support you will need the KCE-433IV cable which connects to the back of the unit. For those who are having problems with their flash drives not reading your media files, You need to make sure your devise is formatted to FAT 12 / 16 / 32. Anything else, your HU won't be able to read.

Like the title say, awesome entry level radio, easy to use and wakes up stock or aftermarket speakers

I just installed this radio this evening. The wiring was straightforward. Alpine and Pioneer tend to have the best reputations for brands of car stereo decks from my current knowledge. I got it for [...] at Best Buy cause I purchased the open box deal. It normally retails at Best Buy for [...]. I would have expected a remote, but then again, who uses remotes for car stereos? I like how it has the front auxiliary port AND the front USB port. It works with an Ipod and an Iphone but don't be suckered in to buying an Ipod if you don't actually need one in general. Most USB pen drives will work and most certainly other brands of portable MP3 players should work. Consider picking up a USB stick for 20 bucks or so before you buy any MP3 player. The major advantage of an MP3 player though would be the luxury of having a screen. I did notice however that my 4 GB Sandisk USB stick didn't work. When I plugged it in, it displayed the word "ERROR." My 4GB Patriot USB stick worked. Another thing I didn't like is that you have to buy a separate bluetooth adapter to use your phone with the radio but it is alright I guess because I have a bluetooth headset I normally use.

Even thought this may lack features and is the cheapest head unit I've ever owned, I've never heard one with better sound quality.

So I bought this at a big box electronics store and was extremely disappointed to find out that even though the box states that it is "Made for iPod" and "Works with iPhone" and then has a picture of every single iPod model made, the unit won't actually control your iPod without a $30 cable that has to be plugged into the back of the unit. The box even states "Full Speed Connection for iPhone/iPod" as the first bullet list on the back of the box, and never once mentions that an additional cable is required. Wish I had known that BEFORE I installed the headunit and tried to plug my iPod into the front USB port. This really needs to read "iPod/iPhone Ready". Shame on you Alpine, you don't have to trick people to sell your products because you have outstanding stuff, but by misleading people you will lose customers including loyal customers like me who has owned an Alpine for over 10 years.

Alpine, how about you hire an engineer who can compile a proper MP3 codec for your reciever? Really, this thing sucks -it can hardly play ANY MP3 files at all. iPod support via USB? Nope. Firmware upgradable? Nope. Returned it and got a JVC, which works beautifully? Yes.

Hello, I just wanted to say that I got this deck installed at Car Toys, and

it plays my 8GB Sandisk fine, and it sounds way better than my PT Cruiser's

factory radio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!