VDO CDR500

Author's product rating:   

How is the Sound Quality?	Good
Ease of Installation	Simple
How is the Look & Design?	Satisfactory
Range of Features	Limited
Value for Money	Satisfactory

Advantages:	Isn't particularly atractive to thieves and has pleanty of security built in .  Connects directly to steering wheel controls in most newer vauxhalls (02 >05)
Disadvantages:	Can be annoying to get the security code if lost, No midrange control .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I've been into my in car entertainment for a fair few years now and to be honest have never thought about keeping a factory standard headunit in any of my cars, hence the reason I've got a pile of them at home! However a couple of months ago I got an Astra Sxi (known as Astra G) on an 03 plate and the OEM headunit fitted to it is superb! It has bundles of power and depth to the sound it produces, which incidently sounds even better since I changed the factory fit speakers.

It lacks mid-range controls which means vocals sound a tad flat for my personal taste, however there is Bass, Treble, Fader and Balance control. The radio is a standard AM / FM with RDS affair but has six pre-sets which are ample for most people, reception is good and it rarely crackles as the Astra has an amplified aerial.

When it comes to adding audio equipment the VDO doesn't leave you without options, there is a single pre-amp output on the rear for connecting an amplifier to and also connections for an optional CD changer.

Security is provided in the form of a removable front panel and if the unit is disconnected from the vehicles power supply for any reason a four digit security code is required to activate it again. The front of the unit also incorporates a red flashing LED that comes on as soon as the keys are removed from the ignition.

Looks wise the unit is quite bland looking and is designed to be fitted to a Vauxhall as it has no display of it's own so therefore uses the dash display. The buttons have a solid feel and are laid out quite logically. The fact that it couples to the Vauxhall steering controls means that changing source, track, station and volume can be done without taking your hands of the wheel making it very safe to use whilst driving.

Overall I feel that if you own a vauxhall and you're not going for looks in a headunit and literally just want something that plays music at a decent volume and quality, yet leaves you the option to upgrade and won't attract undesirable attention then this is your best bet.