Continental TR7412UB-OR - anyone have one?
 

I'm looking for a replacement for my (dead) Becker 1492, and saw on Becker Autosound's website that they offer Continental radios as an aftermarket alternative. A little research revealed the Conti to be a nice looking and apparently simple and intuitive "modern" upgrade. Similar yellow LCD and button colors that match the Becker's style, simple on/off volume, six buttons for pre-tuned radio stations, plus a front jack for aux in, USB, and Bluetooth capability for in-car telephone and audio streaming via your smartphone.

Continental Automotive -FM/AM Radio with Bluetooth®

For those who need a CD player, Conti also offers a front-loading CD/MP3 version.

Via a friend in Germany, I think I can get the TR7412UB-OR for less than $130, which seems like an amazing good deal. There is a guy on eBay who ships from Germany for about $160 or so, depending on the Euro/dollar exchange rate. Heck even $160 is not bad in my opinion.

Anyone have one or tried one?

One thing that I haven't been able to find is the specs for the sensitivity of the FM radio.

Got it!
 

I bought it and installed it about a week ago, and I couldn't happier. Reception is superb (still don't know the sensitivity but I've had no issues at all pulling in all the stations I normally listen to).

Operation is dirt simple, nothing to distract the driver when simply turning on/off, adjusting the volume, or tuning the radio. The look is a terrific match for the interior, simple matte finish, illumination color a very close match to the rest of the interior lights. Huge for me: NO SWIMMING FISH, DISCO LIGHTING, or other irritating "Look at ME!" foolishness that is found in nearly all the radios sold in the US today. No stupid beeping!

My model has Bluetooth and front connections for USB and AUX IN. My HTC One phone syncs up using Bluetooth with no issues. Streaming music or podcasts works great and sounds terrific. Making or receiving cell phone calls is a snap (my phone is mounted in the windshield in easy reach). The built-in microphone on the front of the radio works fine. There is a remote mic included with the radio, but I have not installed that. I briefly tried the USB connection to my phone; it provided power, but I could not get access to any of my podcasts. I'm not sure if MP3 music files would have been found easily, if anyone would like me to explore that further let me know.

Harness: I've installed this into my '87 wagon (124.193), and the original radio connectors are different than the ISO connectors on the back of this radio. I made my own harness adapter, using a Crutchfield adapter and connectors scrounged from later 124 cars. A radio antenna adapter is also required.

Anyone looking for a single DIN radio for an MB, I highly recommend any of these Continental radios. They are made by VDO; the VDO versions have blue lighting if you prefer that (would look great in a VW probably).

Hey PeachParts!!! This would be a great product line for you to offer!!!

I bought mine through this site:

Navigationssysteme, Autoradios, Lautsprecher, CD-Wechsler... - caraudio24.de

I had to pay the 19% VAT on the radio, and would have also had to pay the same tax on the shipping if I hadn't had a friend to help me out. I'll bet that a business could purchase and ship in bulk for a much lower price and exempt from the VAT.

There is a more expensive version that includes a CD player, and lesser versions without CD or Bluetooth.

Navigationssysteme, Autoradios, Lautsprecher, CD-Wechsler... - caraudio24.de

I've been looking for something to replace the stock radio in my '98. This looks great!

Installed the TR7412UB-OR in 1999 SLK
 

I ordered the Continental TR7412UB-OR and installed it today and it's definitely an improvement over the stock unit. However, I have a few things I'm not happy with. First, when I set the region to USA, I seem to lose the RDS data. I knew the USB would not read music from my iPhone but I at least thought it would charge it, however it does not (it does detect a USB device is connected, but can't read the iPhone data). The sound clarity could be a little better... the bass is good, but mostly the treble is weak (could be issue with stock speakers). I'm leaving the region to Europe so I can get RDS info, but the info does not scroll like I think it should. I don't listen to AM, so no issue there. Let me know if anyone has any experience on the RDS and Region issue, or the USB charging.

The bluetooth works good (telephone and A2DP). Installation was easy as it's just plug and play. It sticks out of the dash a bit more than stock, but there may be a way to make it sit more flush... but might require trimming of some stock bits. However, it looks pretty good the way it is. At $140 delivered, it's hard to be the value and features. It definitely looks fairly stock while adding some modern features... especially the bluetooth phone! The backlighting is an excellent match and is much brighter than stock unit.

I think you are correct on the RDS data, my radio does not display that either. I thought perhaps there was a menu setting to activate that, but I never looked into that because it is not too important to me.

USB charging: Good to know that about the iPhone, which model do you have? Don't forget that there is an AUX IN port if you wanted to pipe in your music that way. Could there be an issue with the cable you are using? Strange that an Android phone charges fine, but an iPhone doesn't want to. Is that an Apple thing? I once bought an iPod, but found that I could not charge it from my Windows laptop until I installed the required Apple software on my laptop. That was the last Apple product I bought for myself.

I listen to Podcasts (I like the Podcast Republic app) and this radio works great for streaming those via Bluetooth.

This is very helpful. I just ordered the Bluetooth version of the Continental unit.

One question, you note that a radio antenna adapter is required, is this something that can be picked up easily at a [surviving] radio shack or similar store? Did you encounter any problems having the unit fit flush within the old units space?

Sean

Sean,

It turns out that the radio comes with an adapter installed. The installed adapter takes the newer style antenna connection. That adapter can be pulled out so that the older style antenna connection works. No need to buy any antenna adapter.

The unit sat flush just fine, it is not as deep as the Becker it replaced.

Seeing that the USB is spec'd only for flash media not for an iPod or phone connection, it's possible that the Android is showing the charge icon, but there isn't enough current for it to actually be charging.

There's an app called Ampere that will show you how many amps your phone is drawing from a given power source. It's very helpful for comparing chargers.

For the USB powering issues, I would first try this:

https://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-Micro-USB-Cable-Charging/dp/B0088HTYUE

It's a charge only USB cable.

Consequently, you can also apply tape over the data pins on the large USB connector to prevent data from passing through. Here are instructions for that:
Make a USB Cable 'power Only': 6 Steps

Yes, it's called a USB condom.

I've been drooling over one of these units for a long time. You can buy them on Amazon.de and avoid the VAT charge too. It's one of the last things i'm going to spend money on after the more critical items are fixed up. Soft top gets fixed ahead of this!

For my personal solution, which admittedly does not involve a Conti headunit but may possibly apply, I use a USB y-cable that is charge-only to one of the outs. This allows me to simultaneously connect an iPod or flash drive for music and charge my phone using the sole USB on the headunit.