[middy]

Originally Posted by selfdrive

I would like to upgrade the existing system in my Nano (2011). I currently have a Sony Xplod HU and two front speakers, which I presume came with the HU.

I would like to add an amplified subwoofer and better speakers. My requirement is not more noise, but better sound quality (less vibrations)

I am not decided on the budget part which I know is a risky thing to do! Would you recommend that I reuse the HU and install other parts or go for a complete overhaul?

Is there any risk in terms of electrical overload if I use a subwoofer?
Are there any other options I should consider?

Thanks!

Hi BHP-ians,

This is my first post.

I am also confused regarding ICE installation in Tata Nano.

Please do consider the warranty issue before upgrading your ICE setup. I came through this while browsing on the website of tata nano.

http://www.tatanano.com/faqs.htm

Browse to "Features, Convenience and Accessories" -> "Is it possible to fit a music system of our choice in Nano?"

Ans:"No it is not recommended and warranty of your car will be void. A range of music systems approved by Tata Motors is available at dealerships across the country."

I thought to bring this to everyone's notice. Can someone throw some light who has done an ICE installation from other car accessory shop(s) and was still able to avail the warranty(specific to electrical fittings only).

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by middy

... Browse to "Features, Convenience and Accessories" -> "Is it possible to fit a music system of our choice in Nano?"...

That text there is really hilarious:

Is a music system provided on any of the models in Nano?
There is only a provision for music system (wiring) on all variants of Nano. It is recommended that you only fit a Tata Motors approved music system in the Nano available at all Tata Dealerships.

Is it possible to fit a music system of our own choice in Nano?
No it is not recommended and warranty of your car will be void. A range of music systems approved by Tata Motors is available at dealerships across the country.

Very nice - say something, and then say the opposite in the next sentence! If the objection is to "our own choice", whose choice is permissible? The person at the dealership? This is called a "Hobson's choice".

If they were to be correct legally, the language would have been completely different. If it were to be an imposition ("Recommended" is not - even a child knows that), very unambiguous language would have been present in the User Manual and Warranty conditions itself, not in an obscure site under FAQ!

There are many members here who got ICE of their own choice fitted in their Nano, who can perhaps comment what happened to their warranties. I would think - nothing! Even if you want to do it, please get it done from someone who know what he is doing. If he botches it up, you will be left with a mess which would a bigger pain than losing warranty.

[silverado]

After being jittery of losing warranty for 2 years,took the plunge, got SONY DSX-A30 and 6" Rockford Fosgate 1493 3 channel speakers.

SONY DSX A30 is a CD less HU, HU design is a clever one in which you dont have to remove the USB everytime you remove the HU.

There was no socket present and they had to take power for the system from AUTOCOP wiring.

The only consolation : They did not touch car's wiring.
I got Autocop installed @ Concorde while buying the car, and the Music system installer tells me that car's wires were cut to get this installed.

But he did a neat job, wiring was neatly done and covered properly with insulation tapes.

I called up TASS Concorde, spoke with their accesory guy and he confirmed that this is what they do as well.In fact he was kind enough to agree to check my after-market installation as well ( outside the gates ).
Will go there soon as time permits.

I am not worried about losing warranty.

The system sounds good and i being an average listener , is a very satisfied person.Speakers were placed in a box and placed below front seats.

This IMO is the best position if you have elders travelling regularly in the car, since they will not complain ( As they would in case of parcel tray mounted speakers )

Front seats enjoy the best, while its a bit of compromise for rear passengers.

Below is the breakup

SONY DSX A30 - 4500
Rockford Fosgate 1493 - 3200
Radio antenna - 300
Boxes (2) - 600
Wiring sockets - 260

Installation was done at Car Cupid - Pimple saudagar.
Also got Sandisk cruzer fit 8gb - 450.

[avingodb]

Originally Posted by silverado

took the plunge, got SONY DSX-A30 and 6" Rockford Fosgate 1493 3 channel speakers

Hope you have the pics of the installation process and of the end product?
Do share them soon!

[silverado]

The accesory guy had done the wiring ( which was safe ) but not in the correct way.

He had tapped autocop wires ( which do not go through a fuse )
Also earlier i had to completely turn the ignition key to switch on my HU.
Due to which other components were also active.( Eg power windows ).

The TASS guy rectified all these and connected the HU to the socket.

TATA NANO definately comes with a SOCKET for MUSIC SYSTEM

The accesory guy was unable to find that socket ( Since in 2012 Nano that socket is easily visible while in older models it is hidden near HVAC system ).

The socket is GREEN in colour.

So advise to all you guys trying to fit music system from outside - Locate that hidden socket first with the help of TASS.

Now HU is wired correctly to the music system socket.
And HU starts on half key.

I will post the pics of installation sometime later

[mercedised]

Originally Posted by silverado

The accesory guy was unable to find that socket ( Since in 2012 Nano that socket is easily visible while in older models it is hidden near HVAC system ).

Now HU is wired correctly to the music system socket.
And HU starts on half key.

I will post the pics of installation sometime later

Congrats on your install. I also faced the socket problem while getting the Music System installed. The guy could'nt find the socket, but his colleague went under dashboard like a RAT and finally found the socket after 10 mins of C.I.D search operation.

I bought a socket which costed 150 Rs then from the same guy, this socket fits into the OEM socket and then the wires are joined to the HU. There is indeed cutting involved in this procedure too, but here they cut the aftermarket Socket and HU wires instead of car's.

BTW, my Nano takes Hicc-ups sometimes, did you faced the same issue anytime? Mine has clocked 8K Kms.

[vivekgk]

Hi,

I've been shopping for a decent pair of rear deck speakers for a Tata Nano. Saw these for sale on several online websites for prices as low as Rs. 2400/-. Why are these for sale so cheap, and are they any good? I can't find a review for them online. They're listed on Pioneer's Indian website with an MRP of Rs. 3490/-

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by vivekgk

... Why are these for sale so cheap, and are they any good? ...

That is a very difficult question to answer. Perhaps you have unwittingly answered your own question:

Originally Posted by vivekgk

... I can't find a review for them online. ...

Quite likely no one has found it worth worth writing about, and/or being a low end product Pio has not publicised it online. It wouldn't really be bad, but components from companies only making speakers would be far better. Pio makes a wide variety of stuff, and is not a specialist speaker company.

[HighwayofLife]

I have a 2012 LX. Given below is a brief description of the ICE set-up I just completed in my Nano. My aim was to achieve clarity as close to that delivered by my my Scorpio's ICE as possible, with as much thump as can be achieved, without straining the alternator too much. The last was my prime consideration, given that the Nano has a very small alternator.

I had been managing with a rather sub-standard install over the last year and a half that I have owned the car. Some research online finally gave me the solution. The total cost is well within INR 30K, and it makes my daily commute soooo much fun.

Here are the details:
HU: Sony CDX- GT616UG. The HU is unchanged from my old install
Front Speakers: Rockford Fosgate 6.5" Prime Series Component Speakers. I went for Prime instead of Punch because they are cheaper, and quite sufficient for the Nano's cabin
Rear Speakers: Polk Audio 6x9 Oval Speakers mounted in wooden boxes and kept in the boot space
Sub-woofer: Blaupunkt GTb 8A Powered (active) Sub-woofer. This sub has a built in amp. While it will not deliver the solid thump that only an amp + sub-woofer set-up can deliver, it does clarify bass notes further. What I love about this active sub instead of the under-seat options is the fact that it does not distort even the deepest bass notes, since it is built like a normal sub, though much smaller and ideally suited for a Tata Nano install.

Note that I did not go for an amp-based install specifically to avoid overloading the alternator. This set-up is more than sufficient for playing my favorite rock music (Linkin Park, Staind, Creed, Korn, Breaking Benjamin etc.), and has tremendous clarity. I suggest this for those of you with similar needs as mine.

Prep work needed before you start the install (just sharing lessons learnt here):

1. Get the door clips from Tata or any Tata-authorized parts dealer (Sagar Motors in Gurgaon, for instance). The clips that hold the door trim of the Tata Nano are a special double-headed kind that your friendly neighborhood accessories guy will not have. Also, the panel and the plastic parts on the door will never screw back correctly until the trim is perfectly installed. This is one of the major pain-points of a Nano
2. Make sure the installer heats the part of the door pocket to be cut with a heat gun, and uses a blade to cut it, after marking properly
3. You'll need two rings per speaker for this install, and extra-long screws as a result. Make sure the installer has these before he begins

There's a very handy opening just below the door trim, above which the speakers get installed on the door. This install still leaves the pockets usable for storing your car documents, or a newspaper.


I'm going to get some work on wiring management done tomorrow. But here are the images of the install as they are now:

[avingodb]

I am looking for antenna for my Nano's HU
any suggestions for models and where to fix it?

[kutoos]

Originally Posted by HighwayofLife

I have a 2012 LX. Given below is a brief description of the ICE set-up I just completed in my Nano. My aim was to achieve clarity as close to that delivered by my my Scorpio's ICE as possible, with as much thump as can be achieved, without straining the alternator too much. The last was my prime consideration, given that the Nano has a very small alternator.

Nice install HighwayofLife.
Just wondering as the amplifier & rear speakers are in the boot, wont they hinder servicing of the vehicle?

Also if they are not firmly attached wont they keep moving about?

Cheers

[HighwayofLife]

Originally Posted by avingodb

I am looking for antenna for my Nano's HU
any suggestions for models and where to fix it?

My antenna is fitted on the windscreen and works fairly well, though I listen to the radio very rarely
.

Originally Posted by kutoos

Nice install HighwayofLife.
Just wondering as the amplifier & rear speakers are in the boot, wont they hinder servicing of the vehicle?

Also if they are not firmly attached wont they keep moving about?

Cheers

I haven't posted the latest pics yet- I swapped out the boxes in the picture for much larger and heavier boxes. Now, nothing moves about, and the sound quality has only become better

As for difficulty in servicing, not really. Because the sub and the boxes have removable connections. So for servicing, I just disconnect and take everything out, and connect it all back again when done.

I'm even prouder of this ICE set-up than of the one in my Scorpio, since I have the luxury of space and alternator capacity in my Scorpio, which was unavailable in this case. But anyone who listens to both vehicles will be hard-pressed to say which one has better SQ. The Scorpio wins out because it has 2 amps, a 12" sub and 6 speakers. But one would be hard-pressed to judge that unless he listens for a while to both vehicles

[sumanbhokray]

Where did you take the power wires from to the sub.
Did you take power from the HU or did you wire it directly to the battery.

Originally Posted by HighwayofLife

My antenna is fitted on the windscreen and works fairly well, though I listen to the radio very rarely
.

I haven't posted the latest pics yet- I swapped out the boxes in the picture for much larger and heavier boxes. Now, nothing moves about, and the sound quality has only become better

As for difficulty in servicing, not really. Because the sub and the boxes have removable connections. So for servicing, I just disconnect and take everything out, and connect it all back again when done.

I'm even prouder of this ICE set-up than of the one in my Scorpio, since I have the luxury of space and alternator capacity in my Scorpio, which was unavailable in this case. But anyone who listens to both vehicles will be hard-pressed to say which one has better SQ. The Scorpio wins out because it has 2 amps, a 12" sub and 6 speakers. But one would be hard-pressed to judge that unless he listens for a while to both vehicles

[HighwayofLife]

Let me check and come back to you.

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by sumanbhokray

Where did you take the power wires from to the sub.
Did you take power from the HU or did you wire it directly to the battery.

Originally Posted by HighwayofLife

Let me check and come back to you.

Please don't take power from the Bat lead of the HU - the sub amp will have a sizable current draw. A better practice is to wire a separately fused wire from the battery directly. Not sure, but the sub amp will require an signal from the HU to turn itself on. If so, connect the Remote Turn-on signal of the HU used for motorized antenna and amps.