Alpine CDE-103BT

No matter how you carry your digital music, you’ll be able to listen in-car with this new head unit.
Alpine’s CDE-103BT is incredibly versatile – and it even adds an easy-to-use Parrot hands-free phone kit into the mix.
Using Halfords’ We Fit service, we got the stereo installed in a Skoda Fabia, and noticed an immediate improvement in sound quality over the original radio. The only drawback was that you have to pay an extra £18.99 to get the KCE-433i lead for full head unit iPod control.
Flicking from CD to USB stick (above), iPod, AUX or tuner is seamless, while the extra lead lets the Alpine control your Apple device even if it’s in the glovebox. The hands-free kit works well, too. Sound quality is good, it connects with minimal fuss and displays the phonebook on the screen. For under £200, this is a great solution to digital music and phone connectivity.

In Detail
*Alpine CDE-103BT
*Price: £199.99
*Rating 4/5
*Contact: Alpine, 0845 3131 640, www.alpine-electronics.co.uk. Halfords, 0845 762 6625, www.halfords.com
*Problems: Need extra lead for full iPod control.
*So why buy? One-stop solution for all your in-car music, plus gives seamless Bluetooth hands-free calls.