Review: Scosche kit vs. Metra kit

[jfanaselle]

My review:

I'm not sure if there is anyone that has actually tried both of the stereo dash kits that are available (the Metra one that has been around for awhile and the Schosche one that I recently started seeing), but I figured I'd put my thoughts out there.

I purchased the Metra kit online less than 2 weeks after buying my car because it was the only kit I could find. Within minutes of opening the package, I could tell it was one of the poorest kits I've ever used. The kit did have some positive sides, the most notable being that it allowed for multiple mounting types (Single DIN, Double DIN, ISO DIN, etc).

However, when I attempted to use the standard braket or "cage" that was included with my stereo (the small sleve that you insert into the dash kit and bend the tabs so it stays in place and holds the stereo), I couldn't get the tabs bent on the bottom because the hole in the kit runs flush with the pocket cubby.

Plan B: I decided to use the ISO DIN mount, which requires screwing the stereo to two small plastic tabs that are included with the kit and pushing the stereo with tabs attached into the kit until the tabs "snap" into place. The tabs were poor quality and didn't snap into the kit securely, which made the radio tilt back until it hit the pocket in the kit.

When it was in the dash, it pointed up at the ceiling of the car because it was leaning so much. I had to pull it back out and drive screws through the sides to hold the tabs in place. Then I had to cut two small nitches into the plastic tabs so that the trim ring would fit over the kit (this was explained very poorly in the instruction manual so it was trial and error).

So when the radio was finally mounted into the kit securely, I put the dash back together and the kit looked terrible. It didn't fill the hole in the dash properly and moved around because the thin plastic pieces being flexible.

So I tolerated this as long as I could and finally saw the Scosche kit available online. I ordered it thinking it couldn't be any worse. When it arrived, some things I noticed are that the pocket is on the bottom instead of the top, and the kit will only accomodate one style of mounting (ISO DIN).

I pulled the old kit out and installed the new one - there was absolutely no assembly required. Just screw the radio into the kit and screw the kit into the dash. The difference is night and day. The plastic dash parts finally sit back in place the way they are supposed to, and the kit fills the hole perfectly. Also, I think I like the pocket on the bottom alot better because it breaks up the flow of the components a little more (it looked weird with the pocket on top of the radio and then the pocket with the door in the dash just above it).

Bottom line - I would recommend the Scosche kit over the Metra kit, unless of course you need to utilize the other mounting styles.
Modified by jfanaselle at 4:42 PM 12/18/2007

[xtwoonamatchx]

awesome review.

im glad to see crutchfield supplies the scosche as opposed to the metra for the free kit, especially after seeing this.

thanks alot

[Infarction]

I have the Scosche kit and I'm pretty pleased with it as well. It's an ISO DIN mount, meaning that it recesses the stereo back into the dash a little more. Since most stereos have a fairly thick face plate, this makes it sit a lot more flush and look better in my opinion.

The only caveat is that the mounting depth can interfere with flip up video displays.

[jfanaselle]

Thanks for the clarification. I've updated the review to reflect the correct mounting style.

I still can't get over how poorly built the Metra kit is. I was always under the impression that Metra made better kits than Scosche.

[CodeRed]

Where did you pick it up at?

[jfanaselle]

I bought it on eBay from a seller called VolAudio.

Here's a link to another one for sale on their eBay store. It was less than $20 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Scosche-NN...wItem

[Infarction]

You might try calling the local stereo shops as well; I just called around and asked which one they had. I was able to find it in town at a small independant shop for $17 and no shipping.