Well to each there own I guess. But honestly how many times do you adjust the fade?
that's something I adjust once and leave it myself. And theft ya if you have a expensive flip out radio unit maybe... But I've had double dins and flip outs and even regular CD players. And I've never had a theft! I've also had basic alarm systems most the time.
Also theft.... Another reason why almost all CD players have detachable faces so if you in a bad area pu the face off and take it with you!
So the theft thing doesn't fly very well. Just an excuse. You got a better chance of gas theft than a jacked radio.
No, it depends on where you live.
Smashed windows and torn open dashes aren't an everyday thing, but they're common in several places I've lived. It's an easy smash and grab along with anything else they can snatch. Where I live right now, "limo" tinted windows means you wonder when your window will get smashed, not if. The reasoning here is if you have limo tint, you must have something worth hiding in there and thus: worth stealing. So: smash,look, nothing, walk on. b@s@rds.
Of course, those big "kenwood" or "alpine" style window stickers don't help any either....
I know of 4 places across the country where I've lived that I can drop in to right now and pick up an aftermarket radio "cheap", complete with ragged wire ends.
They don't even bother with a stock head unit. No market, not worth the trouble. I've been told so by a couple guys whole are "wholesalers"...
I've also been told to my face aftermarket is 99% of the time easier to yank. Factory stuff worth anything is securely attached for the most part with spring clips, screws, etc into the dash structure in at least 4 places, even if it is dash plastic (oem's are chasing dash squeaks and noise with robust mounting but it makes for solid mounting and harder ripping = more hassle for a unit that's not worth stealing in the first place). Aftermarket is usually in a "dash kit" which shatters quickly and slides right out when "handled" right. Pop the dash bezel, grab, rip, gone.....
Conversely: gas theft is pretty rare in most places I've lived. When it does happen, it's a specially built rig (ie: van with a hole in the floor and a big tank) at a gas station stealing from the tanks.
So yeah, theft does fly....
Removable face plates are an option for sure, if you want to be carrying the face of your radio around with you that is.....PITA IMHO....I can't stand carrying a phone and a wallet around. I can't imaging a radio face plate too. You'd need a "murse" or maybe a stylish fanny pack.....
Bottom line, pay your money, be happy with your choice, deal with whatever happens afterwards....
To try and get back on topic:
to the OP - check the "free" thread. I seem to recall someone was looking to give one away for the price of shipping in there.....
