Being the advertisers dream when it comes to buying stuff, I normally opt for well known names. And when it came time to install a stereo in my car, the list of manufacturers was short. I opted for this, the Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB 53, mainly because of the DAB or Digital Audio Broadcasting. At the time it was the concensus that DAB would surpass what we had then and still have now, go figure!!

Despite that minor grumble and the cost, somewhere in the region of £350 at the time although I do not beleive you can pick them up new any longer. The DAB does ensure a much clearer reception and sound quality although you can only store 20 stations.

Of course you still have access to analogue radio with this, with the ability to store 30 stations. Both can have traffic updates interrupt your staion of choice although this can be turned off. The CD/ MP3 player allows for the playback of mp3 encoded discs, memory cards which slip into the SD card reader, and CD-R and CD-RW discs. The discs when played, will have information regarding artist and song title displayed, this applies to the tuner as well which shows the station you are on or the typr of music you are listening to. This last option enables you find more stations of this music type through the PTY-EON search.

The device has numerous features which can be classed as useful or just plain gimmicky. There is a timer that allows the unit to play for upto one hour with the ignition switched off. This is to conserve the battery. You can also tie your mobile phone into the system so that you can hear calls through your speakers. If your car can vary it's dashboard illumination, then again you can set the display on this to match the overall lighting. Also the volume can be automatically adjsuted to compensate for increased speed and therefore environmental noise.

In addition the front panel, through which all of the information is displayed on an LCD, can be removed for additional security purposes. It comes complete with manual for fitting and operating, although if available, you should probably get a professional to install it. The finish is a matt balck contrasting with silver buttons and neon blue highlights.

So would I recomend this. No. The price I paid for it was ridiculous and when you consider that most of the features come standard with the stereos in cars like a Fiat Punto then you have to ask why pay more. DAB has not taken over and indeed doesn't look like it will. Like all good technology, it is outdated. Competitors saw what it could do, so they bettered it. And yet despite those misgivings I bought, I am still happy with it and I wouldn't get rid of it. So if someone offers you a Woodstock DAB 53 for free and installs it for nothing, great. If not then go elsewhere.