In a way the answer has to be yes, but instead of ripping out your car stereo in some form of automotive open heart surgery a Revo may save your otherwise fully functional dashboard companion. The Revo DAB unit is a blot on DAB receiver that compliments rather than replaces the manufacturer fitted unit in your car.

The Revo works by providing an audio output that can be connected to the aux socket on the car radio, not all radios have this feature but the majority of aftermarket units do, as do the better manufacturer fitted units.

The Revo unit is a relatively small and flat device, it connects to your stereo using RAC connectors and requires only a power connection and the connection to its own "wave" DAB antenna which is normally installed on the passenger side of the windscreen. The mounting kit holds the Revo firmly in place and can be installed to give the best line of sight and ease of operation, the powered cradle allows the unit to be removed if you want to swap it between cars or just to take it out overnight for security.

Perhaps the biggest worry for us before seeing the Revo was how it would blend in with the interior of a car and for that matter so many different dashboards! Bu the contemporary style of the Revo DAB unit means that the classy black unit with its ice white LCD display does not look out of place in a Ford Focus or Porsche, a good install job keeps cables out of sight and that Revo unit itself looks very smart glowing out from your dash.

Operation is simple enough and the Revo just appears as the Aux source on your cars stereo, then its as simple as selecting from one of the five presets or using the big chunky keys to search though the names stations available via DAB. Sound quality is first class and as good as any standard car DAB unit we've heard, the use of the Aux input rather than an FM modulator is a good decision and adds to the high quality image that the Revo has.

Of course there is no hiss or fading with DAB and you get all the stations named in a kind of EPG fashion, there is also updating text supplied on some stations which can carry everything from the track being played to the football results. The 16 character Revo screen does a good job with the basic display functions but it is a little limited for the advanced text services, of course this is no bad thing in a moving vehicle.

Then there are the option in addition to the £200 Revo unit, you can add a Dock so that your Revo can hook to your home HiFi for £50, you can also make your Revo a handheld portable by additional of the Revo go pack for another £50. A second car kit will cost you £70 allowing you quickly to swap the device between vehicles plus there is a £20 remote control if your vehicle is that big!

The Revo Dab Unit is a cool option for adding DAB capability to an existing in car audio system, its much cheaper than a complete new head unit, the options are of some value but a portable DAB unit is better than the Revo Go pack. At £200 the Revo DAB represents good value for money for anyone upgrading, however if you are in the market for a new head unit you'd do better to put the cash into one pot and the leave the Revo alone.

More DAB Radio Reviews -

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