Thanks for your input.

I really thought I was on a winner with GravityBox. Installed it ok [version Q] adjusted volume steps to 33, rebooted and same f**!%^g problem. Just a point, did you actually test your 50 steps to see if they work, ie play some music? Regards. Also what device / android version so you have?

Thanks thats already thrown up some interesting reading - vanilla android ! - which sugests the typical 15 vol steps is google's standard and has been since android started god knows why they can't write source code that makes it easy to change, -will post back any useful findings.

ok, I found in /system/default.prop a setting - ro.factory_mode=0 and ro.debuggable=0. I changed both values to 1, saved, rebooted and I have some type of service mode although Iv no clue what or how to do anything with it! I have posts all over the net about trying to get more volume steps on my device, this is turning in to a royal pain in the ass. I cant use this device as a car head unit until I fix these poxy volume steps..bah humbug!