Any Car Audio/Video Gurus?

[jeepinmatt]

I'm wanting to put a new head unit in my truck, but not blow the bank. Its an 08 F250, so its Double DIN, and I'm planning to add a backup camera, so I'd like a head unit with a screen. I'd also like bluetooth, but I don't care for navigation because I've got my phone for that. However, if I could find one that would mirror my phone screen on Google Maps, that would be awesome. It looks like "MirrorLink" might do it, but I'd have to plug the phone in (not a big deal, if I'm running navigation, its going to drain the battery anyway). Pioneer has AppRadio, which says it should work, but reviews on AppRadio in the Google Play store are full of reviews saying it sucks and doesn't work.

Long story short, I'm shooting for a $300 or less price point, I'd like a double DIN touchscreen with bluetooth, and I'd like to have knobs or buttons on it, because non-tactile touchscreens can bring the suck in a bouncy truck. Here's a few I've found:
Kenwood DDX372BT, $255@Crutchfield, $215 elsewhere, no Mirrorlink or AppRadio 20watts RMS per channel
Kenwood DDX372BT

Kenwood DDX392, $249refurb@Crutchfield, no Mirrorlink or AppRadio 20watts RMS per channel (specs seem identical to 372, not sure what the price difference is)
Kenwood DDX392

Sony XAV-68BT, $252@Crutchfield, $238 elsewhere, no Mirrorlink or AppRadio 17watts RMS per channel
Sony XAV-68BT

Pioneer AVH-X2700BS, $330@Crutchfield, $229 elsewhere, has Mirrorlink, 14watts RMS per channel
Pioneer AVH-X2700BS

Pioneer AVH-X4600BS, $350 discontinued, but one on craigslist for $250, has Mirrorlink, has AppRadio, 14watts RMS per channel
Pioneer AVH-X4600BT

Going by the specs, the Kenwood should have the best ability to drive speakers, but the Pioneer units have the best chance of actually mirroring things on my phone. All of them will probably sound better than the factory head unit, so I'm not too worried about 14watts vs 20watts. The front USB port and actual knob on the Sony seems like nice touches, but its lacking in the other buttons.

Anybody got any firsthand experience or useful knowledge?

 

[snappy]

I have a pioneer app radio and like it alot.....

 

[RatLabGuy]

and I'd like to have knobs or buttons on it, because non-tactile touchscreens can bring the suck in a bouncy truck.

You've already hit on the one thing I had to add.
I put it a really nice Pioneer unit in wife's car the week after we bought it, nice big all-flat screen double din.Picked it b/c it had lots of cool options and menus etc.
And we both hate it. It's very hard to use while driving, and feels unsafe b/c you have to look down at it to see what you'd doing, just to change the station or select tunes.I'd rather have tactile buttons I can reach over and feel, nice and simple.

Ours does also have a front USB slot, which is pretty convenient, but even better it has an SDcard slot right in the front. So we just leave the card in there, pop it out to load up w/ new tunes and put it back in. If you're planning to use it in conjunction w/ your phone then this is less relevant. Note that w/ bigger SD cards and USB sticks, the memory speed matters - the OS o na lot of decks will read the whole card filesystem first before listing the tunes, so if it is slow, it can literally take a minute or more after you turn the car on before its starts playing. New decks today might be faster though, I don't know.

 

[ecoast]

I did car audio for 25+ years

i bought a chinese android w/ BT, nav, cams, tuner, dvd, aux, sd, etc, for <$300 shipped...

 

[jeepinmatt]

You've already hit on the one thing I had to add.
I put it a really nice Pioneer unit in wife's car the week after we bought it, nice big all-flat screen double din.Picked it b/c it had lots of cool options and menus etc.
And we both hate it. It's very hard to use while driving, and feels unsafe b/c you have to look down at it to see what you'd doing, just to change the station or select tunes.I'd rather have tactile buttons I can reach over and feel, nice and simple.

Ours does also have a front USB slot, which is pretty convenient, but even better it has an SDcard slot right in the front. So we just leave the card in there, pop it out to load up w/ new tunes and put it back in. If you're planning to use it in conjunction w/ your phone then this is less relevant. Note that w/ bigger SD cards and USB sticks, the memory speed matters - the OS o na lot of decks will read the whole card filesystem first before listing the tunes, so if it is slow, it can literally take a minute or more after you turn the car on before its starts playing. New decks today might be faster though, I don't know.

SD card slot doesn't matter to me, as I only listen to the radio half the time, and the when its on, I have broadcast stations that are sufficient. Also, I have steering wheel controls to help with the button issue, and the adapter to keep that working is only about $30 (I say only, but it probably only costs $2 to manufacture, haha).

I did car audio for 25+ years

i bought a chinese android w/ BT, nav, cams, tuner, dvd, aux, sd, etc, for <$300 shipped...

More info please? I assume they are all made in China, but theres a value to me of buying from Crutchfield or somewhere that I can send it back to when the screen screws up.

 

[ecoast]

not an issue; select a good ebay seller and switch your PP funding to your CC and you will have online purchase protection, and they will back you when/if shtf...may also extend the manufacturer's warantee as well depending on your CC

you can also find a US seller which should make return easy

as with most electronics, if it's not DOA, and does not fail in the first couple weeks/months, you're pobably ok.

search = android bt nav double din

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

One thing I found out buying a screen for my car; if the radio is the clock in your truck, and you use the clock, make sure the aftermarket one has a clock. Apparently they don't all have one stock.

 

[Ron]

SD card slot doesn't matter to me, as I only listen to the radio half the time, and the when its on, I have broadcast stations that are sufficient. Also, I have steering wheel controls to help with the button issue, and the adapter to keep that working is only about $30 (I say only, but it probably only costs $2 to manufacture, haha).

Sounds to me like you just said the stock radio is sufficient and you want a back up camera.
Much cheaper options for that.

 

[jeepinmatt]

Sounds to me like you just said the stock radio is sufficient and you want a back up camera.
Much cheaper options for that.

That's half the equation: backup camera AND Bluetooth for the phone. I already have an SCT Livewire I can do the backup camera on, but it's a small screen down at the bottom of the dash. Mirroring phone nav (audio AND display) to radio would be a big plus.

 

[ecoast]

One thing I found out buying a screen for my car; if the radio is the clock in your truck, and you use the clock, make sure the aftermarket one has a clock. Apparently they don't all have one stock.

the android allows all kinds of widgets; looks just like your phone, if you want

also has wifi; and that's cool as you can surf w/ browser, youtube, etc, or hotspot your phone if no wifi.

also has A2Dp so you can stream from your phone's internet radio, or sirius/xm, or..?

 

[jeepinmatt]

@ecoast something like this?
Android 4.4 3G WIFI 6.2&apos;&apos; Double DIN Car Radio DVD Player GPS Navi Stereo+Camera

 

[jeepyj1129]

I just put a AVH-X3700BHS it was ($325 on ebay) in my dodge I love the head unit it it's easy to work and tune I also done car audio work for 4 years and I would only buy a pioneer radio don't waste your money on anything else

 

[ecoast]

@ecoast something like this?
Android 4.4 3G WIFI 6.2&apos;&apos; Double DIN Car Radio DVD Player GPS Navi Stereo+Camera

pretty much...but that is not a US located seller. Which means you'll pay return ship to China in a waranntee situation (but if it was DOA, I'd make them pay)

I just just tried to get the latest android version that is offered.

google search = 'chinese double din forum' for lots of discussion

Eonon is a 'brand' that sells for more, but for the life of me, they're probably all made in the same factories...

I just put a AVH-X3700BHS it was ($325 on ebay) in my dodge I love the head unit it it's easy to work and tune I also done car audio work for 4 years and I would only buy a pioneer radio don't waste your money on anything else

That looks nice but no nav, wifi, apps, or sd

 

[jeepyj1129]

pretty much...but that is not a US located seller. Which means you'll pay return ship to China in a waranntee situation (but if it was DOA, I'd make them pay)

I just just tried to get the latest android version that is offered.

google search = 'chinese double din forum' for lots of discussion

Eonon is a 'brand' that sells for more, but for the life of me, they're probably all made in the same factories...



That looks nice but no nav, wifi, apps, or sd

It has app radio which uses apps off of your phone and Mirror link which uses navigation off the phone so you don't have to worry about map updates or anything like that plus I had a pioneer avic n2 that was in my previous truck for 12 years and pioneer still has updates for that unit I looked at the Chinese brand radios before I purchased the unit that is in my truck now and I just can't see sending it back to China for warranty or having to worry about disputing it with the credit card company because you want to save $100 and get a cheaper radio and not even getting into the sound quality of a pioneer versus a Chinese radio you might as well buy dual from Walmart

 

[catfishblues]

It has app radio which uses apps off of your phone and Mirror link which uses navigation off the phone so you don't have to worry about map updates or anything like that plus I had a pioneer avic n2 that was in my previous truck for 12 years and pioneer still has updates for that unit I looked at the Chinese brand radios before I purchased the unit that is in my truck now and I just can't see sending it back to China for warranty or having to worry about disputing it with the credit card company because you want to save $100 and get a cheaper radio and not even getting into the sound quality of a pioneer versus a Chinese radio you might as well buy dual from Walmart

Pioneer's amplifier section and EQs are some of the best on the market, IMO. They may not claim the power output some of the others do, but they'll typically sound better than those radios, too. Their interface is what has pissed me off of late. The single knob to control everything is damn near impossible to use for anything while driving. The menus are a pain to scroll through and tweak anything without accidentally skipping to the next setting due to the stupid knob and questionably laid-out menus. I dare say they even have too many settings. They also seem to worship at the throne of Steve Jobs. Apple integration has been fantastic with them, but they seem to be bringing up the rear of the pack for Android integration, especially via bluetooth. Reviewers don't seem to like them in that department. I know they've been taking steps to rectify that, but I haven't looked into them in a year or so. What phone are you using with yours?

 

[jeepyj1129]

Pioneer's amplifier section and EQs are some of the best on the market, IMO. They may not claim the power output some of the others do, but they'll typically sound better than those radios, too. Their interface is what has pissed me off of late. The single knob to control everything is damn near impossible to use for anything while driving. The menus are a pain to scroll through and tweak anything without accidentally skipping to the next setting due to the stupid knob and questionably laid-out menus. I dare say they even have too many settings. They also seem to worship at the throne of Steve Jobs. Apple integration has been fantastic with them, but they seem to be bringing up the rear of the pack for Android integration, especially via bluetooth. Reviewers don't seem to like them in that department. I know they've been taking steps to rectify that, but I haven't looked into them in a year or so. What phone are you using with yours?

I was a little disappointed that it did not have knobs the buttons aren't the best in the world but I use the remote because it is much easier to deal with and I use an iPhone 5S with my radio but it is jailbroken with the older software have you done the recent update to your radio made it a whole lot more user-friendly

 

[catfishblues]

I was a little disappointed that it did not have knobs the buttons aren't the best in the world but I use the remote because it is much easier to deal with and I use an iPhone 5S with my radio but it is jailbroken with the older software have you done the recent update to your radio made it a whole lot more user-friendly

I'm not running a Pioneer in anything right now. I am looking into the unit you got, though, and the reviews seem to discuss the same issues I was talking about. Android integration is a joke. MirrorLink apparently doesn't work with anything but a select few phones, and even then it crashes frequently. The beep you can't turn off when changing settings. Laggy bluetooth link. Sounds like engineering still hasn't gotten on the Android boat yet. And I hate that. It's $275 on Amazon and does everything I want in a HU except work with my phone. I love Pioneer, but I need a HU that isn't going to treat my phone like it's a novelty. Apple doesn't dominate the mobile audio market anymore. Android is an undeniable force.

 

[jeepyj1129]

I'm not running a Pioneer in anything right now. I am looking into the unit you got, though, and the reviews seem to discuss the same issues I was talking about. Android integration is a joke. MirrorLink apparently doesn't work with anything but a select few phones, and even then it crashes frequently. The beep you can't turn off when changing settings. Laggy bluetooth link. Sounds like engineering still hasn't gotten on the Android boat yet. And I hate that. It's $275 on Amazon and does everything I want in a HU except work with my phone. I love Pioneer, but I need a HU that isn't going to treat my phone like it's a novelty. Apple doesn't dominate the mobile audio market anymore. Android is an undeniable force.

I'm not sure how good it works with the Android operating system I have always used an iphone with mine it has never crashed when using mirror link Bluetooth is fast it is way faster then than u connect in my wife's Jeep which sucks The main thing I use the the mirror link is for navigation weather and news it also works great with Pandora and my Pandora downloader (jailbreak app) I have probably installed every kind of head unit under the sun Pioneer has always been more user-friendly than any of the other head units especially as for as tuning the EQ The main thing I was trying to get at this thread is I would not waste my money on a non-namebrand Chinese unit that can be an obsolete Company next year I would not hesitate to buy an alpine or Kenwood or any other namebrand head unit

 

[jeepinmatt]

I'm currently using an LG G2 and will probably get a G4 in the next year or so. Both are on the Mirrorlink compatible devices list.

 

[jeepyj1129]

I'm currently using an LG G2 and will probably get a G4 in the next year or so. Both are on the Mirrorlink compatible devices list.

Are you planning on coming to pick up Your bender die from Matt anytime soon if so we can connect your phone my radio and see how good it works

 

[catfishblues]

I'm currently using an LG G2 and will probably get a G4 in the next year or so. Both are on the Mirrorlink compatible devices list.

I'd take him up on his offer to test it. Read the reviews on amazon. Search the reviews for "android" and see what pops up. I think you may need a certain cable to mirror from android.

I'm not sure how good it works with the Android operating system I have always used an iphone with mine it has never crashed when using mirror link Bluetooth is fast it is way faster then than u connect in my wife's Jeep which sucks The main thing I use the the mirror link is for navigation weather and news it also works great with Pandora and my Pandora downloader (jailbreak app) I have probably installed every kind of head unit under the sun Pioneer has always been more user-friendly than any of the other head units especially as for as tuning the EQ The main thing I was trying to get at this thread is I would not waste my money on a non-namebrand Chinese unit that can be an obsolete Company next year I would not hesitate to buy an alpine or Kenwood or any other namebrand head unit

What I find sad is that the Chinese are incorporating more functionality into their HUs than the big guys, and doing at least a fair job of it. If Pioneer could build a unit with Chinese features and their quality, I'd be all over it!

 

[jeepyj1129]

I'd take him up on his offer to test it. Read the reviews on amazon. Search the reviews for "android" and see what pops up. I think you may need a certain cable to mirror from android.



What I find sad is that the Chinese are incorporating more functionality into their HUs than the big guys, and doing at least a fair job of it. If Pioneer could build a unit with Chinese features and their quality, I'd be all over it!

Yes and it's not like the technology is not already there but I guess you have to look at it like would you rather have quality or quantity

 

[Ron]

I'd take him up on his offer to test it. Read the reviews on amazon. Search the reviews for "android" and see what pops up. I think you may need a certain cable to mirror from android.



What I find sad is that the Chinese are incorporating more functionality into their HUs than the big guys, and doing at least a fair job of it. If Pioneer could build a unit with Chinese features and their quality, I'd be all over it!

The chinese guys are making Pioneers units for them.
Its the bane of the tech world right now. The chinese guys have no marketing investment and dont understand or care about pricing tier strategies so they will sell you the entry level pioneer device for $150 (just like pioneer) that costs $20 to make or the top o' the line device for $155 (Pioneer wants $750) because it costs $25 to make.

 

[ecoast]

The chinese guys are making Pioneers units for them.

FTW ^^^

 

[catfishblues]

The chinese guys are making Pioneers units for them.
Its the bane of the tech world right now. The chinese guys have no marketing investment and dont understand or care about pricing tier strategies so they will sell you the entry level pioneer device for $150 (just like pioneer) that costs $20 to make or the top o' the line device for $155 (Pioneer wants $750) because it costs $25 to make.

Yes and no. That first sentence is kind of misleading. They may be made in the same country, true. They are not made to the same standards, though. Fact is, the Chinese can produce whatever quality you're willing to pay for. Take a Pupug brand and a Pioneer unit apart side by side and you'll instantly see the difference in quality. The cheapo is typically going to look like a bunch of individual modules tied tenuously together through a clusterfuck of flying wires. The Pioneer is going to look like a well-engineered integrated circuit.

Eastern manufacturing is nearly unavoidable. Eastern engineering is much easier to avoid, though, and that seems to be where the difference in quality comes in. Sadly, electronics quality has slipped across the board as tech has started advancing so quickly. There's no incentive in building a product to last 20 years when most people are upgrading in 2-4 years.