“Do It All” Headunit

[Big_Chris]

Hi, I’ve used the search function but can’t quite find the answer to this question - what is a recommended head unit which will give me:

 

* UK DAB

* Apple CarPlay

* Rear Camera Function

* Steering Wheel controls

* Compatible with 18 speakers

 

ideally it would also let me run the rear screen as well but I’m prepared to give this up, if needed, in order to manage the above.

 

Thanks,

 

Chris

[Rojie]

2 hours ago, Big_Chris said:

Hi, I’ve used the search function but can’t quite find the answer to this question - what is a recommended head unit which will give me:

 

* UK DAB

* Apple CarPlay

* Rear Camera Function

* Steering Wheel controls

* Compatible with 18 speakers

 

ideally it would also let me run the rear screen as well but I’m prepared to give this up, if needed, in order to manage the above.

 

Thanks,

 

Chris

 

Hello Chris,

 

I don't believe there is a 'recommended' head unit; but, hopefully, you are likely to receive several suggestions.

 

Good Luck

[ALSALPHARD]

Hi, If you want the latest n greatest headunit reviews its worth a Youtube visit and a view on "Saab unleashed" channel.

Nice in depth honest reviews and advice Its by far the best I found.

 

 

 

[Stupidearthling]

6 hours ago, ALSALPHARD said:

Hi, If you want the latest n greatest headunit reviews its worth a Youtube visit and a view on "Saab unleashed" channel.

Nice in depth honest reviews and advice Its by far the best I found.

 

 

 

I'll second that. Great channel! I'm leaning towards the CC3

 

 

Ill add to the list of requirements 360 camera. 

[Voodoo101]

If you want the best system for options then go for an Android Head unit (try to avoid units from AliExpress this includes places that fit them and may get them from AliExpress). These give you all the options of a tablet such as Google Maps, Dab Radio (you have to buy extra decoder), Reversing camera, 18 speakers (with extra adaptor), Spotify, Netflix, Disney +, Google and much more. These also work with the steering wheel controls.

 

If you are looking more to have something a but more basic and are willing to connect your phone for maps and other music features, then there are a lot of makes on the market, but you would have to check that it would work with the standard amplifier

 

[Big_Chris]

4 hours ago, Voodoo101 said:

If you want the best system for options then go for an Android Head unit (try to avoid units from AliExpress this includes places that fit them and may get them from AliExpress). These give you all the options of a tablet such as Google Maps, Dab Radio (you have to buy extra decoder), Reversing camera, 18 speakers (with extra adaptor), Spotify, Netflix, Disney +, Google and much more. These also work with the steering wheel controls.

 

If you are looking more to have something a but more basic and are willing to connect your phone for maps and other music features, then there are a lot of makes on the market, but you would have to check that it would work with the standard amplifier

 

Thanks, any pointers on one of the better units that offers all of the above ?

[Voodoo101]

4 hours ago, Big_Chris said:

Thanks, any pointers on one of the better units that offers all of the above ?

 

Well when I bought my Vellfire, it had a Sony double din unit installed that that was able to use Android Auto and Apple Carplay. The steering controls worked, but the DAB Radio was bad and the reversing camera did not work. I only have the six speakers which all worked from the head unit. I decided to upgrade and bought an Android head unit from Aliexpress, that came with the dash surround to fit, replacing the one installed. They do not come with the gear chrome surround or the little storage unit, so this had to be changed, the trouble was that it was a slightly different colour and looked stupid. Also the top was not the matt black of the original and with the sun tended not to work well with the heat, add to this that it did not fit right. Then after a few months the touch screen stopped working, so I had to send it back to China to get a refund, losing out on postage cost. 

 

When I took the Sony unit out I had found out why the DAB radio was bad, the person had not earthed the antenna, Unfortionaly when I came to reinstall it again I found I had binned the old one and the new one for the Android did not fit. I also found out why the reversing camera did not work as who ever had fitted it in the first place had tried to hook the rear screen as the reverser, so a simple adaptor off ebay fixed that. As I said, I dsn't have the 18 speakers so don't know about that, maybe somebody else on here will know, but for everything else, you could just get one off the shelf from Halfords or the like and it will do the rest.

 

I am now looking for a replacement Android unit and have found three that I may be interested in from named companies. First one is more powerful. Second one is not as powerful but gives me the option to play CD's. Third one looks good but is from AliExpress which worries me.

 

universal Double Din Head Unit (joyingauto.eu)

 

Universal 10.1" Double Din Android 11 Car DVD Player GPS Navigation System (TQS113） | Xtrons

 

Idoing13.3"car Radio Android Stereo Player For Special Car And Universal Car Gps Navigation Intelligent Head Unit Plug And Play - Car Multimedia Player - AliExpress

 

Hope this helps

 

[LukeyLukey]

I got this for £69 on amazon. Sits on the dash and works perfectly. I get to keep the old audio unit with all the cameras working. It plays through the car's audio via Bluetooth,  or via FM radio (just pick a frequency that isnt used by a radio station. Having the satnav and Spotify higher up is easier to use. Saved a fortune on what the alternatives were

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CR5QCYRL?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[Rojie]

1 hour ago, LukeyLukey said:

I got this for £69 on amazon. Sits on the dash and works perfectly. I get to keep the old audio unit with all the cameras working. It plays through the car's audio via Bluetooth,  or via FM radio (just pick a frequency that isnt used by a radio station. Having the satnav and Spotify higher up is easier to use. Saved a fortune on what the alternatives were

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CR5QCYRL?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

Hello Luke,

 

Welcome to the Forum, and thanks for the tip.