Stereo/nav/GPS/USB Suggestions

[Lwanmtr]

Im moving toward finally putting my car back together this summer, which includes a new stereo...so Im wondering if anyone has any suggestions on a sub $200 unit that has
gps, usb (for ipod n stuff), backup cam, dishwasher...you know..the basics..oh and has to fit a single DIN.

Ive seen a couple on Amazon (off brand, of course).

Yeah, I know the screens will block the center vents, but Im still working out my design for a thing that will eliviate that.

[David T]

The choices change all the time, it's hard to keep up with what is available. Go to Crutchfield and pick their brains for ideas. Figure on replacing the speakers and the wiring too. USB is kind of passe, everything is going towards Bluetooth unless you want to use it for power to charge something. Satellite radio is nice and so is nav but you can get some of that stuff through your phone too.

[Lwanmtr]

I already replaced the speakers and wiring.

I like usb so I can plug my ipod or phone in, rather than run the bateries down using bluetooth, plus I dont have to worry about setting up pairing..hehe.

[jangell]

I went with a double-DIN Pioneer unit with CarPlay (and Android Auto, and Bluetooth, etc)bfor my iPhone, but I plan on upgrading next year to one with wireless CarPlay and putting an inductive charger somewhere to charge my phone when it needs it. I’m waiting for the not very-cheap DMH-WC6600NEX to both ship and drop in price so I can justify it.

I did a write up on how I moved my center console vents, if you’re interested: http://www.tmproductions.com/repairs-and-maintenance-blog/2018/3/2/double-din-radio-install An important detail about the Pioneer is that it’s deep, and I had to build a new air distributor box so it would fit properly.

— Joe

[Lwanmtr]

Ive though about moving the ducts, and may sometime in the future. but for now Im gonna leave that as is and make a non destructive device to vent around a screen.
I have a single din plate for my car, so thats why I'm looking for that.

[jangell]

I’d say that’s a good way to go. The unit I want has a floating screen separate from the main unit, so you can mount it pretty much anywhere, but it’s not in the $200 range (or, you know, actually shopping).

Are you thinking of one with a flip up screen, or just skipping the screen and going with a simpler, more traditional single DIN unit? I’m mostly just curious; I don’t really have any useful suggestions in that regard, unfortunately.

— Joe

[Lwanmtr]

I saw one with an adjustable screen for around $280, but it wasnt removable or anything. It would be cool to be able to mount the screen on top of the center. Have a link to the one you mention?

Im looking at getting one with a flip out screen. Yeah I could use phone for gps and that, just rather have it all in one thing.

Brands and models change all the time..its hard to tell whats decent and whats junk..used to be jvc, pioneer and a few others...now I think its all chinese stuff with names like hikiti (yeah, i saw that on amazon..lol)

[adam_knox]

Heads up, I was reading about bluetooth and there is a chance older stereos might not pair with newer phones even though its supposed to be backwards compatible. I would get one with as many input options as possible to future proof yourself if you can.

I plan on converting to a double din and rearrange the headlights and ac controls, but I'm so backlogged on projects I probably won't get to it until next spring. Good luck!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[adam_knox]

Oh, and they do make rearview mirrors with cameras and screens if you want to go that route.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Lwanmtr]

Seen the mirrors with backup and that. Think I'll stick with a fancy screen that'll be obsolete in 3 years..hehe.

[jangell]

I saw one with an adjustable screen for around $280, but it wasnt removable or anything. It would be cool to be able to mount the screen on top of the center. Have a link to the one you mention?

These units seem to be referred to as "modular", and Pioneer has only a few models. The DMH-C2550NEX and DMH-C550NEX are the older models, which are described briefly here: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-iJQRdIJhxLo/learn/groundbreaking-pioneer-car-stereos.html.

This is the latest Pioneer one that I want purely for Wireless CarPlay that isn't out yet (maybe it ships in June?): https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/NEX/DMH-WC6600NEX It retails for $900, and has all the bells and whistles. I very much like having CarPlay for my iPhone. My older Subaru doesn't have that, so we just use Bluetooth for music/etc, which has the advantage of not having to take my phone out of my pocket all the time. Wireless CarPlay is the best of both worlds for me.

The installation manual is linked on the page, and suggests that the screen can be positioned pretty much anywhere, and isn't very deep, so if you want to fabricate your own mounting frame you can put it pretty much anywhere. For example, you could probably slide a piece of wood or 3D printed plastic into the top of the center console under the trim from the back, and mount the screen onto that, thus keeping the vents completely clear (although possibly blocking the windshield a bit), and use the old single DIN radio hole for something else, or put the main electronics unit there. I think it has a 12" cable, but you can also buy extensions, which would probably let you mount the electronics unit under the evaporator box. Another option could be to hang the screen from the edge of the passenger kneepad, assuming it wouldn't be in the way of your passenger.

I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the mic for the hands free support on my current head unit. I clipped it to the bottom of the binnacle, but the car's just too loud for people to hear me clearly. I might try running it up to the sun visor, or possibly getting a more directional microphone aimed right at my face. Not that I do many calls in the car, but when I do it's nice not to have to fumble for my phone.

Most head units with screens also support rear cameras, which are very nice to have. You can get the camera itself on Amazon for like $30, then run the wire through a pontoon (which is what I did), or through a hole you make in the bulkhead. If you use ignition-switched power (instead of reverse light power) you can switch to the camera at any time, which can be useful. I'm currently having a problem with my head unit (I think it's a bug in the software, not a hardware issue), where it won't display the camera when in rear view mode until 90 seconds after you go into reverse, but the camera activates instantly manually. I haven't found a good solution to that, but I'm going to replace the head unit so I'm not worrying about it too much. I seem to be the only one with this problem, so I don't think it's a general issue with Pioneer units, just with mine.

You'll also likely want to get a parking brake bypass so you can use all the features without having to add wiring to your parking brake light, like pair Bluetooth devices and change some specific options. They're only a few dollars. I also hooked ups large capacitor to the radio's power supply so that it will stay powered while the engine is cranking, since full-featured radios like this have a pretty long startup time (5-10 seconds), and I don't want it to have to start over again after the engine starts, especially since it's not that uncommon to have to try a couple times to get it to stay running (I mean, it's not THAT common, but common enough). A side effect is the radio stays on for a few seconds when you turn the car off until he capacitor has drained, but that doesn't bother me.

-- Joe

[jangell]

Also, if you get one with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, you can use your phone for GPS nav but you get to see the it displayed on the head unit's screen. I quite like it with CarPlay, and it already has all my contacts and everything in it, so I don't have to re-enter all of that into the head unit's GPS. IMO it's not worth bothering with having GPS built into the head unit yourself if you're always going to use your phone with it like I do.

-- Joe

[FABombjoy]

I built a setup last year around the 2550. Love it!
Had a DIN stereo which is now the Megasquirt gauge and seat controls. Everything 3D printed in ABS. Not finished yet with the screen mount design but it’s good enough for now.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/8cb9dc1c82ae43298bb3972c20643d3a.jpg

[jangell]

That is very similar to what I was thinking — very nice! I build a mount for a cheap Windows tablet for a temporary MegaSquirt dashboard in the same place. Since I already moved my air vents, I’m just going to mount the two-part head unit where my current one is, but I can use the old radio bay behind it to fit other computers and such. I’m also planning on a screen (probably an iPad) that replaces the climate controls, also as a floating screen, one I write all the software and finish some other projects...

— Joe

[Lwanmtr]

Thats a decent setup. Printing parts is something I can do as well... though the 2550 is about $450..a lil more than I want to put in at this time. Mind you, not looking for 'cheap'..but just inexpensive.