Android Car double din stereo.. which to get?

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killster1

Banned
Mar 15, 2007
6,205
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is there one that is way better or wait for lollipop ones to be on sale? i dont know what my budget is.. i guess 100-500? and 500 already seems like so much for something that will be cooking in hot summer sun. ;/

so far around 300 for the pumpkin 4.4.4 looks ok? ;/ i hate unclear choices so maybe there is something that will help clear it up
 
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SAWYER

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
16,742
42
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What kind of stereo is in your car now? Why not just mount an android tablet like a Nexus 7 or Tab, would be much cheaper and probably faster. The Windows tablets are an amazing deal as well
 
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VashHT

VashHT

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2007
3,330
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I've been looking at android stereos myself, my VW golf I just got has a laughably pathetic head unit in it (even though it's their "premium" head unit).

I have looked at a few head units that support mirroring of the phone which essentially just throws your screens display onto the head unit. This seems like a nice option but the interface didn't look to ideal to be used in a car.

So far the first looks at Android Auto have me interested, it lets me use my phone for media with an interface that looks like it's pretty easy to use while driving along with extra voice commands to make it more hands free. Also, it just uses USB which should provide better quality sound as opposed to bluetooth. I'm also hoping that I could get my steering wheel controls to work with it as well, right now it's pretty annoying to use my phone because my head unit does not have AVRCP for bluetooth so I have to use my phone to control any media.
 
rudeguy

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
tHa ShIzNiT said:
I believe this is the correct answer.
Click to expand...

I played with a few at CES and talked up the JVC guy pretty good. I don't know what has been announced and what hasn't but I was told there will be multiple units this year with Android Auto. New models usually ship in the spring time, so I'd expect to start seeing some new stuff very soon.

I want Android in my dash. I want it today. But going off what I saw at CES, its worth the wait.
 
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Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
Your phone being the compute device is the way of the future. For the love of God, wait. Don't buy anything that runs android locally as it's about to be completely obsolete.

Viper GTS
 
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shabby

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,782
45
91
Viper GTS said:
Your phone being the compute device is the way of the future. For the love of God, wait. Don't buy anything that runs android locally as it's about to be completely obsolete.

Viper GTS
Click to expand...

Most of them run obsolete versions of android anyway, could of swore a year ago at e3 or something there was a double din unit running gingerbread.
 
razel

razel

Platinum Member
May 14, 2002
2,337
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From what I've seen of Android Auto, it is very restricted. However MHL (HDMI) Bluetooth mirroring with touchscreen control headunits were at CES2015. Check out Sonic Electronix CES2015 videos. I believe there is another one with Allyn showcasing it.

I'm pretty sure the prices aren't going to be cheap so as SAWYER has mentioned finding a minimal mount for a $150 for a Nexus 7 would be a better solution. With either of the above options you must have your phone ready. At least with a Nexus 7 you can tuck it away when you leave your car and easily wake it up ready to go.
 
rudeguy

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
razel said:
From what I've seen of Android Auto, it is very restricted. However MHL (HDMI) Bluetooth mirroring with touchscreen control headunits were at CES2015. Check out Sonic Electronix CES2015 videos. I believe there is another one with Allyn showcasing it.

I'm pretty sure the prices aren't going to be cheap so as SAWYER has mentioned finding a minimal mount for a $150 for a Nexus 7 would be a better solution. With either of the above options you must have your phone ready. At least with a Nexus 7 you can tuck it away when you leave your car and easily wake it up ready to go.
Click to expand...

My issue is I need AV in for my backup cam.
 
drbrock

drbrock

Golden Member
Feb 8, 2008
1,333
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The pioneer is a piece of crap with regards to screen mirroring. I have the model below it and the software is pretty bad for it. As far as quality of sounds and features the pioneer is outstanding. I would hold off on the NEX for a few generations. Even Apple Car Play needs a lot of work before entering the mass market.

Everything but the mirroring is amazing in my pioneer just don't get your hopes up for a true android or apple experience in it. I highly sugest the AVH 3700bhs. Bluetooth is exceptional and it has every possible option you can throw at it.

If you want an android experience and don't need a ton a ton of music related features then go with a double din from ebay for 250-300. Use your phone as a wifi hotspot and you will be happy.
 
rudeguy

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
drbrock said:
The pioneer is a piece of crap with regards to screen mirroring. I have the model below it and the software is pretty bad for it. As far as quality of sounds and features the pioneer is outstanding. I would hold off on the NEX for a few generations. Even Apple Car Play needs a lot of work before entering the mass market.

Everything but the mirroring is amazing in my pioneer just don't get your hopes up for a true android or apple experience in it. I highly sugest the AVH 3700bhs. Bluetooth is exceptional and it has every possible option you can throw at it.

If you want an android experience and don't need a ton a ton of music related features then go with a double din from ebay for 250-300. Use your phone as a wifi hotspot and you will be happy.
Click to expand...

How does yours do with texts? That's my main goal is to be able to read texts. If it can do music well, that's even better.
 
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shabby

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,782
45
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rudeguy said:
And just like that, models start getting released.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/DVD-Receivers/AVH-4100NEX

Kenwood will for sure have one as well. I saw rumors of a Panasonic but I can't find anything firm yet.

$700 is a bit steep IMHO. I really want just a multi media receiver with Android Auto. I don't need a DVD player. Heck...I don't need a CD player. Just a touchscreen with an AV input.
Click to expand...

7" WVGA (800 x 480) resistive touchscreen... lol.
 
drbrock

drbrock

Golden Member
Feb 8, 2008
1,333
8
81
rudeguy said:
How does yours do with texts? That's my main goal is to be able to read texts. If it can do music well, that's even better.
Click to expand...

Mine does not do well with texts. It is a software issue though. I don't have siri enabled on mine and I think that has a lot to do with it. I am in the middle of tax season right now and don't have the time to go through the manual to see if it reads texts back or not. I haven't even changed the background image lol.

Currently for iphone and app radio(Pioneer's interface) there are serious problems. Waze and other apps are supposed to mirror on the screen but with ios 8 everything has stopped working. There was an update in February that was supposed to fix everything but it came and only made things worse.

For phone calls it is great. Blows the ford sync and Acura Bluetooth mic quality away.

As far are screen quality all the models out right now are fairly terrible. I thought it was going to bother me but after the 1st day or two I don't even notice it. I put in transformers and it good enough but def not crystal clear like an ipad.

From the research I have done Kenwood and Pioneer are the leaders for Double Din radios.
 
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