Buying a car stereo form Amazon

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Archer77

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#959927 1-Jan-2014 15:31

Using a tablet is okay, but you'd still need an amplifier to run to the speakers. I think you'd be better off with a standard unit though.

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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#959972 1-Jan-2014 16:39

mclean: The first real android-based IVI system from a mainstream manufacturer is the Clarion AX1, just released. If this thing takes off and the price comes down it'll change everything for in-car PC's/navigation.

There are plenty of Android car stereos in the market with a lot more having appeared in recent months. You can pick them up now specific to your vehicle with correct wiring harnesses and full steering wheel integration.

mclean

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#960212 2-Jan-2014 10:37

sbiddle: There are plenty of Android car stereos in the market with a lot more having appeared in recent months. You can pick them up now specific to your vehicle with correct wiring harnesses and full steering wheel integration.

I can see a few around, but not from what I would call mainstream manufacturers (like available in NZ shops). I'm thinking of a stand-alone tablet-like device in an automotive chassis, with built-in tuner/amplifier, that can run android-market navigation and vehicle OBD apps. The sort of thing that is currently done by custom-built car PC's, which can be a real mission to build.

ScuL

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#960477 2-Jan-2014 23:51

Why not get it off Amazon UK?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-2-DIN-Bluetooth-Mixtrax-Aux-In/dp/B009KZ95QQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388659835&sr=8-1&keywords=FH-X700BT

These will work in NZ no issues

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

BigMal

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#960509 3-Jan-2014 08:25

ScuL: Why not get it off Amazon UK?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-2-DIN-Bluetooth-Mixtrax-Aux-In/dp/B009KZ95QQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388659835&sr=8-1&keywords=FH-X700BT

These will work in NZ no issues

Yeah but once you factor in the GBP/NZD conversion and shipping it's not much cheaper than buying in NZ.

ScuL

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#960522 3-Jan-2014 08:54

BigMal:
ScuL: Why not get it off Amazon UK?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-2-DIN-Bluetooth-Mixtrax-Aux-In/dp/B009KZ95QQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388659835&sr=8-1&keywords=FH-X700BT

These will work in NZ no issues

Yeah but once you factor in the GBP/NZD conversion and shipping it's not much cheaper than buying in NZ.

I did think of that but on this particular product the prices didn't seem that far apart

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

Wade

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#960533 3-Jan-2014 09:22

Another option depending on the standard Mazda stereo might be to use the auxillary input or get one of those CD changer to aux in type convertors and just use a small tablet like a N7 for media storage/playback and GPS etc and control volume etc through stock head unit. Its not asethetically ideal but removable so low theft risk and easily updated.

To use a tablet as a dedicated frontend is a bit haphazard as there are no nice driver friendly OS skins available. There was a guy that started building a real nice carpc styled launcher but it never eventuated past a few early versions iirc.

I would guess there is a real potential for any developer brave enough to take the task on. Now with miracast and HDMI etc building a big system around a tablet is a real possibility, run a digital signal into a automotive DAC/DSP --> decent amps --> decent speakers and the results could be outstanding and relatively futureproof

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redart

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#969735 19-Jan-2014 19:41

jpoc:
Wade: No the frequency step is different, some units might be able to switch steps or else it requires a band expander

What he said.

US FM radio transmission frequencies all end in odd decimal digits. 88.1MHz, 88.3MHz etc.

Ours do not.

As wade said, some radios have selectable frequency steps and some also have manual tuning that ignores the steps but this is not the case for all radios so beware of that.

Also, the same applies to am bands.

second the above + you will need a dash surround and adaptor kit.

It makes better sense to buy from a local caraudio installer to save you the hassle.

BigMal

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#969937 20-Jan-2014 11:23

Yeah I'm getting a local install done in Wellington of a Pioneer stereo recommended in an Android thread.

Thanks all for your input.

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