Car stereo recommendations

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xpd

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#194953 31-Mar-2016 15:46

Looking for a replacement head unit for our Premacy people mover.... current one is a Jap import thing that we're happy to bin. Is a double DIN unit, but not that it matters too much these days with installers being able to find suitable pockets/surrounds to fill the gap.

Anyway, not after anything too fancy, just radio, CD, MP3 support (via CD or USB), and preferably BT support for handsfree phone use and ability to use the factory steering wheel controls (current unit does not support so no biggie if new one cant handle either).

Ideally under $200, but will stretch a little for the right unit. No amp/sub/DVD is in the vehicle so not concerned about outputs etc beyond the standard.

Suggestions ? :)

XPD / Gavin

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#1523943 1-Apr-2016 13:05

No recommendations but suggest Sony for 250-300:

https://shop.jbhifi.co.nz/car-sound/car/sony-wxgt90bt-xplod-in-car-bluetooth-mp3-wma-aac-cd-player/81552

michaelmurfy

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#1523958 1-Apr-2016 13:45

I got a pretty simple JVC head unit for around $200 that has everything excluding a CD player (not that it is needed). It also does BT Handsfree.

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xpd

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#1524024 1-Apr-2016 15:36

michaelmurfy:

I got a pretty simple JVC head unit for around $200 that has everything excluding a CD player (not that it is needed). It also does BT Handsfree.

Yeah Ive noticed a lot of JVC gear around now, and mechless becoming more common.

XPD / Gavin

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#1528142 8-Apr-2016 09:06

I'm on a similar quest and seriously considering one of these fusion units: -

http://www.fusionentertainment.com/car/products/head-units/ca-ml700bt

I particularly like the external microphone.

I've never had a fusion car audio product before, but I've had good experiences with their marine gear.

Mike

xpd

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#1528162 8-Apr-2016 09:28

Wife has now said she wants a CD player, dosent like all the digital options :-p

Supercheap has a sale on at the moment with some Sony units, might take a look at one of those...

XPD / Gavin

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trig42

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#1528184 8-Apr-2016 09:49

I have had a couple of Pioneers - 1st a single DIN mechless with BT - no issues, a great little unit and the BT was great.

I put a Double-DIN pioneer with BT into the wife's Mazda late last year, and it goes great too - BT, CD, Aux, USB and Radio. I got an adaptor so it works with Steering Wheel controls also.

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xpd

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#1528191 8-Apr-2016 09:58

trig42:

I have had a couple of Pioneers - 1st a single DIN mechless with BT - no issues, a great little unit and the BT was great.

I put a Double-DIN pioneer with BT into the wife's Mazda late last year, and it goes great too - BT, CD, Aux, USB and Radio. I got an adaptor so it works with Steering Wheel controls also.

What model was the Pioneer ? Prefer a double DIN unit to save on tracking down suitable pocket etc to fill the gap ;) And the adaptor was a separate purchase ? Having SW controls would be awesome (current unit dosent use them).

Cheers

XPD / Gavin

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trig42

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#1528212 8-Apr-2016 10:32

It is this one: http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/online-store/products/Pioneer-2DIN-Bluetooth-Smartphone-MP3-CD-Player-FH-X775BT.aspx?pid=375636&menuFrom=100105#Recommendations

I got it for around $300 on special at JB (I think they are going out of Car Audio).

The SW adaptor I got from Amazon - it is one of these: http://axxessinterfaces.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=197

When I took the stereo out of the car (a Chinese touch screen awful thing), there was another SW adaptor in there, but I couldn't get it to go so I ordered the Axxess. When I got the Axxess and pulled the stereo out again, I realized that the cheap one that was in there would have gone as there is an option in the Stereo for turning SW controls on/off and it was off by default (/headslap!). So, you may find SW control interfaces cheaper than the Axxess, but the Axxess works well, and I've never had an issue with it (I couldn't have a stereo without SW controls now, so much easier).

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#1528222 8-Apr-2016 10:42

xpd:

trig42:

I have had a couple of Pioneers - 1st a single DIN mechless with BT - no issues, a great little unit and the BT was great.

I put a Double-DIN pioneer with BT into the wife's Mazda late last year, and it goes great too - BT, CD, Aux, USB and Radio. I got an adaptor so it works with Steering Wheel controls also.

What model was the Pioneer ? Prefer a double DIN unit to save on tracking down suitable pocket etc to fill the gap ;) And the adaptor was a separate purchase ? Having SW controls would be awesome (current unit dosent use them).

Cheers

Coincidentally I have one of these double din Pioneer's in excellent condition sitting on my desk that I'm looking to sell. If your interested flick me a pm.

I replaced it with https://shop.jbhifi.co.nz/car-sound/car/sony-wxgt90bt-xplod-in-car-bluetooth-mp3-wma-aac-cd-player/81552 because I needed a 3rd AUX out. I can tell you the Pioneer is far better, the only reason I haven't advertised it yet is that i'm not convinced I don't want to put it back in!

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#1528252 8-Apr-2016 10:49

Oh, and I will say. If you are using the MAZDO to ISO (http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/online-store/products/Harness-ISO-To-Mazda.aspx?pid=343834#Recommendations) and ISO-PIONEER (http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/online-store/products/Harness-ISO-To-Pioneer-APP8PIO5.aspx?pid=305229#Recommendations) adaptors for the wiring harness, mine didn't include the dimming wire in the MAZDA to ISO set (orange wire I think).

The wire from the car harness will be in the car already, and I think it is in the ISO to Pioneer set that you buy. I just ran a cable from the car's connector straight through to the Pioneer connector. You will want this as the stereo is too bright at night without it.

xpd

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#1529655 10-Apr-2016 21:02

Ended up with a JVC R510 - $218 inc installation from Jonvy in Glenfield. Dosent have BT or steering wheel support, but at that price we didnt mind :) Does everything else we wanted :)

XPD / Gavin

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#1529903 11-Apr-2016 10:10

JVC units do have an option for an addon steering wheel option.

Was going to say, too late now, but I've recently installed a Pioneer unit with Bluetooth which had the iphone Siri eyes free integration, where you talk into the mic or hold a button and it will engage siri on the iphone. Worked well. On special bring you in under $200 even with a CD option one.

I also got a unit from China to replace our people movers double din Japanese stereo. About $250 NZD all up and included a reversing camera, gps, steering wheel integration and was able to feed a line out to show DVD's / video files on an existing rear fold down screen. I think it's a viable option if you're after something smart to replace a double din hole. Starts up with a selectable manufacturers logo, so looks very original.

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#1530025 11-Apr-2016 12:40

I think that JVC unit has an optional bluetooth module as well as the optional steering wheel module.

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#1532477 13-Apr-2016 11:54

external mic?

Jaxson:

I've recently installed a Pioneer unit with Bluetooth which had the iphone Siri eyes free integration, where you talk into the mic or hold a button and it will engage siri on the iphone. Worked well. On special bring you in under $200 even with a CD option one.

Mike

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#1532516 13-Apr-2016 12:55

MikeAqua:

external mic?

Jaxson:

I've recently installed a Pioneer unit with Bluetooth which had the iphone Siri eyes free integration, where you talk into the mic or hold a button and it will engage siri on the iphone. Worked well. On special bring you in under $200 even with a CD option one.

Huh?

Do you mean in the Pioneer unit? In which case yes, it had an external mic you could route to a sensible location, which in this case was up above the speedo/rev counter dials under the dash lip.

Works extremely well, where as the inbuilt mic in my China stereo doesn't work very well at all, unless you should hard out.

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