Bluetooth Head Unit for Android Phone

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gcorgnet

1078 posts

Uber Geek

#136467 28-Nov-2013 10:09

Hi guys,

Sorry if this is not the right forum but I wasn't sure where it could fit as it spans Car Audio but is specific to Android.

I am after a new Head Unit for my car (single or double din, no worries) with the following requirements:
- CD: Why not but not a major if SD car and or USB are supported.
- Bluetooth: Must do Handsfree and Music Streaming including controlling the music (play pause, skip, folder) from the head unit as well as the Android phone
- Looking to spend up to $250

I was wondering if you guys had any experience with using Bluetooth music streaming with Android device (currently Nexus 4) and how well it works as I see all the products out there all proudly display the "made for ipod" logo but Android seems a bit neglected.

I see Sony have that Remote App thing that works on Android, anyone has experience with that? WHat about Pioneer? JVC?

Thanks,

Guillaume

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725 posts

Ultimate Geek

#942097 28-Nov-2013 10:31

I picked up a Pioneer MVH-355BT, Quality Car Audio sells them for $1 reserve (currently two listed) on Trademe, usually go for $100-160ish.

No CD, but has front USB. I used it with a Nexus 4 and now Nexus 5, hands-free phone works great, controlling Spotify via headunit (skip tracks etc.) works fine.

Syncs automatically when I get in the car, automatically continues play back as long as I haven't closed the application (music pauses when it de-syncs from headunit and resumes when it re-syncs). Easy navigation of contacts to make a phone call, music pauses when call incoming etc.

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#942099 28-Nov-2013 10:32

I'm using a Nexus 4 with a Pioneer MVH-355BT

Works really well. No CD though, but then who needs a CD player these days

gcorgnet

1078 posts

Uber Geek

#942103 28-Nov-2013 10:38

Cheers to both of you guys!

Apart from spotify, is it possible to play music that is stored on the device itself through Google Play Music? Do you get to control the music as well (pause, skip, choose)?

Anyone tried Listen Now (Google's own spotify equivalent)? How is the experience like?

THanks,

Guillaume

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#942115 28-Nov-2013 10:43

gcorgnet:
Apart from spotify, is it possible to play music that is stored on the device itself through Google Play Music? Do you get to control the music as well (pause, skip, choose)?

Google play music works really well. It just starts off from the last place you left off when you get back into your car. I use it most days via Bluetooth streaming.
Even the song titles are displayed on the head units LCD. Stop/pause/skip all works fine.

I also use tunein quiet a bit. The head unit is flawless IMO

gcorgnet

1078 posts

Uber Geek

#942116 28-Nov-2013 10:44

Klipspringer:
gcorgnet:
Apart from spotify, is it possible to play music that is stored on the device itself through Google Play Music? Do you get to control the music as well (pause, skip, choose)?

Google play music works really well. It just starts off from the last place you left off when you get back into your car. I use it most days via Bluetooth streaming.
Even the song titles are displayed on the head units LCD. Stop/pause/skip all works fine.

I also use tunein quiet a bit. The head unit is flawless IMO

Thanks for that, got me convinced, I think!
Just to be sure, anybody has any experience with Sony?

Cheers

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#942124 28-Nov-2013 10:53

gcorgnet:
Just to be sure, anybody has any experience with Sony?

Cheers

My experience with Sony is that it never sounds nearly as good as Pioneer :-)

trig42

5809 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#942125 28-Nov-2013 10:53

Another vote for the Pioneer MVH-355BT. I have one (albeit using an iPhone instead of Android) and it hasn't missed a beat.

The Handsfree calling seems to work really well also (I have put the Parrot Microphone at the top of the A Pillar). Callers names displayed on the headunit.

I got a steering wheel controller interface adaptor (off Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Axxess-ASWC-1-Universal-Interface-Connector/dp/B00B4PJC9K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385589157&sr=8-1&keywords=axxess+aswc-1 ) and it goes perfectly with it. I don't take my phone out of my pocket, and I hardly even touch the headunit. Win.

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gcorgnet

1078 posts

Uber Geek

#942127 28-Nov-2013 10:57

trig42: Another vote for the Pioneer MVH-355BT. I have one (albeit using an iPhone instead of Android) and it hasn't missed a beat.

The Handsfree calling seems to work really well also (I have put the Parrot Microphone at the top of the A Pillar). Callers names displayed on the headunit.

I got a steering wheel controller interface adaptor (off Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Axxess-ASWC-1-Universal-Interface-Connector/dp/B00B4PJC9K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385589157&sr=8-1&keywords=axxess+aswc-1 ) and it goes perfectly with it. I don't take my phone out of my pocket, and I hardly even touch the headunit. Win.

Cheers for that! That sounds like a great option as well. Is it compatible with most cars? How can I check?

Cheers

kiwitrc

4123 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#942132 28-Nov-2013 11:03

Get yourself SMS my car and me app if you get text messages, and they will be read out over your stereo when you are driving. Also can be set to reply that you are driving etc.

ajobbins

5052 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#942136 28-Nov-2013 11:07

We had a Single DIN JVC unit in our last car. No CD, but had USB on the front. It would pair two devices at a time as well, so if you have more than one phone, that's useful. Cost me AU$129 from memory.

I got an Aerpro wiring harness adapter from Super Cheap to mate to the factory plug in the car (about $30 all up for Car to ISO + ISO to JVC).

Took me literally 3 minutes to install the head unit. Old unit slid out and unplug, plug in new wiring harness, slot bracket into DIN space and bend pins to secure, plug hardness into head unit and slide into place. Then another 10 minutes or so to run the microphone behind the dash and up the inside of the A pillar. Took longer as removing and refitting trim etc.

The A2DP music streaming was great, and the call quality was pretty good too (about as good as it gets for Bluetooth in a car). Certainly better quality that the factory Bluetooth in the VE Commodore that replaced it.

Twitter: ajobbins

gcorgnet

1078 posts

Uber Geek

#942138 28-Nov-2013 11:08

trig42: Another vote for the Pioneer MVH-355BT. I have one (albeit using an iPhone instead of Android) and it hasn't missed a beat.

The Handsfree calling seems to work really well also (I have put the Parrot Microphone at the top of the A Pillar). Callers names displayed on the headunit.

I got a steering wheel controller interface adaptor (off Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Axxess-ASWC-1-Universal-Interface-Connector/dp/B00B4PJC9K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385589157&sr=8-1&keywords=axxess+aswc-1 ) and it goes perfectly with it. I don't take my phone out of my pocket, and I hardly even touch the headunit. Win.

Just a question regarding installation of the ASWC-1: How do you hook up the wires? Did you cut them and solder them? Just don't want to make a mess of the car's existing harness

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#942140 28-Nov-2013 11:11

Looks like the MVH-355BT has been replace by the Pioneer Mvhx365bt

Changes look very minor.

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#942143 28-Nov-2013 11:13

gcorgnet:
Just a question regarding installation of the ASWC-1: How do you hook up the wires? Did you cut them and solder them? Just don't want to make a mess of the car's existing harness

Get yourself the wring harnesses

Plenty on trademe.

gcorgnet

1078 posts

Uber Geek

#942144 28-Nov-2013 11:13

Klipspringer: Looks like the MVH-355BT has been replace by the Pioneer Mvhx365bt

Changes look very minor.

Yeah, saw that, a bit pricier as well ;-)

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#942152 28-Nov-2013 11:19

kiwitrc: Get yourself SMS my car and me app if you get text messages, and they will be read out over your stereo when you are driving. Also can be set to reply that you are driving etc.

Cheers for this. Been looking for such an app for a while now.
Going to buy it now

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