Car Audio - specifically Bluetooth

[Psamathe]

Thanks, I don't want an android unit though. Just an old fashioned 2 Din will be fine

Why 2DIN? You can get some great cheap Bluetooth single DIN radios and if you have a 2DIN slot to fill, 1DIN in top half and you can get shelf thing to take bottom slot eg https://incartec.co.uk/product/Univ...N-Fascia-pocket-50mm-high-with-3mm-lip-50-053 (all sorts of similar available from many suppliers).

 

[Electric_Andy]

Why 2DIN? You can get some great cheap Bluetooth single DIN radios and if you have a 2DIN slot to fill, 1DIN in top half and you can get shelf thing to take bottom slot eg https://incartec.co.uk/product/Univ...N-Fascia-pocket-50mm-high-with-3mm-lip-50-053 (all sorts of similar available from many suppliers).

thanks, yes I did that with my 2 previous cars. But in this car my partner has specified that the little filler shelf looks cheap, and also that a 1-din does not have a big enough text display when it shows the phonebook. I have tried and tried to convince her that a) she shouldn't be scrolling through a phone book to call someone because it's illegal and unsafe. And b) with Google assistant you can just say "hey google, phone Paul" and it'll do it totally hands free. But there has to be some compromise when people are set in their ways and cannot change the way they do things. I also think that a 2-DIN filling a 2-DIN sized void is a better solution, as one gets used to seeing the size of screen that it came with out the factory. I draw the line at these touch screen android auto units though; we have never used the touchscreen except to skip the odd track. The 2-DIN I'm looking at has a physical button for that, and a physical volume knob which IMHO is less to go wrong. When I got a car audio company to do this on my last one (VW), they said the screens were notorious for going wrong. And also IMHO (I don't claim to be right); a standard BT head unit is more likely to have a bigger or better amp in it than a 7" touchscreen version of the same price point.

 

[Psamathe]

When I got a car audio company to do this on my last one (VW), they said the screens were notorious for going wrong. And also IMHO (I don't claim to be right); a standard BT head unit is more likely to have a bigger or better amp in it than a 7" touchscreen version of the same price point.

When I changed cars over a year ago I had to replace the radio (2 DIN slot). I considered a 2 DIN Apple/Android "Car Play" unit and discussed options with a particularly honest retailer who said how one mainstream brand I was keen on and considered "high end" has a problem with condensation in screen. Not so bad in modern aircon car used daily but my use (less frequent use, older car) it may easily be an issue.

(! ended up staying with 1 DIN and shelf same layout but new radio as I was replacing which met my needs in my car).

 

[fossyant]

You really need google/apple integration if thinking of using a phone. But hey ho. Dabbing up and down to find a number probably isn't wise.

 

[Electric_Andy]

You really need google/apple integration if thinking of using a phone. But hey ho. Dabbing up and down to find a number probably isn't wise.

Oh I agree, but my argument is that when you receive a call you don't need to see the phonebook. When you make a call, you don't need to either because of google assistant or whatever flavour you have on your phone. Calls can be made with no touching of anything, and can be received in the same way. So I don't want to pay for a big fancy screen when it's just a bright distraction. On the plus side, it is nicer to see for navigation, but we are used to using our phones for that and we have the direction voice on anyway