Cheapo Double Din CarPlay Headunits

[giblet]

As per the title, I’m on the search for a double din unit that supports CarPlay. eBay seems awash with cheap units, are they any good? If not, what unit is worth the cash?

[paul.deitch]

Lots of threads on here about them....
Some think they're great, others not so great, but they're cheap.

[sjg]

I've got a Sony XAV-AX1000, can be had for just over £200. One of the few with a proper volume knob which is a godsend if you don't have steering wheel controls, most have tiny buttons for volume. Simple, straightforward thing but all works fine. There's a 1005 version now for a little more which has DAB.

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

All the ebay 'cheap' units that are unbranded cheapy, low quality and reliability items don't have Genuine Apple CarPlay. They use screen mirroring technology to mirror the image on your phone.

Apple CarPlay is a dedicated operating system and licensed to car manufacturers for OEM and high quality and reliable aftermarket brands for head units.

None of the unbranded cheap stuff on ebay has internal electronics good or reliable enough to be ever certified in the same way, no matter what the advertising blurb will claim.

Alpine, Sony, Kenwood, Pioneer, JVC all make high quality head units that run genuine Apple CarPlay and Android Auto built in.

Cheers, Dennis!

[Dog Star]

DennisCooper said:

Hi,

All the ebay 'cheap' units that are unbranded cheapy, low quality and reliability items don't have Genuine Apple CarPlay. They use screen mirroring technology to mirror the image on your phone.

Apple CarPlay is a dedicated operating system and licensed to car manufacturers for OEM and high quality and reliable aftermarket brands for head units.

None of the unbranded cheap stuff on ebay has internal electronics good or reliable enough to be ever certified in the same way, no matter what the advertising blurb will claim.

Alpine, Sony, Kenwood, Pioneer, JVC all make high quality head units that run genuine Apple CarPlay and Android Auto built in.

Cheers, Dennis!

What he said.
The OH has a Sony XAV??? - wasn't cheap but it's fast and responsive Got a proper fitting kit for it so it looks OE (SLK).
Every time I see one of these cheap Chinese copies they're just pants - really slow and clunky.

[tektas]

Another vote for the Sony XAV-AX series. Great devices, capable of both CarPlay and Android Auto.

[sjg]

tektas said:

Another vote for the Sony XAV-AX series. Great devices, capable of both CarPlay and Android Auto.

Not quite true, the 1000 and 1005 only do CarPlay for some reason. The higher models do both.

[jakesmith]

Pioneer SPH130 DAB, available for £275 from a reputable place:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pioneer-SPH-DA130DAB-2D...

It is good because:
Android Auto & Apple Carplay - handy if you switch sides
DAB
Pioneer, the user interface, EQ and crossovers are the same as on their high end units - I had one in my Boxster S and it was the same as the high end F88DAB unit I spent £1k on for my Maserati
And finally unlike the others below £600, it has a capacitative screen which is clearer, more sensitive, more accurate, and easier & safer to use when driving - capacitative display is like the screen on your iPhone. Most cheap units are resistive which you have to press harder.