Double Din Android Auto & rear camera wanted

[Chicken Chaser]

Having not been anywhere near the ICE market for a number of years, I'm about to take delivery of a van which has a double din slot, and no parking sensors.

I'm looking to upgrade to Android Auto capability, but I dont want to be using wires with the phone. I want the camera to fit into the tailgate of the van, possibly one in the front too.

I like my car audio, so want a system which sounds great. I already have an old JBL amp and a set of 8" Pioneers to find a home for, and I believe the door speakers are a 6.5" enclosure.

Can someone point me in the right direction in terms of kit? I'll sort out looms etc for steering controls etc, but i'm hoping that no coding is needed.

[Tyre Smoke]

No help, but I'm in. Need a new (single din) head unit for the wife's MX5.

[Chicken Chaser]

Any advice on what to go for?

[David Beer]

Iam in the trade, don’t be put off by cheap Chinese manufacturers.

[Chicken Chaser]

David Beer said:

Iam in the trade, don’t be put off by cheap Chinese manufacturers.

So are you saying some Chinese stuff has as good audio capability as the likes of Kenwood or Pioneer?

[Tyre Smoke]

I would say so. After all the Chinese are probably making the JVC/Pioneer/Sony stuff anyway. Knowing them, they've changed the front a bit and are exactly the same.

[Chicken Chaser]

Bit of a minefield then. A friend of mine bought a Chinese version and it is an absolute pile of st.

[Richtea1970]

David Beer said:

Iam in the trade, don’t be put off by cheap Chinese manufacturers.

Any in particular you'd recommend?

[Tyre Smoke]

Chicken Chaser said:

Bit of a minefield then. A friend of mine bought a Chinese version and it is an absolute pile of st.

Agreed. I needed a Bluetooth enabled head unit for the TVR (had some ancient (1990s) head unit in it when I got it) and bought a £21 one from Amazon because I might (unlikely) want to listed to Spotify instead of the exhaust one day. Anyway, the sound quality is very, very good. And I wasn't expecting much. Easily better than the 90s JVC that came out. Only downside is the insistent disco lights on the front.

[David Beer]

Chicken Chaser said:

So are you saying some Chinese stuff has as good audio capability as the likes of Kenwood or Pioneer?

I will have to be slightly diplomatic ! I could say there are a few identical units .
There is a Chinese manufacturer who will move the volume knob slightly and put a manufacturer’s badge on it.
The output stages vary little. Ie 4x 50 watt . Most units if you don’t like , return them.
I have been the industry for 40 years, still like the old stuff, they don’t make it like they used to !

[magpie215]

David Beer said:

I have been the industry for 40 years

David you might be able to answer this.
I have a jdm honda with the japanese double din head unit which is fairly useless for the uk.

Ideally id like a replacement HU with dab and also retain the factory reverse camera...any recommendations?

[Richtea1970]

David Beer said:

I will have to be slightly diplomatic ! I could say there are a few identical units .
There is a Chinese manufacturer who will move the volume knob slightly and put a manufacturer’s badge on it.
The output stages vary little. Ie 4x 50 watt . Most units if you don’t like , return them.
I have been the industry for 40 years, still like the old stuff, they don’t make it like they used to !

Come on you tease, which Chinese manufacturer?
(I'm in the market for one so could do with a tip off )

[Tyre Smoke]

Yeah come on, spill!

[l354uge]

Chicken Chaser said:

Having not been anywhere near the ICE market for a number of years, I'm about to take delivery of a van which has a double din slot, and no parking sensors.

I'm looking to upgrade to Android Auto capability, but I dont want to be using wires with the phone. I want the camera to fit into the tailgate of the van, possibly one in the front too.

I like my car audio, so want a system which sounds great. I already have an old JBL amp and a set of 8" Pioneers to find a home for, and I believe the door speakers are a 6.5" enclosure.

Can someone point me in the right direction in terms of kit? I'll sort out looms etc for steering controls etc, but i'm hoping that no coding is needed.

You drive a transporter? Take a look at the RCD330, had one in my Octavia and it was excellent. Can add a backup camera easily and its a VW unit (for China market) so the fonts and style match the dash

https://youtu.be/HJTpprHuB4U