Discussion
Right. I'm after a new CD stereo for my Almera, since the factory one isn't playing CDs, and I like shiny new things.
I like the idea of an SD card slot (one assumes I can put, say a 4GB card in? Or are they limited?), and inbuilt handsfree would be handy, but not essential - I can always fit a separate lump for that.
Most importantly, it has to not be covered in flashing lights and silver bits, no swoopy lines, basically could pass for being factory-fit.
Oh, and has to be idiot-proof, since I break everything electronic.
So far I've found this - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-DEH-4200SD-SD-Card... - which is on the limit of decency and ease of use...
And there's this - http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_... - I've had a lower spec model of it before and liked it...
Anyone got any recommendations?
I like the idea of an SD card slot (one assumes I can put, say a 4GB card in? Or are they limited?), and inbuilt handsfree would be handy, but not essential - I can always fit a separate lump for that.
Most importantly, it has to not be covered in flashing lights and silver bits, no swoopy lines, basically could pass for being factory-fit.
Oh, and has to be idiot-proof, since I break everything electronic.
So far I've found this - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-DEH-4200SD-SD-Card... - which is on the limit of decency and ease of use...
And there's this - http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_... - I've had a lower spec model of it before and liked it...
Anyone got any recommendations?
Car stereos are annoying.
Whatever focus group they assembled for the design comittee was obviously made of drooling retards: "I've got £100 and for that money the more flashig lights, colours and XXXtra Bass settings it has, the more likely I am to buy it." They then sold this marketing info to every car audio manufacturer.
Almost everything in that price range is garish, tacky as hell and relatively low quality. Check specs verycarefully and stick to name brands such as Pioneer, Panasonic (at that price), Alpine and possibly Sony. Avoid Xplod though. Some people swear by Kenwood but I've never got on with them myself.
Also check that even if it has an SD slot, it will accept large capacity cards, and playing the formats you want. Many head units use proprietary file systems and even file naming conventions that are a total pain in the arse.
Sorry I can't offer any specific recommendations - not bought a new head unit in a while so I'm out of touch. I can recommend a Pioneer P88 RSII, but it doesn't actually do what you want and it's three times your budget, so not much use.
Whatever focus group they assembled for the design comittee was obviously made of drooling retards: "I've got £100 and for that money the more flashig lights, colours and XXXtra Bass settings it has, the more likely I am to buy it." They then sold this marketing info to every car audio manufacturer.
Almost everything in that price range is garish, tacky as hell and relatively low quality. Check specs verycarefully and stick to name brands such as Pioneer, Panasonic (at that price), Alpine and possibly Sony. Avoid Xplod though. Some people swear by Kenwood but I've never got on with them myself.
Also check that even if it has an SD slot, it will accept large capacity cards, and playing the formats you want. Many head units use proprietary file systems and even file naming conventions that are a total pain in the arse.
Sorry I can't offer any specific recommendations - not bought a new head unit in a while so I'm out of touch. I can recommend a Pioneer P88 RSII, but it doesn't actually do what you want and it's three times your budget, so not much use.
Would it be worth incorporating the handsfree budget into the stereo budget?
If you do get one with handsfree, see if has an external mic as these are much better
Also sometimes they don't work very well with cheap SD cards
Check ebay to get a decent one cheap (if you get one with box etc you know its not out of someones car)
If you do get one with handsfree, see if has an external mic as these are much better
Also sometimes they don't work very well with cheap SD cards
Check ebay to get a decent one cheap (if you get one with box etc you know its not out of someones car)
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