2 Din Car Radio Budget 250e

Fol20

Hi All,

I have a budget of 250e for a 2 din radio for my 06 astra.

What would ye recommend..Some things i would like if possible are:
iphone functionality
iphone dock
handsfree for driving

colm_mcm

steering wheel controls too?


I'd get a top end phone kit with ipod connection if I were you, an aftermarket unit will look even worse than the original.

EPM

Parrot MKI9200 would do all that.

Owen

You'll get nothing new of merit for that budget. I shopped for 2 months for a DoubleDin with that stuff and more for my own car. I eventually picked up on eBay from Dublin a DoubleDin Pioneer Avic 910BT for 350 Euro with a built in Parrot, recently updated maps, DVD playback, iPod, USB and Auxin audio along with a reverse camera input.

Secondhand is the way to go, especially in this economy.

Eric Cartman

as owen said, you wont get anything new in that budget.

Look out for the kenwood media/navigation units the model codes all start with DDX and DNX (DNX has garmin navigation built in) , excellent head units and the best iPod control of any head unit ive seen

omb0wyn5ehpij9

This is the best you will do for that budget: http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/15056.html

I bought it myself, and highly recommend it. There is no sat nav or bluetooth though. Sound quality is excellent. It has a removeable face which is a big plus in my book

Eoin

EPM wrote: »

Parrot MKI9200 would do all that.

Yep, I got one installed before Christmas, and it's a great bit of kit. They've updated the firmware too, so a lot of the bugs you see mentioned online have been ironed out.

You can browse your iPhone music library if you use the cable to connect it (I'm too lazy and just use bluetooth), or you can use an SD card, a USB key, or a standard 3.5mm line in.

Homer

Have a look at the new pioneer app radio. Might be a bit over budget but it looks like a great bit of kit and ticks all your boxes.

robbie_998

Homer wrote: »

Have a look at the new pioneer app radio. Might be a bit over budget but it looks like a great bit of kit and ticks all your boxes.

I'm actually on the hunt just like the op

Was in halfords today (I know I know. Was only looking) and was playing with the app radio thing - sales guy really tried to push it.

Everything runs of the iPhone only. No cd player or DVD player and uses the maps off your phone.

Looks good but not worth it in my opinion.

Myself more like op looking for cheap. Phone, nav, DVD. Saw one with dtv for cheap too. Will post a link when I'm home but I've no experience with it tbh.

My car has steering wheel controls too.

Owen

The AppRadio using the Maps from your phone is the reason I opted not to buy it. Stupid idea, eats your data, and if you go abroad, you're paying data roaming. None of the major Nav apps have made their programs compatible, so you're stuck using the costly online apps instead.

Ardennes1944

Does the parrot actually connect to head unit with wiring or just over the air? Look at the dension ice car link op for another alternative

Owen

The Parrot is linked between your existing Head Unit and Speakers, it bypasses your own Head Unit when it's used and uses it's own internal (Rather crap) amp. It's a 20watt RMS amp, but even though I had it running to my door speakers with all bass removed and a separate subwoofer, it distorts a lot at medium - not very loud volume levels when the factory head unit with the same speakers could go louder and not distort.

Eoin

Owen wrote: »

The Parrot is linked between your existing Head Unit and Speakers, it bypasses your own Head Unit when it's used and uses it's own internal (Rather crap) amp. It's a 20watt RMS amp, but even though I had it running to my door speakers with all bass removed and a separate subwoofer, it distorts a lot at medium - not very loud volume levels when the factory head unit with the same speakers could go louder and not distort.

I've noticed a little bit of distortion at times, but don't find the quality crap overall. It's wired up to the amp in the boot so not sure what's using what!

Owen

Your amp may be assisting it so depending on the wiring (Whether it's using line in, or bypassing the amp). It is a tiny tiny blue box though, so you can imagine that the amp inside is also tiny.

Eoin

Owen wrote: »

Your amp may be assisting it so depending on the wiring (Whether it's using line in, or bypassing the amp). It is a tiny tiny blue box though, so you can imagine that the amp inside is also tiny.

It's definitely not for the audiophiles out there - it's certainly not as nice as the Bose stereo in my last car. But for overall integration and ease of use it gets a thumbs up from me.

Eric Cartman

Owen wrote: »

Your amp may be assisting it so depending on the wiring (Whether it's using line in, or bypassing the amp). It is a tiny tiny blue box though, so you can imagine that the amp inside is also tiny.

A2dp also lowers its bitrate on audio when it cant get a perfect signal , that distorts too . Realistically a cabled solution is the best way to play your music in your car and have it sound good

robbie_998

Just going back to suggestions for the OP

I saw this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eonon-G2213DE-Navigation-Original-Promotion/dp/B004P8DEI8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1330949083&sr=8-6

and it looks good all round but i dont know much about them.

I dont know what it would be like with steering wheel controls.

I sent email to enon yesturday and they just got back to me

Dear Rob,


Thank you so much for your email and kind patience.

About the Steering wheel controls, There are two ways for you to realize this function :

One is to use the CAN BUS decoder box to connect, but our products cannot be supported in this way.

The other method is the AD conversion method, it usually uses 3 control cables to connect,
and it is what our G2213DE applies.

So please check which system of your car firstly, so that we can help you soon.


Thanks&Best regards
Susan from eonon

So hopefully that works for you. i dont know too much to be honest

Eoin

Eric Cartman wrote: »

A2dp also lowers its bitrate on audio when it cant get a perfect signal , that distorts too . Realistically a cabled solution is the best way to play your music in your car and have it sound good

It's a cabled solution as well

Fol20

Ok i was seriously interested in the parrot until i heard that sound quality is poor...I like my music loud..

Im intrigued by appradio its a little bit over my budget but id be willing to get it if it is worth it.

What is sound quality like and what is it like to use?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-SPH-DA01-Mechless-Advanced-AppRadio/dp/B0057EZAX6/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1331076474&sr=1-8

Fol20

appradio 2 is coming out in april as well..i dont fully get the differences bar android support..

Fol20

Anyone?

Fol20

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Veba-Wired-FM-Modulator-transmitter-AVFM-MOD01-iPod-iPhone-MP3-car-music-aux-/320879176041?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item4ab5e3a969

What do all of ye think of a wired fm modulator?

Owen

Don't. FM is half the quality of CD audio.