Bluetooth aftermarket stereos

[ritchiet002]

I'm looking to replace the stock radio/CD player in our 2004 Toyota Corolla. My wife has gotten two cell phone tickets with a total of over $700!! The in ear devices that are available are not her device of choice, so I was thinking a modern stereo system that will also act as a speaker phone? Any advice???
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[Erik G]

I've had a couple, they do work well. Look for one with a separate mic, instead of one built into the faceplate. Install that up on the sun visor. I'd stay away from Sony, all sony car stereo equipment is garbage in my opinion. Kenwood and Alpine make nice units

Some of the bluetooth add on things are really good too, I've used the motorola roadster style and it was good. Edit - I've used my fathers Motorola T505 too, it's good and simple and cheap
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[ritchiet002]

[mslibertarian]

I put a Clarion CZ305 in my car. I bought it because it was the cheapest front USB, Bluetooth head I could find at the time. I love it. It came with the separate mic.
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[skills@eurocarsplus]

love my kenwood kdc x597. separate mic and a TON of settings for the Bluetooth, like mic gain, echo somethingorother etc etc.....works killer and very clear. you can also set the calls to go thru front/rear/all speakers...neat unit
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[raygreenwood]

I have a whooe well reasearched list ai will post in the am.....but I am not using cost as a factor on mine. Most are in the $200- $250 range.

In my list of specs.....I wanted:

Blue tooth ready
Sirius/xm ready
HD radio ready
Minimum of a 5 band equalizer....not a crappy parametric equalizer
SD/USB/bluetooth inputs
CD
Useful ability to work controls
Pre-amp inputs
Removable anti-theft face
Single DIN chassis

Variable readout color a bonus

The candidates ranged from one or two each of Clarion, Kenwood, Pioneer and Sony.

Good reviews on CD and all other parts in hot and cold weather performance

All of these have tons of software and online updating.

Not a big fan of Sony....but they make some good stuff in car stereo and cameras.

I would suggest if you want an aftermarket car stereo like this....a real stereo.....look for one in the next year or so.....and buy it. More and more companies are catering to those who prefer basic sound over GOOD sound.....and starting to delete full stereo offerings to just go to an empty box with a face and an SD/ipod link.

Mp3 based music is poor quality. Ray

[ritchiet002]

[raygreenwood]

[Erik G]

[raygreenwood]

[chickengeorge]

Just did one of these in my Jeep Cherokee. It's kind of odd, as it doesn't play CD's, so it's only like, 2-1/2" deep. It works great though. I use the voice function on my Android to dial and there's just a button on the face plate to answer when somebody rings in. I actually love it. I have an Infiniti with a Bose that SOUNDS amazing, but I love the functionality of the $69 Sony in my winter pile better...

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-Pc3QGOFtGyb/p_158DSXA40B/Sony-DSX-A400BT.html

[66T3Fasty]

I have always had good luck with the Pioneer line of headunits. You can also add steering wheel buttons from PAC to make/end calls if that is your main reason for a Bluetooth stereo.
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1966 T3 Fastback, 17" Rotas, TMI Sport VXR interior, stock cruiser engine