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Wolfram Samba Member
Joined: June 23, 2005 Posts: 184 Location: Waiheke Island/On The Road USA
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 11:59 am Post subject: Single DIN: Nav, Sirius, Bluetooth. |
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Interested in replacing the jumble of devices I currently have with one slick unit. The problem, of course is single DIN and limited space behind the dash. I see a few units with motorised displays that look good, but do they hit the dash lip etc?
While there is plenty of history on units, it's a fast changing world, so does anyone have a good quality unit that features touch screen nav, Bluetooth, Sirius, front inputs. You know, the nice stuff, so I get rid of my soon to be obsolete devices and not have to worry about the wobbly front power outlet too.
Geoff
88 Westy w '08 Impreza
263,000 and counting
McLean VA |
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bmwloco Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2006 Posts: 1093 Location: Asheville NC
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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Great question, and I'll 2nd it!
The old Sony Cassette still plays fine, and AM/FM are o.k. here, but it would be nice to have some more technology.
I looked at a couple Pioneer units at Best Buy that had bluetooth, USB, Sirius ready... and I was ready to go. My mind, "let them do it".
Haha. Yeah, Right. Two different Best Buy locations, stood around for more than a half hour at each, and never had a soul talk to me about scheduling or installation or anything.
I mean, hell, I don't smell... _________________ '85 Vanagon Westfalia |
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mzalac Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2012 Posts: 73 Location: Waikiki
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hans j Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 2713 Location: Salt Lake City UT
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Wolfram Samba Member
Joined: June 23, 2005 Posts: 184 Location: Waiheke Island/On The Road USA
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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I sort of recall with the dash overhang at the top, the flip up units need to stick out so the display can work. _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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The rear support bracket in the dash is the limiting factor.
There is plenty of room if you fabricate your own bracket.
I have a Sony ES head unit with A/D/S amps, controller and speakers.
Bluetooth is totally worth having IMHO. |
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delta9007 Samba Member
Joined: March 17, 2008 Posts: 106 Location: Arcata,CA
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:45 pm Post subject: |
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If you can get right-angled hookups for the back a standard din will fit with a squeeze. The connectors and fuse on mine added about 3/4" so I used three faceplate fillers stacked to give the extra 1/4" needed, you don't notice them behind the faceplate and everything is secure. Take the oem hanger for the back of a stock unit out of there first.
I use the bluetooth a lot, Pandora, phone calls, navigation, all from an android phone.
I did mine about a year ago and if I were tackling this now, I'd still forget about drop down/pop-up screens and use a remote faceplate with the rest of the stuff tucked behind the glove-box or such. These vans are so easy to break into, visible bling is just begging to be swiped. _________________ '89 2wd, 4spd, 2.1 Westfalia. |
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Syncroincity Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2007 Posts: 1557 Location: New York City
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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Hmm, I like the flip-down screen. I'm looking for something like this with a DVD player... 8.5GB of MP3s on a DVD-DL beats the hell out of a CD changer any day. _________________ '86 Syncro CHC Top AAZ Turbodiesel
'04 Passat Variant 4Mo 5MT
Vanagon Build: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=466866&highlight= |
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Sir Sam Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2009 Posts: 1669 Location: Fort Collins Colorado!
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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Syncroincity wrote: |
Hmm, I like the flip-down screen. I'm looking for something like this with a DVD player... 8.5GB of MP3s on a DVD-DL beats the hell out of a CD changer any day. |
Players with SD card slots are also nice too. I'm completely sold on the bluetooth feature on my new sony, all my music on my phone, and hands free calling built in together. _________________ '91 Carat Westy
87' Syncro + '87 Westy conversion coming soon |
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bmwloco Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2006 Posts: 1093 Location: Asheville NC
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Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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I think I may order the flip down from Amazon. Looks like it fits what I want. _________________ '85 Vanagon Westfalia |
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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 11:01 am Post subject: |
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insyncro wrote: |
Bluetooth is totally worth having IMHO. |
Agreed. I bought a new JVC In-dash CD etcetera player last year and the Bluetooth has been terrific to use. Its great to be making legal phone calls and the way it cuts off the baseball game so you can talk to your client in peace is awesome. The USB port is good for charging the old iPhone and also for listening to your new tracks on the way home from the studio!
NAV doesn't interest me: (A) I know my way around North America and (B) if we're going travelling, I WANT to get lost! _________________ '84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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minsk Samba Member
Joined: March 17, 2008 Posts: 899 Location: pittsburgh
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kuleinc Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2007 Posts: 1604 Location: East Bay Area, California
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hans j Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 2713 Location: Salt Lake City UT
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Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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As far I can tell it doesn't actually flip down. It's just a detachable face. I wasn't aware there were spacers for head units but knowing that I would rather have a flip up screen. Stereo stuff is not high on my to-do list though. Amazon has great return policies of you don't like it or it breaks easy. _________________ 1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181 |
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Crankey Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2004 Posts: 2652
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Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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with so many PC pads, Ipads etc on the market what about just a bracket to hold one of these on the dash ? I have a laptop with a sim card slot so it could work like a smart phone. or just get one of the larger screen smart phones. I mean it seems like in dash radio/cd/whatever is becoming obsolete considering my phone is more powerful than my last computer...just a dock for it with power and connection to an amp is all that's needed. if I wanted I spose I could have an external screen mounted in the dash for it. I know there is a patch cord to connect it to a TV.
I just got a small screen for engine monitoring. if it had a fuel gauge I wouldn't need 1/2 my dash. and the speedo can be replaced by the GPS speedo on my phone...just need an odometer. maybe my ECU can monitor engine hours and I could eliminate that too. |
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kuleinc Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2007 Posts: 1604 Location: East Bay Area, California
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Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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I don't like some of the things about that power acoustic one. Check out the review area on that link for the guy with the video. In order to use an SD card you have to use a supplied SD card to USB adapter Lame. To browse songs on a USB stick or SD card you get a funky file browser window, that does not display ID3 tags? What is this the 90's? Ugh. I searched a lot as I would like to have some screen there that I can hook a larger screen in the back to (for after our snow boarding trips when the sun is going down and we are relaxing in our westy bed watching a movie while eating dinner or sipping cocoa) I think this unit can output video to a rear screen. I have been getting by with an older dell laptop with a stereo cable to the stereo for slightly better sound (stupid stock speakers). So far this power acoustics unit does seem the best option, but its not very good.
http://www.amazon.com/PD-710B-Multimeadia-Detachab...f=pd_ybh_5
Anything else I found with a flip down screen is either discontinued or crappier.
We have an ipad but I don't really feel comfortable having that on my dash or using it while driving like a radio... I dunno. Can't find anything I like that does what we want it to do. I suppose I could rip the dash out and modify it for double DIN then I could put something I like that does what I want there... Sort of low on my list of van things to get done... _________________ Check out our Our youtube channel: Https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-EbskIxNm6SYzsq4ugG81A
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=496946 1987 VW Vanagon Westfalia with 1.8T |
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ChilliConCarnage Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2011 Posts: 156 Location: PNW
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Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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For our Westy, I'd already spent most of our upgrade budget by the time I got to the sound system, so I had to go cheap. I got the Jensen VM9414:
There's an extra trim ring to space it out far enough to clear the lip above it.
I got the bluetooth adapter, plus it's got GPS and iPod control (160gb of music!), which meant it met all of my needs. The best part? At $399, it was a 3rd of the price of the Pioneer unit I put into my GTI: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-HrGyT3dQwV9/p_130AVIC130/Pioneer-AVIC-Z130BT.html
Of course, it doesn't match up to the Pioneer in many ways; the GPS is super slow, iPod navigation is poor, SDCard compatibility is bad, and the FM reception is not as good either.
But overall, I'm pretty happy with it. I use the GPS to monitor my speed. And the bluetooth has worked perfectly out of the box ( a rare thing - I've had so many stereos with BT that were very finicky).
Still available and on sale for $399: http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_27402_Je...QgodinYADw
_________________ Now:
86 Westy
00 GTI VR6
03 Passat V6 4Motion
Sold:
62 T2 Double Door panel
72 T2 7-passenger
98 Jetta
97 Passat VR6
87 Audi 5000 |
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kuleinc Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2007 Posts: 1604 Location: East Bay Area, California
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kuleinc Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2007 Posts: 1604 Location: East Bay Area, California
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