Aftermarket touch screen head unit worth it?

Liebherr

Liebherr

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I'm in the market for a touch screen head unit replacement for my polo 6 sedan and was wondering if there is any reputable suppliers in SA that provides decent head units?

a Colleague referred me to a Facebook page of 'Volkswagen Toyota DVD Radio Navigation' situated in Pretoria, the units they offer does not look too bad and the price is quite cheap. Does anyone have any experience with them?

a few sites I looked at:
https://cardvdgps.co.za/
www.planetworld.co.za
 
If you're on a proper budget I've seen at Cash Crusaders the Dixon brand units for like ~R1600 or so. Not seen it switched on so can't comment on the UI but functionality wise it ticks most of the boxes.
 
Just bare in mind, if you are buying it to use the GPS functionality, the updates are not free. Some can't be updated yourself either, have to take them in to the agent that fitted it.

So good idea to get one that just mirrors your phone's GPS app.
 
Liebherr said:
I'm in the market for a touch screen head unit replacement for my polo 6 sedan and was wondering if there is any reputable suppliers in SA that provides decent head units?

a Colleague referred me to a Facebook page of 'Volkswagen Toyota DVD Radio Navigation' situated in Pretoria, the units they offer does not look too bad and the price is quite cheap. Does anyone have any experience with them?

a few sites I looked at:
https://cardvdgps.co.za/
www.planetworld.co.za
Click to expand...

I bought one of these 3 years ago and I'm just loving it. Unfortunately not local though but took about 2 weeks to get here.
http://www.cardvdstereos.com/d90-610-car-stereo
It does bluetooth, wifi and has 2 x usb slots for memory sticks and 2 x microsd slots. Also because it's Android, you can download GPS applications like Nokia Here which is free and get free updates. Otherwise you download and pay one of the other wellknown GPS application. I also have a reverse camera attached to my unit which works very well.
The newer models models looks even better and they have an optional iSafe component. You can also buy the tyre sensors and have the readings appear on your screen as well as climate control readings as it connects to your Canbus.
http://www.cardvdstereos.com/android-1
Some of the features of the newer T10 models
 
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Also keep in mind that most cheap head units will not support your steering wheel controls.
 
bromster said:
Also keep in mind that most cheap head units will not support your steering wheel controls.
Click to expand...
hmm, I did not think of that, currently I have both Bluetooth phone and audio controls on the steering, according to the agent it should work as the unit plugs into the CAN-bus. Guess this is a gamble I will need to take, not using the Bluetooth much only the Audio controls so if Bluetooth is not working it should not be a train-smash.
 
FiestaST said:
If you're on a proper budget I've seen at Cash Crusaders the Dixon brand units for like ~R1600 or so. Not seen it switched on so can't comment on the UI but functionality wise it ticks most of the boxes.
Click to expand...
I saw those as well, Makro also currently have a special for on a Pioneer R2999 and a Sony R3299 which is not too bad, but I will either have to cut my wires or find a adapter for these which I'm not keen on. Looking at a p&p system.
 
I proceed up an aftermarket unit for mine too, but by the time I priced up all of the adapters to get the steering controls working, it wasn't financially viable.

I would definitely make sure that you'll keep all the functionality that you want before you accept any quotes. I wouldn't want an aftermarket radio ruining my car's vibe.
 
Check out Stopshop.co.za too. I got an Android head unit from them, and it does everything (and supports steering wheel controls too).
 
You can always look at a Connects2 wiring loom. Completely plug and play, no wires cut (well not in my case anyway).
http://www.connects2.co.uk/products/installation-kits/vehicle/VW
There are some shops that can help you with this locally, though I can't say what the local prices are like- or there's always ebay. I used a Civic-specific loom along with a Kenwood DDX9016SM and I'm really happy with the unit.

Granted, it's on the more expensive end of the spectrum but it's a great unit (I think retail was/is around R14k, though I paid R10k new). Supports Android Auto (which I use almost daily), and Carplay (I think- couldn't be bothered as I've never owned an iPhone), Spotify and general streaming via Bluetooth. Also comes with a dedicated microphone and GPS antenna to assist whatever navigation you use via AA/ACP. Two USB inputs along with aux and optical disc, supports normal mirroring (via HDMI, I believe) along with multiple camera/av inputs. Also I've been receiving software updates even as late as this year October (for a 2016 unit)- which is more than I can say for some cellphone manufacturers.

There's also a part of me that is wary of the audio quality of some of these cheaper units- but to be honest it isn't something I can prove or disprove either way.

Is it worth it? Well that would come down to what you want, and what you need. For me, it was worth it, given the poor audio quality of the stock HU in the Civic as well as my reliance on Google Maps (both for navigation and commuting/traffic information). One thing to keep in mind though is sunlight legibility- it can be a bitch at times (though luckily not that often) especially if the unit is mounted at an angle.
 
Magandroid said:
I bought one of these 3 years ago and I'm just loving it. Unfortunately not local though but took about 2 weeks to get here.
http://www.cardvdstereos.com/d90-610-car-stereo
It does bluetooth, wifi and has 2 x usb slots for memory sticks and 2 x microsd slots. Also because it's Android, you can download GPS applications like Nokia Here which is free and get free updates. Otherwise you download and pay one of the other wellknown GPS application. I also have a reverse camera attached to my unit which works very well.
The newer models models looks even better and they have an optional iSafe component. You can also buy the tyre sensors and have the readings appear on your screen as well as climate control readings as it connects to your Canbus.
http://www.cardvdstereos.com/android-1
Some of the features of the newer T10 models
Click to expand...
That unit you bought looks very much the as what they are offering, theirs only seems to be the updated model with chrome accents added.

Do you perhaps have bluetooth/audio controls on the steering and are these working without any issues?
 
Claymore said:
Check out Stopshop.co.za too. I got an Android head unit from them, and it does everything (and supports steering wheel controls too).
Click to expand...
Seems all these guys import from the manufacturer as all the units I looked at on these sites look eerily similar. Glad to hear the steering controls work as this was the only issue holding me back.
 
Liebherr said:
That unit you bought looks very much the as what they are offering, theirs only seems to be the updated model with chrome accents added.

Do you perhaps have bluetooth/audio controls on the steering and are these working without any issues?
Click to expand...

The units on that site looks like they might be using WinCE as its OS and not Android. I personally prefer Android as it gives me complete access to the Play Store and I can download apps as I would on my phone.
Steering control functionality works very well and I can even answer/disconnect my phone when it's connected via bluetooth. You pair it once and it's set to connect whenever i get into the car. Only downside to this is that kids want to sometimes pair their phones and I have to listen to their bloody music while they in the car.
Also because it connects to the car's Can-bus I can see many of the car's features on the unit. And this is on the older unit, I would really like to see how they've improved on the newer models.
This unit also comes in very handy when you have a bunch of kids in the car and you can play movies. Get them settled very quickly.
 
Magandroid said:
The units on that site looks like they might be using WinCE as its OS and not Android. I personally prefer Android as it gives me complete access to the Play Store and I can download apps as I would on my phone.
Steering control functionality works very well and I can even answer/disconnect my phone when it's connected via bluetooth. You pair it once and it's set to connect whenever i get into the car. Only downside to this is that kids want to sometimes pair their phones and I have to listen to their bloody music while they in the car.
Also because it connects to the car's Can-bus I can see many of the car's features on the unit. And this is on the older unit, I would really like to see how they've improved on the newer models.
This unit also comes in very handy when you have a bunch of kids in the car and you can play movies. Get them settled very quickly.
Click to expand...

I took possession of one of those generic chinese WinCE units a couple of years ago in lieu of some dead-end who owed me money. Twas for a Toyota but can't remember the name tho.
Yeah it was before the android/carplay era but still it worked lovely, gave me GPS, bluetooth handsfree etc. integrated with controls etc. Only downside is nobody knew where to go to upgrade maps etc.
 
Liebherr said:
Seems all these guys import from the manufacturer as all the units I looked at on these sites look eerily similar. Glad to hear the steering controls work as this was the only issue holding me back.
Click to expand...

I was more comfortable with buying from an SA company. In fact, I did have one issue, and I had to ship it to Durban somewhere, and they shipped it back to China and then back to me. Their warranty conditions (after one year) are ridiculous. The connector plugged straight into my Merc harness, so the controls etc work fine (including the reverse camera). If I had to get another, I would make sure it's at least Andoid 6, and a decent screen resolution (800x600 is workable, but only just).
 
Claymore said:
I was more comfortable with buying from an SA company. In fact, I did have one issue, and I had to ship it to Durban somewhere, and they shipped it back to China and then back to me. Their warranty conditions (after one year) are ridiculous. The connector plugged straight into my Merc harness, so the controls etc work fine (including the reverse camera). If I had to get another, I would make sure it's at least Andoid 6, and a decent screen resolution (800x600 is workable, but only just).
Click to expand...
Was it Grid Electronics by any chance?
 
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