Head unit recommendations?

[Dobbie]

I'm still trying to sort out a simple solution to my rear view camera installation and have narrowed it down to a two din replacement for the antique Patrol radio /cd.

This is more imminent (but not urgent) than I thought as my Garmin gps is terminal so I need:

Replacement unit with:

• Radio
• Cd
• Bluetooth....for android, not just iPhone
• Gps ....not sure how good that is in these imported aftermarket units
• Rear view camera inputs
• Aux input
• iPod connectivity

I know they market them as DVD as well, but I definitely don't require that.

so my question is: has anyone installed one of the aftermarket units?

And are there any recommendations? I'm particularly concerned about the effectiveness of the GPS and the camera and have read lots and the more I read, the less sure I am that the significant cost is justified. I don't want to spend the money then find the radio function is rubbish, the Nav is sending me via the Simpson and the rear view camera is useless...and the Bluetooth is dodgy.

If they're ok I can reduce the no of screens and stuff and the car will feel less like a cockpit.

Preference so far is a Sony model which ticks all the boxes but, I suspect, is still yet another Chinese variation...but far more expensive.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

@Dobbie, I fitted one of these a couple of years ago for my 100 series, does everything on your list, and a few more, including dashcam if you want it.

This link takes you to their web site (straight to the Patrol section)

Support was great, fitted it myself, or an auto eleky could do it easily.

http://brashimports.com.au/C802NissanGU2-3-4

 

[Dobbie]

Thanks @Bellbirdweb

Looks good....how do you find the GPS? I've always used Garmin units and wonder how this one would compare with that......has it ever sent you through farm gates etc...our old one did but I think that was driver error...must have ticked the quickest route.

I'll have a chat the auto elect guy I use for anything on the car but I like the neatness of the installation. Some of the reviews I read commented on the poor quality of the Bluetooth as well.

Yours ok with Bluetooth?

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Thanks @Bellbirdweb

Looks good....how do you find the GPS? I've always used Garmin units and wonder how this one would compare with that......has it ever sent you through farm gates etc...our old one did but I think that was driver error...must have ticked the quickest route.

I'll have a chat the auto elect guy I use for anything on the car but I like the neatness of the installation. Some of the reviews I read commented on the poor quality of the Bluetooth as well.

Yours ok with Bluetooth?

GPS is one of the best I've used. I get updates from them every 12 months.

Like all of them, sometimes gets it wrong, but fairly rare that it happens.

I use the Bluetooth for my phone and have never had any problems with it, works as good or better than some of the in car ones in other vehicles.

I got a cheap eBay camera and wired it to the rear of the van and use the aux input to display it.

 

[bigcol]

I have heard a lot of good things about Brash Imports

I like the look and features of both the Kenwood & Sony

but they ALL suffer from blindness in the sunlight at certain times


me - I have a Polaris double din that I am yet to fit, so I would like to follow your reasoning and result in purchasing @Dobbie

 

[Bellbirdweb]

but they ALL suffer from blindness in the sunlight at certain times
@Dobbie

The dash on the 100 series is vertical (wasn't designed for LCD screens) so I do get a bit of reflection at times making it hard to see, but only happens if the sun is in the wrong spot, most of the time it's not an issue

 

[Dobbie]

Ok this is probably an ultra silly question but....

Any problem with the display when wearing Polaroid sunglasses.....mine create problems ar times.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Ok this is probably an ultra silly question but....

Any problem with the display when wearing Polaroid sunglasses.....mine create problems ar times.

Not a silly question.

I wear polarised glasses and have no issue

 

[bigcol]

cannot answer that - as I have not fitted my unit into the Car

 

[dagree]

I went for the Digoptions brand @Dobbie for the Prado. Fitted myself (Plug n Play) and hooked up to two reversing cameras. Find the Onroad GPS to be as good as any others I have found and it comes preloaded with Oziexplorer Offroad software (Just need to purchase a licence and "find" some maps!!)

Digoptions

 

[bigcol]

PM me your email, I "may" have some maps for "evaluation"

dont know whats on them, as I have not got a GPS that uses these types of maps

 

[dagree]

PM me your email, I "may" have some maps for "evaluation"

Email sent

 

[bigcol]

email received


and answered

 

[dagree]

email received


and answered

And replied

 

[Dobbie]

I went for the Digoptions brand @Dobbie for the Prado. Fitted myself (Plug n Play) and hooked up to two reversing cameras. Find the Onroad GPS to be as good as any others I have found and it comes preloaded with Oziexplorer Offroad software (Just need to purchase a licence and "find" some maps!!)

Digoptions

Hi @dagree Thanks.

I've had a look at the Digoptions unit on their website and am impressed. I'll look further as it seems I need to go that route.

This getting into the modern world is expensive!

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Hi @dagree Thanks.

I've had a look at the Digoptions unit on their website and am impressed. I'll look further as it seems I need to go that route.

This getting into the modern world is expensive!

The Brash Imports units also have the OziExplorer mapping included with them, and they come with the maps as well (although I did need to let them know how to set them up for them so they worked properly).

 

[Dobbie]

The Brash Imports units also have the OziExplorer mapping included with them, and they come with the maps as well (although I did need to let them know how to set them up for them so they worked properly).

I'm looking at both and need to sit quietly and go through all the specs......and I'm in the final stages of the great shed clean out and found a reversing camera kit with two cameras so that's now thrown the cat among the pigeons.

(Not mine...I didn't even know it was there....but my brother's who left it, along with multiple bits of boat stuff)

I guess I could hook it up to a battery and check out the cameras at least....if not ideal, I'll dispose of it so I can get exactly what I need. I'm only doing this once! Along with the reversing camera kit I also found an in car DVD.....no idea what I'll do with that.

 

[millers]

I have the DigOptions unit. Did have an issue with sound mixing, out of warranty but was able to send it back and they indicated if they could fix they would, I just need to pay for parts required. Unit returned with no bill so I was happy.

I always have issues with maps, as SA changes all of the speed limits. The good thing is that the GPS software is on SD card and could be changed if required (Map updates or whole GPS Software replacement). Currently running IGO8 (I think).

 

[bigcol]

and I'm in the final stages of the great shed clean out and found a reversing camera kit with two cameras so that's now thrown the cat among the pigeons.

(Not mine...I didn't even know it was there....but my brother's who left it, along with multiple bits of boat stuff)

what brand?

 

[Bellbirdweb]

I have the DigOptions unit. Did have an issue with sound mixing, out of warranty but was able to send it back and they indicated if they could fix they would, I just need to pay for parts required. Unit returned with no bill so I was happy.

I always have issues with maps, as SA changes all of the speed limits. The good thing is that the GPS software is on SD card and could be changed if required (Map updates or whole GPS Software replacement). Currently running IGO8 (I think).

I think the dig options and brash imports are actually the same or very similar units

Mine also runs the IGo Nav software, and I just download a new mapping update to the SD card every 12 months or so.