Hi I'm looking for a decent 2din touch screen for my 2005 Holden Calais (VZ) for around $800. I was just wondering if anyone had some good opinions on what to get. Needs to have the following: Main features I'm after: - Great Audio improvement over stock model -6" or 7" touch screen (what fits better in a VZ)? -Playback of popular media types (DIVX, MPG, MP3, WMA etc) -Good quality display -Bluetooth -Steering wheel control support - Mirrorlink support?? I have an Android Phone (Samsung S3). Would be great for Google Maps to be displayed on head unit? Is Mirrorlink the only feature that will allow phone screen to be displayed on head unit? -Reverse camera support - TV Playback (optional but would love to have this) Can anyone recommend models around $800? Is there an all in one unit that includes DTV tuner or must I get 2 units? I know you can get cheap Chinese all in ones but I don't really trust them unless you guys say otherwise. Was looking at the Clarion VX402 but open to suggestions for both head unit and DTV Tuner.. In relation to speakers, are the stock speakers decent or would I notice a big difference if I upgraded the fronts at minimum on a VZ? Car Audio is very new to me so hoping you guys can help.. Cheers in advance!
I'm a massive fan if all clarion double din units. I think the high pioneers were a touch better but not for an extra $1k. So bang for buck... Clarion for me. You can get additional DTV add on units. I would suggests cheap Chinese unit for that and yes, it will still play through the clarion/kenwood/pioneer/Sony but use a seperate remote. As for screen quality and resolution. Well I hate saying it but Sony wins hands down. I probably wouldn't worry too much about changing your fronts unless your prepared to amp them at the same time. Otherwise you will see a dramatic drop in volume meaning your running te HU hard and clipping. Forcing the new speakers plus the old rears to play a yucky distorted signal.
Hi Thanks for the response.. Do you have any suggestions for good DTV units from OS? Any links would be great
Sony XAV701bt- Normally about 700 but I got mine for $432 on sale a JB a while back. Ticks all the boxes and will save you some money too. Ill post a pic up of it installed if you wanted?
Im interested with this mirrorlink sh#t you speak off. Sorry man, wouldn't a HU that does what you want :/ Kinng
I work in audio industry , avhp8450bt 739 ATM great screen, kenwood ddx4033bt 549, Sony xav701bt 429, clarion nx302a 729 great unit with nav but mechless just to name a few but sooooooo many to choose from I preferably like pioneer and clarion
Screen quality on the xav 701 is really good. Many review say its almost class leading for picture quality.
End of the day buy the one you prefer, not anyone else. Go into a store and play around with them. You will often find a function that is annoying, if it annoys you for 5 mins on a demo board, think about how it will aggravate you once it's installed. It's often something to do with switching sources, or scrolling / searching through menus. You might like to look at the rca voltage pre out if it's a concern to you, though most DD units aren't aimed at SQ, so they tend to suffer in this department. Alternatively look for a unit with a digital output, then you can make use of a processor at a later date if you think you might go down that path. You will notice an improvement swapping the unit over in the way it sounds through the standard speakers assuming your listening to a cd or the music is not compressed. All those little audio tags you see in playback won't be doing you any favours in the sound department. You will also notice an improvement changing the speakers but that's a different topic. Price, install, choice of components, amp ect all need to be factored in.
im pretty sure but not 100% sony is the only one with mirror link good screens easy to use . i fit a good share of sony products, but do as above and spend some time and play in store. hope this helps
Hi I did some research on the Sony xav701bt and am impressed. I will go into a shop and have a listen/play as per your suggestions.. I had 1 question though in relation to imported models. I found this unit for sale on ebay for $475 delivered. The guy says it will work perfectly in Australia but I'm not so sure. What are the limitations with imported models? Is the radio frequency different? Is there anything else? Has anyone purchased this model as a grey import? Thanks
The only real limitations will be DVD region playback and dependant upon where its coming from... Radio. Japanese won't work here without an adaptor but the the radio will never display properly. An item like this I would definetly get from within Australia. At least then you have someone to throw it at if it gives up te ghost! Lol
I have a receipt If you want photo of to price match for $432 from jb hifi. I bought it during their 30% off car sound sales which they have quite often.
Appreciate the receipt.. Will see how I go with pricematch at jb today.. Not confident. If it fails then I will buy a grey import off ebay (AU sellers) for $425. Supposedly unit is region free so everything should work as per the AUS models..
How did you go? I would think they would as I have got them to price match off scanned receipts before.
+1 for the Sony XAV-701, excellent HU! The touch is really smooth, and the screen resolution is mint !! Looks very sexy when its installed as well.
