I'm stuck finding a stereo. Please Advise.

[psraff]

So I'm pulling out my double DIN, Android based stereo and going with a single DIN to make room for switches, but I can't find a good single DIN replacement. Researched Crutchfield, Amazon, and other sites just learning but each has flaws or still have questions.

First question. If I get a flip up screen, does it get annoying being in front of the climate controls? I know it doesn't need to be up to play music but if it is up for other reasons.....

Second question. GPS. Do they all require cell data to function or just some? How can I tell the difference? Or should I just scrap that option and find a different way to view maps when out of cell range. (Is the only option to download the maps of the area before I get out there)

If I don't pick a flip up screen, I would like to get the digital media reciever (doesn't play cds), but each seem to have their flaws. Either small cheap buttons, or poor Bluetooth, or something.

Who has what in their rigs and what are you're reviews of it? Ultimately, I would like a flip up with reliable GPS that doesn't rely on cell service. But if that's a wild dream for me, who has a great single DIN unit (that's not $$$$).

Thanks everyone!!

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[gmcmanus663]

If you can live without the screen (maybe download the maps to a smartphone) then plenty of single din units are great and cheap. I've got a pioneer deh-x6800bt. Bluetooth is great and the build quality is pretty good too. Buttons feel good in my opinion. You can also change the color to fit your rig. I've got mine set to green and it honestly looks like it could've been factory.

I've had this radio in my past two trucks and have been very happy with it. Bought mine at best buy and they price matched amazon so I got an even better deal. I remember it being under $100 at the time.

Good luck with the search! I know finding the perfect radio can be a struggle. Hopefully it isn't too bad for ya

 

[kolelt]

I have a pioneer single din. Simple radio, has Bluetooth. Which I love. My iPhone automatically connects to the pioneer and plays pandora, or anything over it. Another reason why I like it. Because it's not a flash light to my face like most double din are.

Op is get a pioneer higher end single din. Get one so it has 6 rca in the back rather then 4. 4 for speakers and 2 for subwoofer if you decide to install a amp. My current pioneer does not have a cd tray in it. It's strictly radio, and Bluetooth. I don't remember the last time I listened to a CD. so it's not a loss for me.

 

[psraff]

Hey guys...... I had a Pioneer in here before and I liked it quite a bit. It was a CD player and it's about 5 years old now. I gave it to my daughter for her Jeep when I put my double din in. I like Pioneer for their remote and it did look good. But the reviews I've been reading have been saying that their Bluetooth seems "old". Finicky to connect at times, or drops out. You guys haven't seen that at all with these newer units?

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[fblainen11]

I've had cheap JVCs, mid range Pioneers, and mid range Kenwoods.

Never had issues with any of their Bluetooth. Currently I have a Kenwood and it works great. I can play Pandora, iheartradio, and it has XM radio as well. I listen to mostly XM, but some streaming from my phone. Works great and has sufficient outs for my AMP.

 

[euser]

So I'm pulling out my double DIN, Android based stereo and going with a single DIN to make room for switches, but I can't find a good single DIN replacement. Researched Crutchfield, Amazon, and other sites just learning but each has flaws or still have questions.

First question. If I get a flip up screen, does it get annoying being in front of the climate controls? I know it doesn't need to be up to play music but if it is up for other reasons.....

Second question. GPS. Do they all require cell data to function or just some? How can I tell the difference? Or should I just scrap that option and find a different way to view maps when out of cell range. (Is the only option to download the maps of the area before I get out there)

If I don't pick a flip up screen, I would like to get the digital media reciever (doesn't play cds), but each seem to have their flaws. Either small cheap buttons, or poor Bluetooth, or something.

Who has what in their rigs and what are you're reviews of it? Ultimately, I would like a flip up with reliable GPS that doesn't rely on cell service. But if that's a wild dream for me, who has a great single DIN unit (that's not $$$$).

Thanks everyone!!

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

Alpine makes double din head unites that can be used as switches for accesories if you're willing to pay for a high quality head unit. Alpine is the accessory controller. I'm waiting for them to release their wireless apple carplay head unit later this year and will probably pick up the accessory controller.

 

[psraff]

Alpine makes double din head unites that can be used as switches for accesories if you're willing to pay for a high quality head unit. Alpine is the accessory controller. I'm waiting for them to release their wireless apple carplay head unit later this year and will probably pick up the accessory controller.

Now that would be nice! But for the "small" 8" unit is $2200!! Just a bit out of my price range right now.

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[psraff]

Going back to Pioneer, and what others were saying I was looking at this.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X580BS/Pioneer-MVH-X580BS.html?tp=5684

But reading the reviews on Crutchfield, they're great. On Amazon, they're just ok. Seems there were the BT issues I mentioned before and several bad units. It does have the 3 pair of RCA jacks in the back and the romote. It's only around $100 (which worries me), but any of its higher end brothers are all double din (or get back into CD players).

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[theesotericone]

That units "cheap" because it's only got 2V pre-outs and a 14W RMS. If your not running an amp the pre-outs are no big deal. The RMS is what you want to look at if your not running an amp. That's the power that the unit can create. More power=better sound.

 

[euser]

Now that would be nice! But for the "small" 8" unit is $2200!! Just a bit out of my price range right now.

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Yeah thats why I'm waiting for the Alpine iLX-107 to be released. Those other models are restyle systems for brand cars. The iLX-107 is a regular HU, with the first integration of wireless carplay in the aftermarket realm. I use my 4Runner as a DD so I try to keep a high end system.

I've had 2 pioneer HUs and bluetooth has been an intermittent issue on both. I mainly use it wired for carplay now.

 

[dms1]

I installed a Kenwood KDC-X701 in my 99 4 Runner a couple of weeks ago, It is single din and has a CD player, but the bluetooth works really well with my Samsung devices. My only gripe is that the electric antenna stays up all the time the radio is on, so I just installed a switch to raise and lower the antenna since a barely use it.

 

[kolelt]

Hey guys...... I had a Pioneer in here before and I liked it quite a bit. It was a CD player and it's about 5 years old now. I gave it to my daughter for her Jeep when I put my double din in. I like Pioneer for their remote and it did look good. But the reviews I've been reading have been saying that their Bluetooth seems "old". Finicky to connect at times, or drops out. You guys haven't seen that at all with these newer units?

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I'm on my 2nd pioneer. Reason for first upgrade. Needed 6 rca outs. The first headunit only had 4. And never did I have a issue with the Bluetooth. Works flawlessly. I can actually have my Iwatch connected to the phone. And the iPhone to the headunit and it works good.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

I had a Pioneer mechless single in my '97. It was okay. Seemed kind of dinosaur-ish to me. I've always had Alpine before, and if I decide to ditch my OEM double, I'll probably try to go Alpine again. The mic did quit working, but I can't say it was the deck- I never did anything to try to fix it. May have just came unplugged somehow.

 

[LookAtThatDog]

I'd suggest going to your local car audio store and seeing what they have. The local stores are always hungry for business and have great insight (although they probly cant match amazon prices)

 

[psraff]

I installed a Kenwood KDC-X701 in my 99 4 Runner a couple of weeks ago, It is single din and has a CD player, but the bluetooth works really well with my Samsung devices. My only gripe is that the electric antenna stays up all the time the radio is on, so I just installed a switch to raise and lower the antenna since a barely use it.

Yeah.... that wouldn't be an issue. My antenna froze up a few years ago (literally, -30 weather will do that). LOL

I'm in Alaska and our radio stations pretty much suck. Haven't listened to the radio in about 3 years now. I'm 99% Streaming from Amazon Music unless I don't have coverage and then I have an SD card with some on that I fall back to.

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[psraff]

I had a Pioneer mechless single in my '97. It was okay. Seemed kind of dinosaur-ish to me. I've always had Alpine before, and if I decide to ditch my OEM double, I'll probably try to go Alpine again. The mic did quit working, but I can't say it was the deck- I never did anything to try to fix it. May have just came unplugged somehow.

When I had my Pioneer in, I really liked it and for what it is, I still do (it's in my daughter's Jeep now) but I saw a few current reviews of their digital media recievers say just what you did. Kind of "dinosaur-ish". Per what they described, Pioneer used the exact same menu / setting as mine (which is 5 or 6 years old now). Same screen look, even same remote.

As for Alpine I was looking at this....

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500UTE62BT/Alpine-UTE-62BT.html?avf=Y

But remote was optional, and no where could I find it on their site. Of course Amazon has it for $20 cheaper and the remote is for $19.99. Better specs then the Pioneer.

I liked my Pioneer and almost got another several times, but just their lack of updating the "feel" held me off.

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Now no one has even mentioned anything about the flip up screen units. I take it, people are staying away of them in general due to them covering our climate controls, or for other reasons?

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[psraff]

I'd suggest going to your local car audio store and seeing what they have. The local stores are always hungry for business and have great insight (although they probly cant match amazon prices)

I did and I'm not all that impressed. I'm in a small town area in Alaska and their selection was pretty sad. They had a couple of Kenwoods there but didn't care for how small all the buttons were. I know I would've been pushing random buttons going down the road before getting the right one. Not the safest situation.

I went to Anchorage to Best Buy to get my Pioneer years ago. My truck is sitting with two leaky axle seals so road trips are out of the question for a few days.

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[dms1]

Yeah.... that wouldn't be an issue. My antenna froze up a few years ago (literally, -30 weather will do that). LOL

I'm in Alaska and our radio stations pretty much suck. Haven't listened to the radio in about 3 years now. I'm 99% Streaming from Amazon Music unless I don't have coverage and then I have an SD card with some on that I fall back to.

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That is mostly what I do, The radio lets you pair up to 5 devices with bluetooth, 2 for use with phone\music and 3 more just for music. Also has 2 USB connections for thumb drives, I am using a 64GB drive right now, you can have 999 folders with 999 mp3\flac\wav files in each folder. This has been working great for me.

I bought mine from crutchfeild because they give you everything you need for the install, special instructions and wiring harness.

 

[stever1000]

Quick hi-jack:
Can anyone confirm that if I currently have double DIN ('00 limited) and I replace it with a double din, I DO NOT need a wire harness?
I thought I read a how-to about it but can't find it anywhere....

 

[tjaguilar]

I just purchased a single din pioneer hu off of ebay for a good price. I use the bluetooth a lot for music but not phone features (you would need to purchase a mic). Im going to send you a message with a question I had.