Grundig GX-3820 Apple Car Play and Android Auto Head Unit $350 Delivered @ Automotive Superstore

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Lsed8ed on 20/06/2023 - 10:22 automotivesuperstore.com.au (737 clicks)
Last edited 20/06/2023 - 11:45 by 2 other users

Grundig GX-3820 - Wired Apple Car Play, Android Audio Headunit available at Automotive Superstore for $350 as part of their EOFY.

My shipping was free, but this may vary depending on postcode.

EDIT: If you're not a member of Automotive Superstore, you may be eligible for 10% off first order when joining/signing up.
Tested 10% off code for first time purchase and received code by email (I've never purchased from Automotive Superstore previously) and price amends to $315.00

Note: Supercheap does price match this to $340 using the chat on their website, they provide a code/coupon for checkout in 4 hours via email for use in 24 hours (I dont know if you need to be a Supercheap member to pricematch). Images of unit installed along with reviews are available on the Supecheap Auto site.

I have not purchased a Grundig product in some time.. but I have a cheap and cheerful Android Auto/Apple Car Play from Jaycar that was $149.00 and this looks
loads better. (The radio on my Jaycar unit is rubbish, even with a booster).

Does appear to be standardised ISO connector (Male) from the product manual images.

Product User Manual: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/on/demandware.static/-/Lib…

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• 

  Tock on 20/06/2023 - 10:25

  +2

  Using this headunit in a Peugeot 308 - unit works well, enough features, good screen. Confirm it is standard ISO connector so a bit easier/cheaper to install when using Aeropro harnesses.

  • 

    Boioioioi on 20/06/2023 - 10:37

    How responsive is it?

    • 

      Tock on 20/06/2023 - 10:38

      +1

      Screen and selection? No issues with responsivness - pretty snappy and works well with Anroid Auto. Start up is on the slower side but still fine.

      • 

        meong on 20/06/2023 - 11:21

        +1

        is the screen capacitive (finger touch) or resistive (nail touch)?

        also, has the slow startup affected the rear camera usage by any chance?

        • 

          supersaintly on 20/06/2023 - 12:29

          +2

          @meong: 6.8" capacitive touch

        • 

          Tock on 21/06/2023 - 08:47

          +1

          @meong: I don't have a camera but it looks like the reverse trigger allows it to come straight on when car is on - flicks to the camera screen (but no camera connected).

• 

  Super Tight on 20/06/2023 - 10:51

  +3

  Great bang for buck at this price. I put this into an old Yaris and have no regrets. It was a pretty easy DIY.

  Here's pretty detailed review: https://youtu.be/AqMbNBXld-c .

• 

  Drakesy on 20/06/2023 - 12:09

  Just go aliexpress.

  Cheaper and better

  • 

    harro112 on 20/06/2023 - 14:29

    How do you connect an AE brand head unit to an ISO adapter?

    Edit: and do you have any recommendations?

    • 

      sed8ed on 20/06/2023 - 17:21

      Ive had 4 units from Aliexpress, only 1 was decent. The one I fitted in my 2010 Subaru Liberty wagon! Was a factory type plug and play. Worked flawlessly with Android once setup. The rest have been trash.

      Most have a standard ISO adapter on the rear, so you only need to find an ISO to your factory wiring loom adapter (i.e Toyota, Ford, Kia) and either an Antenna adapter if your car has fakra antenna connectors (and possibly a booster module for signal). The few issues I find with the Aliexpress Head units are brightness controls can be a mixed bag.. Dont have headlight sensing (for dimming and Map change in Android and Apple apps). And Radio signal can be impacted on cars with built in glass antenna's.. as the factory head unit provides amplified signal to the glass antenna, and some cheap head units wont do that. Hence an antenna signal booster is required in line with power to get better reception, and even then the power supplied might not be matched to the factory spec and it will still be patchy and receive interference.

      I've read it can be due to integrated Bluetooth and FM chipsets on Cheap China headunits.

      • 

        vawiyoci on 21/06/2023 - 10:01

        Not really worried about FM/AM radio reception, but is there a reason why so many of these headunits only do wired android/iphone mirroring?

  • 

    Do I NeedThis on 20/06/2023 - 16:13

    +1

    Do you have any suggestions?

    • 

      Nom on 21/06/2023 - 20:58

      https://brandbeast.com.au/product/sony-xav-ax5000-6-95-apple… is a fine basic unit and you can interface it to just about any car with a double DIN.

  • 

    Nom on 21/06/2023 - 20:56

    -1

    LOL no, this is bad advice.
    Most of the unbranded AliExpress head units are terrible.

    Stick to the known brands like Sony - they're not particularly pricey, and there's no issues finding the matching steering-wheel/reverse-sensor interfaces to connect them to whatever car you have.

    • 

      Drakesy on 21/06/2023 - 23:41

      Someone hasn't bought an aliexpress unit i see.

      I've installed 3 in my last 3 cars
      All have held up brilliantly
      Were a fraction of the price of the jbhifi ones with more features.
      They're actually much better than you think

• 

  tommypickles on 20/06/2023 - 13:55

  +1

  I need to get an upgraded Carplay (optional: Android Auto) system into my VW Golf Mk6. Any recommendations?

  I'm avoiding purchasing a RCD330 because it's ridiculously expensive for what it is nowadays. That said, it has the best configuration of 1. using VW steering controls, 2. not requiring a wrapper and 3. having no dashboard issues if properly configured. Any alternatives I'd be grateful for.

  • 

    sed8ed on 20/06/2023 - 16:58

    The installed pics of this unit on the Supercheap website (first three) are of a VW Passat install (Looks identical to my Passat HVAC and dash surround). I am yet to install this into my Passat (to replace the Jaycar unit). Given this Grundig has standard ISO (same as the Jaycar) then all that was requried was an Aerpro VW wiring adapter for Canbus (so the battery doesnt go flat).

    That might not be an issue for the Mk6 Golf though, as the Central Convenience Module is a much later unit in the Mk6 Golf and VW fixed the battery drain on later revisions. I managed to fit the mounting screws directly to the unit on the JayCar and attach the original mounting tabs of the OEM unit, the review video posted in this chat shows a similar scenario (cage is optional to use, or direct mount to vehicle mount tabs on original headunit).

    The Jaycar headunit I have currently was no issue to configure for the steering wheel controls as the Aerpro ISO to VW wiring loom with Canbus adapter has the SWC pins and it all just works. You program the buttons on the headunit. Only other adpater you would need is the Farkra antenna adapter.. Aerpro sell these as well. Might add that it's worth trolling Marketplace for the Aerpro kits (once you figure out what you need from the Aerpro site) as I got a complete headunit install kit for $50 that had everything for my car despite not needing to use all of it.

    I also had a RCD330 from Aliexpress in my Mk6 Golf wagon.. it worked flawlessly.. but they're beyond $430 now! (What I paid for mine). This Grundig should work well. I cant tell you what the radio will be like though. Hoping it's better than the Jaycar/Aliexpress unit I have now, even with a booster.. there's interference when the USB is attached for Android Auto (Poor shielding internally possibly).

    • 

      tommypickles on 21/06/2023 - 00:33

      Yeah RCD330 is minimum $600 AUD now which is just ridiculous.

      Thanks for your detailed advice here @sed8ed — and the battery draining occurred even on RCD330 for old Passats while MK6 Golf had no problems.

      On radio are you literally meaning the AM/FM and/or digital radio? Or you referring to Bluetooth too?

      • 

        sed8ed on 22/06/2023 - 17:21

        Specifically regards AM/FM reception. I find with diversity antenna's or amplified factory glass or roof mount, it can be hit and miss how well they work with aftermarket headunits and you dont know until you wire it up.

        My reference to Bluetooth and AM/FM is in regards to some Aliexpress Head Units.. Some have an intergated Bluetooth and AM/FM chipset on the pcb in some examples to save money, and this in itself can cause radio reception problems. I cant find it now, but I got into a scroll hole trying to figure out issues I had with a chinese headunit and radio reception issues, and it was highlighted quite a few times in varying chat forums that integrated chipsets are common in many of the cheaper chinese headunits and it wasnt a simple fix like boosting the signal.

        This doesnt represent the entire "Cheap Chinese" headunit market, just my own experience. I dare say in a car with standard Co-Ax antenna type connector.. it all just works. But diversity and powered type in later model vehicles seem sensitive to inputs and connection types if not matched like the factory OEM headunit, the reception is plain rubbish. For me anyway.

        I dont dislike the AliExpress offerings, I'm just hesistant to invest further having had a few bad experiences. I found that Android Auto and Apple car play in those examples works fairly well. I had 2 examples where the display change night/day never worked regardles of Android Auto developer mode enabled on phone, or setting "Phone Controlled" etc.. Could never get it sorted, display was at 80% brightness with a white Waze or Google maps map background and it was pitch black driving. You get the idea, like someone had an LED torch lit in the cabin. Good times!

        There are excellent youtube reviews for some off market brands. Hard to ignore the value.

• 

  Gavman on 20/06/2023 - 14:05

  Does Wired vs Wireless car play make a big difference?.. i can imagine having to plug in iphone would be anoying..

  • 

    sed8ed on 20/06/2023 - 17:04

    Depends on the cable.. If an original or high quality cable is used it shouldnt be an issue. And depends on where you route the cable from the USB input. Ive read of people buying the wireless adapters.. some are excellent. some lose connectivity intermittently. I dont mind plugging mine in.

    The idea is that you dont touch the phone.. So if it's in a lower dash drawer charging it shouldnt be annoying. My partner does like to plug her phone in when she's the pasenger, she does complain about the cord (despite it's length).

• 

  MJD91 on 20/06/2023 - 15:38

  Hi, I have a 2012 Mazda 2. Not very knowledgeable when it comes to these, what else would I need to install it? Sorry in advance!

  • 

    Super Tight on 21/06/2023 - 00:30

    +1

    Go to this page https://aerpro.com/vehicles/mazda/mazda-2-demio-2007-2014-de , enter Grundig GX 3820 into the Headunit field and it will tell you the adapters that you'll need to complete an install.

    There's a number of Youtube tutorials that will show you what you need to do. Search 2012 Mazda 2 Radio, and you should get a number of different results.

• 

  sed8ed on 22/06/2023 - 17:25

  +1

  Mine has arrived. Will try and provide some feedback.

• 

  sed8ed on 27/06/2023 - 21:19

  +1

  All installed. Works really well and the radio reception is excellent. Had to splice the steering wheel control wires together but they're clearly labelled. Joined and coated with heat shrink. Ran the USB through the centre console and its all in. Took 40 mins but that's more so due to me cleaning up other wiring and using some cable ties to make things nice. Really happy with it. The virtual subwoofer button is interesting, sound is very good on factory speakers. Everything works, dim display with auto headlamps and I noticed the volume change when I slowed down (canbus). I'm very happy with it. Display is crisp and clear. Android Auto works as expected.

  • 

    ElectroGhoul on 28/06/2023 - 14:51

    Thanks for the feedback.
    Considering getting this unit for my car (Honda Integra 2006).

    I'll want to add reverse camera too though, think that might up the complexity?

    • 

      sed8ed on 29/06/2023 - 17:07

      +1

      Not really. I fitted a reverse came to my 2010 Subaru Liberty with zero experience.

      I grabbed power from the reverse lamp. and ground was easy to locate. Spent more time disassembling the vehicle than wiring. I used a wireless cam though, and it was simple enough to figure out. Has a sender and a receiver end, therefore no running a wire all the way to the headunit from the rear of the car. I used the reverse lamp power wire for the video sender end so it was only ever powered on when I was in reverse.( can use this as a trigger too if need be)

      Uses RCA Video leads to the headunit on the cam receiver, the cam is in the tailgate (mine was a direct copy of my tailgate lamp with the cam inbedded , designed to replace the factory Subaru number plate lamp, slotted straight in, purchased on Ali Express). I just plumbed it all in at the rear and left it all open until tested.

      I located the reverse wire in the factory loom.. (digging on forums) and wired it in (meant taking the footwell side panel out and splicing in), ran wires up behind glove box (bit of mucking about) and then I just cabled managed it all in and spliced power to the cam receiver (ground and power).. Tested it all and then applied solder/heat shrink and zip ties.. Never let me down. I have a kit here now I just haven't fitted it to my Passat. But it's the same kit. Works really well. I think it was $28 delivered from Ali-Express. It had good night visibility too.