Portable Head Units - Anyone Used Them?

Brianqpr on 09/09/2023 - 13:40

Seen a few of these advertised on Facebook, Amazon etc. Plug into the cigarette lighter socket and attach to dashboard or window so no tricky installation needed. Apparently they do the usual bluetooth, car play, android auto etc.

Quite inexpensive, so I suspect they might not be great or are clunky/slow to use, but wondered if anyone has had experience using them? Daughter has a 2011 Mazda 3 and if they are ok wouldn't mind getting one for that car. The cost of buying and installing the usual type always put me off before.

Automotive

Comments

  • Hybroid on 09/09/2023 - 14:17
    +4

    Why not just get a decent mount & charger for her phone instead of another unit it's going to connect to anyway?

    • magic8ballgag on 10/09/2023 - 11:33
      +1

      Why do you think? Head unit displays are generally larger than smartphones.

  • Euphemistic on 09/09/2023 - 15:50
    +1

    Does it connect to the car speaker system? Don’t see any point if it doesn’t.

  • samcro on 09/09/2023 - 17:08
    +2

    Check out Carpuride.. I had their 9" unit in my Fiesta. Worked great.

    • Brianqpr on 09/09/2023 - 17:58

      Those look pretty good.

      • kusama on 10/09/2023 - 14:40

        I got one of them for my mum, she loves it. Plugged into AUX. Also bought a cheap external mic from Amazon as I heard that's better than the in-built mic.

  • AustriaBargain on 09/09/2023 - 19:09

    Do you even want any of the Android Auto/CarPlay features that sync with your car, or do you just want a screen with maps on it and Spotify/Apple Music streaming? You might be fine with just a tablet with a bright enough screen to see in sunlight. For iPad you'd need the cellular version as the wifi version doesn't have GPS.

  • jjjaar on 09/09/2023 - 19:30

    Do you mean something like this? https://www.kmart.com.au/product/bluetooth-fm-car-transmitte…

    • Speckled Jim on 10/09/2023 - 08:30

      I got a cheaper version of that for $5 off eBay a couple of weeks ago. This one:
      https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/88188/106420/mp3.jpg

      Aside from the crap manual and slightly loose fit in my 12V socket, it works well. I use a strip of plastic to keep it tight, otherwise it loses power and restarts. It's a permanent (root level) shuffle player. If you have albums set into folders it will pick a random folder and play tracks in order. You can <- -> between them.
      Has bluetooth but I haven't tried that, just TF card.

  • yikes914 on 09/09/2023 - 20:23

    I bought a Carpuride for my 2011 Accord Euro Navi which can't be upgraded without changing harnesses and effecting climate controls, hasn't been the best experience as when the audio is output through AUX, it has a static sound to it, which was not there in my previous Bluetooth to AUX adapter. Trying to figure out how to do it and contacting support has not been very helpful. Your mileage may vary

    • geekcohen on 09/09/2023 - 20:35
      +1

      as when the audio is output through AUX, it has a static sound to it

      It could be Alternator Wine < I had the same problem in a 2007 Holden VE. My fix is in the article.

      • yikes914 on 09/09/2023 - 20:53

        makes sense, i used a ground loop and it did fix the issue to an extent but the sound quality was worse than before. Problem would be solved if you could output the audio to a different device while Android auto is running

        • geekcohen on 09/09/2023 - 20:59
          +1

          Yeah, I found the quality change as well, but it was better than having alternator whine. Swings and round abouts with all solutions.

          • yikes914 on 09/09/2023 - 21:08

            @geekcohen: completely fair, i've considered using a Bluetooth transmitter to see if it will eliminate the issue and hoping it does

  • [Deactivated] on 10/09/2023 - 09:54

    Many of the portable head units have much larger screens than portable satnav devices, so I am wondering how much they obstruct your view. 🤔

    • Euphemistic on 10/09/2023 - 19:06

      Not at all if you don’t stick it on the windscreen

  • 2esc on 10/09/2023 - 10:33

    When wish had those $2 deals with free postage i got a 7 inch screen single din head unit with free postage. Problem is most cars are double din size these days.

  • Emphasise on 10/09/2023 - 10:57

    I have one in my old car because replacing the head unit would've made the climate control hidden. It gets the job done but there doesn't seem to be any internal battery. So when I updated the time/date it just reset anyway when the car switched off. Otherwise it runs Android Auto and Apple Carplay fine. It's powered via the cigarette port, plugged into the aux of the car and another usb-c cable for my phone. Fairly inexpensive for about $150 on AliExpress, but it does obstruct the view a little having to put it on the dash.

    If you're after a budget option then maybe, but otherwise I'd recommend spending a bit more to get the head unit replaced.

  • voiletmay on 10/09/2023 - 11:15

    Yes my daughter bought one (tik tok famous) and hubby installed it. Had to run a cable from the back of the boot to the cigarette lighter for the reversing camera. Works Ok but is slower to start up than regular apple car play/reversing camera (what we are used to). There was an annoying noise and she did buy a ground loop thingy, but found another way to connect it to elimate the noise before the ground loop arrived (maybe bluetooth).

    She is happy with it, but I wouldn't be (as I am used to a regular reversing camera/apple car play on an i30).

    Better than not having it and really not that much money (think she paid $130 or $150 including reversing camera).

  • sammyq on 10/09/2023 - 12:22

    They are junk, avoid. Save your money and get a Bluetooth FM transmitter.

    • deal88 on 11/09/2023 - 00:24
      +1

      I originally thought the same thing, but I can say the latest units are actually quite good. I never thought I would buy one, but took a gamble when I was loaned a car.

      Also, the units are a lot cheaper than the fine for using your phone while driving.

  • The Hawk on 10/09/2023 - 13:07

    There are usually cheap Chinese head units that will suit most cars replacing the stock radio and are often plug and play with a few screws and trim removal tools. Some cars make this easier than others, my Golf being one of the really simple ones. But less than $250 delivered and it's got wireless Android Auto/CarPlay now. The screen isn't great in bright light, but for under $250 delivered it does a great job!

  • EVA-01 on 10/09/2023 - 20:58
    +1

    Been using one for about half a year now on my work vehicle.

    Got it from eBay and works surprisingly well for my use case (not my own vehicle so cannot change head unit; Can be moved to different vehicles in seconds).

    I just stick it on the dashboard. Connects to my phone via wireless Android Auto in about 20 seconds from turning on the engine (tried wireless CarPlay too with similar results). Spotify/Google Maps/Waze all work as intended.

    Even phone calls work well enough considering my head unit doesn't even have Aux-in so I have to stream the sound via the built-in FM transmitter with minimal audible hissing. A 2011 Mazda 3 would have Aux-in so the audio quality would be even better.

  • deal88 on 11/09/2023 - 00:14
    +1

    I purchased this one. https://amzn.asia/d/09tQzrl

    It also has front and rear dash cams, plus a remote. Installed in a 2010 Land Cruiser. I used the Aux input. I am super happy to have Apple CarPlay with Waze and Google Maps in the car.

    • billy72 on 12/09/2023 - 14:58

      is the rear camera only the reverse camera or a dashcam that can record? thanks

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