I've been looking at head units and reversing cameras. Currently thinking of this one from ebay http://m.ebay.com/itm/181531750010
Anyone have any experience with this? I'm worried about the reverse camera being cheap and the quality not good enough when it's pitch black at night.
Features I'm after are Bluetooth, touch screen, reverse camera capabilities and mirrorlink so I can use my phones GPS (but not essential).
If you have better suggestions I'm happy to hear them. Thanks.
Around 500 installing myself.
What car you fitting it to?
Honda integra
Is reverse cameras that much better than a $15 set of reverse sensor? Imho, installing a camera can be tricky, and you have a camera hanging in the back that attract thieves.. OEM cameras are well blended in the body of the car, which I think is nice, but these aftermarket ones.. I'm thinking twice. Regarding quality of the camera, if it's made by Sony, then you're pretty much in safe hand, they use good sensors. I don't know how they work at night, maybe they rely on your reversing lights?
I don't know whats the hype with touch screens.. Generally I think simple button head units works better, you can change settings without even looking at the HU itself.. but if you prefer to focus on the HU than on the road, that's fine. I just think the amount of money you saved can be put towards a subwoofer, could be a good trade off.
As an Ozbargainer, if you are not in a hurry to get an HU, I would recommend you wait for JB Hifi's car sound sales, they do it a few times a year, you can get amazing deals. Subscribe to their catalogue or something.
General rules of thumb, HUs are not designed to fit every car perfectly, so be prepared to pay extras for plastic sleeves, DIN pockets etc.. Also these HU don't come with harness to fit your car, so you have to buy, or get a soldering iron
Thanks for the great suggestions and your concerns. I agree with your comments about touch screens. Tbh I would probably also prefer buttons but it seems in this time and age all the head units with bigger screens have touch capabilities.
I just bought a car and the previous owner tinted the windows extremely dark so it's hard for me to reverse at night hence I'll prefer a camera rather than just sensors.
Since I'm in a hurry to get them I don't mind paying a but more. Would rather not reverse into a stationary object than save a few bucks waiting for the JB sale.
Thanks again for giving me something to think about.
I agree that a camera is better than sensors. Too many times my sensors give a false alarm, but the camera shows (along with mirrors) there is nothing to hit and I keep going. I've had three different cheap ebay HUs they are getting better, can't comment on the one you are looking at, but the software is usually clunky and things aren't quite thre, but for $400 for the ebay job and $1k for a brand name unit, I'll put up with some clunky software.
Sweet ride you have there, at least now we know that double DIN HUs should fit right in without needing any extra parts, sleeves, fascia etc
Good luck on your HU search. That Sony one you found looks to be quite capable to your needs, i reckon.
Just a suggestion, when you test HUs out, dont forget to put a music CD in. I have had trouble with sony HU from JB Hifi not letting me insert CDs (mechanical issues). I know it sounds weird cause who uses CDs these days. But one fine day 3 months after you install it and left positive feedback, a friend may decide to play his freshly burned CD in your car and..
It depends on the car. I bought a reverse camera for my Yaris sedan in Ally express and it looks like original from dealership. I replaced the left side light on top of the back plate for the new camera which also has a space to insert the globe on the side. I don't think that camera will attract thieves as they would have to damage the whole light plate cover.
aliexpress has some inexpensive DIN units.
Just noticed that on the listing… yet its advertised as new
And during the last year someone had this to say regarding the exact same unit:
What's your budget? You installing yourself or not?