Autobarn are having what they call a “flash sale” this weekend on mobile products, offering 30% of RRP.
They have a few carplay/android auto head units at really good prices, and I am sure there will be more stuff there, but I will focus on AC/AA in this post, mainly wireless AC.
Ozbargain favourite the Sony XAVAX1000 is there for $429 https://www.autobarn.com.au/me26970h
But I don’t think that is a great price for what it is when you consider the Sony XAVAX5000 is there for $454 https://www.autobarn.com.au/me26813
But the reason for my post is that autobarn has a wireless carplay unit with a capacitive screen for $594.30 in the mechless Kenwood DMX8019DABS. https://www.autobarn.com.au/6-95in-av-car-play-a-auto-dab-re…
This would probably be the cheapest I have seen wireless carplay for, especially from a retailer who will install it for you, which is what I would recommend after trying to install this very unit myself. And for close to the same price as the Sonys above, why would you settle for their resistive screen and always needing a cable requirement?
Mini review:
fantastic unit, the capacitive screen is crisp, clear and beautiful and bright enough glare is not an issue without being too bright. You just can’t go back to resistive screens once you have a capacitive unit.
Wireless carplay is amazingly convenient, absolute pleasure not to have to bother with cables every time I get in the car. Drains power on the iPhone sure, but not too badly and newer iPhones seem even less of an issue than my old battery stuffed iPhone 7.
If you want to pony up a bit more, the Kenwood DDX9019DABs https://www.autobarn.com.au/6-8in-av-wireless-car-play-a-aut… is there for $699.30 and has has all the features of the DMX8019DABS but also an even higher resolution HD capacitive screen and a DVD player. I think it started out at $1099 RRP.
These wireless carplay Kenwoods look a particularly good deal compared with the Pioneer AVH-Z9200DAB wireless carplay at $999 https://www.autobarn.com.au/7in-wireless-car-play-a-auto-dab… which only has a resistive screen.
My 2c.. the xavax5000 works well and has a nice capacitive touchscreen. I picked mine up for about $450 and have been very happy with it at that price. Installed it myself with no dramas but made it easier for myself by purchasing the matching wiring harness to minimise the work. Installed a generic eBay reverse camera into it and it works flawlessly, very quick on start up so that you're not waiting for the signal feed to show up. Regarding wireless, unless your phone has amazing battery I think plugging it in is actually a benefit as the charge it gives during my commute means that charging my phone elsewhere is no longer required