Hi peoples,
Just looking to get my mum a head-unit to replace the existing stock one on her Toyota Corolla (2013ish model). Was hoping anyone had any suggestions for top picks with the following criteria:
Any suggestions would be super. Thank you :)
I bought a ‘carpuride’ standalone head unit for my crappy 2013 polo. Saves any effort for install. Effort free wireless CarPlay and the interface isn’t laggy.
Just an option if you don’t find something better.
Ahh nice! Didn't know there's such a thing. An 'external' headunit that mounts like a GPS.
Powered via 12v socket. What about the speaker wire?
How you connect audio depends on your car stereo.
In my wife’s car she has Bluetooth. So she uses audio out from her phone to the car and the head unit becomes a CarPlay screen (it also can do android auto)
In my piece of junk the stereo doesn’t have Bluetooth. So I just use a 3.5mm headphone Jack to the aux port.
Both ways work fine. The setup is much much better than using your phone as a navigation device.
You pay a serious premium for wireless enabled units, like an extra $300 or so, but for my money it's worth it compared to constantly wearing on my phone's USB plug and also for avoiding the occasional flakiness of a wired connection in a vibrating car. I bought a wired head unit and regret it.
Having said that, in the end I did buy a wireless adapter for half that premium and it works really well, so if you're really stingy that can be a good option https://carsifi.com/en-au I love just sitting down an having everything connect without having to take the phone out of my pocket.
I've just installed a no-name double din head unit with a 9" screen from qualitydins.com.au into my Toyota Aurion.
I paid $310 for the plug and play unit which included a fascia kit and reverse camera.
Installation was relatively straightforward after watching countless YouTube videos.
The installation instructions and videos supplied by the seller are appalling and support is erratic.
I have a Samsung phone, so Android Auto is a wired connection whereas I believe it is wireless for Apple Carplay.
I can't say I've noticed any lag.
The screen is great until I pop my sunnies on and then it's virtually impossible to view.
I'll probably keep my TomTom GPS and use the head unit for music and Bluetooth phone calls.
Aliexpress
Type Toyota Corolla 2013 headunit.
Buy any that's >$175 (anything below this is compromised in the processor department.)
I've had one off here for 6 years and it's never skipped a beat, just getting a little slow now.
I have a Pioneer car unit with wireless apple car play. I love it, I dont need to connect my phone to the cable every time. Apple car play helps when Im doing Saturday errands, hopping from one shop to another. If you can afford one, I highly recommend it.
Lag is a big issue (unless you get a new MB which has 24GB or some large memory in their infotainment system). My unit is Pioneer avh-9200 dab, once you get used to the lag, it's fine, not super slow. I have an iPhone 7 plus, I would say they both are equally slow :)
Pretty much all headunits that at least offer Carplay will at least offer the other features you highlighted. I installed a Kenwood one (middle of the range) in my wife's Corolla a few years ago with Android Auto/Carplay and its been great, has a reversing camera connected and I've never had an issue with it. To avoid lag don't get the cheapest one and you'll probably be fine.