Least flashy aftermarket radio
 

For a while I had a wired in aux jack to my radio, then I had a Bluetooth dongle hanging from the port. After doing some Hackery with my gauges, I ripped or the wiring for my aux jack.
it didn’t really bother me because I had my sick eurobeats on a CD, but I’m running out of CDs to burn on.

Does anyone have any suggestions to the least flashy aftermarket radio? I’m not looking for one that’ll make my interior a discotheque when I’m bumping along to the siqqqqq Initial D sound track.

I loved my Alpine IDA X305 when it was new, but it's getting old and it's been disconinued and they have never made a proper replacement. It has two of my big needs: Ipod/Android integration and an analog volume wheel. I HATE having to push a button repeatedly to lower or raise volume.

I am considering going to an android powered head unit at some point if I can find one that I like. Again, I want analog volume controls. I also want it to be able to run full android so I can run shadowdash when I am not using the radio/ipod integration. I will gladly move to a headless AFR and boost gauge.

Probably what I would do: http://www.autopumpkin.com/android-7...dio-audio.html

Most Blaupunkt head units look very restrained, like this one (arrows from random Google image)

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...2d974fb7ff.png

If you dont mind spending some money, the Sony XAV-AX100 is a nice looking radio with Android Auto/Apple Car Play.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...10af37dcb9.jpg

It looks nice but I don't believe it can run android apps. For me the main reason I want a big display is to replace both my radio AND gauges.

@Chiburbian, I run this for a couple months now. Took me about 2 weeks to dial everything in. It was rooted to run a "clean" android installation, and then FCC Car Launcher installed on top so I could customize screens. Since I still run the OEM ECU, I use torque widgets added on the main screen. So far I like it; the only issue is when using GPS it gets warm and shuts down. I am waiting a couple of fans to hopefully resolve this last issue. Long story short, it is a good idea if you don't mind spending some time dialing out issues.

@ByteVenom, you may want to check out the Continental TR7412

https://www.ebay.com/p/Continental-T....c100005.m1851

https://imgur.com/a/E7T6o

I installed the above XAV-AX100 into my car (along with a weak amp and some pretty-OK/low-end-lacking JBL's).

I absolutely adore the radio. I didn't think I'd use Android Auto much but I absolutely use it every day. The navigation is fantastic. Browsing, or even asking for music (if I'm not going too fast with the top down) works wonderful as well.

Sunglasses/top-down visibility could be better, but it works. This unit is very capable, pretty cheap as far as AA/Carplay goes, and isn't batshit over the top on flashiness. It doesn't scream "Steal me!"

Nakamichi?

Not to keep beating the android tablet dead horse but - my only worry is wither or not the screen will be visible in the sun. My current radio isn't visible in the sun. I imagine the android screened unit will likely be just as bad if not worse.

It's fine.

It could be better but it's not bad.

Are both Google Maps and Waze available on it? Are the native Spotify/Pandora apps good?

I just installed this Android unit, screen is good in daytime even with top down. And can run Android apps. Hooked up my ms3 and running gauges on it. Has an analog volume knob, And it's CHEAP $135.

only gripe, Bluetooth music from the phone doesn't sound that good. It works but sound quality over Bluetooth is not great. So now I tether my phone to it over Wi-Fi hotspot and use the Spotify app on the stereo and it sounds great.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...08aeddcbeb.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...4908f25a57.jpg

Cool. Where is that one from?

This is the one i bought, but there are plenty of the same stereo from other ebay sellers.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2Din-7-Andr...72.m2749.l2649

it comes with GPS, and a backup camera.

works really well, fast, never froze on me. and the screen is usable in daylight.

cant load netflix though, app store says my version of android is not compatible or something like that, but most everything else loads just fine.

Wow. I might need to pick up one of these for my NA!

That's pretty awesome, but I can't imagine it not lagging with only 1gb ram. I haven't found any of these units that can match the hardware specs of my 6 year old nexus tablet, so I just use that.

A long thread on the VW forum regarding this:
VWVortex.com - Is it just me, or are 90% of aftermarket head units ugly?

it runs smooth, no lag. Much smoother than my piece of shit galaxy tab3. Now that was a slow pos.

just loaded up Google maps.

also I tried to plugin a regular Logitech USB webcam and it works!. Even works with trackaddict. Might ziptie the webcam to the rollbar next Track day and try out recording the sessions.

It can also screen mirror your cell phone via usb.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...d1bf8f666d.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...0dbf744961.jpg

Some of them are 2gb, such as this one below. They're definitely not current specs by any means, might get the job done though. I'm still rocking the 97's stock radio and cd player.

I'm still waiting for one of those Chinese Android headunits to come out that actually fits a double dinn space properly! When they do, I'll get one, I want to be able to run MSDroid/ShadowDash. Otherwise a normal headunit would do just fine.

But as for understated headunits, these Continental/VDO units caught my eye. Fully featured, the only difference between Conti/VDO is Orange or Blue back-lighting respectively.

http://www.soundlabsgroup.com.au/mm5...cd7416ubor.jpg
Soundlabs Group Continental CD Car Radio CD7416-UB OR
https://www.soundlabsgroup.com.au/p/...ooth+Car+Radio