ICE - Double Din Head Unit - your recommendations appreciated please! (1 Viewer)

[Carpmart]

I’m after a Double Din head unit for the Motorhome…. Ideally a fairly basic unit (aesthetically pleasing though) that is iPhone compatible for both music (Amazon music) and calls and has a DAB radio. Ideally would like a remote control so we can control the volume whilst pitched up.

It doesn’t need anything else, like satnav, fancy screen displays etc etc

Any recommendations please?

It’s replacing a faulty Pioneer AVIC-F88DAB so something that plugs directly into the existing multi plugs would be great!

You can probably tell I know sod all about head units!

Thanks in advance for your recommendations

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

It’s replacing a faulty Pioneer AVIC-F88DAB

Sorry, given we have the same Pioneer head unit as you I’ve no immediate recommendations, but I am curious to learn how/why yours is faulty/has failed if possible?

 

[Guigsy]

I've put in a Sony 9" XAV-AX8050. It's very simple to use. I mainly use it for bluetooth music while we're stopped. And Android Auto when on the move. It's been very reliable... once I'd worked out my USB cable was dodgy. Not sure about remotes though... I don't need it when I'm using the phone to stream.

 

[Carpmart]

Sorry, given we have the same Pioneer head unit as you I’ve no immediate recommendations, but I am curious to learn how/why yours is faulty/has failed if possible?

Not 100% sure. It’s been incredibly parasitic of power, getting hot, whirring noise even when switched off and it’s started getting hot. Checked all the usual things but I suspect a fault on the PCB… discretion being the word, decided it’s better out of my MoHo…

 

[Vansflyer]

I fitted the earlier model of this one three years ago.

Kenwood DMX8019DABS Car Stereo with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | Halfords UK

Shop the latest 7.0in WVGA Digital Media AV Receiver With Smart Phone Control, DAB Radio and in-built Wi-Fi at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

Very happy with the operation and the improved sound. Our van came with a Pioneer and it was rubbish! The Kenwood has much better EQ adjustment and can be "tuned" more accurately than just "treble and base". I fitted a sub woofer under the front seat so I dialled out all the base going to the OEM speakers so they didn't rattle at moderate volume.
No CD / DVD driver so it is USB music or streaming (Android and Apple).
A remote was sourced for about £20 from memory so we can control "the tunes" from the living / kitchen area.
You are likely to have standard plugs on your van for the speakers and power but you may need a couple of gender changers for there Dab / FM.
Good luck

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[Carpmart]

I fitted the earlier model of this one three years ago.

Kenwood DMX8019DABS Car Stereo with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | Halfords UK

Shop the latest 7.0in WVGA Digital Media AV Receiver With Smart Phone Control, DAB Radio and in-built Wi-Fi at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

Very happy with the operation and the improved sound. Our van came with a Pioneer and it was rubbish! The Kenwood has much better EQ adjustment and can be "tuned" more accurately than just "treble and base". I fitted a sub woofer under the front seat so I dialled out all the base going to the OEM speakers so they didn't rattle at moderate volume.
No CD / DVD driver so it is USB music or streaming (Android and Apple).
A remote was sourced for about £20 from memory so we can control "the tunes" from the living / kitchen area.
You are likely to have standard plugs on your van for the speakers and power but you may need a couple of gender changers for there Dab / FM.
Good luck

Thanks for the detailed reply!

 

[Vansflyer]

Sorry, just re reading the spec and it seems it is Android only now.
Stand by and I will do some digging...

 

[Carpmart]

Sorry, just re reading the spec and it seems it is Android only now.
Stand by and I will do some digging...

Appreciate it…. I’m happy with a cheaper unit too… I don’t need full integration with IOS, merely a hands free answering function and a Bluetooth so I can play Amazon music. The remote is quite key really for radio volume control without having to clamber into the cab!

 

[Vansflyer]

Update 2...
It works with Apple and Android. I blame Halfords crap web design

Multimedia Systems & Apple Carplay • DMX8019DABS Features • KENWOOD UK

www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk

 

[Barti Ddu]

The remote is quite key really for radio volume control without having to clamber into the cab!

We Bluetooth our phones to our Sony head unit when we are parked up to listen to music (e.g. Spotify). We've no remote control for the head unit but can adjust the volume and can change tracks etc. from the phone. No need for a dedicated remote.

In fact, parked up for the night as I type this in Meze in France, doing just this; listening to Fat Freddy's Drop through the van speakers, streamed from my phone. As it's getting a bit late, I'll turn the volume down a notch or two from the phone.

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[Carpmart]

We Bluetooth our phones to our Sony head unit when we are parked up to listen to music (e.g. Spotify). We've no remote control for the head unit but can adjust the volume and can change tracks etc. from the phone. No need for a dedicated remote.

In fact, parked up for the night as I type this in Meze in France, doing just this; listening to Fat Freddy's Drop through the van speakers, streamed from my phone. As it's getting a bit late, I'll turn the volume down a notch or two from the phone.

I appreciate your point, but when we are not listening to music via streaming to the MH speakers via the head unit, we often have background radio on. This is why I need a remote to mute and or control the volume.

 

[Carpmart]

Update - I’ve found a kit to convert my double DIN hole in the dash to a single DIN one, designed specifically for my base vehicle, so anyone got a recommended option on a lower cost, single DIN head unit with Bluetooth, DAB and a remote?

 

[Vansflyer]

Update - I’ve found a kit to convert my double DIN hole in the dash to a single DIN one, designed specifically for my base vehicle, so anyone got a recommended option on a lower cost, single DIN head unit with Bluetooth, DAB and a remote?

The remote is the part I think you will struggle with, not seen one for a single din product in many years. Some do apps for your phone to act as a remote so that may be an option.

 

[dulvil]

I’m after a Double Din head unit for the Motorhome…. Ideally a fairly basic unit (aesthetically pleasing though) that is iPhone compatible for both music (Amazon music) and calls and has a DAB radio. Ideally would like a remote control so we can control the volume whilst pitched up.

It doesn’t need anything else, like satnav, fancy screen displays etc etc

Any recommendations please?

It’s replacing a faulty Pioneer AVIC-F88DAB so something that plugs directly into the existing multi plugs would be great!

You can probably tell I know sod all about head units!

Thanks in advance for your recommendations

You will perhaps remember me from wootton bedford
I’ve got a blaupunkt double din with out of date sat nav maps . I’m sure it’s got a remote
I’m away until 8 nov so you could try it out if you wanted to when I get home

 

[Barti Ddu]

Regarding a remote, lots of head units are remote capable, but don't come supplied with one, certainly Sony models.

My Sony double-DIN unit, model XAV3005, didn't come with one, but the compatible remote can be bought cheaply from eBay or Amazon. Works with a whole range of Sony models. Wouldn't be surprised if some are single-DIN ones too.

Remote Control For Sony XAV-AX5000 XAV-AX5600 XAV-AX3005DB Car Radio System | eBay

Compatible Models : For Sony XAV-AX5000 XAV-AX5600 XAV-AX3005DB.

www.ebay.co.uk

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[Carpmart]

You will perhaps remember me from wootton bedford
I’ve got a blaupunkt double din with out of date sat nav maps . I’m sure it’s got a remote
I’m away until 8 nov so you could try it out if you wanted to when I get home

Yes of course I remember. We also met up at Sutton-on-Sea if I recall correctly.

I’m in no rush, as not ‘on the road again’ until Boxing Day!

Your Blaupunkt sounds perfect.

Will contact you and pop up when you’re home!

 

[Bobby-gg]

I went from a new kenwood double din that I hated to an older pioneer double din which is great, but the beauty of the pioneer head units is that you can use Sony wired remotes with them, which is perfect for me as my van doesn't have steering wheel controls.

I used a Sony RM2X which I picked up new on ebay and mounted it on the right side of my steering column and use it to control the volume and track skip, even on android auto and Spotify

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