Double DIN head units

Wings988

Active Member
Oct 27, 2011
509
60
Derbyshire
I'm seriously considering getting a double DIN head unit fitted to replace the OE unit. The reason is using the Aux in for iPod connection is not what I consider the best solution and I would like a head unit that can display the track names and use the column controls to skip tracks etc. I also want a unit with rear USB so I can get the cable routed to the glovebox to keep the iPod out of sight.

I don't want to spend a small fortune on this. Looked at a Pioneer AVH4300BT today in a local car hifi shop and while it does everything I want and looks good with the big touch screen, it is more than I want to spend.

I don't need DVD players, satnav etc so just want a decent double DIN unit with iPod control. I've seen a Clarion CX501E that looks like it will do what I need.

Has anyone got the Clarion CX501E or something similar that you would recommend?

Cheers:D
 

5509433

Active Member
Aug 8, 2011
949
7
Braintree, Essex
You dont have to go DD. Single DINs will also fit. A single DIN with a pull out screen will probably be cheaper.

Dont forget you'll need the caging and wireing to hook it up.
 

J400uk

Active Member
Jan 7, 2010
1,978
3
London, UK
It won't look as nice though and you'll probably find the steering wheel controls stop working as will the factory AUX input. I find using MP3 CDs works quite well with the OEM unit, gives you track names and full control, can fit about 10 albums worth on one disk.
 

alex13p

∫℮ª↑ ©ч‽Яд
Jan 17, 2011
426
0
Fleet, Hampshire
It won't look as nice though and you'll probably find the steering wheel controls stop working as will the factory AUX input. I find using MP3 CDs works quite well with the OEM unit, gives you track names and full control, can fit about 10 albums worth on one disk.

ignore this whole post, clearly no idea what they are talking about.

steering wheel controls - easy - works perfect
aux - bit harder but can be done
mp3 cd..... bore off, I use an 8gb sd card, 80 odd albums at super high quality?! 160 albums at medium....

sound quality dramatically better

and if you fit it properly it looks like it was always there
 

alex13p

∫℮ª↑ ©ч‽Яд
Jan 17, 2011
426
0
Fleet, Hampshire
Nope - aftermarket head units look rubbish and mess up the integration, I stand by that opinion.
your welcome to your opinion, of course, but it doesn't count for much when people look for advice on here and your saying things that are completely wrong.

...that's my opinion
 

leon20v

its all about the BOC
Feb 4, 2008
170
0
Charleston SC, USA
Got the pioneer AVH-P4300DVD in the boc, feel it was money well spent. Didnt need the DVD/ Divx function but it comes in handy when i've got the nieces ( or stuck in traffic for an hour), Sound quality is good, certainly sounds head and shoulders above the standard set up. all runs perfect using the connect2 adaptor with stearing wheel remote etc. I used to run a usb hard drive attached to it, but now i just keep a couple 32gb usb drives in the glove box and swap them out as needed. Havent got the OEM AUX connected but to be fair with cheap usb sticks i have no reason to connect it back up again, but i could do it if i was bothered.

oct11.jpg


link to my original thread -
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=310994
 

Wings988

Active Member
Oct 27, 2011
509
60
Derbyshire
Got the pioneer AVH-P4300DVD in the boc, feel it was money well spent. Didnt need the DVD/ Divx function but it comes in handy when i've got the nieces ( or stuck in traffic for an hour), Sound quality is good, certainly sounds head and shoulders above the standard set up. all runs perfect using the connect2 adaptor with stearing wheel remote etc. I used to run a usb hard drive attached to it, but now i just keep a couple 32gb usb drives in the glove box and swap them out as needed. Havent got the OEM AUX connected but to be fair with cheap usb sticks i have no reason to connect it back up again, but i could do it if i was bothered.

oct11.jpg


link to my original thread -
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=310994

That looks awesome. I'd be worried about leaving the car parked in public carparks or on the street with that sat in the dash though, it looks like something that scum would break in to steal. With the OE unit no one would bother. I kinda need something halfway, not looking bling to steal but not the limited OE unit. I wish the country wasn't full of criminals, especially where I live 7in touch screen would mean broken window and torn out of dashboard in the morning, I don't need that worry at night.
 

Deleted member 33999

Guest
I'd looked into this option a while ago, but I was told they're not a standard DIN size... I'm not sure how accurate the info is, but I'm not going to remove my head unit just to find out :p

A double DIN unit with built in GPS would be immense though :D
 
Apr 9, 2009
989
0
leon20v: Been toying with the idea of getting this kind of set up for months now (in fact was following your thread back when it started) Looks like i may well be investing in one after christmas. How hard is to fit for a novice including getting the control stalk working? I've had the standard unit out before so thats not a problem.
 

leon20v

its all about the BOC
Feb 4, 2008
170
0
Charleston SC, USA
leon20v: Been toying with the idea of getting this kind of set up for months now (in fact was following your thread back when it started) Looks like i may well be investing in one after christmas. How hard is to fit for a novice including getting the control stalk working? I've had the standard unit out before so thats not a problem.

fitting was easy, probably 10 minutes max..its all plug and play, mine was a little longer wiring up the DAB unit and video by-pass
only negative which was on my original thread was the face plate. they are poorly made.. dont fit properly and need to be moded to fit around the pioneer screen as its motorised. Nothing a dremel and some 3M di-noc vinyl couldnt sort out.
it was only ment to be a tempory fix untill i got a proper one sorted out but its lasted well so far
 

Silent Shark

Active Member
Apr 3, 2010
176
0
I put a Pioneer F900BT in my Boc a few months ago with some help from a friend who'd done similar things to his own cars. Here's what I used.

One of these:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/10779.html
Obvious really. Not a perfect fit with regards to the dash, but good enough. I didn't need to trim it like leon20v as I don't have a moving screen or anything. The headunit fits it perfectly.

One of these:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/14867.html
This is probably the key component. This connects everything up in one simple package. It handles ignition power-on, reverse signals, speed pulse, illumination signals, the lot. It allows use of the steering column controls too. The only thing missing is the cars own AUX port (which we made our own adapter for, but TBH is not really needed). If you're linking up a Pioneer unit yourself, you'll need this too:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/8653.html

I also bought an aerial booster thing which we powered off the cig lighter socket. I'm afraid I can't recall the item I used exacly so no link. Not essential but if you're planning on using the aerial, you'll need it.

The most difficult part of the installation was removing the existing headunit, as some parts are a bit stubborn
 
Apr 9, 2009
989
0
That was my only worry was messing with a dremel etc to get the cover to fit, what exactly it required? Just some simple trimming on the inside i guess?
 

alex13p

∫℮ª↑ ©ч‽Яд
Jan 17, 2011
426
0
Fleet, Hampshire
I put a Pioneer F900BT in my Boc a few months ago with some help from a friend who'd done similar things to his own cars. Here's what I used.

One of these:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/10779.html
Obvious really. Not a perfect fit with regards to the dash, but good enough. I didn't need to trim it like leon20v as I don't have a moving screen or anything. The headunit fits it perfectly.

One of these:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/14867.html
This is probably the key component. This connects everything up in one simple package. It handles ignition power-on, reverse signals, speed pulse, illumination signals, the lot. It allows use of the steering column controls too. The only thing missing is the cars own AUX port (which we made our own adapter for, but TBH is not really needed). If you're linking up a Pioneer unit yourself, you'll need this too:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/8653.html

I also bought an aerial booster thing which we powered off the cig lighter socket. I'm afraid I can't recall the item I used exacly so no link. Not essential but if you're planning on using the aerial, you'll need it.

The most difficult part of the installation was removing the existing headunit, as some parts are a bit stubborn

this

plus removal of the head unit, trick is to not hold back and just pull hard, it will pop off {(the fascia)
 

leon20v

its all about the BOC
Feb 4, 2008
170
0
Charleston SC, USA
I'm guessing that the booster is for regular FM radio, as the the amp for the ariel is in the oem Radio itself. The booster i use runs directly from the blue remote wire on the pioneer.. dont know why i bothered as i havent used FM radio, DAB all the way :D
on a side note i emailed Pioneer today regarding the real pioneer facia (part num 391328-06-02) they already got back to me saying that i should be able to special order it in so might be something to look at next year