Single DIN Sat Nav Solution

[ChrisPap]

Hi All,

I figure this might be useful to someone out there because I know others have looked...

I've just bought a Parrot Asteroid head unit for my car, and it's a bit special. It runs on a version of Android software. No CD player, but it has 4 USB ports to play music from USB flash drives, mobile phones etc, as well as an SD card slot and bluetooth comms to play music or run 3G data from your phone. It can also take a USB 3G modem for data. And somehow, when it has a 3G signal it can also play internet radio without actually using data. Plus bluetooth phone sync with handsfree calling and voice recognition, and although I wouldn't know myself, apparently quite good audio properties- all for around 220 quid.

Best bit for me is that with Android know-how, people are writing and modifying apps for this thing so now I've been able to download Navigon Sat Nav and I've got it working on mine easy as. Is looks fine on the 3.2in screen.

Another guy has got an app with a webcam working on a USB port as a reversing camera.



Hopefully it's all it seems, I can update after I've used it in the car for a while.

Edited by ChrisPap on Sunday 27th January 22:54

[spartridge]

YHM...

[alex_gray255]

Pioneer have something similar for the iPhone if memory serves. Think it was AppRadio or something like that

[Chim450]

I was thinking about getting one of these. I have read mixed reviews about the app support though, in that a lot of apps don't work well if at all.

[Don1]

That is massively useful, thank you. The fold out satnav screens are well over £500, and this makes a good change.

What's the sound quality like?

[ChrisPap]

alex_gray255 said:

Pioneer have something similar for the iPhone if memory serves. Think it was AppRadio or something like that

Not sure about apple stuff really. There are loads of iPhone friendly radios (including this one). I have seen that there is a radio where an iphone clips on as the faceplate and basically acts as the brains and screen of the radio. Down side is you'd need a new head unit every year I guess, (and it's apple)

Chim450 said:

I was thinking about getting one of these. I have read mixed reviews about the app support though, in that a lot of apps don't work well if at all.

I also read the mixed reviews. I stumbled across this unit for 120 on the PH classifieds so thought I'd give it a punt as my car needs a head unit anyway. I figure it boils down to this: The unit falls a long way short of its potential. If you buy it under the guise as an android smart phone/tablet equivalent shoved into a head unit, you'll be disappointed. the capabilities barely scratch the surface of what's possible using Android, and even I was disappointed (though not really suprised) to find that many included apps, like iCoyote (speed camera warning) and the FuelSaver (finds nearby petrol stations) need subscribtions and/or a 3G connection to work. Google maps won't store maps locally, so you need active 3G, and it can't find addresses, only nearby POI's. You also can't just get apps from the 'market' and there is a derth of aftermarket apps. The unit has been out for over a year so unless it's a late bloomer that probably won't change.

BUT, thanks to a few clever hackers who like to prove that they are smarter than the factory programers, I knew I could get a Sat Nav program to work, and a few other things are available like a restructured, faster and slicker menu layout, webcam and whatever else comes along.
For me, with the Sat Nav and USB/SD/phone support, it's pretty perfect for what I wanted, and although I've only powered it up on my coffee table, I'm happy. It's not perfect but it's bloody good. Syncing to my Android phone (Sony) was excellent and the music functions work well ( over 30 mins of messing around).
It can also take remote buttons (like steering wheel controls) so that may open another avenue if your car is more cruiser than track day.

Don1 said:

That is massively useful, thank you. The fold out satnav screens are well over £500, and this makes a good change.

What's the sound quality like?

While shopping I noticed that there are quite a few cheapo fold out screen single DIN units for less than 200 quid, though I imagine you a get a little of what you pay for, and none of them seemed to have navigation.
I was very keen on a unit that was single DIN and offed Sat Nav as the fold out screens haven't appealed to me and a double DIN conversion would not suit a Tamora dash (IMHO).

Sound quality, I don't know honestly. I'll get it in my car soon as I get it back from paint, but I don't know what speakers I've got.
The chap that sold it to me is an audiophile and claims that it's very good with a more powerful built in amp than most units (4 x 55W built-in MOSFET amplifier, 6x RCA pre-amp outputs (2 with subwoofer)) and he used it to win some sort of car show sound off in his Saxo, but the black colour didn't suit his grey dash hence sale).
It also has:
- Virtual Superbass effect
- Parametric equalizer:
- 7 bands
- 6 defined presets, 1 user preset

Edited by ChrisPap on Monday 28th January 19:15