Single din unit controlled by an iphone

[DonkeyApple]

As always, I find myself needing to travel in the opposite direction to the rest of the world. This time it is with car stereos.

I need a simple solution where a single din stereo has to be installed in a position where you cannot easily control it while driving. In short, for classic cars where the unit cannot be installed in the dash.

This means one of two simple solutions which both Alpine and Pioneer used to offer about 7/8 years ago which is to control the stereo via an Lcd repeater screen or to control it via an iPhone. Both I have done in the past but I cannot for the life of me find any head unit that permits this today.

Does anyone have any pointers? I will say upfront that the last thing I'm interested in doing is complex amp etc installs, if there isn't a simple single din self contained unit that permits this then it's easier to not have anything.

[marshalla]

I don't think you'll find one. Most of them are wired to be controlled via switches on the steering wheel/column now.

Your best bet might be to find one that has a little remote control with it.

[DonkeyApple]

marshalla said:

I don't think you'll find one. Most of them are wired to be controlled via switches on the steering wheel/column now.

Your best bet might be to find one that has a little remote control with it.

I think you're right. I'm just surprised that in a world of custom installs there isn't a demand for repeater touch screens that can be placed in different locations to control a din unit.

However, it looks like this is the actual solution: http://www.outofsightaudio.com/mark-ii.html

[marshalla]

Although : Sony seem to have done the smartphone version fairly recently - but then you get into the "using a mobile phone whilst driving" problem.

[marshalla]

DonkeyApple said:

I think you're right. I'm just surprised that in a world of custom installs there isn't a demand for repeater touch screens that can be placed in different locations to control a din unit.

However, it looks like this is the actual solution: http://www.outofsightaudio.com/mark-ii.html

That looks like it's just an amp with bluetooth receiver though ?

[DonkeyApple]

marshalla said:

DonkeyApple said:

I think you're right. I'm just surprised that in a world of custom installs there isn't a demand for repeater touch screens that can be placed in different locations to control a din unit.

However, it looks like this is the actual solution: http://www.outofsightaudio.com/mark-ii.html

That looks like it's just an amp with bluetooth receiver though ?

It is. So in reality you don't even need a head unit.

[marshalla]

DonkeyApple said:

It is. So in reality you don't even need a head unit.

But, but, but...how are you going to listen to the Light Programme and Home Service ?

[DonkeyApple]

marshalla said:

Although : Sony seem to have done the smartphone version fairly recently - but then you get into the "using a mobile phone whilst driving" problem.

That looks like it'll do. Slight issue that it connects to the phone via a cable so limits where the double din can be placed. Would be absolutely ideal if there were a single din one.

[DonkeyApple]

marshalla said:

DonkeyApple said:

It is. So in reality you don't even need a head unit.

But, but, but...how are you going to listen to the Light Programme and Home Service ?

You can get radio 2 and 4 via phone apps.

[marshalla]

DonkeyApple said:

That looks like it'll do. Slight issue that it connects to the phone via a cable so limits where the double din can be placed. Would be absolutely ideal if there were a single din one.

JVC and Alpine seem to have similar options too. Best bet might be to hit the app. stores and search for car audio manufacturer apps ("app remote" seems to be the phrase) there, then go looking for compatible units.

[DonkeyApple]

marshalla said:

JVC and Alpine seem to have similar options too. Best bet might be to hit the app. stores and search for car audio manufacturer apps ("app remote" seems to be the phrase) there, then go looking for compatible units.

Yup. Just been doing that to see if Sony's mex range are still in production.

Thanks for the pointers. Very grateful.

[Bodged]

Parrot asteroid mini, should do the trick and use the tune in radio app

http://www.roadradio.com/Parrot/Asteroid-Mini/?gcl...

[2Btoo]

DonkeyApple said:

I will say upfront that the last thing I'm interested in doing is complex amp etc installs, if there isn't a simple single din self contained unit that permits this then it's easier to not have anything.

I don't know of such a thing, but a bluetooth audio receiver could very easily be wired into a small audio amplifier. I don't know whether this is more complex than you'd want to get into, but something like this;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NFC-USB-3-5mm-Wireless-B...

... could be wired into something like this;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kinter-MA-150-AMP-Mini-U...

... and you'd have the solution you want for less than £30. Wiring it up would be no harder than wiring in a car radio and there is even a USB output from the amp which you could plug the BT receiver into. It could all be tucked away under the dashboard out of sight and controlled from your mobile 'phone, which would connect to the BT receiver when you turn the car on.

[74merc]

It maybe not be what you are looking for, but single DIN units without CD mechanisms are only about half as deep as traditional units, so may open up possibilities for installing the head unit somewhere more accessible.

[DonkeyApple]

74merc said:

It maybe not be what you are looking for, but single DIN units without CD mechanisms are only about half as deep as traditional units, so may open up possibilities for installing the head unit somewhere more accessible.

Thanks. Yes, in the later Rangie classics this is needed. In the early ones it isn't important as there is nowhere in the central section of the dash for any kind of unit.

[DonkeyApple]

Bodged said:

Parrot asteroid mini, should do the trick and use the tune in radio app

http://www.roadradio.com/Parrot/Asteroid-Mini/?gcl...

Thanks. I've looked at this before but it didn't meet my needs.

[DonkeyApple]

2Btoo said:

I don't know of such a thing, but a bluetooth audio receiver could very easily be wired into a small audio amplifier. I don't know whether this is more complex than you'd want to get into, but something like this;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NFC-USB-3-5mm-Wireless-B...

... could be wired into something like this;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kinter-MA-150-AMP-Mini-U...

... and you'd have the solution you want for less than £30. Wiring it up would be no harder than wiring in a car radio and there is even a USB output from the amp which you could plug the BT receiver into. It could all be tucked away under the dashboard out of sight and controlled from your mobile 'phone, which would connect to the BT receiver when you turn the car on.

Thanks. I think Marshalla's nod on the Sony is the solution. They do a single din range under the MEX code which utilise their iPhone app. Only annoyance is they seem to have discontinued the versions with the rear usb and do front only which is a shame.

[DennisCooper]

Hi

I was going to mention that the Parrot Asteroid Tablet is the only one I know of that's currently available. It's a 'hideaway' control unit and a thin 5 inch display/touchscreen you mount somewhere suitable. However, you want a single DIN sized one so the Asteroid Mini would be better, however you've discounted that as well.

I have two Kenwood KOS systems which I think you are referring to. Both V1000s and one with the small 4.8 controller screen and the other with the larger 7 inch controlling screen. Both aren't for sale currently though, may sell on in the future. Alpine had the Vehicle Hub Pro setup as well which was similar. Both were discontinued to what I'd have thought was low demand for such units. Haven't got one of these though.

The links to the cheap chinese units you see I'd not bother with, they're low priced for a reason!

Here's a Bluetooth enabled 2x25W RMS Amplfier for £60. http://www.celsusice.co.uk/shopdisp_6745.php Just Bluetooth stream music from your phone or tablet.

The only other option I can think of which uses a high quality brand, is to do what car audio enthusiasts were doing quite a while ago now and that's to dismantle a single DIN head unit and extend the 'display' or 'face' and mount that somewhere discreet in the dash/cabin and put the 'chassis' of the unit in the glovebox or somewhere hidden away. Nowadays, finding someone to do it is harder as again, hardly any demand for this kind of thing and of course if you do find someone, charges for the research/time/parts needed will be fairly substantial.

Apple do their Carplay operating system, however it's designed to display on a 6.5 or 7 inch touchscreen and your iphone plugs into it. There is a 'wireless' method of connection, but takeup/demand is lacklustre currently. I'm not 100% sure there's a single DIN carplay head unit from Pioneer/Alpine (not sure if any other premium brands are licenced to use Apple Carplay) as the screen would be too small and thus, icons would be too.

Cheers, Dennis!