Head unit replacement - Toyota Avensis

Head unit replacement - Toyota Avensis

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Discussion

thismonkeyhere

Original Poster:

10,346 posts

231 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
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My Avensis has to be amongst the most reliable cars in the world, with absolutely no faults or issues in 130k. There's always an exception though, and in mine it's the combined satnav/stereo head unit which has given up the ghost apart from the radio.

Initial research suggests a like for like replacement is unlikely to be feasible - is it possible to fit a CD/radio/Bluetooth affair in its place, bearing in mind that the replacement will likely be much smaller than the current hole?

And, yes, to confirm, I know nothing about such things - stereos etc have, in the past, all come with the car and gone with the car.

InitialDave

11,901 posts

119 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
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What year Avensis?

You can get adaptors to fit standard radios, you can get custom fit radios that replicate the shape of the original (Android based ones from China, companies like Seicane and Eonon), or you can plug adaptors in to add bluetooth capability to a cheap factory radio (did this on my mate's 2005 Avensis for him, works really nicely).

thismonkeyhere

Original Poster:

10,346 posts

231 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
quotequote all
It's a 2008 model. Thanks.

Heidfirst

179 posts

87 months

Wednesday 9th January 2019
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thismonkeyhere said:
My Avensis has to be amongst the most reliable cars in the world, with absolutely no faults or issues in 130k. There's always an exception though, and in mine it's the combined satnav/stereo head unit which has given up the ghost apart from the radio.

Initial research suggests a like for like replacement is unlikely to be feasible - is it possible to fit a CD/radio/Bluetooth affair in its place, bearing in mind that the replacement will likely be much smaller than the current hole?.
Presumably it is a TNS700/B9010? Why would a like for like replacement not be feasible?
Having said that obviously now is an opportunity to get more current satnav hardware, add DAB etc. etc although CD players are becoming much less common.
Existing is a double DIN unit & you can get fascia plates to suit the Avensis.

thismonkeyhere

Original Poster:

10,346 posts

231 months

Wednesday 9th January 2019
quotequote all
Heidfirst said:
Why would a like for like replacement not be feasible?
'Cos they're really expensive.

I am on the verge of letting Halfords have a go at it; apparently I can get a 2-Din unit fitted for under £150 - not Satnav, but I rarely need one and have a Garmin anyway.

Legacywr

12,127 posts

188 months

Wednesday 9th January 2019
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I think that it would be foolish to buy anything that isn't Apple/android ready. Assuming you have a smart phone?

untakenname

4,969 posts

192 months

Wednesday 9th January 2019
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I fitted an android head unit to my parents Auris from a similar era, was pretty simple and it works ok.

Heidfirst

179 posts

87 months

Wednesday 9th January 2019
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thismonkeyhere said:
'Cos they're really expensive.
New, yes. Second hand not so much. But as I said earlier now would be a good time to catch up hardware-wise with the last 10+ years of developments.

thismonkeyhere

Original Poster:

10,346 posts

231 months

Thursday 10th January 2019
quotequote all
Legacywr said:
I think that it would be foolish to buy anything that isn't Apple/android ready. Assuming you have a smart phone?
I do have a smart phone. TBH I just want to play CDs, luddite that I am. What would Android get me that would be foolish to do without?

Legacywr

12,127 posts

188 months

Thursday 10th January 2019
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It'll display/narrate your satnav straight from your phone! Via a lead I believe? But, it might stream it too?

thismonkeyhere

Original Poster:

10,346 posts

231 months

Thursday 10th January 2019
quotequote all
Legacywr said:
It'll display/narrate your satnav straight from your phone! Via a lead I believe? But, it might stream it too?
One of the reasons I'm not bothered too much about replacing the satnav capability, and would rather use my Garmin, is that the unit is positioned too low in the centre console to look at safely whilst driving.

untakenname

4,969 posts

192 months

Friday 11th January 2019
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Having smartphone connectivity is good if you stream songs or want to use Waze for real time trafficjam routing and speed trap alerts.
Feels odd now driving a car that isn't connected online.

Legacywr

12,127 posts

188 months

Friday 11th January 2019
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I’m certainly starting to get the “Luddite” image the OP mentioned...

No offence intended smile

thismonkeyhere

Original Poster:

10,346 posts

231 months

Friday 11th January 2019
quotequote all
Legacywr said:
I’m certainly starting to get the “Luddite” image the OP mentioned...

No offence intended smile
hehe None taken.