Subtle double din head unit (with mp3/aux in)

[bobcheeseman]

Hi all

I've really been enjoying my mx5 Phoenix since I got it back in April, but one this is annoying me and it's not being able to play mp3s on the stereo. In my previous car I just used a tape adaptor, but alas that's not an option in the mx5 (the oem system is a 6-disc changer). I've had FM transmitters in the past, and they're crap, basically.

So I'm looking for a nice double DIN head unit which can tax aux in (3.5mm jack) and/or USB sticks. Thing is, all the ones that I've found on the obvious websites look like they've just come down from mars, with hideous light colours and thousands of buttons. I want something that's subtle to match the mx5's interior (the standard system looks like this http://media.photobucket.com/image/mx5%20head%20un... I guess I could convert to a single DIN, which would give a lot more choice, but I don't really like the gap that results in the dashboard.

Anyone have any suggestions, or has anyone bought anything that fits the bill of late?

[Meoricin]

bobcheeseman said:

Hi all

I've really been enjoying my mx5 Phoenix since I got it back in April, but one this is annoying me and it's not being able to play mp3s on the stereo. In my previous car I just used a tape adaptor, but alas that's not an option in the mx5 (the oem system is a 6-disc changer). I've had FM transmitters in the past, and they're crap, basically.

So I'm looking for a nice double DIN head unit which can tax aux in (3.5mm jack) and/or USB sticks. Thing is, all the ones that I've found on the obvious websites look like they've just come down from mars, with hideous light colours and thousands of buttons. I want something that's subtle to match the mx5's interior (the standard system looks like this http://media.photobucket.com/image/mx5%20head%20un... I guess I could convert to a single DIN, which would give a lot more choice, but I don't really like the gap that results in the dashboard.

Anyone have any suggestions, or has anyone bought anything that fits the bill of late?

Are you looking for one with a screen, or just double-din with the features?

Which have you been looking at? I don't think the JVC head units are that bad, assuming you're not looking for a large screen.

[bobcheeseman]

Meoricin said:

Are you looking for one with a screen, or just double-din with the features?

Which have you been looking at? I don't think the JVC head units are that bad, assuming you're not looking for a large screen.

Not a screen, I just want something as simple as possible. To be honest I've not seen anything that looks any good! I don't want to spend too much, since the features I'm after seem to be available on most of them except the really budget ones.

[jbi]

my recommendation

http://www.alpine-electronics.co.uk/products/produ...

best double din unit out there IMO

[bobcheeseman]

jbi said:

my recommendation

http://www.alpine-electronics.co.uk/products/produ...

best double din unit out there IMO

that aint cheap!!

[Toyowner]

Go single Din, Alpine ida x3** head unit to drive an ipod.

Used x300's are £80ish on the bay.

[bobcheeseman]

Just found this on ebay.. looks interesting (if maybe a bit too subtle..?). I especially like the idea that you can tweak the colour of the leds to precisely match the rest of the dash:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Clarion-DUB278RMP-Double-Din...

EDIT: on second thoughts it's actually hideous. Nice idea, crap execution.

Edited by bobcheeseman on Sunday 10th July 22:09

[Kentish]

wackojacko said:

Nice to see a more factual but still funny show, Shame they are "returning to normal service next week" all very funny but not a really a car how when they are pissing about more about them with a side topic of cars.

Are you in the wrong thread per chance?

[11110111]

Look up nakamichi, simple design , awesome sounds

[jbi]

wackojacko said:

Nice to see a more factual but still funny show, Shame they are "returning to normal service next week" all very funny but not a really a car how when they are pissing about more about them with a side topic of cars.

ahh the perils of tabbed browsing

[wackojacko]

Epic fail sorry all
Wrong thread

[Kentish]

wackojacko said:

Epic fail sorry all
Wrong thread

The evils of drink eh ....and it being a Sunday too

Over to the Top Gear thread I go

[Old Gregg]

OP, do you have an iPod? If so, you could get a single DIN head unit and an Alpine drawer-type iPod tray.

This was the one I put in my DC5:

[bobcheeseman]

Old Gregg said:

OP, do you have an iPod? If so, you could get a single DIN head unit and an Alpine drawer-type iPod tray.

This was the one I put in my DC5:

That's quite nice, I like the idea of keeping the mp3 player hidden away like that. But I don't have an ipod, just a standard mp3 player (so need aux in/usb connection)