That's Infotainment!

[Tazzza]

On Wednesday I bought a 2004 RAV4 XT3 VVTi Auto, and loving it so far!

As I'm intending keeping the car for a while, I've decided to modernise my "sounds" by getting one of these infotainment units - looks like things have moved on a bit from the days of just sticking a Parrot on your dashboard! The car has the original radio/CD player (the radio still works, but I have no intention of trying the CD player out), as per the picture.

My requirements are about somewhere in the middle I think: I want to make phone calls, stream music wirelessly and use SatNav. An absolute must is DAB radio, as I simply cannot go back to listening to sport from the likes of 5Live on AM. I'm not particularly interested in using Apps on the move though. I can stop and use the phone for that should I need to, plus it would seem a bit distracting trying to do that from the unit whilst moving, surely (verging on the driving without due care & attention to dangerous driving territory)? I don't think I'd need a reversing camera - the car has working parking sensors and it's short wheel-base anyway - but I suppose it if was included I might...

The question is, then, which one? Has anybody done this? What was your experience? Would you need to upgrade the aerial to receive DAB radio?

My secondary question is about the size. I see that these units come with different screen sizes, but annoyingly, the manufacturers, such as Pioneer, don't seem to put the physical dimensions on their web sites. I have noticed that there are some "short depth" units available. Is that the sort of thing I need to think about? Finally would I need to include some kind of trim or fascia to go around the unit to ensure it fitted neatly into the dash?

Appreciate your thoughts and experiences on all this!

Thanks.

 

 

[flash22]

Don't buy, no name chinese tat - no warranty, no support and no documentation

Pioneer or alpine

It sounds like you want Android auto (AA) or Apple Carplay (AC), some only support one but not the other go up the range a little, and you get support for both

what you need...

Head unit - Pioneer SPH-DA160DAB or Pioneer SPH-DA230DAB  ? Or the like

Facia adapter and Steering wheel controls adapter - CTKTY14

DAB Aerial

reverse camera (optional)

 

 

As for screen size it in most descriptions 6.5 -7" is standard

Eg.

https://www.pioneer-car.eu/uk/products/sph-da230dab

https://www.pioneer-car.eu/uk/products/sph-da160dab

[Tazzza]

Thanks Bob. I'll look into those. Was thinking the same about the Chinese stuff on Amazon...

So if I upgrade my membership here to Premium, looks like I'll get a 15%discount at Halfords card. That could significantly affect the purchasing decision! 👍

[flash22]

Shop around, Halfrauds can be very overpriced, the discount excludes some items not sure about ICE tho

Edit.

• Certain exclusions apply to Motoring including Dash Cams, Sat Navs and Audio

[Tazzza]

Ooof! Well spotted! 😨

[Catlover]

With Premium Membership Halfords gives you 15% off everything except bikes which is 10%. Just read the advert on TOC.

[satts67]

Regardless of what DAB unit you buy the aerial is the most important. The stick on glass types are hopeless. If you are upgrading mainly for Dab you will need an external roof mounted Dab aerial. It a bit of a ball ache as you will need to partially drop the roof lining but worth the effort. Summer job most definitely.

[flash22]

17 hours ago, Catlover said:

With Premium Membership Halfords gives you 15% off everything except bikes which is 10%. Just read the advert on TOC.

As I posted above

Certain exclusions apply to Motoring including Dash Cams, Sat Navs and Audio