What Radio Head Unit / Receiver are you using?

mitherial

Well-known member
What are people using these days?

I am in the process of looking for a dash-mount radio head-unit / receiver for both of my trucks, preferably with a "floating" screen and wireless Apple CarPlay. I currently have the single-DIN pre-TD5 factory "angled hanging" mount pictured below setup, but also have a MudUK double-DIN center console that I can install if needed.

Do any of the name-brand single-DIN pull-out / "floating screen" head units adjust enough to use with the under-dash angled-single-DIN mount? I have definitely seen this setup on BAT trucks, but the head units were from off-name electronics brands, but I'd rather pay more for something (Alpine? Sony?) that is not just a piece of crap.


2023-04-06 18.55.05.jpg
 

LRNAD90

Well-known member
I just installed a new headunit in my '95 NAS D90, in the stock cubby. It's a JVC KD-T925BTS..

Its just a single DIN BT/CD Receiver though, not what you are looking for, and I've had my share of issues, and continue to:


But I'm not sure the motivation to use a high priced floating screen head unit these days. Probably better off just using an iPad or Android Tablet. You can do Navigation better, stream whatever you want, etc, etc. You can either connect to a traditional headunit via USB connection for integration into the installed speaker system, or just use a BT enabled amp and connect the tablet directly to the Amp, no need for a headunit at all if you don't want it..

I bought a headunit with a rear USB input specifically because I have thoughts of adding an iPad for navigation and streaming audio in the future. So many more off road mapping options with the iPad or android tablet than you will have with the floating screen head units..

I have so many plans that will get funding first though, so it may never happen, but..
 

erover82

Well-known member
One of the classic car hidden audio systems, or a simple Bluetooth amp, with your tablet of choice is a pretty slick setup. Then your DIN slot is free'd up for coms radio, switches, gauges, etc too.
 

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
I have put in a bunch of Out of Sight Audio Units in and have no complaints. There’s one in my 110 with no head unit, and one in my wife’s D1 installed in conjunction with the factory radio/head unit.
 

Z.G

Well-known member
I have put in a bunch of Out of Sight Audio Units in and have no complaints. There’s one in my 110 with no head unit, and one in my wife’s D1 installed in conjunction with the factory radio/head unit.
Same. No interest in seeing a head unit, they're all too flashy IMO. Out of Sight works great
 

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
I’m no fan of the fixed head unit set up. I run with BT to portable speaker set up which becomes handy out if the truck when camping. Also have a BT headset that sees plenty of use. There are some fixed BT amp and speaker set ups out there worth looking at,
 

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
I’m no fan of the fixed head unit set up. I run with BT to portable speaker set up which becomes handy out if the truck when camping. Also have a BT headset that sees plenty of use. There are some fixed BT amp and speaker set ups out there worth looking at,
ive been looking at marine BT amps, as they all have a controller wired/wireless and easily fit in a cubby or seatbox. Im on board with the hidden setup, as I'd rather not see anything on dash. I think the TD5 gives some cleaner options, but even that id go with an old blaupunkt or continental/vdo euro style receiver.
 

SaintPanzer

Well-known member
I have this one in my '98 D90, seems "period correct", fits in the DIN slot, and has bluetooth for phone and listening to podcasts/music on my phone. One could argue there are better sounding systems out there, but our vehicles don't really make for a great sound stage, do they? Only thing I wish I could change is I wish I could find one with a green display, but no such luck...

 

erover82

Well-known member
I have this one in my '98 D90, seems "period correct", fits in the DIN slot, and has bluetooth for phone and listening to podcasts/music on my phone. One could argue there are better sounding systems out there, but our vehicles don't really make for a great sound stage, do they? Only thing I wish I could change is I wish I could find one with a green display, but no such luck...


That thing is beautifully simple, and you can have matching tires and head unit.
 

hillstrubl

Founding Member
I have a combo of the MudUK dash conversion with a single DIN (Android) head unit with an ~8 or 9" screen. Aesthetically its fine. Auditorily its annoying, the built in amp sucks. I added this to give it android auto (and apple carplay but ios is bunk) so the android native part of it ends up being moot as I never use it. I can provide pics if needed,
 

mitherial

Well-known member
I have a combo of the MudUK dash conversion with a single DIN (Android) head unit with an ~8 or 9" screen. Aesthetically its fine. Auditorily its annoying, the built in amp sucks. I added this to give it android auto (and apple carplay but ios is bunk) so the android native part of it ends up being moot as I never use it. I can provide pics if needed,

^ If the built-in amp is not adequate, I'll probably pass, but is it a name brand or a "no-name" unit?
 

pmatusov

Technical Excellence Contributor
Callsign: AK6PM
I have this one in my '98 D90, seems "period correct", fits in the DIN slot, and has bluetooth for phone and listening to podcasts/music on my phone. One could argue there are better sounding systems out there, but our vehicles don't really make for a great sound stage, do they? Only thing I wish I could change is I wish I could find one with a green display, but no such luck...

This.
 

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
It may not be entirely legal, but I use a simple BT headset while driving my 90 with a cheap Sony BT portable speaker at the campsite.
 

MountainD

Technical Excellence Contributor
I’ve been running the Atoto S8 — china, inexpensive Amazon purchase and friggin love the concept but some are gonna hate it as it’s not traditional. single din, floating face but not retractable. Can adjust in, out, up, down and angle and all that is fixed with screws once adjusted. Full touch screen, Spotify, wireless CarPlay, Google maps, EQ, all that. Has usb inputs, inputs for back and front cams, back cam switches with reverse. Using a USB plug in tire pressure warning. I wanted Spotify, Google maps and touchscreen.

here is a early photo of installation. Paid about $300. I’d get it again, but I wanted Nav and mounting an IPad wasn’t as graceful.
1685106727863.png


this may be the new model here albeit with 10” in lieu of 8” screen (I wanted 8” due to buttons underneath): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MQ8CR5...s=wireless&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

for the $, hard to beat
 

Attachments

  • 1685106034669.jpeg
    1685106034669.jpeg
    47.8 KB · Views: 45
Last edited:

mitherial

Well-known member
The looks of the setup are indeed a matter of taste, but for iPhone users, once you get used to using CarPlay, it is hard to do without it--the interface is so much easier to use for adjusting GPS and Spotify compared to messing with your cell phone on a mount that I regard having it (on a decent size screen, as above) to be a substantial *safety* upgrade from the perspective of reducing driver distraction. Beyond this, I have never really liked phone dash mount carriers on any of my vehicles (though RN's mount is quite good for the Defender), and the whole point of something like a Defender is going places that you have never been to before, thus making easy to use GPS a must. Also, a backup camera (or even a downward angled front bumper camera) are very useful for trail use, and parking with the D110.

______________

I see that you went with an 8" screen and the MudUK center console. Does that seem to be the "optimum" size, or would you recommend larger/smaller after seeing it in person?
 
Last edited:

hillstrubl

Founding Member
The looks of the setup are indeed a matter of taste, but for iPhone users, once you get used to using CarPlay, it is hard to do without it--the interface is so much easier to use for adjusting GPS and Spotify compared to messing with your cell phone on a mount that I regard having it (on a decent size screen, as above) to be a substantial *safety* upgrade from the perspective of reducing driver distraction. Beyond this, I have never really liked phone dash mount carriers on any of my vehicles (though RN's mount is quite good for the Defender), and the whole point of something like a Defender is going places that you have never been to before, thus making easy to use GPS a must. Also, a backup camera (or even a downward angled front bumper camera) are very useful for trail use, and parking with the D110.

______________

I see that you went with an 8" screen and the MudUK center console. Does that seem to be the "optimum" size, or would you recommend larger/smaller after seeing it in person?
How does it sound? my biggest complaint with my generic Android radio is the amp SUCKS so that even with nice speakers its very tinny. I am on the fence between adding an amp or replacing the radio entirely.
 
Top