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Thread: What Car Radio / Head unit to buy?

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    Default What Car Radio / Head unit to buy?

    I need/want to replace the radio in my 2004 Landcruiser. The present radio has poor sensitivity and the dash and windscreen are cluttered with a reversing camera monitor, GPS receiver and several cables (and a dash cam). I need to simplify and improve things. I began looking on line for a head unit that combines good radio reception, GPS, input for two rear cameras and access to phone Aps such as Wikicamps and Fuelmap etc.
    I started looking a week ago but there are so many brands and models I don't know where to begin.
    My wife & I enjoy caravaning in rural areas so I am more concerned with receiver sensitivity than price alone. I usually have the camera displaying what is going on behind me while towing our van.
    I would like to hear any recommendations please.



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    What Landcruiser?
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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    look at eonon

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    He wants strong fringe reception though
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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    Quote Originally Posted by ol' boy View Post
    He wants strong fringe reception though
    yeah that is the only downfall with the units

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    Sounds like he needs a Eonon and then purchase a radio for fringe reception
    I was hoping the newer Eonon units may be improved Fringe reception, i have failed to get a reliable answer
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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    Go to your loacal Car audio store and have a look a Kenwood and Pioneer I also think Alpine may have something the same.
    I believe both support carplay and andriod auto that can mirror whats on the phone screen to the head unit with the phone pluged in not via bluetooth.
    You use the app from the head unit not the phone.

    As for fringe radio recption Pioneer seems to have the better tuner and may be replace the antenna as well.

    SS Dave
    Death smiles at everyone. Grumpy old men smile back.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ficus View Post
    I need/want to replace the radio in my 2004 Landcruiser. The present radio has poor sensitivity and the dash and windscreen are cluttered with a reversing camera monitor, GPS receiver and several cables (and a dash cam). I need to simplify and improve things. I began looking on line for a head unit that combines good radio reception, GPS, input for two rear cameras and access to phone Aps such as Wikicamps and Fuelmap etc.
    I started looking a week ago but there are so many brands and models I don't know where to begin.
    My wife & I enjoy caravaning in rural areas so I am more concerned with receiver sensitivity than price alone. I usually have the camera displaying what is going on behind me while towing our van.
    I would like to hear any recommendations please.
    There you go:



    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

  • The Following User Says Thank You to ol' boy For This Useful Post:

    Ficus (29-08-19)

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    But this is what a few on here suggest..... Just not so sure of the fringe reception



    Maybe if you are not happy with the fringe FM reception (after trying a better antenna), you could use a RTL-SDR USB stick to a separate high gain antenna?





    Antenna:




    Works with Android Boxes, no reason it cant be the same on an Android Head Unit



    Last edited by ol' boy; 29-08-19 at 03:54 PM.
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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    Just remember, if you buy a Kenwood to engage before you take it out the driveway.
    I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message...

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    As SS Dave said, there might an easier turn key solution for you



    I had one of these, might be perfect for you
    (My unit was older, before they went to Android, but the reverse camera was the best id seen, HD for 100meters)

    Last edited by ol' boy; 29-08-19 at 04:29 PM.
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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    Thanks for those suggestions. Like I said earlier I find AM broadcast radio to be the most useful signal source in rural areas and that is where my present radio is not so great. FM broadcasting is widely available in towns and cities but is mainly line of sight so not much use beyond about 50Km except where the transmitter is on a mountain top.
    It sounds like Alpine. Pioneer and Kenwood are the traditional go to brands for receiver quality and maybe my best options but some of those cheaper head units look rather good too.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ficus View Post
    Like I said earlier I find AM broadcast radio to be the most useful signal source in rural areas
    Where did you say that?
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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    OK I didn't say that but I did mention travelling in rural areas so perhaps I should have expanded on that point. Forgive me.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ficus View Post
    OK I didn't say that but I did mention travelling in rural areas so perhaps I should have expanded on that point. Forgive me.
    Well it makes it hard to give accurate advise if you only give half the question
    There are some brilliant AM antenna designers in Oz, made for exactly what you are doing....
    But you need to be specific

    I did some AM Dxing while in the Simpson, great with the right gear
    Last edited by ol' boy; 30-08-19 at 07:34 PM.
    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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