Recommend a stereo?
#1
07-16-2019, 04:28 PM
Recommend a stereo?
So I want to do the double din conversion to my 1998, I think I more or less have a handle on how to do that now, but I am still mystified as to what would be compatible.
What I want is:
Budget is the issue though, ideally I want to stay under $200-$300. I realize that I will not get a very nice audio quality out of that but that’s OK, I rarely actually listen to music, I mostly want it for the navigation system, backup camera, DVD, OBD, and TPMS, that stuff needs to work well, but the rest is secondary.
Any suggestions?
Here is one I’m looking at (though I have no idea if it is compatible) to give you an idea:
What I want is:
- Independent GPS navigation, I want my navigation system to work even if my phone is not connected.
- Wireless backup camera support
- DVD and CD player
- Apple CarPlay
- Bluetooth
- OBD II input
- TPMS (I have seen some that have the sensors that screw on to the valve stems and a receiver that plugs into the back of the radio)
- Chevy Logo on startup
- AM/FM
- MUST fit flush and not extend beyond the bezel, I am going for a “factory” look.
- On Star
- Touchscreen
- Satellite radio
- Aux input
- Headphone jack
- SD input
- USB input
- USB charger port
- Decent audio
Budget is the issue though, ideally I want to stay under $200-$300. I realize that I will not get a very nice audio quality out of that but that’s OK, I rarely actually listen to music, I mostly want it for the navigation system, backup camera, DVD, OBD, and TPMS, that stuff needs to work well, but the rest is secondary.
Any suggestions?
Here is one I’m looking at (though I have no idea if it is compatible) to give you an idea:
#3
07-20-2019, 09:50 PM
If you're willing to live without the Apple CarPlay stuff, I would recommend a unit that runs Android. I'm running a Pumpkin unit and absolutely love it. It ticks all the marks you're asking accept for the Apple CarPlay and Onstar (I don't have any Apple devices and I don't have Onstar in the Blazer), and I'm sure it's sat radio ready someway but I'm not using that.
Wireless backup camera is an easy addition to any double din so long as it has a reverse camera feature, so don't let that hold you back.
If you end up with an Android unit, you can always look for a tire pressure monitoring system that links to an Android device, install the app on the radio install of a smart phone and viola!
The one I have in the Blazer doesn't have a CD/DVD slot, went that route intentionally because it let me have a little larger screen and I haven't played a CD/DVD in years (to be honest I don't even think I own any CD's any more...), but there's definitely options that have CD/DVD drives (the Android unit I just put in my 98 Saturn has one actually). I use the Torque app on it and pair it to a bluetooth OBD dongle and can read and clear codes and see live data with it. My main source of music on it is Spotify, which I have a premium account for the $10 a month, which lets me download my playlist directly to a 32gb micro SD card I have plugged into the radio. Every time I fire the truck up the radio connects to the wifi at home, syncs the playlists with any new music I might have added recently, and it all stays up to date. I either use Google Maps or NavMii for GPS navigation with it, either of which lets you download maps via wifi to use when you're offline later on when driving and not connected to wifi (NavMii actually seems to work smoother and has really good features, Google Maps seems to have gotten really bloated lately and just runs crappy...).
There's a lot of cheap China brand Android radios, the one I put in my Saturn is a good example. Literally no name brand on it, cost less than $100 on eBay, Build quality seems okay, but it's operation is slow as heck... But the Pumpkin unit in the Blazer runs smooth as butter, MUCH faster and snappier operation, cost a good bit more though. You certainly get what you pay for.
The downside to both of the Android units that I have, the face of them is ever so slightly larger than the typical double dine size opening. Something about them being speced for the China market I think, I'm not really sure... To make it fit in the Blazer I actually had to file the rounded corners a little. Not really noticeable unless you're looking for it. In the Saturn, it's kept me from installing the trim ring around the radio, leaving a hole around radio right now... You can see in the photos below.
Pumpkin unit in the Blazer
And the cheap no-name China unit in the Saturn I just install last weekend actually
Wireless backup camera is an easy addition to any double din so long as it has a reverse camera feature, so don't let that hold you back.
If you end up with an Android unit, you can always look for a tire pressure monitoring system that links to an Android device, install the app on the radio install of a smart phone and viola!
The one I have in the Blazer doesn't have a CD/DVD slot, went that route intentionally because it let me have a little larger screen and I haven't played a CD/DVD in years (to be honest I don't even think I own any CD's any more...), but there's definitely options that have CD/DVD drives (the Android unit I just put in my 98 Saturn has one actually). I use the Torque app on it and pair it to a bluetooth OBD dongle and can read and clear codes and see live data with it. My main source of music on it is Spotify, which I have a premium account for the $10 a month, which lets me download my playlist directly to a 32gb micro SD card I have plugged into the radio. Every time I fire the truck up the radio connects to the wifi at home, syncs the playlists with any new music I might have added recently, and it all stays up to date. I either use Google Maps or NavMii for GPS navigation with it, either of which lets you download maps via wifi to use when you're offline later on when driving and not connected to wifi (NavMii actually seems to work smoother and has really good features, Google Maps seems to have gotten really bloated lately and just runs crappy...).
There's a lot of cheap China brand Android radios, the one I put in my Saturn is a good example. Literally no name brand on it, cost less than $100 on eBay, Build quality seems okay, but it's operation is slow as heck... But the Pumpkin unit in the Blazer runs smooth as butter, MUCH faster and snappier operation, cost a good bit more though. You certainly get what you pay for.
The downside to both of the Android units that I have, the face of them is ever so slightly larger than the typical double dine size opening. Something about them being speced for the China market I think, I'm not really sure... To make it fit in the Blazer I actually had to file the rounded corners a little. Not really noticeable unless you're looking for it. In the Saturn, it's kept me from installing the trim ring around the radio, leaving a hole around radio right now... You can see in the photos below.
Pumpkin unit in the Blazer
And the cheap no-name China unit in the Saturn I just install last weekend actually
Last edited by blazen_red_4x4; 07-20-2019 at 09:57 PM.
#5
08-19-2019, 08:39 PM
When I've taken my Blazer, I've simply installed another audio system that I've found more reliable for my needs. After some searching and monitoring the Internet I've found the best speakers on this site, and what I can say that it's the most informative website I have ever visited. It has all the necessary information and comparison tables, where you can look at each model and brand and choose the best speakers for you.
Last edited by dilann11; 08-22-2019 at 11:10 PM.
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