Replacement Double Din Radio/GPS - D3/RRS

[101RRS]

Has anyone replaced the double din radio/cd player in their D3/RRS with a cheaper double din dvd player/GPS system.

The ones I have spotted are the chinese versions on ebay and use Win CE as their operating system and as such are capable of operating turn by turn navigation as well as Ozi-explorer. These are valued up to around $500 and some specifically indicate they are compatible with Canbus steering wheel control systems.

See here http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-7-HD-Dash-Double-2-DIN-Car-DVD-GPS-Sat-Nav-Player-Stereo-Head-Unit-Radio-/220849350286?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item336ba5a68e

I appreciate there are some high end equipment such as Alpine but I am not interested in this top end stuff.

So if anyone has installed one of these cheaper units can you answer the following.

How is the audio quality?

Any issues with the connecting into the cars wiring system?

Any problems working the standard Hardon Kardon speakers?

Any problems with the steering controls linking in?

Where did you get a replacement surround facia?

Any other issues?

Thanks

Garry

[101RRS]

Seems like no one on AULRO has used these cheaper versions. They have been given favourable reviews on other forums so I guess I might have to be the guinea pig on here.

Garry

[WhiteD3]

Sounds interesting Garry. He's sold 54 of them with 100% positive feedback. Does sound too good to be true though for $400.

Assuming it works, what do you do for a fascia or whatever the word is for the plastic surround that is needed to make the thing look like it fits?

[sheerluck]

I've looked at these for SWMBO's ML. And for the ML there's a double din adapter kit available like this one (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mercedes-ML-Double-Din-Radio-CD-Screen-Stereo-Cage-Kit-/200680936277?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item2eb9841355).

For the RRS, there's the likes of this one (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Range-Rover-Sport-Car-CD-Stereo-Double-Din-Fascia-Panel-/250566754772?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a56f141d4).

There seems to be a number of these double-din units around, and of varying price and looks. Some do just look a little too good to be true though!

[101RRS]

Thanks for the information. Yes there are plenty of facia and fitting kits in the UK. The main issue is that the radio needs to be compatible with the CANBUS system and apparently there is a section of the speaker wiring that is fibre optic so I need to check that out.

There are plenty of expensive units but they so not run Windows CE so cannot use different nav systems. I am sure the cheap units will work OK but I just wonder what the sound would be like.

Idea is now on hold now until I get my EGRs sorted.

Cheers

Garry

[goingbush]

I bought an ebay unit from china for my Landcruiser, about $450 , not Double din but Toyota size is a little wider, It was Great & did have the steering wheel connection but the 105 Cruiser did not use that facility. The system was perfect.

For the Defender I bought a singledin unit for under $300 Landed. cant say too much about how wrapped with it.

Both these chinese WinCE units are great & I would not hesitate recommending


more info and pics here
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/136093-dash-gps-late-td5-ideas.html

[101RRS]

Thanks for that - was looking for first hand experiences.

Cheers

Garry

[pedro54]

I am interested in the same on a D3 we just bought. If anyone has done it please let us know.

[gps-au]

The main issue is that the radio needs to be compatible with the CANBUS system and apparently there is a section of the speaker wiring that is fibre optic so I need to check that out.


The only connection to the vehicle CANBUS is to provide the TIME. Dont worry about it, you just lose the display in the cluster.

[101RRS]

The only connection to the vehicle CANBUS is to provide the TIME. Dont worry about it, you just lose the display in the cluster.

Do you know if the radio controls still control the settings in the message center if the original radio is removed?

Also do you know if there is anything special about controlling the spreakers.

Cheers

Garry

[gps-au]

Do you know if the radio controls still control the settings in the message center if the original radio is removed?

Also do you know if there is anything special about controlling the spreakers.

Cheers

Garry

Like I said, with no canbuss to the NEW radio, no time back to instrument cluster,

On the "S" with basic radio nothing special with speakers, on the others I don't know as haven't played. I'll see if I can find the datasheets I saw some time back.

[pedro54]

Also interested in one of these units for a 2008 SE with the basic radio. A lot cheaper and should be able to run Ozieplorer, something the expensive usits do not do.

So experiences, good or bad of these units is good.

Peter

[400HPONGAS]

Going back to garrycol's original post , that unit listed on Ebay , is more or less what Im after ,to replace the D3 S CD400. About the only issue I can see is what happens to all the Canbus power control .
:

The audio systems has two levels of head unit. A low line and high line unit. The low line unit system is based around a
head unit which communicates on the medium speed CAN (controller area network) bus while the High line system is
based around an Integrated Head Unit (IHU) which communicates on the Media Orientated System Transport (MOST)
ring and the medium speed CAN (controller area network) bus.
So apart from losing the Clock Synch, what else will happen,or not happen !!

[gasman]

I think I have posted the same question in another forum. (whoops). No doubt someone will move it.
Anyway, I'm wanting to fit an OEM unit (GPS) in the hole in the dash where all the junk now resides.
My question is: will the povpak model wiring, handle the OEM GPS system or was the electronics upgraded when ordering from LR?
Cheers