Can We Talk About Radios?… Again?

[neohic]

I’m on the hunt for a new head unit for my Eliminator and I love simplicity. Don’t think I’ve bought a new radio since 2005?… I’m a bit out of touch. What are the cool kids running these days? Here’s what I’m looking for:

 

• Auxiliary input that charges an iPhone would be nice
• Looks somewhat period correct if it’s got buttons and not like a spaceship

 

Looking around online, I can easily find a ton of cheap junk. Right now I’m leaning towards the Power Acoustic CP-71w because it nearly looks like blank block off when it’s off, and I’m familiar with how it functions already being my ‘18 Ford Focus also runs on CarPlay. Are the usual manufacturers still the good ones or is there some whiz-bang units from cheaper sources that I don’t know about?

 

Thanks, all. 

[fiatslug87]

I remember @Salvagedcircuit looking at testing a couple of these.

[neohic]

6 minutes ago, fiatslug87 said:

I remember @Salvagedcircuit looking at testing a couple of these.

Yup. I was hoping he’d pipe in.

 

 

[Salvagedcircuit]

Hey guys. I'm in the middle of a very long writeup about it. Here's the gist of it:

$40 clonezone radio

I did some rudimentary tests involving a signal generator on this radio. It completely clips low frequencies which is why folks with the $40 radios complain about no bass. It's pretty simple, she's gone! The main amplifier chip is shenzen market special. There were no western components anywhere to be found in the radio. It was essentially a repackaged android phone in a shell. Ironically, this radio has a better interface and more responsive android auto than the Power Acoustik $140 one. This $40 radio has multi-touch and it works with maps, so you can search and wander around a map while the vehicle is moving.

 

$140 Power Acoustik radio

I did some rudimentary tests involving a signal generator on this radio. It does not clip low frequencies which is great. It uses a toshiba amplifier chip which is hopefully better than a no-name, but the unit is a repackaged clone radio that is sold under many brands. It uses an automotive multimedia io-chip instead of just a repackaged android phone but the Power Acoustik radio crashed on me 3 times in a row. While first setting up my surface duo phone the entire unit boot-looped. This is unacceptable. Besides this, the display looks great but is not multi-touch which is a let down. You also cannot wonder around on the map while the unit is in drive. so if you wanted to search for something nearby, while on route, it cancels out of navigation mode and your vehicle location is no longer being updated on the map. You just have to rely on voice commands, which is not ideal. I emailed Power Acoustik about it asking for a fix but I am convinced that they do not do any software development for this unit and simply just repackage an ODM design and place their sticker on it.

 

TLDR: wait for a better company to make a single din unit that looks and performs like the Power Acoustik. It's a shame, really. It was mostly there but they botched the implementation. I have many photos of the analysis too.

[89 MJ]

Here’s my plan for my vehicles, if I ever get around to it. You can get faceless Bluetooth radios like boats have and mount them somewhere inconspicuous. My MJ one might end up behind the seat and my Eagle one will probably end up behind the passenger kick panel. I’ve got OEM radios in both, but they don’t work and most of my local radio stations both in AZ and WI suck, so I listen to my phone anyways. 
 

Something like this, but I’m not spending $300 on it. 
https://www.amazon.com/Memphis-Audio-Headless-Smartphone-Bluetooth/dp/B09GCTY6KD/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Uncs_AUnIw-qluo4REHYqbKfnj--QxFABNoTpUqESCERTsSNOuVpb4IXIDR7QJ9gvpENEMdb7rZNnbQr_OlLhS4PDj0kSDviNnZEcvkGSWflwCR-Ocf_C1FrJIED8uexmJDR4JOzpdEQXUqR9geL9r528_1_ud17rehsQwoFu7xF4CLW6V9xXB7ZFdM1UDZHOHa9Eekc4VRC8Zu1MCfL6w.ldC5vtncNJ1WQdE2nAyyHUsoeKjYaki4AIZ56fTCzts&dib_tag=se&keywords=hidden+car+stereo+system&qid=1732501129&sr=8-4

[ghetdjc320]

I had considered this for some time. It’s a nice all around option:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_020M508/Clarion-M508.html