Double Din Car Stereo Aftermarket Head Unit / Radio Capable (confirmed by Slate CEO)

[Luxrage]

It really burns me that google axed Android Auto as a standalone app on the phone back in 2022 or so. I used to use it for road trips all the time in my LTD. It's not like it did anything a modern phone wouldn't do. It just put the interface you see on your radio on the phone instead. Would have been perfect for the Slate.

 

[Ken NH]

I was thinking something like this would work. The stand comes off. I could probably find someone to 3D print me a mount once I see what slates phone holder mount looks like.

@Saint Alban I've owned a few of those for my older Volvo. Each one is crappier and slower than the previous one and gets buggy fast. I'm going to stick with a brand-name this time.

 

[Luxrage]

I was looking through some of the double-dins that I have in my workshop. There's a couple different brands but they all have the same general layout. Hot (always on), Hot (key switched accessory), ground, headlights-on signal for dimming, and then pairs of wires for each of the speakers. And of course the usual big barrel antenna plug. IF the slate comes with a generic plug, it'd be a dream if they offered a pigtail like aftermarket OEMs do for adding radios without splicing the factory wires.

I think I might add this '85 Toyota Camry radio I pulled many years ago to the Slate if so...

 

[Saint Alban]

@Saint Alban I've owned a few of those for my older Volvo. Each one is crappier and slower than the previous one and gets buggy fast. I'm going to stick with a brand-name this time.

Thanks, good to know. You’ve tried various brands? I don’t know if I want to spend the money on an actual head unit when all I really want is wireless CarPlay.

 

[Luxrage]

Thanks, good to know. You’ve tried various brands? I don’t know if I want to spend the money on an actual head unit when all I really want is wireless CarPlay.

Sometimes it's better to pay more and get a name brand than some of these dubious eBay ones. Even the cheapest low level pioneers and Kenwood double din units will usually keep trucking for years. Especially as both of the low end units that I have received software updates for quite a while after I bought them.



reading the text on the pictures you posted is quite entertaining though lol.

 

[Saint Alban]

reading the text on the pictures you posted is quite entertaining though lol.

lol yes lots of misspellings, missing letters and strange grammar. Good indication of where it’s coming from. It was just the first match in a google search that I could use as an example.

 

[SichuanHot]

Thanks, good to know. You’ve tried various brands? I don’t know if I want to spend the money on an actual head unit when all I really want is wireless CarPlay.

Do you really need Carplay though? I was in the same boat as you when I was deep down low in modifying my E46 and thought I absolutely had to have an Android auto/apple carplay head unit, but I soon found that all I needed is bluetooth for audio. I don't need to stare at a map all the time and I definitely don't need a large screen glowing back at me at night. Audio piped from my phone's navigation is sufficient.

 

[cvollers]

Do you really need Carplay though? I was in the same boat as you when I was deep down low in modifying my E46 and thought I absolutely had to have an Android auto/apple carplay head unit, but I soon found that all I needed is bluetooth for audio. I don't need to stare at a map all the time and I definitely don't need a large screen glowing back at me at night. Audio piped from my phone's navigation is sufficient.

I’m with you. Completely weaned off CarPlay and don’t miss it one bit.

 

[Saint Alban]

Do you really need Carplay though? I was in the same boat as you when I was deep down low in modifying my E46 and thought I absolutely had to have an Android auto/apple carplay head unit, but I soon found that all I needed is bluetooth for audio. I don't need to stare at a map all the time and I definitely don't need a large screen glowing back at me at night. Audio piped from my phone's navigation is sufficient.

I understand your point, but it’s definitely something I’d like, especially wireless. I understand I can get all audio through regular Bluetooth, but even having to take out my phone to deal with the on-screen controls is inconvenient and harder to see. I don’t have an iPhone Max model. Not often, but there are times I need to look at the GPS screen as well. The streets here in NYC aren’t a perfect grid, so sometimes, if it says turn right, it could be three different roads lol

 

[Ken NH]

Right now, I have an iPhone Mini. Screen is too small for me to see a map and drive. If simplicity is the goal, then I suppose an iPhone Max mounted landscape would work well instead of bothering with CarPlay. I would miss the local NPR stations but I guess they each have an app I could use.

 

[Saint Alban]

Right now, I have an iPhone Mini. Screen is too small for me to see a map and drive. If simplicity is the goal, then I suppose an iPhone Max mounted landscape would work well instead of botering with CarPlay. I would miss the local NPR stations but I guess they each have an app I could use.

Yea, NPR has an app. It’s also on Apple Music if you have that.

 

[Adam W]

Pioneer and Blaupunkt have some retro-looking single DIN units on the way. They have bluetooth, and USB ports hidden under the fake tape flap. These might fit the styling of the Slate pretty well.

https://www.theautopian.com/pioneer...ok-radio-and-it-has-some-serious-competition/

 

[cvollers]

Pioneer and Blaupunkt have some retro-looking single DIN units on the way. They have bluetooth, and USB ports hidden under the fake tape flap. These might fit the styling of the Slate pretty well.

https://www.theautopian.com/pioneer...ok-radio-and-it-has-some-serious-competition/

Yeah baby.

 

[SichuanHot]

I understand your point, but it’s definitely something I’d like, especially wireless. I understand I can get all audio through regular Bluetooth, but even having to take out my phone to deal with the on-screen controls is inconvenient and harder to see. I don’t have an iPhone Max model. Not often, but there are times I need to look at the GPS screen as well. The streets here in NYC aren’t a perfect grid, so sometimes, if it says turn right, it could be three different roads lol

I have an Android phone so screen size isn't an issue. That said I always take my phone out of my pocket when I get in cars. Do you always keep your phone in your pocket? I feel that would be pretty uncomfortable.

 

[Saint Alban]

I have an Android phone so screen size isn't an issue. That said I always take my phone out of my pocket when I get in cars. Do you always keep your phone in your pocket? I feel that would be pretty uncomfortable.

Yes, my phone is always in my pocket. Not uncomfortable at all. When I’m working, I carry a work phone in my other pocket as well. They’re both iPhone 14 Pro’s. So not the biggest screen but also not the smallest. This is why I didn’t get the iPhone Max models because, yes, I’d assume they would be uncomfortable in my pocket. It would bother me to have to take my phone out whenever I want to sit down and/or drive.