T5 transporter aftermarket radio options

[Sunny43.5]

Did you see my post about remote steering wheel controls ? as long as the Pioneer has outputs for steering wheel these should work .http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...ls-117689.html I have to ask $822 for the unit what was the extra $478 for ? surely not for installation because the units I have fitted take no more than 15 minutes to install and an extra 30 minutes to mount a new roof mount antennae .

[Dennisg51]

Sunny, yes I think I remember checking out your thread, going for steering wheel controls just felt like over the top for me. I'm usually travelling with my wife, so no issues with reaching for controls and it would have just been more costs.

I paid extra for fitting rear camera, helical aerial, facia for head unit & some bus connection......I know it's expensive but I am not into installation of electricals myself. I read all about the cheaper chinese units & do it yourself but am happy to support local small business. I know it cost me but still I'm happy & I have full warranty.

[aSimpleLife]

Purchased & Installed from Frankies @ Nowra - Pioneer AVH8850BT including reversing camera and new external aerial for the bullbar. All up $1300.00 and I'm very happy...

Thanks for the info.

Does this mean you no longer get AM radio?
I am trying to toss up between the OEM and this - I really just need a reversing camera - currently have an RCD 210

[Dennisg51]

Hi, yes I have great reception for all radio options, AM, FM. I am not familiar with the RCD unit. If your just after reversing camera, I would think you should research if the RCD can accommodate one, otherwise your going to spend a lot v's a cheap reverse camera option.

Dennis

[aSimpleLife]

Thanks very much for your reply.
My old basic RCD210 doesn't have a fitting for a reversing camera (and no screen anyway).
But spoke to my auto elec and he regularly does a mirror conversion and has one in his own van he can show me. So I'll drop by and see what that looks like and will cost and go from there. He's already done a few jobs on my van over the years.

A bonus from this process is I found on ebay an AUX Input Adapter Audio iPod Cable - which if it works means I can then plug my phone (yep...it's not an iphone into the existing RCD210 and play music through the car speakers which I haven't been able to do before.

It's a shame that I've actually got some money to spend on the van...but nothing to spend it on...apart from repairs of course

[aSimpleLife]

Comparison time Chinese head unit DAB+ AM FM radio Bluetooth standard [No Coding required ] plays DVD,s MP3 discs Mp4 WMA and other Discs region free . Digital TV / GPS standard with concealed antennae up under dash . Forward collision camera connected to head unit and stores footage to a SD card $20 . Reverse infrared camera with guidance lines $25 WiFi connection to local network . Mirror Link to IPhone or Android . Monitor engine performance and stats via Bluetooth module to diagnostic port $25 . Built in Graphic equaliser dedicated subwoofer output and extra RCA outputs for amps and also RCA inputs for other devices and also two USB connections with supplied cables . Multiple screen savers . Ok you get the picture why I like them and all this for less than $450 when you consider a RNS system in 4 years time the system itself along with GPS maps will be so far out of date , meantime I can replace the head unit for the most up to date model with all the apps and functions etc every year and still be better off dollar wise . Yes I have read some reports of problematic ones maybe I have been lucky but so far all good .

I was thinking of giving this full blown suggestion a go.
Due to time issues - and automotive technical incompetence - I was considering just handing all the parts to my auto electrician.
Was hoping you could please provide a current link for where you would purchase this from - to help me reduce the risk of getting a problem one.

[aSimpleLife]

Or is this the place you use for all of it?

https://www.erisin.com/

[Sunny43.5]

This is the very latest model with Android 6 operating system . https://www.erisin.com/erisin-es6405...adio_p760.html I got my new one last week as I decided to upgrade my wifes van as she had an older one that did not have DAB radio . You will find that they will direct you to their sales person Tamer email here you can quote the number and ad the extras you want so he will give you a full quote incl delivery
Tamer Yehia <tamer_comm_eng@yahoo.com>

[aSimpleLife]

Thankyou very much.

[aSimpleLife]

Was wondering if you have installed your new unit yet?

I've sent off my email. Have just asked for prices for the front and rear cameras and the engine performance monitor. Were there anything else?
Do I need to order the VW antenna amplifer you mentioned too?

https://www.erisin.com/erisin-es068-radio-antenna-fakra-adapter-amplifier-for-vw_p300.html

And I assume there is some sort of VW adapter/decoder? Is that included with the unit?

I'm trying to do a crash course learning about head units. Never had one.
If I get one of these it means I forgo (licenced at least) Android Auto and Apple CarPlay which is a shame. And not sure whether this really does wifi 2 way mirroring.
But if I want all that I'll have to spend at least $1,100 on say a kenwood ddx917ws.
It's also a shame about all those not so good reviews about Erisin. Is what I read correct that all these China brands are just the same units rebadged? (Eonon, Joying, Pumpkin). Joying seem to have the best rep.

[aSimpleLife]

Here's a current quote for one of these for anyone who is interested;

Erisin ES6405V 8" Android 6.0 Octa Core Car Multi-media stereo GPS Sat DVD DAB+ for VW 8-Core Autora - $325.00
Erisin ES550 Universal 1.3MP USB Camcorder Recorder for Android Car DVD - $14.00
Erisin ES580 CCD HD 170° Mini Car Rear View Camera - $11.00
ES350 Mini ELM327 OBD2 V1.5 Car Bluetooth Scanner Android Auto Scan Diagnostic Tool - $7.00
Erisin ES068 Radio Antenna FAKRA Adapter Amplifier for VW - $9.50
Shipping - $99.00
Total - $465.50

[Sunny43.5]

I would not worry about the engine monitor it,s more of a novelty although it does have some interesting readouts . but for $7 its a cheap toy . What year is your van as the early ones don,t need the antennae adaptor , later models after 2010 have dual connectors . I did not use the original antennae as once you remove the original head unit it does not seem to work with other brands .I fitted roof mount antennae from a Nissan Xtrail bought from Autobarn . The unit comes standard with a can Bus adaptor so it just plugs into the factory plug no coding needed .They do have Smart phone / iPhone mirroring but I just let Bluetooth do the job much easier .The unbit you mentioned Kenwood will only probably fit and early model T5 as the later has tapered sides , I also noticed it does NOT have GPS you only use a GPS antennae for linking to your smart phone , so you would be using download data for GPS on your phone . The Erisin has GPS built in with the latest Igo mapping etc .

[aSimpleLife]

The unit you mentioned Kenwood will only probably fit and early model T5 as the later has tapered sides. I also noticed it does NOT have GPS you only use a GPS antennae for linking to your smart phone , so you would be using download data for GPS on your phone. The Erisin has GPS built in with the latest Igo mapping etc .

Thankyou again for the further info.

Further to the Kenwood. First I linked the wrong model. That's just for Toyota and it is a wide screen with fascia. This is the generic model that will suit a VW T5 - Kenwood DDX-9017DABS - still about $1,100 - plus a $200 kit to install.
(until the 11th June you can get 20% off the $1,100 on ebay from ryda - which is very tempting)
From my research - and I am no expert - this is the best name brand value and technology unit in it's price range (there is a cut down version for about $750 - or the cheapest name unit being the Sony XAV-AX100 currently $560 from JB plus a kit)
Yes it doesn't have gps - but that is part of the decision - these units with Android Auto & Apply CarPlay means you let your phone do all the work including gps and all the apps - so you don't have to upgrade your head unit as often because it just does the basics and doesn't duplicate what the phone can already do -assuming you are probably going to upgrade your phone regularly anyway.

But it is still $1,300 ($1,100 after discount - $1,000 after gst) - compared to $450 for the Erisin.
I've now got some thinking to do.

[Sunny43.5]

I suppose its what you want for me I like the idea of the built in GPS as I can stream Bluetooth music or listen to DAB+ digital radio and see my map in the GPS all at the same time all on an 8inch screen . Yes I was a bit confused at the specs on the one you posted makes sense now . Good luck with you decision .

[aSimpleLife]

As I said earlier, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge. I've started this process with zero knowledge about head units. Now I feel I have a pretty good idea about what is going on...at least enough to make my own decision properly (as opposed to buying a T5 just because I liked how it drove - and of course VW's will always be reliable - especially commercial ones rme).
I've never used a real gps before so I can't really compare - have always been happy enough with google maps - but I understand that others would only ever used a dedicated one.

As you mentioned earlier in the thread - the head units that do everything - also get out of date pretty quickly - which is why you said you're are happy buying a fully featured chinese unit more frequently.
If I was buying personally I would have no hesitation about buying the Erison - well apart from those reviews
But not only is it a business expense for me - I am expected to understand the technology involved by many of my customers - the freebie questions that come with the job - and now that I understand the chinese units don't support licenced versions of the apple and google car software - that is a fairly big downside for me (I hate learning new software - but it's a fact of life at this stage).