Cheap FM transmitting car play / android auto devices for the car?

QrizB

OK let's get back to the basics of systems engineering - the OP's requirements.

B0bbyEwing said:

I also wasn't really wanting to faff about with fascias - hence looking at something 12v & easily detachable.
What I DID want was-
* something that will play my music via the car speakers via bluetooth
* a screen - for navigation.

I think the best suggestion so far is:

debitcardmayhem said:

Maybe a cheap/recon tablet e.g. Fire and a bracket 

You'd need to hotspot it to your phone (unless you buy a phablet and a data SIM, perhaps one of those £1/month Sky deals) but it should be able to run Google Maps natively while streaming your favoured music app.

B0bbyEwing

debitcardmayhem said:
Since you are interested, roast pork sandwiches with stuffing and apple sauce, and a can(or more) of San Miguel. 

I think what you had was wrong. You should've had something else. 
Cheese & crackers would work.

B0bbyEwing

Ok so after the helpful replies within this thread & to stop me creating a new one to ask this - I was looking at the possibility of a double DIN unit on the cheap.

Found one fairly cheap. Saw it for sale on an audio website too so contacted the website to just ask what else I need, if anything, to have this installed in the car.

They said I'd need a DAB aerial & linked me to one at £15. I'd say I probably don't need that as I'm not bothered about DAB in the car as I can't remember the last time I listened to the radio. Anyway, even if I went for it it's only £15 so not too bad really. That's not what bothered me though.

They said I'd need Connects2 CTKVW18 at a cost of nearly £100. 

And the reason I'm posting here is to ask - is that likely to be correct? I'd NEED that?

Maybe I'm just stuck in time but I remember back to when fascias cost you like £15. Stick in your head unit & job done. What's all this extra cost for then?

QrizB

B0bbyEwing said:

Maybe I'm just stuck in time but I remember back to when fascias cost you like £15. Stick in your head unit & job done. What's all this extra cost for then?

One of these?

https://connects2.com/Product/ProductItem/ctkvw18

That's not just a fascia, it includes a logic converter to make your steering wheel controls work with the new unit, plus a powered adapter for an active antenna.

The fascia bit is £30 if you're not bothered about everything else.

https://caraudiocentre.co.uk/products/m-connects2-ct24vw12

B0bbyEwing

QrizB said:

B0bbyEwing said:

Maybe I'm just stuck in time but I remember back to when fascias cost you like £15. Stick in your head unit & job done. What's all this extra cost for then?

One of these?

https://connects2.com/Product/ProductItem/ctkvw18

That's not just a fascia, it includes a logic converter to make your steering wheel controls work with the new unit, plus a powered adapter for an active antenna.

The fascia bit is £30 if you're not bothered about everything else.

https://caraudiocentre.co.uk/products/m-connects2-ct24vw12

To give a clearer picture, I don't have steering wheel controls but I was told that doesn't matter & I need all that stuff anyway. 

Do I need an active antenna if I'm not bothered about the radio? 

Or can I just get away with just the fascia?

And yes, the link you gave. 

QrizB

B0bbyEwing said:

Do I need an active antenna if I'm not bothered about the radio? 

No.

B0bbyEwing said:

Or can I just get away with just the fascia?

That probably depends on how confident/comfortable you are with head unit wiring. The CT kit is plug-and-play. If you don't mind a bit of crimping and soldering, you should be OK with just the fascia.

There are also cheaper VW wiring connectors without the steering wheel control adapter (like this); one of those might work with your car. I'm in no position to say which one, though.

B0bbyEwing

Hmm probably not overly confident with HU wiring because it depends. 

I installed my Alpine CDE-128BT myself w/ steering wheel controls. 
I hard wired my dash cam to the fuse box & then connected up another cam to a 12v female which I also wired in to the fuse box. 

But for the Alpine CDE-178BT we have I had to get someone to do it because it had other connectors on it vs the 128BT which I didn't have a clue what they were. That blue ended connector threw me out as didn't have a clue what it was so reluctantly paid someone to install it. 

chrisw

To use the satnav you might also need a GPS receiver aerial if the unit doesn't come with one.