Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

Above is from 30/07/12, source...

Did anyone ever end-up buying one of these Sony units or the Alpine versions?**
http://www.sony.com.au/productcatego...mobile-display
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/11/s...v-hits-europe/
I'm considering getting one to use with my N9 via mirror-link* (probably 2nd-hand, if I can find one).

Is the XAV-601BT & XAV-701HD mentioned in the Engadget article (& the older article it references) exactly the same as the XAV-601BT & XAV-701BT on the Aussie site? (above)
Is it only Sony and Alpine that make these, no Samsung or others? I'd love to hear some real world experiences, as I'm sure others would!

Alas a free version of Car Mode was never made available for Harmattan, so there's no way to "try before buying".
Not that one can thoroughly test Car Mode with the free Symbian version, having no mirror-link it's only usable on a ph, but it's still nice to see what it's all about on the ph.
If the Sony units also supported DAB+ I reckon I'd be sold, alas I don't think they do :-/

*Australian site (less clearly laid out) is here
**I haven't yet read all the sections on that site

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

Decided to forget about mirror-link units, as I doubt I can get one for $400AUD or under, & it's not worth spending more than that for the current ancient car I have. In a yr or so when I buy some brand new wheels it'll make more sense, if the new car's head-unit isn't decent. I do still need a new head-unit though, as my current one doesn't even have aux-in, let alone many other modern features.
So, anyone here well informed about car head-units in the price range of approx: $100-$420AUD? If so, which make/models would you recommend?

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

As I understand mirror-link is just a car stereo with a touch screen and a bluetooth connected VNC client interface integrated with the server running on your phone.
Would it be better and far cheaper to find a basic stereo with line-in and build a arduino or other open processor board based touch screen VNC client for your N9/950/900 or whatever.

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

I like the way you think, but it's a bit more than that, it's also a UX simplified/tested for in-car use.
Interesting thread here that I'm reading right now...
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...d-units-2.html

I'm just concerned that the N9's unlikely to be supported all that well, but at least there'd be good support for many Android devices.
Still, I'm leaning more towards getting something very basic now, XAV-701BT is just too pricey/sophisticated for my craptastic car.
So far the cheapest offer I've seen is $425AUD (inc post), if I could find a offer for $325AUD (inc. post) or less I'd seriously consider it.

*UPDATE*

Buying this....
http://www.sony.co.uk/product/icd-bluetooth/dsx-a50bt
https://www.jbhifionline.com.au/defa...10180&P=670934
That will do for now...
If anyone feels there's better options for (roughly) that price, please list them.
Later -time permitting- I'll experiment w/a carputer (FOSS/Linux etc) + touchscreen.

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

How hackable are these mirror link stereo rigs? Is there something like crypto keeping us from connecting a N900?
(edit) the above two are NOT mirror link I see, but it appears to have the functionality most will need, who wants to play angry birds on the car radio?

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

Yeah, I've decided to forget about mirror-link units for now, I've not seen any cheap enough.
Admittedly I haven't researched heavily, as I simply don't have enough time...
The XAV-?01BT are Android-based apparently, so I'm sure there's plenty of hack-ability to be had.
When I have better wheels I'll worry about a better carputer/head-unit, & everything that hangs off it.
The DSX-A50BT meets all my basic requirements, & reviews look favorable, for the price.
Although again, I don't have time to compare it against many other similarly priced/specc'd units.
No doubt there's others out there that are similarly priced, but better overall...

*UPDATE* 18/04/13 @420pm AustEST:
Anyone else have some thoughts on the unit I went with? (see post #4)
Would you have picked something different in that (rough) price-range, if so, what?

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

I have had great luck with the new Pioneer BT head units. All 3 I've tried (even the single DIN ones) sync with my N9 just fine. You can control the tracks and play/pause on the phone through the head unit, take calls with the MIC supplied by the head unit and the sound plays on the speakers. The unit even displays battery life and signal strength on the display.

I use this one on a daily basis
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...s/AVH-X8500BHS

I can sync all my contacts though the unit on the display to make calls by alphabet, and music works flawlessly with it. When you set the stereo to automatically connect BT, it will do just that and start playing the music right where it left off automatically the next time you get into the vehicle with your phone. It's all seamless. When you use GPS on the phone while connected and playing music the voice will softly interrupt the music to give you directions then get back to playing the music. The only thing it won't do is display artist/track/album data on the screen with bluetooth. I talked to eviljazz about getting bluetooth on the N9 to communicate this data and it may be a possibility. If that were to happen, I don't see any other need with connecting this device to the stereo except maybe to play video but this is a DVD receiver and it also has SD card slot you can load it for lots of movies and music as well. It is an overall good multimedia stereo.

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

Looks to be out of my budget, it's comparable to the XAV-701BT or XAV-601BT, which -as explained in earlier posts- I've ruled out.
Plus if I were to buy a head-unit that sophisticated (& I won't for now), I'd prefer that it also supports Mirror-link.

Yea, I've been thinking about getting the alpine one, but is mirror-link officially out for the n9? Or ever?

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

I had a brainfart. I know this is available. My mistake.

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

*BUMP*
So aside from justadude, can any other folks share their experiences here? TY.

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

Seriously considering this instead now....
http://www.pioneer.com.au/au/product...0DAB/page.html
Found it for as cheap as $398 so far, $200+ more than I was originally going to outlay.
But it's hard to find a unit that has BT "&" DAB+ integrated, even today, which is quite pathetic.
I don't see anything else quite like it, very well-rounded set of features.
SQ features/aspects aren't top-notch, but they're good enough...

The compare tool on Pioneer's site is very much appreciated (although not perfect):
http://www.pioneer.com.au/au/product...983&__P5=62831
http://www.pioneer.com.au/au/product...083&__P3=63346
I wish more OEMs/Vendors would do that on their sites...

Are there other mechless (or not) units with "broad" BT capabilities AND DAB+ integrated?
So far only Pioneer seems to be in that game*, rather not go into full touchscreen & double-din.
It's looking like I'll have to spend at least $350, $420 is probably my absolute maximum.
Unless there's a AMAZING combo of features that I just can't ignore at higher price-point.

*although I haven't yet systematically gone to every OEM site & carefully checked that

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

If that is your budget then consider the unit I am using currently. Through my business I can get them significantly cheaper than their advertised price ($500.00). Are you located in the States by chance? I can send it to you. I have no problem helping another member out by giving you my cost. I know you don't want a double din, but it's tough anymore to find single din with all the bells and whistles because they are slowly being phased out.

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

So which of these Australian units do you reckon most closely resembles your American model:
http://www.pioneer.com.au/au/product.../overview.html
If it's basically the same as the top 1-2 in that list, then it's a very reasonable price...
But that price is dampened by the fact that a significant chunk of it's functionality would be useless here.
Because the yanks use very different TV/Radio broadcasting standards to Australia, EU, & many other countries.

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

I hear ya. The AVH-X8550BT is actually the exact same as my head unit but has app radio functionality put into it as well. That is actually better than the one I have. Mine would sit between that and the AVH-X550BT.

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

Tis ridiculous how much more expensive things are here compared to the US & elsewhere, it has been like that since forever...
So your unit, which is better than the Australian AVH-X7550BT (2nd from the top), cost LESS than $500USD, which is LESS than $547AUD, yet the AVH-X7550BT here, costs $999-freaking-AUD!
Admittedly that's RRP, it could probably be found for quite a bit less, but it's unlikely to be found for less than $547AUD brand new (Australian stock, not grey-imported).
If only we shared compatible freaking broadcasting standards, that pricing is far, far, cheaper than here, I would snap-up your offer in a heartbeat!

Re: Mirror-link Car Head-Units for N9/950?
 

So these are the only units I've found that meet my basic criteria (or roughly):


Single-din (no touchscreen etc):

DEH-X8500DAB
http://www.pioneer.com.au/au/product...0DAB/page.html
KDC-U7056DAB (last I checked they still hadn't updated their site, hence the google search)
http://bit.ly/132Wvqe
CDE-136BTi
http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=280
CDX-DAB500U
http://www.sony.com.au/product/cdx-dab500u
CZ702A
http://www.clarion.com/au/en/product...617399837.html


Double-din or greater (touchscreen, the works etc):

AVH-X3500DAB
http://www.pioneer.com.au/au/product...0DAB/page.html
DNX4330DABNAV
http://bit.ly/188BEY9
CED190BT
http://www.philipscaraudio.com.au/he.../ced190bt.html
NX702A
http://www.clarion.com/au/en/product...617713267.html


Is this all of them, am I missing some makes/models that have DAB+ or the ability to add it? (although I'd prefer that it was already there).
I'm yet to insert up-to-date RRP for them all, but I do know that there's big pricing disparities between some of them.
My maximum budget still sits at about $450AUD, many of these units can be found for much cheaper than their RRP.
More analysis/notes, & whittling-down to come...