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

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?

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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?

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