Aftermarket Head Unit Recommendations

[moogyfoogy]

Thanks all. I'm wondering if any owners have replaced the bolero radio with an aftermarket unit and how they overcame the airbag connector issue?

[langers2k]

2 hours ago, moogyfoogy said:

Thanks all. I'm wondering if any owners have replaced the bolero radio with an aftermarket unit and how they overcame the airbag connector issue?

 

You're in the Octavia section so as there is no airbag warning light, it's not something we need to solve.

 

 

However, my previous post had the answer:

10 hours ago, langers2k said:

you'll probably need a new facia with a separate airbag light with the right sized hole for your new head unit.

 

For example, this item on eBay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274355927055

[benoz]

I bought an erisin before seeing the reviews. It arrived today and was easy to install.

 

So far it's running fine, sounds ok and connectivity is good. My expectations were and continue to be low but so far so good!

[J.R.]

If it doesn't crash when you are using the Satnav and any other function, radio, CD, music from memory card, reversing sensors, reversing camera, bluetooth, basically any multi-tasking, then you are laughing, they are a very affordable unit.

 

If it starts crashing and giving you Chinese sick note messages in a Windows type box then you just have to learn what to avoid which causes it (anything!) and they are still reasonable to live with.

Edited 8 September, 2020 by J.R.

[benoz]

So far so good. I've tried every combination of functions that I'm likely to use that I can think of and all good - hopefully it stays that way!

 

I don't mind an occasional freeze - you get what you pay for after all but constant freezes would have me putting the old unit back in.

[J.R.]

Well done, that is a result, thes units are a bit of a lottery, the one I currently have was half price as it was a returned unit, no doubt from someone who had loads of grief yet it has been fine to date touch wood.

 

The WinCE ones are very good value for money, wont do what a lot of smartphone afficionados want but they do all I expect of them and far more.

[Mazzer]

Hi All, 

 

I'm not sure if previous threads have covered this but interestingly I've discovered there is an adaptor plate that you like for like swap out leaving the exact space for a vw shaped unit. In fairness there is way more choice and they are cheaper. I think they've been around a while but I'd never paid any attention

[ChrisKeene]

In case anyone is still reading this thread, I've just fitted one of the Vanku Android 10 units in my VRS after a brief experiment with one of the REALLY cheap far East specials (sound was abysmal so binned that straight off). 

 

First impressions are good - sound is probably actually better than the original HU, having Maps etc available for nav is so much better than using a vent phone holder, and being able to take calls from it is super handy. 

 

Lessons learned:

I got lucky that my canbus is a later revision that doesn't drain the battery, but wasn't even aware that was a thing until after I'd fitted it. Would have been smart to check that first really. 

You need a whole bunch more stuff than just the head unit - I got a Connects2 canbus quadlock - ISO adapter so wouldn't have to mess about with wiring into ignition switched fuses, and needed a double din cage and fascia adapter and it's still not quite right. Need to do some extra sanding, I think. 

Oddly, fitting this actually brought my insurance down a bit when I declared it - no idea why, but there we are. 

 

Hope that helps anyone still looking at this thread! 

[Kiwibacon]

On 30/01/2020 at 01:09, kris_kristofferson said:

 

Hi,

 

I am completely useless when it comes to car electronics. My radio is the basic model (cannot seem to remember the name for it). The thing is that I would like to get it upgraded to an android model with GPS (hopefully at a later stage include a rear view camera).

 

Is it still a simple straightforward  job?

 

How did this work out for you?

 

I have exactly the same interior.  2008/9 pre-facelift with the stream stereo.  But my steering wheel is on the other side.
The stereo you linked to is not showing as available on the Xtrons website any longer.

 

I am looking for a replacement head-unit to do the following:
Reversing camera.

Bluetooth hands-free and music streaming.

I don't need GPS

I want volume knobs (not buttons).

I want buttons for other key functions (vs touch-screen for everything).

 

Has anyone got recommendations for me? 

 

Something like this looks fine, but I don't know how I'll get on with adapter plates:  https://xtrons.co.uk/volkswagen-seat-skoda-various-android-10-octa-core-4gb-ram-32gb-rom-pb80unv

 

This one looks to be the exact size/shape as the Stream.  But lower spec so I'm curious about start-up times:  https://xtrons.co.uk/skoda-octavia-yeti-android-10-quad-core-2gb-ram-16gb-rom-psd70cts

 

Aliexpress, same thing as the Xtrons but more grunt:  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000199694183.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.20a41aa8S3ecu2&algo_pvid=c8295c15-bdfa-4ab7-a1a7-68b570e90816&algo_expid=c8295c15-bdfa-4ab7-a1a7-68b570e90816-0&btsid=0bb0624416041299733322202ed456&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

Edited 31 October, 2020 by Kiwibacon
edit

[Mazzer]

Hi, 

 

It was only till recently that I found out that you can buy a new centre console section designed to fit the shape of the vw family of head units. The Rcd series. Now if I'm not mistaken they run the same vag group software. Being vw there are plenty around at decent prices and they will do everything you want. 

 

They are are 225.00 I bought one for a vw we have and it is fine no battery drain. 

 

Hope this helps..? 

 

Ps being a vw fitment across a broad range of vw vehicles its resale will be much better too. Oh and you just go in and change the vw for skoda start up.... 

 

Thanks

 

Maz

[Hurley]

Hi guys. 

 

I'm just wondering has anyone bought one of the more popular manufacturer units from Halfords? In terms of connectivity with existing tech (reverse sensors, steering wheel controls and dash information), is it possible to reconnect all of these using say a Sony head unit? 

[Drum94]

Hi there,

 

I've just purchased an Erisin es8126s. I've read a lot of reviews and feedback and for the price it seems to tick all the boxes i'm wanting in my Octavia (Mk2, 2009 estate).

 

I'm just looking for a bit of helpful advice on the installation process - the only worry i've got is this dreaded battery drain.

 

I've read this model comes with Can Bus Decoder and other buyers saying it's a simple plugin and play with 0 issues (at least not battery drainage anyways).

 

Can you anyone shed any clarity on the installation process for me? I'm hesitant to even try until I'm sure it won't cause any battery issues.

 

Thanks again.

[Drum94]

Hi there,

 

I've just purchased an Erisin es8126s. I've read a lot of reviews and feedback and for the price it seems to tick all the boxes i'm wanting in my Octavia (Mk2, 2009 estate).

 

I'm just looking for a bit of helpful advice on the installation process - the only worry i've got is this dreaded battery drain.

 

I've read this model comes with Can Bus Decoder and other buyers saying it's a simple plugin and play with 0 issues (at least not battery drainage anyways).

 

Can you anyone shed any clarity on the installation process for me? I'm hesitant to even try until I'm sure it won't cause any battery issues.

 

Thanks again.

[meaty101]

Spoiler

 

Holy thread resurrection. Happy new year to everyone. I'm looking at replacing my ageing stream mp3 unit in my 2007 Octavia vrs. The pioneer FH-S820 looks like it'll do everything I need. I'm after cd capability plus DAB and Bluetooth. So, I'm hoping someone can help me out with a few things. Can anyone tell me what facia plate I'll need. Its the climate control model. Also, I'm hearing about battery drain so some advice on that would help. And lastly any dab aerials anyone can recommend preferably glass mounted ones.