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Looking for a Bluetooth car stereo deck that is simple and not ugly
I prefer physical buttons and something that does not have a large screen and looks simple enough that it could be OEM. Does anything like this exist? All options seem to be cheap and ugly with flashing lights, or a giant touch screen.
Pioneer and Blaupunkt both sell a single DIN unit that is what you're looking for. They're a bit on the pricey side but maybe an option.
You can also look about getting a dedicated Bluetooth unit installed that can replace an existing aux/CD connection to your existing OEM radio system. This would be something that would tie into the existing wiring loom but allow you to connect via BT to that old channel.
Also, I love the Blaupunkt recommendation. They look great, just a little more money than I want to spend. Wish I could find a used one somewhere!
I'm curious, if my current deck doesn't have a CD changer button, does that mean there won't be a port on the back to connect a Bluetooth module to? It is an older car (2007).
I used the tape deck output with my wife's 2004 Honda accord
You can also just install one of the less ugly ones inside your glovebox? The radio loom will still be easy access and then you only need to connect Bluetooth.
(I have a lot of old Honda's...)
Did you install a whole stereo deck in your glove box or some form of adapter?
Full head unit in the glovebox :) I just built a wee frame it could screw to. If I still owned that car, I would send you pictures. It was very easy to use and completely out of the way.
That's neat. I dont think it would work for me though, I need the next track button and volume knob
Yeah fair enough. I used my phone for the track buttons and then the head unit has Bluetooth volume control as well. So if you had a phone mount within reach, that may control what you need.
I do understand what you're saying though, a nice clean OEM look is always the best. Good luck and let me know what you end up doing!
...you can also get a bluetooth module which connects to your radio antenna; no direct input required, simply tune your radio to the designated frequency...
Yea I have one of those right now but its just not cutting it. I have to fumble with my phone to change songs, and I dont think the sound quality is as good as it could be.
...used to be denon was my go-to for a clean OEM look but, unless you can find an old head-unit, i think they exited the mobile audio market a couple of decades ago...i think you can still find new-stock harman becker head units with a lot of digging, although distribution is challenging; i had to import mine from a small shop in switzerland...
...i can't vouch for their fidelity, but have you checked out retrosound for something which matches your car?..they're pretty clean-looking and feature modern bluetooth support...
...for carplay support you're pretty much stuck with a large full-color display, but browsing the 150-something models at crutchfield, some are fairly discreet...a few years ago i saw a true single-DIN carplay head unit (with a wide, short display) but i can't seem to find it now...
That single DIN with a flush screen with android auto sounded cool so I asked Claude, it dug up this
https://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/PORS/POR_PORS_PCR911_pg1.htm
Apparently there were other similar niche units made to match specific classic high-end cars of European and/or JDM make, but I didn't take my enquiry any further.
Also lol at $1500 head units, just Porsche things I reckon.
...i think porsche just rebrands harman becker head units, but yeah, they're pricey regardless: most of their business is OEM rebranding these days, not sure if they sell under their own name anymore...