 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > New Clarion Head Unit |
 
|
|
|
| d j hutton Member Since: 30 Jul 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 1044   
|
Just for interest
Yesterday installed a Clarion NZ501, which is a nice bit of kit. Even the guys in the shop were impressed with the screen clarity, never had one out the box it seems, but they are installing one now in the shop display! Does everything in one box, sat nav, Bluetooth (worked straight away which for me is a first!), cd, DVD, iPhone/ iPad video and audio, Bluetooth audio plus a real bonus (via connected iPhone) it will also display memory map, you tube, google maps, BBC (and others) iplayer, Netflix, etc etc. Reverse camera still to connect when it arrives . Really impressive facilities with nice flip out screen. Reasonable sound through standard speakers but plan to fit a small powered sub as well (when that arrives) , I was hoping to get it all in one hit but shop didn't have them in stock, but it does give me the chance to reflect on choice of those items. Took a while to fit as there are masses of cables to cram in, I now know how to get the dash off and on ( and off and on a number of times!) sticks out a bit from the dash to allow the screen to open, but looks tidy - wife is happy so that's a relief Some Pics:  Click image to enlarge Started to get the dash out, quite straightforward after reading the posts on here, good job as it was in and out quite a few times. Click image to enlarge Loads of plugs, fortunately they are all different fit so getting them back in was easy! Click image to enlarge GPS cable routed behind dash to headunit. Click image to enlarge Testing before final install (all works  )
Click image to enlarge Works nicely even when closed. Click image to enlarge Radio screen, nice clear graphics. (Pre sets now programmed in so it shows BBC1 etc instead of the frequency) Click image to enlarge Bluetooth phone screen (bit blurred - sorry) Links in with iPhone and stores phone book, call list etc Click image to enlarge Main screen view, there are three - icons can be moved about to suit, iOS style 'swipe' between screens Click image to enlarge One of the satnav screens, nothing much to see round our way, but lots of clear detail on trip iPhone screen mirrored Click image to enlarge Memory map displayed (via iPhone) plenty clear enough to follow/create a trail, iPhone controls it as required Click image to enlarge Iphone compass display Click image to enlarge BBC iplayer via iphone, pretty good picture as long as decent signal to phone Click image to enlarge BBC Casualty (to keep Mrs H happy) Click image to enlarge Iphone album artwork. So all in all a decent bit of kit with plenty of features on a big size screen, well pleased and a good price as well. Dj 1989 200tdi 90 csw 2011 110 usw Orkney grey Buy British 🇬🇧 Defender Clothing Designs available at http://www.rangesports.com/acatalog/Defender-Stuff.html Last edited by d j hutton on 16th Apr 2012 1:20pm. Edited 1 time in total |
||
16th Apr 2012 9:42am |
|
| iruffell Member Since: 03 Sep 2010 Location: Marlow, Buckinghamshire Posts: 343  
|
That looks fab, ticks all the boxes I've been waiting for, you can even hook up a reversing camera as well.
How much did you pay & where from? |
||
|
16th Apr 2012 9:58am |
|
| d j hutton Member Since: 30 Jul 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 1044
|
Thanks, certainly does tick all boxes, reverse camera to follow along with small Clarion sub under rear seats, don't really need mega sound but a little more bass fullness would be good. There's a set up menu for the sub level and some decent eq controls should work nicely.
Price wise £999.99 when launched in July 2011 - price now £629.99 at www.caraudiosecurity.com. Nice bunch of lads, a bit more into the mega bass setups, but more than happy to help and humour me, they were quite surprised at how the iPhone integrated so got into a good chat about jail breaking, display adaptors etc. I'm thinking they might be trying that out on a few other head units.. (halfrauds list it online at £799!) Apart from having one to see, these guys are the cheapest place to buy it anywhere, they sell online and in the shop at the same price. Even got to watch the Grand National whilst in the shop. The problem I found was actually getting to see one, most of the 'dealers' can 'get you one in sir' but can't/won't be able to show you one as 'they don't sell many of that one'. It's hardly surprising when they don't display it. I guess its understandable as most cars are double din nowadays, but frustrating nonetheless. Fortunately they come boxed in two's so any shop that orders one will have a spare. Phone around a few shops in your area if you want to see one, but you'll be lucky. I drove up from Bournemouth to London to see/buy this one, but it was a nice day for a drive anyway. Anyone want to see it in the flesh in my area, let me know. DJ 1989 200tdi 90 csw 2011 110 usw Orkney grey Buy British 🇬🇧 Defender Clothing Designs available at http://www.rangesports.com/acatalog/Defender-Stuff.html Last edited by d j hutton on 17th Apr 2012 7:54am. Edited 1 time in total |
||
|
16th Apr 2012 10:20am |
|
| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2656 
|
Looks very nice, but I'm not sure I'd want a £600 head unit in something as easy to break into as a Defender if I'm honest!
|
||
|
16th Apr 2012 10:39am |
|
| d j hutton Member Since: 30 Jul 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 1044
|
Good point, but if someone was breaking into my defender I think one of the last things I'd be worried about is a head unit, fortunately it looks pretty basic when closed down. Not as tempting as an iPad or fitted computer display screen though. DJ 1989 200tdi 90 csw 2011 110 usw Orkney grey Buy British 🇬🇧 Defender Clothing Designs available at http://www.rangesports.com/acatalog/Defender-Stuff.html |
||
|
16th Apr 2012 10:46am |
|
| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 20453
|
Also the Puma is more secure than older models but some window security etching could well help. Only annoyance you'll find with it DJ is that the screen will get in the way of the hazard lights switch so I keep it closed unless needed. (on mine) |
||
|
16th Apr 2012 11:08am |
|
| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069 
|
regarding security, you can have clear (or tinted) film applied to the windows, this slows them down
|
||
|
16th Apr 2012 11:59am |
|
| Naks Member Since: 27 Jan 2009 Location: Stellenbosch, ZA Posts: 2645  
|
I'd be keen to know how it fares after doing a few corrugated gravel roads. -- 2010 Defender Puma 90 + BAS remap + Alive IC + Slickshift + Ashcroft ATB rear 2015 Range Rover Sport V8 Supercharged
Defender Puma Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zZ1en9 Discovery 4 Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zXrtKO Range Rover/Sport L320/L322/L494 Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zc58JQ |
||
|
16th Apr 2012 1:59pm |
|
| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 20453
|
You'd be surprised. They're not as fragile as you might think. |
||
|
16th Apr 2012 2:03pm |
|
| Naks Member Since: 27 Jan 2009 Location: Stellenbosch, ZA Posts: 2645
|
You haven't seen the corrugations in the Kgalagadi transfontier park  --
2010 Defender Puma 90 + BAS remap + Alive IC + Slickshift + Ashcroft ATB rear 2015 Range Rover Sport V8 Supercharged
Defender Puma Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zZ1en9 Discovery 4 Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zXrtKO Range Rover/Sport L320/L322/L494 Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zc58JQ |
||
|
16th Apr 2012 2:04pm |
|
| d j hutton Member Since: 30 Jul 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 1044
|
I had a feeling that you'd post this reply , as it seems a fairly common post re this type of unit. 
Fortunately there isn't a lot of chance of it making it's way down to South Africa so I'm pretty safe on that score. They seem to work ok in Australia (according to my bro who lives in Adelaide and off roads a lot with same unit fitted) , but maybe they don't have the same nasty rough roads that you have. There is always the option of closing it down if the going gets really tough (like a trip round the m25) Audio and verbal satnav instructions continue when the screen is shut so not all bad. Looked at the little single din in built screens, but sadly my eyesight isn't up to it and combined with the viewing angle made my existing TomTom a better bet than one of those, hence the change to a good size all in one. If it falls apart during the next year on our roads then I'll get it replaced under warranty and failing that a map.
DJ 1989 200tdi 90 csw 2011 110 usw Orkney grey Buy British 🇬🇧 Defender Clothing Designs available at http://www.rangesports.com/acatalog/Defender-Stuff.html |
||
|
16th Apr 2012 2:21pm |
|
| DavidITGuru Member Since: 15 Aug 2011 Location: London Posts: 99 
|
I agree completely. They did the set up on my previous car and I found them to be very passionate about their work. Excellent customer service and reasonably priced too. Bought my Sony head unit for the Landy from them but had it delivered and did it myself this time as it was a straight swap. I plan to return for the speaker and amp installation when I'm over in the UK in July though. Won't be going anywhere else! |
||
|
16th Apr 2012 5:46pm |
|
| BigRuss Member Since: 15 May 2010 Location: Norfolk Posts: 2785 
|
I've bought stuff from CarAudioSecurity before, always found them to have good customer service and normally cheaper than anyother around
Russell
2011MY 110 XS USW Black |
||
|
16th Apr 2012 7:24pm |
|
| WarPig Member Since: 04 Dec 2009 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1748 
|
djh, that looks like an excellent piece of kit
|
||
|
16th Apr 2012 9:38pm |
|
|
|
| All times are GMT |
< Previous Topic | Next Topic > |
Posting Rules
|
Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
