MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Audio / Security / Electrical => Topic started by: ade1971 on July 29, 2020, 08:25

Title: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: ade1971 on July 29, 2020, 08:25
If anyone notice the mr 2 has a poor radio so I have decided to put a new one in myself ( if possible) my question is they are various touch screen available some quite cheap on eBay amazon etc. I was wondering if these rather cheap one worth buying ( they are around £50) or should pay a little bit more or should I stick with a normal CD player stereo ( pioneer what ever). I realised this question outside of the box but was wondering. Any one could help I would be most grateful
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: shnazzle on July 29, 2020, 09:03
Touch screens look great and offer a lot of functionality such as being able to use it as a reversing camera, but I've found the two touch screen radios I've had to be very difficult to use in the MR2 due to the positioning of the radio. Also, glare from the sun with the roof down (which I have a lot) makes the screen impossible to read sometimes. 

I've stuck with double-din radios with big buttons since :) 

I have a Sony but if I were to go for another one now, I'd go for the Kenwood Dpx-7200dab my wife has in her MR2.
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: Ozzy on July 30, 2020, 02:08
Same, I'd stick with a normal mp3 stereo. I had a cheapo touchscreen and later installed a Samsung tablet there and was hard to see anything and use. Quite dangerous as well as you have to press loads of buttons to do certain stuff and have to look down away from the road for a long time. I've tried some other touch screens aswell and they feel horrible, unresponsive and slow unless you spend decent amount of money.

I've got a normal JVC double din now with bluetooth and USB support. Brought a cheap mini compact 16gb usb off ebay for £5 and you can easily put songs on it without having to burn a new CD everytime. Suits the retro-ish interior of the Mr2 than a screen.
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: shnazzle on July 30, 2020, 09:00
Quote from: Ozzy on July 30, 2020, 02:08. Suits the retro-ish interior of the Mr2 than a screen.
That's one of the best things I think.

The Sony wx-900BT (or whatever its current version is) in particular, with the Amber colour scheme, is one I've found to match the car very well.
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: ManInDandism on July 30, 2020, 16:15
All things considered, happy with my touchscreen unit but then I have the reversing camera and bluetooth phone connectivity.

The bottom line is that things have moved on. In my main car I can control everything from the steering wheel as well as having track or radio information displayed in the centre of the dashboard. So no need to ever take my eyes off the road.

Buttons may suit some, but even if I had those I would still be as disinclined as I am now to fiddle much when on the move as have to accept that head unit location and overall set-up harks back to yesteryear.
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: MRSwede on July 30, 2020, 21:30
There was a touch double-din in the car when i purchase it.
I wished that there at least had been a "real" volume button. Became tired to fiddle in the glare of the sun accidentally doing something i didn't want to do  ::) 

Bought me a remote.

Now felling a little foolish, pressing a remote, with the stereo in an arms lengths distance.
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: shnazzle on July 30, 2020, 21:33
Quote from: MRSwede on July 30, 2020, 21:30There was a touch double-din in the car when i purchase it.
I wished that there at least had been a "real" volume button. Became tired to fiddle in the glare of the sun accidentally doing something i didn't want to do  ::) 

Bought me a remote.

Now felling a little foolish, pressing a remote, with the stereo in an arms lengths distance.
I love my Sony stalk remote. It does make it very easy to move to the next track. I tend not to use it for volume as its not a dual, it's a click. So it's easier to reach down and flick the big volume know on the radio
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: Stuey2uk on September 27, 2020, 00:52
I'm not getting on with a double din touch - Hoping to put a 'fisher price' in and have extra 'phone storage' below(?)
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: Ardent on September 27, 2020, 07:03
Double Din yes.
The Fisher price fitted in the FL. No

They are rubbish. Ask me how  I know. :)
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: 1979scotte on September 27, 2020, 07:18
Fisher price are terrible.
End of.
Get something pioneer or Sony for a not a lot and it will be far better.
Need Bluetooth can't live without it.
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: Ardent on September 27, 2020, 07:22
The Sony WX-920BT as fitted by @SV-3
Just looks right.
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: SV-3 on September 27, 2020, 09:04
Quote from: Ardent on September 27, 2020, 07:22The Sony WX-920BT as fitted by @SV-3
Just looks right.

As Jase says above.
I'm out in the car later, so will aim to post a photo of the finished product.
The specs are available on the Sony website.
Remote control is available via your phone, via the Sony app.
Has dual Bluetooth.
Pre-set and Custom equalizers.
Bought mine, brand new in August, for just under £90!
You can choose/create your own display colour (mines RED, of course) and even set the display to 'bop' to your choice of music 8)
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: Ardent on September 27, 2020, 09:31
Had a look round this morning.
Think you got lucky on the timing. Price.
Think now discontinued
But they do do something that looks similar by a different model number.
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: Joesson on September 27, 2020, 09:58
Halfords have them with limited availability but at £107. They offer fitting at £75 extra . But for safety reasons currently only offer fitting in cars with "air recirculation system ".
Another reason for top down, Halfords would likely fit your radio!
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: SV-3 on September 27, 2020, 10:42
Pics of Sony WX-920BT installed.
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: SV-3 on September 27, 2020, 11:02
Quote from: Joesson on September 27, 2020, 09:58Halfords have them with limited availability but at £107. They offer fitting at £75 extra . But for safety reasons currently only offer fitting in cars with "air recirculation system ".
Another reason for top down, Halfords would likely fit your radio!
Had the roof off when I fitted mine :)
Title: Re: Radio v touchscreen option
Post by: Ardent on September 27, 2020, 13:02
Quote from: Joesson on September 27, 2020, 09:58Halfords have them with limited availability but at £107. They offer fitting at £75 extra . But for safety reasons currently only offer fitting in cars with "air recirculation system ".
Another reason for top down, Halfords would likely fit your radio!
@SV-3 paid less from argos. But think now discontinued.