Winterizing the diesel is coming up, and tires will likely come first - but I need to research the head unit. I was an early adopter of the double-din touchscreen variety years ago, but the volume **** stopped working: It's stuck on ear bleed, and I have to use the remote to back it off every time the key is reset. I also have to remember to put the head unit in camera mode every time I shut off the truck, or fight the tornado of noise 30 seconds after turning the key on my next visit to the cab. I'm sure my neighbors would like the new head unit... anything that prevents the speakers from drowning out the diesel startup at 5:30 AM.

My list:

1. Quick boot time. Many older styles (like mine) take 1/2 a minute before the backup camera works.
2. Really good sound quality... lest the music be lame.
3. Android Auto compatible.
4. Volume **** with push-to-mute. There are times when I have to shut that thing up fast, and I don't want to fumble with a touch screen or a remote button.
5. No disk. Modern computers don't have disc drives, I don't have CDs, DVDs fit on SD cards, so the mechanical hardware for that is a waste of space.
6. GPS capability, with Bluetooth to my phone to download routes/alerts from Waze or the like.
7. Backup camera input - more than one would be nice.
8. WiFi, so I can update in my driveway (I have good WiFi signal in the driveway) - or maybe use an IP camera on my trailer.
9. Good antenna/reception for WiFi and FM/AM. I drive over mountain passes a lot, and traffic/road condition notifications are sent via radio.
10. As big a screen as will fit (usually about 7")
11. Good cooling system - it's a computer after all... and it's in a hot dash.

Uh... USB-C port would be nice, since that's where everything is headed now.

 

 

I went with the Pioneer 4200 NEX...I miss the volume ****.

Good luck on the search!

 

Im reluctant to drop any coin on head units. IMHO they are over priced and the technology is old and behind the times...

 

I bought a cheaply priced JVC 7020 (or something like that) several years ago.

It is cheap and the sound quality reflects that. Although, I drive with no music 99% of the time. I bought the unit for the rear camera, GPS, hands free phone and multimedia over bluetooth like Google maps, YouTube, etc...

 

 

I for one am not the dedicated to having a phone do everything...so no. A FM tuner/BT, SD Card carrying redneck head unit.....just fine thank you.

 

I did a thread on my pioneer DD install a few yrs ago. At the time, the Joying unit was the hot ticket. Is a radio but also could download apps onto it..aka, Torque/Forskin.. Wonder if the other "players" have caught up with the times(pioneer, sony..)

 

Yeah, the head unit should have the ability for me to connect to it. Via a wire at that, BT sound is subpar...

 

 

I'm one of the Pioneer users too. My unit is older but sounds great. So good that I installed the same unit in my car. Added Pioneer sub and amp and some ridiculous speakers - best sound I've ever had.
Backup camera takes about 1 second to start, blue-tooth hands free is excellent, only thing is that it is not android so it can't be used for running gauges.
I've looked at the Pumpkin units but I'm not going backwards in sound quality. I have to run my stereo fairly loud to drown out all the truck noise. I like music in the truck, ...on the Harley, no.

 

Dang, I still have the stock tape player/CD unit. I love it since I have a few cassettes I throw in for fun once in a while. I have a BT adapter plugged into a port and it plays sounds from my phone, but @Silverhks is right....the sound is subpar.

Sorry to derail Rich....carry on. Are none of the current units up to date? Seems Best Buy used to be the place to go. Not sure now.

 

Had the Joying unit...got rid of it for the Pioneer NEX.

That said, the Joying had some features that I liked, Volume ****...and speed sensitive volume. But, the reception was terrible!

 

I too am interested in upgrading my head unit from the stock one so I this thread comes at the perfect time. My main concerns being hands free calling and a GPS system.

Hey Dan V, could a FM booster not have increased the reception?

 

My constructive comment of the day...

I don't know what's hot in head units currently but Crutchfield is usually a good place to start. Their site will allow you to see what's out there.
I even end up ordering from them more often than not.