Head Unit Upgrade - Should I care about low dashboard placement

I'm upgrading the head unit this summer, and I want to know if anyone's upgraded their head unit to a full double-din screen and found that it's hard to use all the way down there.

I'm considering a screen with a tilt option, but all the ones on my short list are quite a bit more expensive.

 

I'd personally go Double DIN without a touch screen, just classic segment display w/ buttons and knobs if my single ever kicks the bucket.

 

Was wondering this same thing as wife said it has to get a back up camera & Android auto...

 

I did this mod on my '03 using an Atoto head unit from Amazon which has been great. Does take some work though.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2001-2004-radio-climate-control-relocation.670700/#post-23749213

 

I put a double-DIN Pioneer AVIC-5201NEX touchscreen GPS unit in my 2003 DC. No real problems with accessing the screen or the buttons on the head unit.

But the positioning so low and so vertical leads to a lot of glare on the LED screen and reflections in the windshield. It's far from optimum placement. I'm happy with the installation and its function, but I sure wish it were higher and oriented to minimize reflections.

 

I have a pioneer double din there and I'm not happy about the location but you get used to it.

 

being able to swap the hvac and the radio would make it so much better.

 

There's a thread on here showing how one owner did exactly that, with careful use of epoxy, body filler, black trim paint, and a goodly amount of work. It looks quite nice when done right, and is definitely a better double-DIN solution.

 

everything is controlled by my phone mounted on my dash. I cared not where the back up cam/bluetooth amp is. I put a cheap chinessium system in for 50 bucks or so. had to dremel around volume knob, use og mounting hardware but opened case as to make sure not to hit any components inside w/ screws.
Camecho Single Din Bluetooth Car Radio 4'' Capacitive Touch Screen

I don't think my model truck can do this. But if I could I would. I had thought of moving the air vents around w/ head unit but laz'd out and just mounted the new one at a slight angle for better viewing.

 

When I bought mine it already had a double din JVC but it didn't play well with my samsung, had horrible radio reception and the screen had a nick in it. Overall not what I wanted. I replaced it with an ATOTO S8 Premium which solved all those issues. Yes, placement is a little low and you have to take time to really set the unit up the way you want but image quality is excellent even in bright daylight. Installation was easy with a wiring adapter, only issue was had to use the mounting bracket from old radio as the ones that came with the stereo did not work.

 

I’ve been contemplating a few units that have a tilting screen.. could help with the lower placement

 

I have a kenwood. Android auto f/r cameras. Its OK. I don't really use the maps it's to hard to see and my eyes are getting bad and I'm tall =farther away. I just use my phone or tablet for mapping. The controls are right at my fingertips which is nice.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/leftys-golden-taco.565108/page-7#post-22793002
Cameras.
https://youtu.be/KEscSjcyOq4

 

I did the double din swap a few years ago. No issues with low placement really, I try not to pay Mayhem too much attention.

 

got that same Kenwood in my wifes car.... been a good unit.

but more important is what you said about being tall: we use these units for the Android auto & back up camera, nobody really listens to radio anymore do they? we are short people (me 5'7, wife 5'1, daughters 5'4 & 4'11) it doesnt seem all that low to us looking at the factory radio from the seat.

maybe the Japanese being shorter people, didnt "see" it as a low-cation? i dunno, but this is on my short list of things to do for the wife.