I want a new head unit that doesn't scream aftermarket gaudy

I want to find a head unit that will give me Bluetooth, usb charging and input, aux in etc..no touchscreen, etc..not flashy gaudy graphics, not a million extra buttons and knobs..
I search but come up blank.
Any help?

 

jvc kd-r740bt.

don't bother expecting any usb charging from any head. they only have usb ports to connect to external storage devices like usb sticks. they don't actually charge. stick with a standard an aux port plugin charger

 

Aftermarket gawdy? Lol sorry. That's funny. I put a nice Kenwood in. Added bonus of the cubby underneath.

 

Thanx for the link, I could live without charging through head unit..but I hate all aftermarket I've seen so far...layout, flashy graphics, user interface isn't instantly intuitive, again there's a reason why factory looks a certain way..I just want something like that with more features.
Thx

 

I keep my pioneer deck backlighting on white to match the leds i put in dash. Looks clean like it. Before that i had it set to "olive" which matched the stock green lights.

 

I have this, a Blaupunkt New Jersey from Crutchfield. Front panel AUX, and USB that works with my iPhone. Bluetooth also. Pretty sure it charges the phone as well. Been so busy I hardly know how to use it yet, but it's fairly basic.



Lights are white/whitish ONLY. Knob has blue light. These can't be changed, but I'll be changing most of my dash lights to white. The stock orange color is just a tad much for me.

I use this USB cable, for my phone located elsewhere:

$6 90-Degree USB Extension Cable 3.0 Down Angle Male to Female, Data Sync and Charging, 7" Short

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OHDUFCY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00 You can see it snaking down through the ashtray.

This one would work if you'd rather cut the surrounding trim panel,

Tripp Lite Universal Reversible USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Extension Cable (Reversible Right / Left Angle A to A M/F), 6-ft.(UR024-006-RA)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EIDU3YI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01

 

I might like this the best so far..understated and clean..can you talk about the usb out put at the bottom? Thx

 

How's the sound quality when using the bluetooth for hands free phone conversation? I've been led to believe an external microphone (the Blaupunkt NJ has the mic in the faceplate) is essential for good outbound voice quality, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong.

 

That's not true.

My JVC head unit charges my iPod when the latter is plugged in via USB.

@amkaos I love my head unit, it's exactly what you describe in your OP. Unfortunately they don't make this model anymore and its successors are too flashy for me. I hope this one lasts forever. I have all illumination set to a deep red. Very mellow looking head unit.

 

This is what it looks like in the truck. Sorry for the uber shitty cellphone pic.

 

Here's what Crutchfield says:
"Front-Panel USB Port: The New Jersey 220 BT features a front panel USB (type-A) port that is hidden behind a flip-up cover. The USB port enables connection and control of a portable USB mass-storage class (MSC) device; such as select Android smartphones (Froyo/Gingerbread only), portable digital audio players, or USB thumbdrives. The unit supports playback & control of MP3/WMA music files loaded onto a compatible USB MSC device. USB portable devices that can be charged via USB will be charged when plugged into the CD receiver's USB port (max. 0.5A), and the vehicle's ignition switch is set to ACC or On."

Note the 0.5A. A standard smartphone charger outputs twice that amount. Over the course of a trip it should keep the phone topped up? Of course, that's not enough to charge a tablet.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_023NJ2...sey-220.html?search=new_jersey&avf=N&skipvs=T Hit the Q&A tab there for more in-depth info. For example, it doesn't dim with the dash but can be manually dimmed.

 

I don't know how it could be proven either way without installing 2 different radios in succession and testing. I made a few calls and it was OK from what they told me on the other end.

The real issue as far as clarity is that Bluetooth just sucks compared to any direct connection (meaning, your phone's built-in mic with you speaking right into it.)

 

I just went through this search myself, JVC and Pioneer are the two better known brands with the "least" amount of "disco" or "party" lighting effects to them and the simpler controls with less buttons to hit by accident and have to pull over to sort out what you did wrong lol.

just watch your speaker outputs are nothing less then 50w x4 or it wont put out a lot of sound

I went with this one and I love it http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MRL30CK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

 

That might not be bad, I don't see the usb port..it says Bluetooth but complaints say otherwise

 

I think I meant the port you installed.

 

if you look at the picture its that rectangle thing on the right side under where it says mixtrax, its a little door that flips open to plug in your usb.

 

Would the same USB port need to handle both, such as for a smartphone that plays music with the wired connection? If so, verify that capability. All USB ports, by definition, deliver 500mA charging but that's not really enough for today's smartphones that expect 1A or so. (Some will offer 1A or so).

Also verify if the USB input can control or at least read the phone. If not, you won't get any sound. Some USB inputs are only going to read for example USB sticks and their folder structure. In that way, the radio is the media player. In the other way, the smartphone is the media player merely sending a digital audio signal.

So look for "works with iPhone / works with Android" type of verbiage if that's indeed what you want to keep charged and play from.

 

Here is what you are looking for. It looks strait up OEM. It is only single DIN but that leaves room for a switch plate below. Plus satellite, bluetooth, weather channel, etc.

 

^^ I like that it's HEAVY DUTY, but think it needs a few more logos across the top.

 

It's the radio equivalent of those trucks with giant "FOX RACING", " MONSTER ENERGY", and "TAPOUT" stickers plastered all over