WesBrooks
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| posted on 5/1/16 at 04:07 PM |
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Alarms & Double DIN Radio
Anyone had much experience of the Cobra Alarms? I was looking specifically at the A4138.
Same question for the Xtrons Double DIN radio. Something like:
XTRONS TD702A Quad Core Android 4.4.4 Double 2 DIN Car Stereo Radio GPS Sat-Nav
Anyone ever fitted an aftermarket system that talks to the parking sensors? Some of these units talk about it. Are they just listening on the CANBUS
or are the sensors directly wired? CANBUS parking sensors and an arduino shouting 'reversing' down the CANBUS as required could be a very
neat install!
Edit: Not entirely sure this one has CANBUS, but I have seen other double DIN units which have CANBUS connections on the rear.
[Edited on 5/1/16 by WesBrooks]
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nick205
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| posted on 5/1/16 at 04:30 PM |
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No idea about parking sensors, but I did recently look at double DIN head units for my Passat. My opinion was good and they seemed easy enough to
fit. I suspect most modern cars have the stereo wired into the ECU etc so maybe parking sensors would work. A decent in car fitter should be able to
tell you.
ETA...looking at your link it seems a reasonable unit. I believe watching TV and/or DVD whilst driving is not allowed though.
[Edited on 5/1/16 by nick205]
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Charlie_Zetec
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| posted on 5/1/16 at 05:01 PM |
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In answer to your questions, I've had Cobra alarms on plenty of previous motors and never had any problems with them. I've also used Toad
and Laserline, but Cobra more than both of them combined. Truth be told, I don't think there's a great deal of difference between a lot
of them - as long as they're Thatcham approved, they have to meet certain standards and should be insurance recognised. I do recall Clifford
years ago had loads of bolt-on options such as remote start etc. that you could include, but not seen much of them these days.
As for stereos, I would always stick to the larger brands (Alpine, Sony, Kenwood, Pioneer etc.). Most of them do double-DIN units with TV tuner
options, most have DVD playback as standard if it's got a screen. By law, you're supposed to not be able to view TV/movies whilst the
vehicle is in motion (SatNav not included in that), so the unit should be wired to handbrake warning light to only allow usage when parked; this does
assume "professional" installation mind.
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity!
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bi22le
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| posted on 5/1/16 at 07:22 PM |
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I fitted cobra alarms back in my day. They are as good as any.
The bolt on additions mentioned are universal to a certain extent so should be able to be fitted to a cobra alarm if it has a good level of in and
outputs.
Don't expect a wiring diagram with a cat1 alarm. They used to deliberately leave them out of the box to increase security.
Track days ARE the best thing since sliced bread, until I get a supercharger that is!
Please read my ring story:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/13/viewthread.php?tid=139152&page=1
Me doing a sub 56sec lap around Brands Indy. I need a geo set up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHksfvIGB3I
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Slimy38
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| posted on 6/1/16 at 08:29 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Charlie_Zetec
As for stereos, I would always stick to the larger brands (Alpine, Sony, Kenwood, Pioneer etc.).
I would agree, I've seen far too many of these android based units and most are too sluggish to use which can be really frustrating. The GPS
chip is probably bargain basement so it'll take ages to acquire a location.
If I was considering a similar setup, I'd go for a known android tablet and a headless head unit (essentially an amplifier with either phono or
bluetooth input).
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SJ
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| posted on 6/1/16 at 09:26 AM |
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quote:
quote:
Originally posted by Charlie_Zetec
As for stereos, I would always stick to the larger brands (Alpine, Sony, Kenwood, Pioneer etc.).
I would agree, I've seen far too many of these android based units and most are too sluggish to use which can be really frustrating. The GPS
chip is probably bargain basement so it'll take ages to acquire a location.
If I was considering a similar setup, I'd go for a known android tablet and a headless head unit (essentially an amplifier with either phono or
bluetooth input).
I've got one of the custom fit Erisin GPS units in my Mondeo. I was a bit dubious when I bought it as it was several hundred pounds less than a
top brand. I went for it as it was much easier to fit than any other.
I've been pleasantly surprised. The GPS is perfect. Very quick both calculating the route and picking up satellites. In fact other than very
occasionally I'm not aware of it getting a satellite signal.
It links to the canbus so all the sterring wheel controls work [except for the phone buttons]. It links to my Galaxy S5 via bluetooth, has a reversing
camera linked to engaging reverse, SD card, USB, DVD, ipod connector etc.
The only negative is the FM radio reception isn't brilliant, which was the one bit I wasn't expeting problems with.
I've had it over a year and it still works fine. Sound quality is better than the Ford CD6000 it replaced and the bluetooth works much better
than the Ford unit.
The UI has a few quirks but nothing major [like the GPS button won't bring GPS up when on the phone - you need to do it via the touch screen].
Mine cost about £150 from ebay but I later found them cheaper on the Erisin website.
Stu
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WesBrooks
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| posted on 6/1/16 at 01:36 PM |
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Thanks for the comments.
Are the Cobra alarm systems one of the ones that don't ship with instructions? I'm using the Thatchams as a rough guide to quality of the
systems. As far as I'm aware my system won't be Thatchams rated as it won't be installed by a recognised fitter. I don't want
to go down that route as it will be a one-off loom. It's take me as much time to guide someone through the loom as it would wire it in by
myself. I'd also have no problem with banning myself from using scotch locks and sticking to the same standards of build in the rest of the
loom. Hopefully the wiring will be pretty much indistinguishable from the rest of the loom.
With regards to the head unit this was plan b! Plan a was the bluetooth receiver and amp with a tablet, although with the extra out of the box
features of the head unit I'm moving towards plan b. I'm considering this way for the convenience of a fully downloaded GPS, possibility
to run applications like waze, and ease of adding things like reverse cameras. TV playback isn't of interest, and DVD may be used from time to
time as DVD sound quality on live gig films can be great! That's sound only though. I like the idea of being able to create my own applications
too. I've got a guide kicking around some where on that subject.
I did see a great head unit from I think Kenwood with a similar set of features but it was about £500 - I was briefly (until price tag was spotted)
considering replacing the unit in my daily driver. I'll be going to the top of the range from this supplier to try and get the most responsive
system. Having said that I expect it will beat my double din OEM VAG Columbus unit in my '09 Skoda Superb. There is a second or two until it
even acknowledges a button press at times!
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WesBrooks
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| posted on 6/1/16 at 01:58 PM |
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Interesting. Cobra appear to have been bought out by vodaphone.
http://automotive.vodafone.co.uk/products/alarms-and-immobilisers/a4138-pro-cat-1-alarm-%28pager-output%29.aspx
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