2011 fl2 radio options

[thequeenscheese]

I know this will have been asked loads by now but I'm asking for the mother in law her fl2 (2009 model i think) stock radio (basic model with Bluetooth and 6cd) has started to die keeps turning off and disconnecting the Bluetooth (suspected Bluetooth module failure ), LR want £600 plus her old one in a trade in (£900 without old one), to get this fixed would be maybe £200 (a company the auto spark we use uses) plus his fee.

so whats the best aftermarket that's not too pricey and retains Bluetooth, and steering controls ?cd player preferable but not essential as can use a usb either if needed.

TIA

 

[Nodge68]

If you don't have PDC, then it's not that difficult to get a decent double din HU which covers all your needs, as long as it has wheel control learning, or an adaptor box is available for it.
You'll need to get a different console surround to suit the new HU, then do the necessary wiring modifications. It's not as easy as just fitting the HU, as the original HU is powered on and off via the CAN signal, so you'll need to rig up another ignition switched supply, or remember to turn the HU off every time you exit the vehicle.

 

[thequeenscheese]

So what have people fitted in general then?
The mother-in-law ist fussed about anything too fancy main thing is working and functionality, touch screen would be nice but not essential either..

 

[thequeenscheese]

Aot of the android ones come with the various can control options but in my experience the Bluetooth was iffy or the microphone isn't integrated well/doesn't work well. So I was thinking that one of the halfrauds jvc, or kenwoods might integrate better and hopefully they fit it also, but if not the spark would fit it if it's complicated instead of me lol.

 

[thequeenscheese]

Had to write this to turn email notifications on.

 

[paul99]

I got a Kenwood DMX125DAB from Halfords and it's a pile of poop. I would have went Android but wanted DAB. The Kenwood interface is terrible. Sensitivity to DAB signals is poor, too. I'll be looking for an Android DAB unit next time.

 

[Nodge68]

I got a Kenwood DMX125DAB from Halfords and it's a pile of poop.

Kenwood and Alpine used to be top units.

I would have went Android but wanted DAB.

Avoid cheap Chinese Android units, as most I've read about are poor quality with slow processors and badly implemented software.

The Kenwood interface is terrible. Sensitivity to DAB signals is poor, too.

That's a common problem, even with factory DAB units. Our current Mazda CX5 has the best DAB HU I've used in the last 10 years, but reception is still pathetic, so I use FM which is much less effected by buildings and geographical features.

I'll be looking for an Android DAB unit next time.

I'm currently looking at something similar for the wife's Fiat 500, but I need something that is glitch free.

 

[paul99]

I have seen add-on DAB dongles for Android HUs. I'd like an all in one, though.
My last Kenwood car unit was excellent, but that was ten years ago.

 

[sharmanator43]

Stay away from the Xtrons units, I bought the be for my FL2 and it’s absolute junk, I regret ever setting eyes on it, it is touch screen and designed to fit specifically in the FL2 satnav space, it connects through the existing head unit but nothing works on it well, the dab+ is absolutely useless, even with an expensive upgraded aerial, the blue tooth will randomly connect and disconnect and one day an app will run fine and the next it won’t, the Apple CarPlay on it has never worked, it’s just a black screen, definitely go for something like a kenwood, even a factory refurb unit would be better than a heap of junk like the Xtrons

 

[sharmanator43]

And definitely definitely stay away from DAB dongles, the Xtrons has one and after doing loads of research to find why mine was so rubbish I found out the dongles are really effected by magnetic flux from other wiring so I bought a special faraday bag to shield it from magnetic flux and it made no difference it’s just rubbish, my wife has a kenwood head unit in her car with integrated dab, she only has a stick on internal windscreen dab aerial and it hardly skips a beat, the only time the signal goes is driving past the local radar tower at the airport

 

[Nodge68]

I have seen add-on DAB dongles for Android HUs. I'd like an all in one, though.

I'm wondering if it's worth giving one of these a try for the wife's 500.

Stay away from the Xtrons units, I bought the be for my FL2 and it’s absolute junk,

I've heard this on more than one occasion.

 

[CJOver]

Powerful UK have posted a video on You Tube showing the fitting of a Android head unit.

This may be of use to anyone who wants to fit a Sat Nav system and other goodies.

I think that they are selling this as a kit for the FL2 on their website, they will be doing further videos on how to use the system.