It is important to know that this unit is not made made to standard DIN sizing. ANY vehicle that this is installed in will require modification to the dash kit. This unit is bigger than standard, so the dash kit opening will need sanded down on all 4 sides of the DIN opening in order to fit. It is a few millimeters too big in length and width. This applies to all vehicles and all dash kits, as all DIN openings are made at the same standard size. Not sure why this company makes their units bigger, but it does create a hassle for installation.
This is a great value head unit. It has all of the features you could possibly want, at a very affordable price. The large screen is great and very clear. Color is very good on it. It flips out/up very smoothly and the angle can be adjusted (via the #5/up and #6/down preset buttons on the faceplate). The sound quality is good, but will of course be based on the quality of your speakers, amp, etc. This is a 4 channel, 340 watt unit.
Build quality seems great, especially for the price. This unit can compete with all the major brands, no problem! Cables and wires are all heavy duty and properly labeled.
There is a nice plastic case for the faceplate and the package also includes a usb cord and stylus. The faceplate lights up nicely and is very easily readable whether daylight or dark.
The remote is thin, but about the same size as typical smart phone – not quite as big as my Samsung S5 active in length or width. You can perform all features with the remote as well as work with the settings.
The bluetooth feature is excellent and has connected flawlessly with every type of device we have tried, including laptops. Making calls is easy and when paired the call feature will automatically come on to the screen, no matter what source you’re using for music or video. Once the call is ended, or you clear it off and just use your handset, the screen will revert back to your entertainment.
You have so many options with this unit as far as the source of your entertainment – bluetooth, usb, sd card, and direct connects, of course, via a standard jack. The SD card is inserted into the body, behind the faceplate. USB, aux, and mic are all on the front of the faceplate, of course. There is a rear hook up for a/v and usb, but they shouldnt be hooked up at the same time as the front.
Mute and Mode functions are on buttons that surround the volume/seek knob. One nice thing about switching between the modes/functions, is that it won’t bring up a source that is not connected. If you don’t have an sd card installed, it won’t show up on the menu, for example, so it is less scrolling through to get to what you want. It simplifies operation.
You can make calls via the unit when your phone is paired. You can dial out via the touchscreen and you can switch between your handset and the car speakers for sound/talking while in a call.
There are also extra little features like calendar and calculator on the touchscreen.
Volume, bass, treble, fade and balance are all adjusted via the volume knob.
There is a mute button that also acts as a power button for the screen. You just hold it in longer to tun the screen on or off.
CD and DVD functions work perfectly. You should know that the DVD feature will only work when the vehicle is NOT in motion. This is a safety feature with all dash installed DVD players. You can bypass this if you’re installing it yourself and know how, but most pro installing facilities will not perform the bypass due to liability issues. You shouldn’t be trying to watch a movie while you’re driving anyway (!), so no big deal to me.
Radio is reception is just as good as it was with the factory stereo and OnStar works flawlessly as well.
You will need a wire harness, dash kit and antenna adapter, all specific for your vehicle. If you want to be able to use your steering wheel controls, you will also have to buy that interface as well, which is also specific to your vehicle. The only control I use on my steering wheel is the heat function for the heated steering wheel, so I did not buy that interface and do not mind not being able to control the radio volume and other controls via the steering wheel. The voice activation on my steering wheel also still works, without the interface.
I installed this in a Cadillac DTS. If you’re installing in the same vehicle, or another Cadillac, you will want to be sure that the person installing is very familiar with Cadillacs because these vehicles do not like change at all (!!) and the factory radio unit contains the vehicle’s computer system. If you get one wire wrong, you will lose all sorts of functions on your vehicle and/or have a lot of malfunctions.
Overall, this is a great unit at a great price. It is easy to operate, performs very well – as it should, and has a really nice display/screen. You will want to calibrate the screen after install so that it works well for you, just like with a touchscreen phone or tablet, etc.