Technical Replacing The Stereo with Apple CarPlay

[ugiannini]

Morning All, we have a lovely 2011 panda 1.2 dynamic and after a year of trouble free motoring my daughter has decided that the factory fit radio/cd needs upgrading and she's found this online. Any views or experience in upgrading these systems will be gratefully appreciated. My question is, is it even possible?? i'm always skeptical when i see these pictures or adverts!!

 

[koalar]

Yes it possible

Depending on the how the original radio was wired, there's quite a few variations

If the original radio is canbus operated, in that it switches off via the body computer

My 2x dynamic and 1x active up to 2006 were all canbus

it will need an extra wire tapping into or a canbus converter adding if you want it to switch of with the ignition, otherwise you will still be able to use it without except you will have to switch it on and off manually

I have a feeling post 2009 most will just work, but I don't have any exact data

It would be better to post in the I C.E section of the forum


If you search for double din you will see it's been done many time, most opting for a android system though, and plenty of examples of what involved

 

[ugiannini]

Yes it possible

Depending on the how the original radio was wired, there's quite a few variations

If the original radio is canbus operated, in that it switches off via the body computer

My 2x dynamic and 1x active up to 2006 were all canbus

it will need an extra wire tapping into or a canbus converter adding if you want it to switch of with the ignition, otherwise you will still be able to use it without except you will have to switch it on and off manually

I have a feeling post 2009 most will just work, but I don't have any exact data

It would be better to post in the I C.E section of the forum


If you search for double din you will see it's been done many time, most opting for a android system though, and plenty of examples of what involved

thanks, i won't be installing this myself because i'm not qualified to do so, it was really a general question regarding these sort of products and wether it was possible to upgrade by someone qualified. BTW how do i move this to I C E and as a general fiat owner not a mechanic what is double din??

 

[ugiannini]

thanks, i won't be installing this myself because i'm not qualified to do so, it was really a general question regarding these sort of products and wether it was possible to upgrade by someone qualified. BTW how do i move this to I C E and as a general fiat owner not a mechanic what is double din??

 

[koalar]

thanks, i won't be installing this myself because i'm not qualified to do so, it was really a general question regarding these sort of products and wether it was possible to upgrade by someone qualified. BTW how do i move this to I C E and as a general fiat owner not a mechanic what is double din??

Double din is a standard.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_head_unit

 

[svennelainen]

Whatever brand you buy, make sure there is a lot of RAM, the memory is more important than the CPU speed.
I have no info on that radio in particular, but can say that the Eonon radio I bought was a MAJOR upgrade. It has passed my expectations by far. Snappy, fast to bootup, really good sound and a super powerful sound configurator. I give it five radios of five.

It needs an antenna DIN/ISO adapter, a mounting rail and a new cover frame.
I skipped all that except the antenna adapter. Instead I made a 3D-printed chassi and frame piece that works a charm, The screen is big enough to cover it all so the finish doesn't matter. But really, as long as you have the 2DIN rail (can be bought) the rest can be covered with more or less anything.

If you don't own a 3D-printer, there are a lot of print fanatics that for sure will help you to print the frame.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7085549

The original speakers are really bad and even the cheapest replacements will make the sound so much better.

 

[ugiannini]

Whatever brand you buy, make sure there is a lot of RAM, the memory is more important than the CPU speed.
I have no info on that radio in particular, but can say that the Eonon radio I bought was a MAJOR upgrade. It has passed my expectations by far. Snappy, fast to bootup, really good sound and a super powerful sound configurator. I give it five radios of five.

It needs an antenna DIN/ISO adapter, a mounting rail and a new cover frame.
I skipped all that except the antenna adapter. Instead I made a 3D-printed chassi and frame piece that works a charm, The screen is big enough to cover it all so the finish doesn't matter. But really, as long as you have the 2DIN rail (can be bought) the rest can be covered with more or less anything.

If you don't own a 3D-printer, there are a lot of print fanatics that for sure will help you to print the frame.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7085549

The original speakers are really bad and even the cheapest replacements will make the sound so much better.

thank you, i now have a slightly better understanding and it does seem possible.

 

[svennelainen]

I would say with a pretty safe bet that the unit you found will fit as well. I think you have the same cables as mine (2007) and they are a "bolt on" fit DIN sockets so no need for adapters. I.e. the old radio unit sockets are the same.

 

[ugiannini]

I would say with a pretty safe bet that the unit you found will fit as well. I think you have the same cables as mine (2007) and they are a "bolt on" fit DIN sockets so no need for adapters. I.e. the old radio unit sockets are the same.

can anyone recommend a brand of double din radio to look out for?

 

[svennelainen]

can anyone recommend a brand of double din radio to look out for?

I already gave Eonon a thumbs up, and Pedro has an Atoto A6.
Pretty safe bets, both of them. Mine has a bigger screen. The Atoto goes into the hole whereas mine looks like a Tesla screen.

 

[epifant]

My 4x4 has an Eonon X3. VOLUME KNOB, cheap, connects reliably and quickly, installation was plug-and-play (well, the wiring at least - form factor does not fit the standard 2 din)