Help me find the best aftermarket car backup camera / tablet interface

May 27, 2015 10:16 PM

Mrs. Lattiboy just purchased a 2015 Kia Soul. It's the "base" model with a manual transmission and basically no bells and whistles. She is coming from a fully loaded 2013 Prius with every possible electronic option, including navigation and backup cameras. I want to put in an aftermarket system with a decent radio, bluetooth, tablet interface, and backup cameras. She has an Android phone, if that matters.

Pioneer appears to be the leader, but I'm open to anything. This new Parrot system looks amazing, but I can't find pricing or a release date.

I even thought about mounting a 7" Android tablet and a decent "dumb" bluetooth radio and using that, but then the camera options become complicated.

Anybody with experience in this stuff?

posted by lattiboy to Technology (3 answers total)

I should add that we'd like to keep this around $500 or less if possible.

I'm kind of shocked at the slim pickings available. This seems like something a low cost, vanilla Android tablet with a small amp would be ideal for.
posted by lattiboy at 10:27 PM on May 27, 2015

I had a Pioneer AVH-4100NEX installed in my vehicle last Wednesday. I selected it because I was interested in the Android Auto functionality. Anticipating the possibility of it being half-baked due to its newness, I was prepared to rely on the built-in Pioneer interface for Bluetooth, but I've been very pleased so far. The unit integrated the existing backup camera beautifully, and Maps, calling, voice search, and Google Music work just as I'd hoped. Going from no navigation at all to an always-on, live updated Google Maps on my dash has been quite the upgrade. The Bluetooth interface native to the head unit is fine, but the UI of Android Auto is so far superior that I'll only be using the native UI when playing a CD or using the FM radio (never?). Also, the USB ports on this head unit provide enough power that my phone (Nexus 6) charges when connected. (By contrast, reviews I've read of the Android Auto head unit in the new Hyundai Sonata suggest that it draws power from the phone while connected). Furthermore, I've connected a Chromecast to the HDMI in, which means that I can watch Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube while parked.

As you can tell, I'm quite enthused, and have apparently turned into an Android Auto evangelist. Feel free to MeMail me with any questions.
posted by EKStickland at 5:40 AM on May 28, 2015

Backup camera is the easiest, as it can be completely SEPARATE from your interior head unit / display. The simplest would be a camera wired to your license lights and reverse lights, and mounted to your rear license plate, which goes wireless to a display you sucker-cup to the dash. Or you can get one that clips to your rear-view mirror.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/agptek-7-tft-lcd-car-rear-view-monitor-coms-hd-wireless-night-vision-car-reverse-backup-camera-kit-black/1312157536.p?id=mp1312157536&skuId=1312157536

If you insist on using the dash display, then it gets a little dicey, as that requires camera upgrade, among other things. But I did find one that broadcasts on WiFi so a phone or tablet can pick it up:

http://www.amazon.com/AGPtek%C2%AE-Wireless-Backup-Rearview-Android/dp/B00KV5A54A
posted by kschang at 12:17 AM on May 29, 2015