What's the best replacement head unit for a V70?

[Mooks]

Hi all, this is my first posting

I want to upgrade the head unit in my 2002 V70 to something with blue tooth, ipod control, and retain the steering wheel control functions. The car has the volvo fitted dolby system with the centre speaker and woofer in the boot. Does anyone have any good suggestions?

So far I am looking at:

Sony XAV-70BT - can the steering controls and dolby system be retained?

Blue Power - a lot of money but seems to do everything I need and should be easy to fit. Does anyone have experience of this unit? The video on U-Tube shows the ipod function defaulting back to the main menu rather than back to the track it was playing when you take a call. Is that still the case?

Pioneer - the Mrs has an FH-P80BT fitted which I really like but again I don't know if I can retain the dolby system and steering controls. Also, I quite fancy a touch screen.

It has been mentioned to me that some volvos use an optical connection system and that this is problematic when changing head units. Does anyone know about this?

Any help / suggestions greatfully received.

Mooks

[Mooks]

Also, forgot to mention. I would prefer a rear USB connection as would like to keep the ipod out of sight.

[p fandango]

the centre dolby speaker is powered directly from the headunit so will be lost when you replace it, all the others are powered from a seperate amplifier & you can get a harness so it simply plugs into the new radio

[JimmyBurnWorld]

I too had this decision to make. I ended up with a Pioneer 3200BT

Basically despite a lot of double Din headunits doing DVD & dolby digital, very few (I think Clarion is an exception) do anything for a centre channel. Most multiplex the fronts to give you a 'phantom' centre channel. Out of the units I found with centre out, your would need a single channel amplifier to power the speaker (as Pedro mentioned).

Most aftermarket units will take steering wheel/stalk remote input. However, you will need a Can Bus (or Melbus) adaptor to pick the controls off the cars Canbus, and then the relevant head unit manufacturer interface. I costed mine at about £70, and havent got round to doing it.

If you do get a unit with DVD player/TV, SatNav or reverse camera function (Such as the 3200BT) you will need the relevant signals for Handbrake, Speed Pulse and Reverse Gear switch respectivly. Again, you will need an adaptor to pick these off the CanBus. (Or a lot of messy wiring).

Finally, the P2 V70 headunit slot is a S.O.B to adapt. Forget aftermarket units unless you have a post '05 car. I'll dig up a link to my other thread for the Volvo part number. Make sure you get the right colour. It feels a solid bit of kit, and makes the job.

The Pioneer 3200BT has an awesome handsfree kit. As a Bluetooth kit I cannot fault it, and I used to fit car kits professionally.

Sorry, one last thing. As far as I know your year of car will have 2 wires in the harness which will be brought out by an Autoleads harness adaptor (Can + and Can -). It will not have the optical comms bus.

[JimmyBurnWorld]

Link to previous thread re: Replacing Factory unit.

Linky
Linky2

[Mooks]

Thanks for the tip.

I have read your thread with great interest. The Pioneer 32000BT has a front USB. Where do you keep your ipod? Do you disconnect every time or is there a rear connection as well?

[JimmyBurnWorld]

Fraid I havent brought into the Church of Apple. I just use a 16GB SD card with all my music, which becomes invisible when it's in.

There are a couple of ppl who have re-routed their USB ports to the rear of the unit to avoid this problem

[Mooks]

Hi.

I have been speaking to a local car audio specialist today and to get the rear USB etc it looks like we will probably go for the Pioneer P4300 with the additional bluetooth kit. I am just waitng for confirmation that there is an available lead to retain the steering controls. It will probably work out similar in price to the Blue Power which is the only thing bothering me. Am I better to just bite the bullet and get that?

[Mooks]

Jimmy, you said your fascia plate was charcoal when it arrived. I think I will have the same problem with my 2002 V70. Did you ever get the correct coloured plate and if so what was the part number?

[JimmyBurnWorld]

I don't know much about the blue power, but rest assured, if it isn't specifically made for a volvo V70, you will need a stalk adaptor just the same as the pioneer to enable the steering wheel remote.

I never got round to sorting out my facia. Just havent had time! If you give your dealer the number I listed, it will get them in the right area of their system.

[LeeT5]

I don't know much about the blue power, but rest assured, if it isn't specifically made for a volvo V70, you will need a stalk adaptor just the same as the pioneer to enable the steering wheel remote.

The Bluepower units ARE specifically made for the V70/S60 dash and as such are fully compatible including the centre Dolby speaker and rear Sub-woofer (if you have one).

[LeeT5]

I too had this decision to make. I ended up with a Pioneer 3200BT

Basically despite a lot of double Din headunits doing DVD & dolby digital, very few (I think Clarion is an exception) do anything for a centre channel. Most multiplex the fronts to give you a 'phantom' centre channel. Out of the units I found with centre out, your would need a single channel amplifier to power the speaker (as Pedro mentioned).

Most aftermarket units will take steering wheel/stalk remote input. However, you will need a Can Bus (or Melbus) adaptor to pick the controls off the cars Canbus, and then the relevant head unit manufacturer interface. I costed mine at about £70, and havent got round to doing it.

If you do get a unit with DVD player/TV, SatNav or reverse camera function (Such as the 3200BT) you will need the relevant signals for Handbrake, Speed Pulse and Reverse Gear switch respectivly. Again, you will need an adaptor to pick these off the CanBus. (Or a lot of messy wiring).

Finally, the P2 V70 headunit slot is a S.O.B to adapt. Forget aftermarket units unless you have a post '05 car. I'll dig up a link to my other thread for the Volvo part number. Make sure you get the right colour. It feels a solid bit of kit, and makes the job.

The Pioneer 3200BT has an awesome handsfree kit. As a Bluetooth kit I cannot fault it, and I used to fit car kits professionally.

Sorry, one last thing. As far as I know your year of car will have 2 wires in the harness which will be brought out by an Autoleads harness adaptor (Can + and Can -). It will not have the optical comms bus.

£191 will buy you a iMVI kit which will enable you to play yur ipod/iphone music with play lists and album lists on the HU with the steering wheel controls working. Also you will be able to watch films from said device or from AUX unit plugged into iMVI. Also you can plug in a reverse camera too. Very trick bit of kit and from what i have heard excellent after sales service. That's why i have just bought one.