head unit or no head unit... that is the question

FusionFanatic · 06-11-2007, 01:24 PM

Hi guys,

there are people on both sides that say their way is best, but I searched and searched and found no answer. I found a couple posts which stated that there should be a poll on this subject, but i couldn't find any polls related to this simple, yet endlessly debated question; so I decided to make one

I realize they both have pros and cons. personally, for many reasons I believe that it is better to have a head unit in addition to the carputer. I don't the carputer on for anything during my 15 minute commute or a trip to the grocery store, for those times I jsut want my good old head unit and Pioneer Inno XM receiver. when using my carputer for GPS, etc I want to be able to dedicate the carputer to that one fuction. I don't want to be switching screens or losing already valuable screen real estate to giant front end radio/volume buttons. I'm not saying these are good reasons for everybody, I'm just explaining why I choose to keep a head unit.

so vote now and lets settle this debate once and for all!

RedGTiVR6 · 06-11-2007, 01:41 PM

I firmy believe that if you know what you're doing and you set-up your car correctly, a carpc only install can sound just as good if not better than a head unit install.

for the 3 minute drive to the grocery store, I'll still use the carpc and don't regret it one bit.

TruckinMP3 · 06-11-2007, 01:51 PM

The issue is what fits "your" need.... not an absolute answer that is correct for all.

One of my install choices is to be able to return the vehicle to stock in order to sell it. (or give it to the insurance company)

For me keeping the HU is a design choice for that reason and not having the patience or touch for custom molded dash pieces (they are cool when done well)

Also I am not an audiophile and am willing to accept the stock sound set up.

FusionFanatic · 06-13-2007, 08:38 PM

ooh! pro-HU is winning (6 to 4)

sound quality isn't really relavant because you can have excellent sound quality through both methods. the poll is based on personal preference / convenience. for me I want to be able to listen to music without turning the carputer on, that's my main reason for wanting both. (also, what if a component such as the HDD fails, if you have a HU you can still have full audio function while you fix your carputer

)

MatrixPC · 06-14-2007, 04:24 PM

If there is option, I go for both. All my installed had HU with it.
Pro HU.
- Something to listen to on short trip to liquor/groccery stores.
- At least there is AM to listen to for traffic report.
- No need for extra amplifiers if you aren't an audiophile type person (save some load of the alternator => save gas, better for environment ... ok go argue on that

)
Cons HU
- space, space, space.

Nomader · 06-14-2007, 04:58 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

I firmy believe that if you know what you're doing and you set-up your car correctly, a carpc only install can sound just as good if not better than a head unit install.

for the 3 minute drive to the grocery store, I'll still use the carpc and don't regret it one bit.

I agree with Red on that one..if you set it up right, no need for a HU at all.

koolaidkitten · 06-18-2007, 04:24 PM

I have 0 reason for a headunit
Anything a headunit on the market can do *that I need* my PC can do.
Hell...my PC can do far more than any headunit.
Show me an Alpine that plays Quake III

TruckinMP3 · 06-18-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by koolaidkitten

I have 0 reason for a headunit
Anything a headunit on the market can do *that I need* my PC can do.
Hell...my PC can do far more than any headunit.
Show me an Alpine that plays Quake III

The interesting thing that I see related to anyone else about your set up is:
It does what you want it to. (good)

That does not mean it meets someone else's needs. Meaning, not cookie cutter answer for anyone.

tonystoolroom · 06-18-2007, 08:07 PM

Head unit gives you some redundancy in case your PC goes down.

2k1Toaster · 06-18-2007, 08:09 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by tonystoolroom

Head unit gives you some redundancy in case your PC goes down.

If you install it right, your PC won't go down.

As a preference, I prefer HU-less. But I am a geek. Even the remote control for my tv is a touchscreen.

turbocad6 · 06-18-2007, 10:49 PM

my head unit IS a touchscreen, the main reason for a head unit to me is redundancy & 100% reliability, it's like insurance, especially a head with navigation

to me a head unit is like a spare tire, a hidden key or a first aid kit, if alls well you may not need to use it for months & months, but, when sit happens it's there. to me it depends on how good & reliable you can build your system combined with your tolerance of having to maybe do without entertainment or navigation at maybe an inopportune time. the head unit makes the PC less mission critical & more of just another source.

the multiple source issue shouldn't be ignored either, with my head unit I can show a movie to my kid on the back screen, have my music playing of my wifes choice from her play list on the PC front end, simultaneously navigate AND monitor a few remote location cameras real time.. a head unit isn't always a waste, in the end it's space space space though for sure, if theres room I prefer a head unit, nothing to do with sound quality though, that's not really a reason for or against, as sq can be had either way

my next PC will not have a head unit though, it'll be my first all PC system, I'm alittle scared, I gotta have spare imaged hardrives ready to swap & stuff to up the reliability as close to 100% as possible.... but is 100% trouble free 100% up time really possible? I think now I know enough to get close, hopefully close enough

malkamus · 06-18-2007, 10:51 PM

I am Hu-less and as soon as I find the right soundcard and mp3car gets their radio on the market I will never go back to a HU. The pc boots before I even get out of the driveway and I then have way more options for listening than with the HU. My volume is controlled through my symmetry unit so no need even the volume control on the HU. The soundcard I have I am not happy with sound wise but I was never happy with any HU(other than my eclipse I used to have) either so it is not something I miss. Besides if I am going to spend 700.00 on an eclipse HU I will just spend the 200.00 for high(er)end soundcard. One of these days I will bother redgti for soundcard suggestions. Besides with my mp3s, videos, sirius, streaming internet radio, and my own big mouth I do not even miss fm.

FusionFanatic · 06-18-2007, 11:22 PM

a head unit-less system looks cleaner, but is not as convenient.

when I drive 2 blocks down the street to the store, I don't want to wait for my car PC to boot up, then require me to tell it what I want it to do. I just want to hear music from my "instant-on" head unit, no fuss, no questions asked.

I totally agree that a HU-less system can sound as good or better, but that wasn't what the question was about. it was not hardware specific, it was more general than that.

another reason for me, is secondary PC applications such a GPS. with a PC only setup, you have two choices; 1.) switch back and forth between GPS and audio screens, or 2.) embed the GPS application into your FE (which is more funtional and practical then option #1, but eats up valuable screen real estate as a result)

for me, I want my head unit to take car of all audio functions so that my car PC can be dedicated to any other task I choose. If I want to use GPS, the car PC can just do GPS, I don;t have to switch screens or lose screen real eststate to change audio options.

also, as already mentioned, redundancy. PCs are not reliable whether their in a home or in a car. if the car PC fails, I can still listem to music, all I'v lost is my PC-only functions, but all my baic car audio needs are still there. another issue of PC freezing. if your PC freezes at high volume or the systen goes bazzirk and you cant tuen it down via software volume control you're screwed (unless you have a hardwired pre-amp volume control or equalizer to contol it instead)

for me, the PC is a novelty. I don't want it to take the place of the simple head unit for everyday use.

malkamus · 06-18-2007, 11:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ComputerGeek

a head unit-less system looks cleaner, but is not as convenient.

when I drive 2 blocks down the street to the store, I don't want to wait for my car PC to boot up, then require me to tell it what I want it to do. I just want to hear music from my "instant-on" head unit, no fuss, no questions asked.

Ok First off, why are you driving 2 blocks to go to the store, you should walk there. I am not busting on you, someone else used that as an example and I do not see why anyone would get in the car, start it, back out of the driveway just to go 2 blocks. I can walk there before the car hit the street.

I totally agree that a HU-less system can sound as good or better, but that wasn't what the question was about. it was not hardware specific, it was more general than that.

another reason for me, is secondary PC applications such a GPS. with a PC only setup, you have two choices; 1.) switch back and forth between GPS and audio screens, or 2.) embed the GPS application into your FE (which is more funtional and practical then option #1, but eats up valuable screen real estate as a result)

for me, I want my head unit to take car of all audio functions so that my car PC can be dedicated to any other task I choose. If I want to use GPS, the car PC can just do GPS, I don;t have to switch screens or lose screen real eststate to change audio options.

After your audio is playing why do you need the audio screen? If you want to change songs use the remote.

also, as already mentioned, redundancy. PCs are not reliable whether their in a home or in a car. if the car PC fails, I can still listem to music, all I'v lost is my PC-only functions, but all my baic car audio needs are still there. another issue of PC freezing. if your PC freezes at high volume or the systen goes bazzirk and you cant tuen it down via software volume control you're screwed (unless you have a hardwired pre-amp volume control or equalizer to contol it instead)

I have not had any downtime on my self built pcs at home in over 3 years. I see no reason I will have any issues with one I built for the car.

for me, the PC is a novelty. I don't want it to take the place of the simple head unit for everyday use.

For me it is oppossite, the HU is just a novelty waiting for someone to want and steal.

FusionFanatic · 06-19-2007, 08:19 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by malkamus

Ok First off, why are you driving 2 blocks to go to the store, you should walk there. I am not busting on you, someone else used that as an example and I do not see why anyone would get in the car, start it, back out of the driveway just to go 2 blocks. I can walk there before the car hit the street

well, first off the situation was hypothetical. I was not referring to an actual store. and second, i always back inot my driveway, which makes leaving the driveway much easier. and third, I live at the top of a series of very steep hills. walking down those hills is no big deal, but walking back up is simply too much effort

besides, i don't do cool mods to my car (such as adding a carputer) just so I can walk instead. even if I only half to go 1 block, i will drive... just because I can

Quote: Originally Posted by malkamus

After your audio is playing why do you need the audio screen? If you want to change songs use the remote

use what remote? I suppose you could add a remote control to your carputer for audio functions, but then you have an ugly remote control lying around. sorry, but I just don't see that as a practical solution.

Quote: Originally Posted by malkamus

I have not had any downtime on my self built pcs at home in over 3 years. I see no reason I will have any issues with one I built for the car

with the exception of a failed harddrive a couple years ago, I have not had any downtime in my self built PCs at home either. but the fact is as long as there are delicate moving parts (HDD, cooling fans, etc.) a car environment is not very good for them. this problem could be minimized by using low power fanless systems and solid state hard drives, but then the cost goes way up.

Quote: Originally Posted by malkamus

For me it is oppossite, the HU is just a novelty waiting for someone to want and steal.

lol, and nobody would want to steal your carputer? I don't see your logic here...

if a potential theif was to walk by your car, they would see an LCD screen and probably assume it's a factory navigation system. now which would they rather steal; a ~$200 head unit or a ~$1500 factory navigation unit? I'm not saying that a head unit will not get stolen, but the argument that it makes your car more vulnerable to theft as opposed to a carputer alone just doesn't make much sense.