Head unit questions

OGMB2K

One thing I do not like about our little trucks is the placement of the head units. Personally, as a dad launching a new driver into the world, I do not want additional distractions by the way of having to look down to play with a head unit.

I also understand that you whipper snappers probably no longer use the radio and instead use your phones to scroll through your apps and such, (Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora etc.).

So would it be best to provide my child with a digital head unit that can BT connect to her phone in order to reduce the distractions? This way a sturdy phone cradle within her field of vision could work out in combination with said radio.

How have any of you addressed this issue?

kz6fittycent

OGMB2K That's what I've basically done. I have an Alpine UTE-73BT. I have a phone mount next to the gauge cluster, and I use Bluetooth to just use maps, phone calls, music, etc. I keep the phone charged, too. I can even say "Hey Siri" and it'll do it's thing for me. Basically, I have a hands-free setup now. Here's @FlakeGarage 's video for another idea.

Cusser

My B2200 has a Sanyo single DIN combination CD-CassetteAM-FM stereo in the typical B-Series console location. It was the absolutely LAST unit available on Amazon back when I got it. Yes, it's tough to see the clock on it in that location - maybe you have a cluster with a built-in clock. Since I have 3 small trucks with different stereos, I don't always remember what button does what, but that won't be an issue for your daughter. Actually, one of those stereos even came with a remote control unit, but I've never used that.

MazdaMitch

I have a Pioneer media unit right under the vents.
This unit is only 3 and 1/2 in deep.
No CD player but who needs one right?
It is primarily my Bluetooth unit and it has phone capability so there is a mic mounted right by the steering wheel and I can take calls.

The phone has a magnetic backing and there is a magnetic base so all I do when I get in the truck is slap the phone on the dash it automatically Bluetooth to the unit and we're good to go.

Normally for my audio I play Spotify.

The unit has a USB port on the front where you could put in a small USB thumb drive full of music, but I never do that.

OGMB2K

That's exactly the set up I will get for her. I'm sure she will be using her phone for maps and such, and as I mentioned, she never uses the radio. It's all spotify and pandora ...

Best for this truck because currently it doesn't even have the factory radio housing, so that is where the radio was going to get mounted. And these slim model digital hubs are ideal for that ..

Cusser

I have 1 Mazda B2200, 2 older Frontiers, 2 old VWs: all have aftermarket stereos. They all seem to memorize radio stations similarly, but my gripe/rant is that ALL of them have different, convoluted way to set the time !!!