Thinking about chucking an Android head unit in your car?
Alright, so here’s the deal. If you’re still driving around Hamilton, or maybe zipping between Te Awamutu and Morrinsville, listening to that scratchy old radio in your Mazda Demio or Honda Fit, maybe it’s time for an upgrade. Android head units are like having a proper smartphone or tablet built right into your dash. If you’re making your way to Frankton down Ulster Street, or crawling through Claudelands traffic in the foggy mornings, you’ll notice the difference straight away. No more fiddling with flimsy aux cords or dodgy FM transmitters.
We see all sorts rolling into the workshop. Couples in their late-model Subaru Outback, tradesfolk in their Ford Rangers, or teachers scooting between Chartwell and Rototuna in a tidy Nissan Note. Doesn’t matter what you drive – even saw a customer the other week with a Toyota Mark X, wanted better tunes and hands-free calls for the commute to Cambridge. Makes a world of difference, especially in winter when you’re stuck behind a milk tanker on Avalon Drive and hands-free is a must.
What can an Android head unit actually do?
- Internet & Bluetooth: It’ll bluetooth straight to your smartphone and use your data. If you’re waiting at that gnarly traffic light at Five Cross Roads, everything syncs up fast.
- Music: Play whatever you want – Spotify, Google Play, even old playlists. One of our techs helped a Corolla owner set up her Spotify so she didn’t have to listen to any more static on Morrinsville Road!
- Navigation: Never get lost again. Pull up Google Maps, Waze, whatever you like. Real helpful when you’re heading to Ngaruawahia or getting turned around in the fog near Dinsdale.
- Voice stuff: Just say ‘Okay Google’ and you can call a mate, ask for the weather, or even set an appointment for your next WOF Hamilton check.
- Hands-free calls & texts: Dead safe. Your messages and calls all go through car speakers, no faffing about while you’re dodging potholes on Wairere Drive.
- Apps galore: Use WhatsApp, Messenger, Facebook, whatever you need. We saw a VW Golf owner using the head unit to check real-time weather on her way to Raglan – pretty slick.
- FM radio: Of course, you can still tune into the usual stations for classic Kiwi banter or traffic updates.
Some extra perks for the practical Kiwi driver
If you want the proper factory look, there’s head units built for your specific ride – plugs into your car’s systems (CAN bus and all that). So, you might get extra stuff like controlling the AC, heater, or even those steering wheel buttons. Handy for when the kids keep fiddling with the settings in the back seat on a Dodge Journey!
Want to know more? Check out some of the best Android head sets getting around at the moment. If you’re after something old-school instead, like a regular radio upgrade, see here.
Android head unit installs right here in Hamilton
We’ve got you sorted, whether you’re after Android or Apple CarPlay. One of our providers can fit it all in for you – proper, neat, and reliable. You’ll get all the benefits: easy navigation, hands-free, and access to your favourite apps. We also do the extras, by the way, so if you’re upgrading sound or safety gear, we can sort:
- Speaker and subwoofer installs (handy in a Suzuki Swift or VW Polo with the factory tinny speakers)
- Apple CarPlay installs
- Parking sensors – great for squeezing into Pak’nSave carparks
- Reverse camera installs – especially good for big Mitsi Outlanders or Peugeot wagons
- Dashcam installs – always good for insurance these days in city stop-start traffic
So if you want the job done right and you’re in Hamilton or anywhere nearby – Huntly, Cambridge, even Matangi – get Grimmer Motors on the case. Honest advice, no drama, and we’ll tell you straight if it’s worth the upgrade for your car.
Please Note – We don’t usually just sell parts by themselves. We’re a general automotive repair workshop, so if you bring your car to us, we’ll check it out, find what you need, and handle fitting or organising the job for you.