I'm new here and this is my first post in these forums, so if I posted this thread in the wrong subforum, please move it to the appropriate sub-forum or let me know so I can move it myself.
First, let me start by introducing my system. I have a Crysler 2002 PT Cruiser with an Alpine CDA-9855 head unit and 4.1 sound system in it (though I haven't noted the brands of the rear speakers or subwoofer yet, though I can say that the front speakers are stock). When I bought my car used, it already had all this stuff in it, installed by the previous owner.
The only I like about my current head unit is its large time and display visible on all source modes, but I hate everything else about it. I hate its frustrating "glide control" system and I hate how I still couldn't get its auxiliary to work even after buying and installing an Ai-NET to 3.5mm TRS 6' converter cable for it. It is not worth another moment of my time or cent of my money, so I'm looking for a replacement, something that can make my 50 minute commute to and from work bearable, something that will let me know how late or early I am to work with just a glance, something that will work well with my Motorola Droid 3 running Android 2.3.4.
First it has to be single DIN. Modifying the bezel of a 2002 Crysler PT Cruiser to fit double DIN is apparently so challenging that is not worth the cost of doing it, especially since I'll eventually be replacing my car with a Ford Fiesta SFE as soon as I can afford it. Also, it can't be a single DIN one with an unfolding double DIN display, because the display would block my car's climate control knobs.
Basically, the most important feature is that the clock display has to be easily readable, and each digit should be at least 3/16" in height in any source mode, and does NOT scroll, so that I can see it at any moment with just a half second glance at the longest. A large easily readable date display would be a good complement to the time display, but isn't really needed.
Other than that, I need a 3.5mm TRS auxiliary port, preferably front-side, so I can listen to music through my car's speakers and drown out the radio DJ drivel and advertisements whenever they come on.
HD Radio would also be nice for the times I do listen to music on my favorite stations, but not required.
A USB port (again, preferably front-side), bluetooth, CD drive, DVD drive, WAV file support, FLAC file support, other lossless file support, and SD card slot would also be a bonuses, but none of them are required.
Price isn't really that much of an issue, as long as it's not outrageous (below $400 please), but I'm willing to forego many of the extra features so I can get one for as cheap as possible. The problem is that everywhere I've looked so far, the only ones that seem to have a decent clock display are the higher end $200+ ones, so I'm probably going to end up dropping some serious coin on the head unit anyway.
The only viable candidate I've managed to find so far is the Alpine CDE-HD149BT, but its auxiliary and USB ports are floating in the back, which means extra work for putting in the wires to use them.
If anyone knows of any other head units that would fit my needs, please let me know. I thank you for doing so, as finding a head unit with a good clock display has turned out to be much more difficult than I anticipated.
