Unfortunately, this deal has expired 8 July 2023.
Sony XAV-AX3250 with (wired) Apple CarPlay and (wired) Android Auto - Halfords - £299.99 @ Halfords
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Posted 15 June 2023

Sony XAV-AX3250 with (wired) Apple CarPlay and (wired) Android Auto - Halfords - £299.99 @ Halfords

£299.99
Free ·
darkstryder360's avatar
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darkstryder360
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Will be buying this for my 2008 Megane R26. Currently have a single DIN Sony headunit, with working steering wheel controls, so I am hoping and praying, if I stay in the Sony ecosystem the controls will continue to work!

Not the cheapest it has ever been sadly. Nor could I get any codes to work. I am hoping the 3.75% Quidco works.

Reviews/Installation:



Connectivity:
  • DAB+ Radio
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Android Auto
  • WebLink Cast for smartphone mirroring
  • A/V input for an external audio and visual source device
  • Bluetooth
  • 1.5A High Current Battery Charge
Display/Chassis:
  • Clear and Responsive, Anti-glare 7-inch Touchscreen
  • Ergonomically Designed Physical button controls
  • Space Saving Installation with Single DIN Rear Chassis
Audio:
  • Powerful, clear amplification 4x55W
  • Sound Optimization with 10 Band EQ
  • FLAC Audio File Compatible Up to 24Bit/48Khz
Usability:
  • Rear View Camera Ready with Updated Parking Guidelines
  • Quick Wake Up
  • 3 Pre-Out for Sound Upgrades
  • Customizable Wallpaper
Halfords More details at

Community Updates
Edited by a community support team member, 15 June 2023
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79 Comments

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  1. Aaron9191's avatar
    I have xav-AX3005DB, it’s decent.

    If you use the DAB on the unit and it’s getting poor signal try unplugging your dashcam - mine was interfering
    johnmaxwell24's avatar
    exellent unit when used with amplified amFmDab antenna on car roof. rarely drops out. only issue was rear camera effecting dabso disconnected. front one ok
  2. Mr.Plow's avatar
    Have you bought it yet? An easy discount is buying a Halfords gift card from topcashback topgiftcards 6% cashback, then purchase through topcashback for 3.4% cashback, it'll effectively cost £271.
    darkstryder360's avatar
    Author
    I think there is also a generic code here for 7% off Gift cards? I wasn't sure if I stacked several gift cards, then it would work on one transaction. I didn't want to test it and waste my money.
  3. Schmiddles's avatar
    Resistive touch screen in 2023? Seriously Sony??
    WillPS's avatar
    I have a 5 year old resistive touch screen JVC android auto head unit. It's absolutely fine - you're not going to be multitouching or using precision controls on an interface designed to be used while hardly being looked at.
  4. darkstryder360's avatar
    Author
    50392698_1.jpg
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    Got it in, need to get the correct fascia though but managed to get steering wheel controls working great, and also the Android Auto is nice.

    Very surprised how responsive the screen is. All this "resistive touch" chatter made me think the worst. (edited)
    mad.dog's avatar
    Thanks for the feedback about the touchscreen. Most useful, especially after all the naysayers (edited)
  5. LiverpoolsNo9's avatar
    You'll still need a wiring harness to continue using the steering wheel controls. Connects2 harnesses are pretty bulletproof. (edited)
    darkstryder360's avatar
    Author
    Got a Connects2 at the moment, but I'm hoping I can use the same one.
  6. bazray's avatar
    A tablet can be a good idea and you can run android auto on them using headunit reloaded app that connects to your phone. you can also customise the launcher to your car manufacturer etc... The downside to tablets is boot up time or keeping it charged when not in use and hiding it from thieves. The carpuride ones are okay, and if you install a coupon extension like coupert etc... there is almost always 30-35% off all of them on the site. The downside to carpuride is the display resolution isnt full hd and they dont have multitouch so pinch to zoom on maps doesnt work so you have to use the + -, thats where the tablet wins. On samsung tablets and maybe others you can do split screen with google maps and spotify or waze and youtube music and save them as a shortcut. So one press fires them both up, and of course tablets have the usual netflix, youtube etc... If you go the tablet route try and get one with a compass and decent gps, some can be terrible.

    I have trialed this with a samsung a7 lite but the cpu can be a little slow sometimes the A8 might be okay and the active tab 3 should be fine etc... but they all cost more. There is one last option and thats get a usb c touchsceen like uperfect or eyoyo for just over £100 and use a phone with video over usb c like samsung etc... so you can turn a half decent phone into a tablet really. Fitting and mounting for easy removal might be pain though but bootup is virtually instant.

    They all have pros and cons
  7. bensbb's avatar
    Is android auto actually usable now? I had a similar head unit about 5 years ago and returned it due to android auto having an absolutely ridiculous "touch" limit, so (for example) the passenger couldn't search on spotify as it would lock them out for a few seconds after 5 touches or so. I get this is a safety feature to prevent distractions while driving but it's totally impractical.

    I know you could get round it by rooting your phone etc but that should not be necessary.

    If this is still in place, I would not recommend using android auto and just buying a phone cradle. Honestly, it made me consider buying an iphone, im glad I didnt end up doing that. (edited)
    chrisbluebird's avatar
    You don't have to touch it. Just tell Google what you want and it'll do it for you.
  8. crack_shot's avatar
    why choose this over an ali express FM transmitter?
    & phone holder if you need maps?

    these car things feel 10 years behind the times
    bensbb's avatar
    If you are just concentrating on saving money I would stick with your phone holder to be honest. The improvements these type of devices give are not that huge compared to what you can already do with your phone.

    Obviously it's not a big issue but aesthetically I think that having a nice head unit looks better than a bulky phone holder hanging off the dash. Car Play and Android Auto are nice when they work as it basically gives you a phone interface on the screen of the head unit which is normally in the best position for the passenger and driver to view and adjust things.

    Also, everyone's experience is different and maybe you're not sensitive to such things but those FM transmitters usually sound terrible and introduce noise, in my experience. They're also often bulky and ugly, I prefer something like this personally (assumes your car has AUX though) as it has the ability to filter out "ground loop" interference. TUNAI Firefly LDAC Bluetooth Adapter: Hifi Wireless Audio Bluetooth 5.0 Receiver with Audiophile USB DAC 3.5mm AUX for Car/Home Stereo Hi Res Music Streaming; Auto On, No Charging Needed: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo (edited)
  9. Nicolas's avatar
    Are these not a thief magnet?
    As in they will break the windows to get it?
    darkstryder360's avatar
    Author
    Maybe in 2006. I can't see the black market popping off for this kinda thing anymore.
  10. Roger_Irrelevant's avatar
    The main manufacturers of (Sony, JVC, Pioneer etc.) have dropped the ball on these, the Chinese Android ones like Joying are brilliant.
    Geode's avatar
    Thoroughly agree but the Chinese tablet-style ones tend to suck for having physical buttons or rotary dials. They're usually just a sheet of glass with capacitive non-physical buttons on the side.

    Touch screens are dire for using whilst driving, any manufacturer who puts them in at the expense of physical buttons somewhere is mad and it's legitimately a safety issue. Frankly I would like it if the various authorities for cars would down-rank on safety those vehicles which are touchscreen only.
  11. Jiebo0123's avatar
    Resistive screen LOL

    Have to be insane to buy this garbage
    darkstryder360's avatar
    Author
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  12. DoctorMesmer's avatar
    Decent price for a reputable brand. These things really add a lot to an old car; I put an Atoto in an old VW Polo and it was a great addition. (edited)
  13. rayanwarn's avatar
    Isnt it better to get an 8/10 " tablet running off your phones wifi hotspot. I was looking at the Carpuride dash mounted players but at £270 think its a little too much for what my firehd tab can do. Id say go for a lenovo tab for just over £100 and run spotify, tidal etc off them.
  14. Lou_Cipher's avatar
    Pay 300 for sony, pioneer etc. or save yourself some money a get atoto f7we for c. 170 from ebay/amazon. Wireless car play and wireless android auto.
    darkstryder360's avatar
    Author
    I was tempted, but wasn't sure how to find the correct adapter for steering wheel controls?
  15. Harris_Siddique's avatar
    Get the Chinese ones more features half price
    Glowingpumpkin's avatar
    I bought one from AliExpress that also claimed to be OEM and its died after 3yrs. Gutted.
  16. BloodyJonesy's avatar
    If you're only interested in Android Auto / CarPlay, consider the Eonon Linux based head units. Really good value and shipped from the UK with full support and warrenty. Includes both Android Auto and CarPlay wireless out of the box as well.
  17. darkstryder360's avatar
    Author
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    Just arrived
    mad.dog's avatar
    does it come with a DAB aerial?

    Been holding out for the sub £300 prices for the wifes zafira
  18. Apocc's avatar
    I really want something like this to add android auto to my car but replacing the headunit in my car would lose me access to things like being able to change mode of the car (sport, eco, comfort etc) and lose access to tyre pressure reset and stuff like that. Any way around it?
    puddsy's avatar
    What car have you got?
  19. chrisbluebird's avatar
    I've had a pioneer and road angel double din dab+ head units and I've now got a Eonon from Amazon, wireless car play and wireless android auto, got the VW compatible one and you don't need a harness as it plugs into the existing wiring. Also Canbus works, no need for additional wiring. Knocks spots off the known branded stereos... It's not dab but you can buy a dab adapter. Whenever I get in the car now the android auto starts automatically and the absolute radio app comes on and starts playing. Don't be swayed by buying branded stuff!!
    mad.dog's avatar
    Why do people post comments like this but don't share links?
  20. grant.evans's avatar
    Picked one of these up around 6 months ago and it’s been great. 
    never had any issues with the screen that people that have never used it seem so negative about. 

    I only paid 120 though. I’m not sure I’d be so impressed paying 300.
  21. BillRawls's avatar
    I have a voucher for halfords thats expiring soon. Tempted by this but finding it a tough choice between this, the kenwood 5020 and the pioneer 160. Its the wife's car (old CRV) so I don't think the resistive screen is a big issue. Can any wise people here offer advise? I'll source cables first so no panic in the purchase just yet
    darkstryder360's avatar
    Author
    I genuinely cannot tell the difference between a normal touch screen, and the resistive touch on this Sony screen.
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