[lsversaw]

It seems to me that the trend with the newest gear is to use the display and features of a phone or tablet, and connect it to a fairly "simple" radio. If you do it that way, your nav system, phone features (voice control, etc.), and music player are always as up to date as your phone.

On the other hand, if all that "intelligent" stuff is embedded in your double-din dash unit, the dash unit could be obsolete right about the time you figure out how to use it. The advances are coming fast and furious in nav (Google updates Maps frequently), music players (high def?), and calling features, so it makes sense those features should be in the device you're likely to change most often. Which is probably not a (4-figure?) double-din thang.

Radio receivers, amplifiers, and speakers are pretty static technology, so those are the things that you can hardwire into your car without fear of technical obsolescence.

Android Auto and Apple Car Play are examples of the dumb-car/smart-phone approach. There are multiple third-party apps that come close to the same functionality.

I suggest you consider this: You can add FM and Bluetooth (for phone/music/nav integration) to your stock radio. You can also add 3 more amplifier channels (for a total of 4), and boost power up to high-end receiver levels. If you want external amps, you can also add up to 5 pre-amp outs. You can do all of this, without changing the appearance of your stock radio, for about $500.

I do radio conversion/restoration and I can do all of the above for you. I don't want to use bandwidth for any more personal promotion, so PM me if you'd like more info.

But here's a question for other responders: Do you agree that the dumb-car/smart-phone (or tablet) approach is a viable alternative to big-ol' double-din units that 70C10guy is asking about?