Focus sound system

elgreko · 15-06-2009, 11:01 AM

Thinking of buying one of these systems!! http://www.cartek.com.hk/services/es...tID=14&lang=us oem ford, focus at bottom of page they also come in black. $300US for unit $50US for Maps, $50US for freight. $400US total thought it was a good deal!! Any one have one of these????

melbzetec · 15-06-2009, 01:01 PM

Looks good.

I am a complete novice in this area, but will it have Australian mapping software?

Someone knowledgeable can tell me if that is a stupid question!!!

sumpPUMP · 15-06-2009, 03:09 PM

that is a good question, ive heard of people getting headunits/gps from overseas only to find they only have maps from that country, but there could be some sort of uploading on the net or some software to get for aus maps on them. ive never seen this type of headunit tho.. so not sure.

warren77 · 15-06-2009, 04:26 PM

The device says that is Windows CE. So provided the maps are window CE compliant, it should work.

Tj-zetec · 15-06-2009, 06:10 PM

European parts have them too, just so you can compare prices.

Good idea, great idea infact. But i'm not sure what they're like in practice.

BlackLS · 15-06-2009, 06:56 PM

You'll probably need to aquire Destinator maps and software from a defunct unit

Velociraptor82 · 16-06-2009, 10:52 AM

I'm pretty positive that Aussie maps wouldn't be a problem. If they don't come pre-installed then you download them from the internet, put them onto a cd/usb and load it that way. Seems to me that Windows CE is pretty common for devices like this.

My question is though: How big is the internal hard drive? can we store mp3s/movies on the device or do they all have to run from a CD/DVD

Loris · 16-06-2009, 06:34 PM

i'd stay away from these sorts of units (WinCE units from asia)

ive had nothing but trouble with the gps system on them..
constant freezing and gps device not being detected..

everything else works like it should, but if you want to rely on these sorts of units for gps there not very reliable.

be cautious!

elgreko · 17-06-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgreko

Thinking of buying one of these systems!! http://www.cartek.com.hk/services/es...tID=14&lang=us oem ford, focus at bottom of page they also come in black. $300US for unit $50US for Maps, $50US for freight. $400US total thought it was a good deal!! Any one have one of these????

they claim to have 09 Australian maps!!!

Velociraptor82 · 18-06-2009, 01:04 PM

I'm in love with one of these: http://www.gizmosis.com.au/

peoples thoughts?

rand0mn00b · 28-06-2009, 10:35 PM

I've emailed cartek as well as sent them an enquiry through their contact form

Haven't received a response from them in several days... not a good sign

#Russ#Es# · 28-06-2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velociraptor82

I'm in love with one of these: http://www.gizmosis.com.au/

peoples thoughts?

Now we're talking! Shame about the price though!

warren77 · 29-06-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rand0mn00b

I've emailed cartek as well as sent them an enquiry through their contact form

Haven't received a response from them in several days... not a good sign

I run an online company who receives about 800 emails per month from customers. We get complaints all the time that people send us emails but never get a response.

Generally it is because
a) They are sending from an email address which is blacklisted (we receive a lot of spam and have to use blacklists)
b) Our email hits their spam filter at the client end.

So I would suggest
a) checking your spam folder
b) sending same email from a different email address, and not one of the free email providers (Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo etc)

Cheers

Warren

leakey · 29-06-2009, 07:41 PM

In the same boat as RANDOM' I emailed a couple of weeks back now, and followed up too. Still nothing. I thought "go local" if you get warranty issues.

Their unit is the same as just about every other one straight out of China.

Cheapest I've found so far on that unit is $485 delivered to Sydney, with TV antenna and reverse camera bundled for an extra $65. All OZ $$.

Thats pretty impressive.

leakey · 30-06-2009, 09:04 AM

Errr... scrap that last one. In the fine print it mentions that GPS is an optional extra!
You need to add Aud$125 for GPS and maps.

Grrrr. very misleading add, as it states GPS in the title and blarb.

----------------------------------

The one listed below comes close to the above pricing though.

Just on these d/din units, there seems to be one primary manufacturer in Shenzhen.
They produce essentially the same unit for many makes. Everything back from the facia is the same, just the facias are different. They send units out with vehicle logo on screen on power up.

I dont particularly like their Focus offering, compared to say their VW offering. It wouldnt be too hard to do a swapsie for a better looking facia, and just ask for the Ford logo to appear.

Have a look - http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2-Din-Car-DVD...3A1%7C294%3A30

rand0mn00b · 02-07-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warren77

I run an online company who receives about 800 emails per month from customers. We get complaints all the time that people send us emails but never get a response.

Generally it is because
a) They are sending from an email address which is blacklisted (we receive a lot of spam and have to use blacklists)
b) Our email hits their spam filter at the client end.

So I would suggest
a) checking your spam folder
b) sending same email from a different email address, and not one of the free email providers (Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo etc)

Cheers

Warren

thanks, I use a privately hosted email address not from a free service.

after receiving no response from my email I used the online contact form on their website and if that doesn't go through then they have serious problems

i also work for an online business and any company using blacklists is not doing themselves favours. intelligent spam filters are far more effective and less likely to do do false positives. (I think the whole internet breathed a sigh of relief when SORBS announced they were going offline)

have been checking my spam filters often and nothing's in there

i know cartek has received my email(s) because i've since received some sort of newsletter/price list from them twice and neither was a reply to my question.

to me the writing's on the wall

#Russ#Es# · 02-07-2009, 10:05 AM

Great to see a number of options available that slot straight into a late model Focus, but are people also looking at the usual (Alpine/Clarion/etc) options? Most aftermarket single DIN facia adapters can be modified to be double DIN, and many units now offer ISO connection to allow you to plug and play (with the right adapter of course...easy to find online) and use factory steering wheel controls. That way you have factory support (in Oz!) and only pay slightly more due to a small (or no) shipping fee. At least you know what you're getting...

I think something like the below would work well in an LS...

http://www.pioneer.com.au/Products/Car%20Entertainment/Visual%20Audio/AVH%20P4050DVD.aspx (ignore the RRP, can find these online for $838 including shipping)

These guys have some ok prices: http://www.soundmaster.com.au/

Still interesting to see new and better featured (for the price) options out there.

rand0mn00b · 02-07-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #Russ#Es#

and many units now offer ISO connection to allow you to plug and play (with the right adapter of course...easy to find online) and use factory steering wheel controls.

is this what you're talking about? http://connects2.com/c2search.aspx?c...=209&modID=791

not 100% which ones would work on an LT focus

due to the lack of credible, reliable slot-in options for the focus, i was thinking of getting a fascia adaptor and one of these so i can keep using steering controls

#Russ#Es# · 02-07-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rand0mn00b

is this what you're talking about? http://connects2.com/c2search.aspx?c...=209&modID=791

not 100% which ones would work on an LT focus

due to the lack of credible, reliable slot-in options for the focus, i was thinking of getting a fascia adaptor and one of these so i can keep using steering controls

That's the one.
Will have to look for the link, but there are a number of stores on ebay that sell a facia, ISO connector, and removal keys in one kit.

portpiro · 02-07-2009, 06:54 PM

now we're talking

the other day i had a chat to a local car audio installer and he was very familiar with the chinese products, he said most of the ones people bring in for him to install come back within 1 month. sure, these companies offer warranties but who wants to pay for installation, removal, and shipping to return a dodgy product, only to get back another one. he strongly advised me to steer clear of the cheap chinese head units.