Does your factory car stereo look plain and boring or maybe it lacks important features such as navigation? Outdated car stereos don’t serve much of a purpose. Most of them don’t have navigation systems and play only radio and CD music. Upgrade your factory car stereo with an Android aftermarket navigation head unit to experience the best of today’s technology.

Replace your outdated head unit for more high-tech functionality. Automotive navigation systems are an essential part of today’s modern vehicles but don’t worry, you don’t need to buy a brand new car for these commodities. The aftermarket offers a variety of multimedia Android head units, which are convenient devices and allow you to connect your Android phone to your dash and control some of the most important features. With an Android head unit, you can play music, use Google Maps navigation which is far more advanced than the basic BMW navigation, make calls and send messages.

• Having an Android head unit has tons of advantages.

This is not just a typical car stereo, we are talking about a multi-functional device that will make your car rides pleasant and relaxing. Your Android phone is connected to the dash via USB which does not mirror every app you have on the device. Only the apps that are authorized by Google Play can be visible on your unit because of drivers’ safety regulations. You will be able to use Google Maps as a reliable navigation system as well as play music from your phone’s database.

The audio goes through the USB which does not damage the quality of sound like Bluetooth does. The second most important feature after navigation is the hands free phone calls. Making calls while driving is not recommended, unless you have an Android head unit which allows you to talk hands free. This is important for your safety as well as the safety of others on the road.

• The downsides and how to deal with them

The aftermarket offers a variety of Android unit models with phone interface that is easy to navigate, even while driving. Replacing your factory car stereo might cause you to lose some of the factory features such as steering wheel audio control, satellite radio, Bluetooth integration systems and rear seat entertainment systems.

The key is to choose a compatible head unit off the aftermarket that will provide you with the features you want to keep. Depending on which feature you want to keep, you will need to get an appropriate adapter. We can take steering wheel audio controls as an example because it is one of the basic features that everyone wants to hold on to. In this case, look for a steering wheel audio control adapter and a navigation unit that is compatible with this adapter. In today’s aftermarket, you will find plenty of head units with the SWI (steering wheel input). It is important to look for this specific feature because otherwise your head unit might cost you a few commodities. Other than that, there is not a single reason you should not upgrade your vehicle with an aftermarket head unit.

It is certainly more affordable than buying brand new wheels and with the aftermarket you can get a high-tech Android head unit at a fair price and say goodbye to the old factory car stereo.