written by SuzukiKev on 10/09/2012
I did lots of research before purchasing this stereo, I read reviews and looked at other manufactures. I even rang SONY (Not that I would recommend that). Anyway after a couple of weeks of hard research I decided that the SONY XAV-601BT was the stereo for me, it allows you to connect many ways not just iPods/iPhones, and if you have a latest Android/Symbian phone you can connect them too. The touch screen is responsive and picture quality is great. The idea of the 2 USB's is a great feature too, the one in the glove box can have a nice big USB flash drive left connected with all your music, videos and pictures on it and not have unsightly cables on show. The sound quality is defiantly an improvement to the standard stereo installation. Before this stereo I had a Parrot Bluetooth kit fitted which I have now removed due to this stereo having it built in, I am shocked that the SONY's Bluetooth is an step up on the Parrot kit, the volume goes higher so I can hear people clearer now and also the quality for the person I'm talking to has improved, some people have said that they can't even tell I'm driving. Basically at the moment I can't find a single fault with this head unit, all the features included that I can use work very well, Tuner, CD/DVD Player, USB Music/Video/Pictures, BT Audio and BT Phone calls. The only options I can't use yet are the Mirror Link and iPod control. The Mirror Link allows you to mirror your phone to the unit, this will in the future allow me to use my phones Sat Nav on the unit too, so can't wait for that. To use the Mirror Link feature you need a compatible phone (SONY's website lists these). The iPod control apparently allows you to connect a iPod/iPhone to the unit and play back Music/Video/Pictures and also allows a passenger to control the unit via there iPod/iPhone. (I'm not a apple fan so can't confirm this works).
Pros:
Great Screen (Functionality and Picture)
Sounds perfect
Bluetooth is clear and easy to use
Functions are user friendly
Lots of connections
The Price of the unit, it's cheaper than most and this is because it doesn't have Sat Nav built in, but as you can use you phone to do this why pay the extra £300 +!!
Cons:
Not really a con as I did know before purchase, but shame Mirror Link doesn't work with older phones too (hopefully it will soon, it's not a SONY software so hopefully the phone manufactures will get it updated)