Zavation

New Member
Hi all,
I've recently become the proud owner of a 2015 (64 Reg) Freelander 2 HSE and so far love it! The only downside for me is the OEM head unit. I've been looking at aftermarket ones, however it appears that the vast majority of them only fit up to Freelanders < 2012. I was wondering if anyone else had a > 2013 model and what head unit they went with, or any suggestions? I also have the Meridian upgraded sound system, so is there anything I need to keep in mind when (if) I upgrade?

Ideally I want to replace the OEM head unit, and not have a double dinn unit.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Ideally I want to replace the OEM head unit, and not have a double dinn unit.
It's basically impossible to replace the factory audio system, and with the Meridian system, why would you need to?
As with all modern vehicles of this type, the audio system is fully integrated into the vehicle, with components of the system spread around the vehicle being connected by data connections throughout.
If you disconnect one part of the audio system, many other systems will stop working, like the parking sensors, reverse camera if fitted, satnav will stop working, as will the clock on the dash, and probably many other things that I can't think of just now.
It's best to simply leave it as is, unless you're wanting a huge outlay and lots of pain.
 
Last edited:
This unit is made to fit the FL2 dashboard:

That unit only fits the up to 2012 models, and then works in conjunction with the factory audio system.
As for as I'm aware, there's nothing to replace the 2013 onwards audio system, and with the 840 Watt Meridian system installed, there's little point anyway. ;)
 
Did you say 840 Watt !!

That reminds me of the electric guitar strum on 'Back to the Future' !!!
For those that didn't see it, the speaker cone fired him across the room :D
 
The wattage is irrelevant. Does it go up to 11?
I don't know what the later Meridian system goes to, but my less powerful SE system goes over 25.:eek: I've not pushed it above that, so don't know what the highest number is.
Looks like the OP has asked and run anyway. Maybe his rear diff has exploded?:D
 
Get a phone cradle if you need things outside that best sound system on a freelander (waze,obd,etc)
Cheaper and better, trust me.
Those androids are garbage especially the screens.
 
I don't know what the later Meridian system goes to, but my less powerful SE system goes over 25.:eek: I've not pushed it above that, so don't know what the highest number is.
Looks like the OP has asked and run anyway. Maybe his rear diff has exploded?:D

I took mine up to 32 at one point when a track came on I wanted to sing along to (needed to be sure I was drowned out) but not done it again as when I went back to 10 I couldn't hear anything
 
Get a phone cradle if you need things outside that best sound system on a freelander (waze,obd,etc)
Cheaper and better, trust me.
Those androids are garbage especially the screens.
That is as broadly sweeping and as inaccurate as saying "laptops are rubbish, especially the screens"... Not all [objects] are created equal. Granted, there are some howlers out there, but there are some gems, the problem is that it requires a bit more buyer research than say grabbing a double din unit, you know that a Kenwood / Alpine will be good, but nearly all the android head units are made by "off brands", so the buyer needs to be a bit more diligent and tech savvy. For example, I'm currently looking for an android unit for one of my vehicles, and even as a computer geek, I'm having to tread lightly as I'm up against dodgy chinese marketing practices, and hype laten use of buzzwords obfuscating the meat and potatoes of the spec.

Take this unit I was looking at: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295107038707
upload_2022-9-27_15-49-5.png


Looks presentable, doesn't it? Let's look at another picture of the same unit from the same eBay listing...
upload_2022-9-27_15-51-12.png


Oh, hold on a minute, where did that extra acre of black bezel come in from? Could it be that the first picture has had an android screenshot stretched over the front of it in a graphics program to make it look better? Not at all, no chinese company would ever pull snidey tricks like that. But checks out this one that I just "upgraded the screen on" - in a photo editing program:

upload_2022-9-27_15-55-10.png


There's also the cloudy issue of Android Head unit vs Android Auto... The former is a fully functioning computer in your car, think BMW I-Drive or similar, whereas the latter uses some trick technology to turn your headunit into what is essentially an additional touchscreen for controlling your phone. And even that gets a bit cloudy as to what phones and what head units can talk to each other and whethere or not they need a cable plugging in or whether they can do this remote control dance wirelessly over bluetooth or such like.

Even if you get past that second hurdle, and get to a position where you've not been hoodwinked by photoshopped products from a snidey manufacturer, but found a better quality manufacturer, whose photographs really do represent what you are buying, you need to get one that has some computing schutzpah, and some decent software running on it. If you get a schnidey unit, it'll basically be a basic smartphone shoved in to a dashboard, which can make for a rubish user experience. However, some of the other brands do put a whole new software interface in their head units, which makes for a much better user experience.

AFIK, the the current best headunit on the market is a Teyes CC3 which totally outclasses even Alpine's flagship.

timestamp 04:47 / 287seconds to skip the unboxing / fluff and see the unit in action.


Teyes do make a CC3 install package for the FL2, sadly it's for the pre-facelift upto 2012 models.



So while I've not been able to help Zavation with their hunt for a head unit, I hope I've been able to dispel a few myths and provide some useful buyer advice for anyone else reading this who is considering an Android head unit.
 
I'm a prospective FL2 owner, but not sure what trim level to get. I've found an we'll spec'd 2014 GS ... With heated seats, cold climate pack, clear view pack but the headunit is the non-nav, small type.
From what I understand of the thread, I'm out of luck in headunit upgrades for anything post 2012?
I'm not fussed on banging the tunes out, but nav and phone functionality are essential!
I like the KISS idea of a cradle, but proper headunit would be better.

TIA!
 
I'm a prospective FL2 owner, but not sure what trim level to get. I've found an we'll spec'd 2014 GS ... With heated seats, cold climate pack, clear view pack but the headunit is the non-nav, small type.
From what I understand of the thread, I'm out of luck in headunit upgrades for anything post 2012?
I'm not fussed on banging the tunes out, but nav and phone functionality are essential!
I like the KISS idea of a cradle, but proper headunit would be better.

TIA!
It's pretty impossible to add to the factory system.
Basically if you want factory nav, then you need to look for a vehicle that has it.
GS is only just above a base model, so will be missing many items that the higher spec models get.
With the FL2, the price is dictated by the spec, both buying and selling later on.
 

Similar threads