When it comes modern day Head-Units with built in NAV (Navigation) there used to be only couple of options, this would either be the over the top Head-Units that would cost an arm and a leg or some cheap Chinese option with no warranty and/or way to update the NAV software.
This is where Philips has stepped in to fill the void in the NAV market, not only are they very functional but they are also priced right at the mid-bottom of the Double-Din Bluetooth market making them a very good option.
The display on the Philips CED1800BTK is a 6.2″ Touch-Screen, while the Philips CED780BTK is a 7″ Fold-Out Touch-Screen that is easy to navigate through the options with ease of a simple touch. With simple clean colours/control and menus that make using the CED1800BTK/CED780BTK a breeze without adding harshness to ones eyes.
The NAV (navigation) unit in the CED1800BTK/CED780BTK has to be one of the most easiest navigation units I have ever used, as soon as you press the NAVI button on the Head-Unit it starts loading up and in seconds you are ready to select (Show Map, Destination, Route Options). If you are in a area you don’t know well and need gas its as easy as pressing the Show Map option and zooming out a touch to see the location!
The one feature that stands out to myself is that the CED1800BTK/CED780BTK are both Steering Wheel Control Ready. A lot of Head-Units on the market claim to be but still need after-market control units for the Steering Wheel Controls to work, with these two units you just need to install them and once they are connected you can program the Steering Wheel Controls to do what you require of them.
Specifications
Picture/Display
- Display screen type: LCD TFT
- Diagonal screen size: CED1800BTK 6.2″/CED780BTK 7″
- Aspect ratio: Widescreen
- Key illumination: Red
Playback media
- Disc: DVD, DVD+/-R, DVD+/-RW, (S)VCD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3-CD, WMA-CD, WMA
- USB flash drive
- AV-IN: for portable audio/video playback devices
Video Playback
- Playback Media: DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, DVD+RW, Video CD, SVCD, Picture CD
- Disc Playback Modes: A-B Repeat, Angle, Chapter repeat, Disc Menu, Fast Backward, Fast Forward, OSD, PBC, Repeat, Resume Playback from Stop, Search forward/reverse, Slow Backward, Slow Forward, Still Picture, Zoom
- Video disc playback system: NTSC, PAL
- USB Direct Playback: JPEG, MPEG4 (Simple profile)
Audio Playback
- Compression format: Dolby Digital, MP3, WMA
- Disc Playback Modes: Fast Forward/Backward, Next/Previous Album Search, Next/Previous Track Search
- ID3 Tag support: Song title, artist, album
- MP3 bit rates: 32-320kbps and variable bit rate
Tuner/Reception/Transmission
- Tuner Bands: AM, FM Stereo
- Auto digital tuning
- Tuner Enhancements: Auto search and store
- No. of preset stations: 18(FM), 12(AM)
My overall opinion of these Head-Units is now a lot higher than originally thought as I’ve never been a fan of Philips Head-Units, putting that aside though the Philips CED1800BTK/CED780BTK Head-Unit’s are better featured than anything in their price points in the market. Plus are not only nice to look at but are nice and simple to use making them ideal for not only the younger users but also older people that don’t like complex gadgetry in a Head-Unit! The perfect Head-Unit for the traveller or even everyday commuter!