Podofo – Retro Tech Drives

“Revamping Retro Rides: A Review of the Podofo Portable Car Stereo Wireless Apple Carplay Android Auto”

Review Team — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 00:02:57 +0000

Product Review: Podofo Portable Car Stereo Wireless Apple Carplay Android Auto

Our team of tech enthusiasts at Retro Tech Drives has had the joy of testing yet another outstanding piece of technology: the Podofo Portable Car Stereo Wireless Apple Carplay Android Auto. This 7-Inch Touch Screen Car Radio transforms your ride into a mobile multimedia station while keeping hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Specifications

Equipped with Bluetooth, the carplay screen wirelessly connects to your phone, flawlessly integrating your phone’s functions into its 7-inch touch screen. It facilitates superior hands-free capabilities including calls and music streaming, thereby enhancing car safety and ensuring an enjoyable ride every time. It’s undoubtedly one of the easiest ways to integrate the latest media technology into almost any car. It also boasts Map Navigation accessed via CarPlay/Android Auto functions.

Setting Up

Installation is breezy and straightforward, compatible with all car models owing to a voltage range of 7-32V. Driving sound through the car’s speakers can be done in one of two ways – via an FM transmitter or utilizing an AUX cable.

Performance

The screen offers vivid and responsive touch controls. However, responsiveness tends to delay sometimes, which is significant but not a deal-breaker. Additionally, we encountered instances of the audio intermittently cutting out while driving.

Pros

The Podofo Portable Car Stereo serves as an economical yet efficient upgrade, estimated to save users upwards of $2000 compared to replacing the entire console. Voice control functionality allows for safer and more efficient driving. With its own built-in speakers, it delivers surprisingly good sound quality. For our drivers with convertibles, the unit’s hood offers excellent sun glare protection for easier viewing. The device’s portability allows it to be moved between cars, providing flexibility and sparing users the cost of multiple expensive stereo systems.

Cons

Despite its merits, this device has a few shortcomings. The mounting stand lacks flexibility, posing a challenge for curved dashboards as the adhesive fails to hold reliably. With many users likely to stash the device above the dashboard, an adaptable stand would enhance its value tremendously. The device can also heat up significantly, especially when the power cord is unplugged. Lastly, the suction cup for the windshield mount is not as effective as one would hope, causing issues for some users.

Conclusion

After a thorough test drive with the Podofo Portable Car Stereo Wireless Apple Carplay Android Auto, we concluded that it offers excellent value for its price and delivers on its promise for a safer, more comfortable, and enjoyable driving experience. Despite a few holes, its versatility, easy installation process, and fantastic sound quality make it a worthwhile purchase for any retro car owner.

Before we wrap up, please note that the links provided in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through these links, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the blog and allows us to continue to bring you quality content like this.

Check it out on Amazon.com (United States)

“Retro Meets Modern: A Comprehensive Review of Podofo 9.66″ Mirror Dash Cam”

technotom — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 17:26:31 +0000

Podofo 9.66″ Mirror Dash Cam Review

At Retro Tech Drives, we are always on the hunt for technology that marries both modern innovation and retro style. The Podofo 9.66-inch Mirror Dash Cam is one such amalgamation that captured our interest. Here’s what we found out in our series of grueling tests.

Integration with Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto

True to its claim, the Podofo dash camera system can connect your smartphone via Bluetooth to offer seamless access to your device’s features while driving. We think this is a huge win, as it promotes safety without compromising on the retro aesthetics of your pride and joy.

Quality Video Recording

The dual cameras impressed us with clear footage, even under various lighting conditions, thanks to the advanced AHD and WDR technologies. With 1080P front and 1280P rear resolutions, this device doesn’t compromise on video capture quality.

Efficient Type-C Interface and Split Screen

This Mirror Dash Cam uses a Type-C interface, known for efficiency and durability. Moreover, the split-screen feature lets you keep an eye on both front and rear views, elevating your safety level.

Sound Transmission

The built-in speaker is an excellent feature, and if you need a more robust sound, the device can transmit audio to your car speaker through FM or an Aux cable. However, we noticed some sound quality issues during our tests.

Memory Expansion

We loved the dash cam’s support for multi-language functionality and memory flexibility up to 128GB, with a complimentary 64GB card included. Still, we noted some problems with the loop recording feature during our tests which could lead to loss of crucial footage.

Customer Support

The promise of a 30-day money-back guarantee, 12-month replacement, and lifetime technical support is a solid selling point they are offering to their customers.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, there’s no doubt the Podofo 9.66-inch Mirror Dash Cam carries a rich roll of features that tickle the fancy of tech enthusiasts who love to infuse their vintage rides with a dash of the latest tech. However, there are some noticeable issues that could affect user experience. These matters, once addressed, would undoubtedly make the product a top contender in the realm of dash cameras.

Regardless, it’s safe to say that the device has a lot to offer and, with some improvement, could be the perfect blend of the retro and the modern that you’ve been looking for.

Check it out on Amazon.com (United States)

“Revamping Retro Rides: An In-Depth Review of the Podofo Car Stereo 2 Din Car Radio 7 Inch MP5 Player”

Review Team — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 00:08:59 +0000

Podofo Car Stereo 2 Din Car Radio 7 Inch MP5 Player Review | Retro Tech Drives

In-Depth Review: Podofo Car Stereo 2 Din Car Radio 7 Inch MP5 Player with HD Touch Screen

In our quest to test and review tech products designed for retro cars, we set out to test the Podofo Car Stereo 2 Din Car Radio 7 Inch MP5 Player with HD Touch Screen. Boasting a 7-inch HD digital display with touch screen features, this MP5 player runs on Bluetooth for wireless audio streaming and includes a backup camera. At a glance, this equipment promises to bring retro cars the ease of modern technology. Let’s delve deeper into our findings.

Exploring the Features

The Podofo Car Stereo slots into your car’s dual-DIN slot and comes with a wide range of features. Alongside the standard FM radio tuner, this multimedia player also supports USB, SD, AUX-in, and Bluetooth connectivity. Besides, the stereo is equipped with an HD waterproof super night vision rear camera, which kicks into operation as soon as you put the car into reverse gear. It also has a preset max 4*45W amplifier that maintains a higher 4*24w RMS power output.

Installation and User Experience

Integrating the Podofo Car Stereo into our test car was a breeze. Although it doesn’t fit perfectly into every model, simple modifications can solve this minor hiccup. We found that the interface was fairly user-friendly, and its Bluetooth function performed excellently with little to no hassle in connecting mobile devices for handsfree communication. The built-in EQ options provided discernable sound changes, tweaking the audio quality to a favorable point.

Hidden Complexities

While we experienced fair functionality, we did encounter a realm of complexities. First, we were unable to display artist/song information on the HUD when connected to Bluetooth. We also observed some shortcomings with the screen mirroring feature: audio from videos was slow and stuttering, making this feature less enjoyable. In addition, there is no AM radio option, which could be a disadvantage for some users.

Product Drawbacks

Like any other product, the Podofo Car Stereo has its share of drawbacks and issues. To start with, when the phone is charging via the stereo, the Bluetooth function is unavailable. Additionally, the unit lacks mounting hardware – you have to use old mounting brackets or buy a universal mount. And depending on the specifics of your car, there might be gaps on the sides of the unit that have to be filled in.

Conclusion

In the grand scheme, the Podofo Car Stereo 2 Din Car Radio 7 Inch MP5 Player with HD Touch Screen ranks fairly on the scale of affordability and functionality. It offers a range of features that bring a touch of modern convenience to retro cars. While the cons are considerable, if you are looking for a budget-friendly stereo with Bluetooth and FM, this device does the job. Just bear in mind that you might compromise on some advanced features. But for its price and the core features it brings, we think it’s a good bet!

Check it out on Amazon.com (United States)