Preview/Review: Sony CDX-GT630UI Car Stereo (iPhone compatible!)

[Garage Battle]

This is a preview of the Sony CDX-GT630UI. I have only played with it briefly in store, but I believe I've learned enough already.


For 2008/2009 Sonys new CDX-GT630UI model brings to the table full iPod/iPhone compatibility, along with simplicity. The press releases offered little information, but, after demoing the unit first hand, I have nothing but praise for this new product.

The CDX-GT630UI is standard Sony fare, with simple buttons and a very basic but readable display. Color choices for buttons are blue or green, text is white. The stereo's main feature is its front mounted USB port. This allows a thumb drive or a mp3 player to be plugged directly in. More importantly however is the ability to plug in an iPhone sync cable.

Now, to clarify, the Sony offers too modes for iPod/iPhone. First mode is standard iPod control, which for anyone who has ever used an OEM iPod hookup, or most other stereo manufacturers, the iPod plays music through the stereo, and all song controls are done through the headunit, leaving the iPod locked and displaying an information message. With the iPhone 3g hooked in, the 'iPod' function is locked out, but the rest of the phone remains usable. Songs are chosen through the head unit only, using a tree system based on "Arist/Album/Song" as the primary sorting/listing method. Nothing new, nothing special.

THE COOL PART HOWEVER is switching into Passenger Control Mode. This frees the iPhone to be fully functional, allowing song selection to be done from the iPhone itself. Once a song is selected, the artist name/track title displays on the Sony's screen, and audio plays through the deck. If you watch a video on the iPhone, the title of the video displays on the Sony. How about Pandora? Yep, audio outputs from Pandora straight into the Sony. All through a standard sync cable that you have at home.

Unplug the iPhone and the music pauses. Plug the iPhone back in and the music resumes where it left off. There are NO AIRPLANE ERROR MESSAGES, IT CHARGES THE PHONE, ITS SIMPLE, AND IT WORKS. I have not seen anything so far that gets along this well with the iPhone 3g to date.

I will have a unit in hand, and installed this week for testing and further review. Stay tuned.

[mrsidewayzz]

i wonder if it happens to have the active bluetooth phone talk feature, or even talk while the phone is hooked up. that would be pretty cool. cool review.

[Garage Battle]

After having the unit for a few days I have come to some conclusions

1. It is the best solution so far for a simple/inexpensive deck with full iPhone/iPhone 3g integration.

2. It works with the music on your iPhone flawlessly. If its playing a track, disconnect the phone, go about your errands. Come back, plug the phone in, it instantly starts playing where it left off. Want to change tracks? You can do it on the iPhone, or on the stereos controls.

3. Its not super compatible with Pandora. While you can play Pandora through it, everytime you plug it in it tries to play music on the iPod function. There may be a way to turn that off (I will look today). But, for longer drives it is fine because once you set it it stays that way for that trip.

4. The refresh rate of the scrolling text on the Sony is poor. Just looks really choppy.

5. Very durable solution. My friend has the Kensington LiquidAux for his iPhone, and its already starting to give error messages. This is a far more durable, solid solution.


So all said Im very happy with this product. You can select your music however you want, skip tracks on the deck itself, get your audio from your videos, Pandora, iPod music, etc. Its a really solid product.

[bruddap]

So, dumb question; I just bought one of these and was curious what you do when you're listening to it and get a phone call. Can you answer it with speaker phone and have it on your car speakers, or do you have to disconnect and answer that way?
Thanks

[bruddap]

So, I RTFM and I still can't get an answer to my question.
If your using the iPod funtion, how do you answer a call when you're driving? Do you have to disconnect the iPhone or can you just press answer and hear over the speakers?
Thanks

[Cody Overcash]

pictures!

[thbt]

When you get a call, the music stops so you can hear your phone ringing. After you finish your call and hang up, the music resumes. Pretty slick.

I don't think you can hear the call over your speakers, but I never tried speakerphone. I'll have to give that shot -- it would be pretty cool if it worked.

The cord is unsightly, though. I wish it had a USB port in the back of the unit, too.

[bruddap]

Thank you for your reply.
For some reason I still haven't hook my iPhone up and tried it. After reading this I will do it the next time I'm in my car.

So, what would the advantage of having a usb port in the back of the unit. You would need a longer cord and you'd still be able to see the wire too, so I don't see how it would be much different.
anyway, thanks again for your info.

[thbt]

You're right bruddap, having the USB in the back wouldn't help the iPhone... I was thinking more in terms of hooking up one of my regular iPods. I'm not liking having to hook up the iPod to the unit every time I get in my car.

[laz305]

to bad won't play DVD's then it will have been perfect

[bruddap]

You're right bruddap, having the USB in the back wouldn't help the iPhone... I was thinking more in terms of hooking up one of my regular iPods. I'm not liking having to hook up the iPod to the unit every time I get in my car.

Got ya. i have an old iPod as well and that's a good one. Wonder if you can split the input up front, prolly not.

[jbode]

Wow this seems like a great product, I'm going to have to check it out

Why haven't they come out with this a long time ago?
They would have sold so many by now

[eyeseeyou]

When you get a call, the music stops so you can hear your phone ringing. After you finish your call and hang up, the music resumes. Pretty slick.

I don't think you can hear the call over your speakers, but I never tried speakerphone. I'll have to give that shot -- it would be pretty cool if it worked.

The cord is unsightly, though. I wish it had a USB port in the back of the unit, too.

Have you tried hooking the iphone up both through the usb and the headphone jack to the front input? That way it would ring through the speakers and you could just talk to your iphone.

I really considering getting this car deck.