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Sunday, May 26, 2013, 07:10 pm

Review: Scosche enters car radio fray with iOS connected controlFREQBy Victor Marks

After decades in the car audio industry, and many years spent as a consumer device and accessory maker, Scosche recently debuted its first Bluetooth car stereo receiver in the controlFREQ, a single DIN head unit that can be controlled with smartphone app.

Scosche

The most important thing about car audio in this day of heavily integrated, manufacturer provided entertainment systems is paying attention to how integrated they are, and what you give up when you change to an aftermarket system.

Hardware

The first thing I noticed when using the controlFREQ was the immediately apparent lack of niceties from my old Cadillac receiver, which handled low fuel consumption, boasted steering wheel controls, integrated seat and mirror memory settings tied to the unlock key fob remotes, a trip computer, oil life and a number of other features I can't even recall.

I admit, these features are not crucial for driving, but having had them, it's as if I've given my car a lobotomy with the new unit, crippling its convenience.

Scosche

The controlFREQ has its benefits, but there are a few things that Scosche didn't get right. The receiver doesn't have a dedicated Siri button (or for Android, one that prompts the voice dial feature), lacks an external microphone and has no remote connector to translate commands from the car's steering wheel-mounted controls.

Why are these a big deal? Driving with Siri (or to a lesser extent, the automation found in Android or Windows Phone) is a great experience. Pressing a button to gain access to a phone's handsfree features is a perfect way to interact while on the road. It's not hard to do technically, and Scosche missed out on this feature.

Microphones need to be near the face to pick up voice well. In a car, this usually usually means installation around the rear view mirror, on the front pillar, or near the gauge binnacle. Anywhere that is close to, or in line with the driver's head. Locating the only microphone on the center stack means it isn't going to work as well as it could.

A component that would allow support for existing steering wheel control is an odd thing to exclude. This is especially confusing when Scosche already sells PAC-Audio devices which adapt car manufacturer's steering wheel controls to the remote interfaces on popular radios from Sony, Pioneer and JVC. The company also makes a wiring adapter with logic that allows from-the-factory parts, such as Bose Amps and GM's OnStar, to continue to work when an aftermarket stereo is installed.

Given this engineering capability and knowledge, why couldn't Scosche have included a remote interface in its first car stereo? If it had replicated any one of the remote signals already sold in one of the firm's other products, my steering wheel controls would still function.

Scosche

The controls that the receiver does have are well-executed. For example, the volume knob has a subtle click detent feel to it and turns with ease. It's large, knurled and easy to grab hold of. The screen is easy to read despite being segmented like old car stereos or alarm clocks, most likely a move to keep manufacturing prices down.

Installation

For the review, Scosche provided the following:
Scosche controlFREQ car stereo
Scosche GM1586B fascia (dual and single DIN) for my car, a 2005 Cadillac CTS
Scosche GM20SR Stereo Replacement Interface for 2003-2006 Cadillac SRX and CTS (retains Bose and OnStar)
The installation was relatively straight-forward, but there were some minor difficulties regarding compatibility.

Scosche

For example, the controlFREQ comes with a large sticker labeled "Warranty Void if Sticker Damaged or Removed."

Unfortunately, the act of inserting the Scosche radio in the provided fascia, using the company's ISO mounting tabs, will shred the sticker. You read correctly - installing the radio using parts from the same manufacturer causes damage that supposedly voids the warranty.

When made aware of the issue, Scosche noted that damage to the sticker during installation is usually not a problem, and the company would honor the warranty as long as the customer retains a copy of the purchase receipt.

Scosche

The Scosche GM1586B installation kit came with a single DIN surround and a dual DIN surround to make the gap around the radio follow the surface profile of the larger fascia - essentially a more "factory" look. The piece that comes stock on the controlFREQ doesn't.

When I switched the controlFREQ's fascia with that of the GM-specific part, a few of the very tiny snap fingers that hold it on (2 on each side) broke in the process. Using the nice one that comes with GM1586B prevents the radio faceplate from folding down or being easily removed - essentially blocking easy access to the reset button, SD Card slot and CD slot.

Scosche assures me that it's looking at redesigning this surround so that it can accommodate the the faceplate folding down.

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Would love to put this in my 2003 Subaru WRX, but the double-DIN stock unit includes a 6-disk CD changer that I'd have to give up. I'd be willing to sacrifice that for a single disk slot, but the review doesn't mention it including one. Maybe the next rev?

frxntier2013/05/26 10:55pm

Quote:Originally Posted by Robin Huber?

Would love to put this in my 2003 Subaru WRX, but the double-DIN stock unit includes a 6-disk CD changer that I'd have to give up. I'd be willing to sacrifice that for a single disk slot, but the review doesn't mention it including one. Maybe the next rev?
Why wouldn't you just load up a USB device with music, or stream via Bluetooth? CD's are just not worth the effort anymore.

Also, there are so many better head units available. The only 'good' thing about this one is the app. Which would be completely useless to me as I'd prefer to change tracks and volume on the head unit or with the steering wheel controls. An Alpine or Pioneer unit is much better for integration, even at this price.

I'm surprised something as boring as this is even on AI. Its one of the most basic head units I've ever seen.

michael scrip2013/05/27 12:17am

Wishing more headunits had REAR USB and AUX ports.

I hate having cords sticking out all the time...

cash9072013/05/27 01:37am

Quote:Originally Posted by Michael Scrip?

Wishing more headunits had REAR USB and AUX ports.

I hate having cords sticking out all the time...
My stock radio inside my 2011 F-150 has both, though they aren't attached by default. I ran a USB and mini-plug extension cable to my glove box where it connects to and old iPod classic. Out of sight, out of mind, but all of my music is a available at the touch of a button or simple voice command.

The trouble third party manufacturers are running into now, which is mentioned in this article, is just how integrated and feature packed the stock units on most modern vehicles are. I love Alpine amps and speakers, but there was no way I was going to give up the hands free control that Ford's Sync system gives me. Instead, I did what most people are doing these days, and ran a speaker level feed to an audio processor which kicks up sound quality to respectable levels, before passing it off to a solid amp and some decent speakers. The end result is superior sound, without sacrificing built in functionality or making my truck a target for thieves.

Until third party manufacturers like Alpine, Pioneer, Kenwood or Sony can roll out units that offer more features than the stock models instead of less, their market share will continue to decline. Gimmicky app-driven solutions like this are definitely not the answer.

philboogie2013/05/27 02:29am

davemcm762013/05/27 02:43am

I think I'll stick to my Sony S300BTX head unit with it's internal usb port iPod draw where the cd slot would normally be so my 80Gb classic can live quite happily tucked away inside it. Full Bluetooth support and an external USB let me charge or play music from my iPhone should I need to which make it near perfect for my needs...

redgeminipa2013/05/27 08:59am

Quote:Originally Posted by Robin Huber? View Post

Would love to put this in my 2003 Subaru WRX, but the double-DIN stock unit includes a 6-disk CD changer that I'd have to give up. I'd be willing to sacrifice that for a single disk slot, but the review doesn't mention it including one. Maybe the next rev?

If this will work for you, go get one. Even though CD isn't clearly mentioned, the one picture above clearly shows it, and this little sentence references it: "essentially blocking easy access to the reset button, SD Card slot and CD slot."

As for the 6-disc changer, I've quickly gotten over having one once I loaded?up my iPhone with music. I quickly learned it was so much more convenient, not to mention easier while driving, to have thousands of songs available at my fingertips. I can't remember the last time I played a CD in my car since I've gone to Bluetooth streaming with my iPhone.?

For now, it looks like I'm sticking with my JVC KW-AVX740. I'm still waiting for someone to make a decent Bluetooth audio/video head unit with iPhone 5 integration, with Lightening connector support and all.?

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