BLAUPUNKT Carmel Single Din Detachable Face Multimedia Car Stereo DVD/CD/MP3 AM/FM USB Port AUX Input

I was in need of a replacement stereo for my truck camper and in my search discovered the Blaupunkt Carmel. Installation was easy enough, and for my needs it is suitable.I have known the Blaupunkt brand from years ago and have always thought highly of the name. Some of the features that I was looking for were the ability to play CD's as well as DVD's, having a remote control and bluetooth capabilities which this stereo met all of. Sound quality is also very good.

I generally like this CAR(MEL) stereo, and – although I am dating myself now – in the world of mobile audio systems we have certainly come a loooong way since the 1980s. I can’t even imagine how much a unit with only half the features this one offers would have cost 20, 30 years ago. Today, though, it’s around $ 60, which I find rather insane. While the initial installation and wiring was pretty easy and straightforward, overall the process turned out to be long and painful. This was not at all the unit’s fault, though, but entirely related to the challenges that come with installing a stereo, any stereo, in a very quirky, classic car. (I’ll spare you the details as I try not to remember those very long and sweaty hours of my life). As I have only had this stereo for a few days, my experience with it is obviously somewhat limited. That said, so far I think it’s a very potent and well equipped unit that – especially considering its price point - delivers great sound and deserves praise. On the other hand, obviously nothing’s perfect: What I do not like are the operating instructions, which in my opinion are too basic and – worse - confusing. Also, the print is very small, barely legible. Along the same lines, I find the buttons on the face of the radio too small and equally confusing: Better have your (reading) glasses ready if you want to manipulate any of those tiny buttons, especially while driving - not a good thing. Add crazy SoCal traffic to the equation and properly distracted you have a recipe for disaster. But who knows, perhaps after a while the operation of this thing becomes more intuitive. Or maybe using the radio's phone app that's also available mitigates that issue. I doubt it, though. Aside from that, so far I am impressed. Yet, to me the ultimate test will be the unit’s reliability. I have had BLAUPUNKT radios in the past (you’ll still find a vintage BLAUPUNKT EUROPA in one of my other cars; it continues to soldier on after 60 years of service!) and their build quality was always outstanding. Let’s see how this one does long term and then we’ll talk again.

It is Bluetooth capable and it is loud. I’d rather spend on a loud cheap single din than low watt fancy double din.

It sounds incredible!! Definitely up there with brands costing triple this amount, or maybe even better! You can’t go wrong with this stereo. No amp, straight out of the box pristine performance.

Easy to install and great versatility. Blue tooth connection is clear.

Wish I could say more, but it didn’t work out of the box. Tape player that came out worked, and 10 year old cd player that ended up in the hole worked.

The stereo sounds great when it works. Installed in my motorhome but have had to remove it twice because of not coming on. Checked wiring with volt meter and all good plugged back in came right on? Past return date and unfortunately didn't keep the paperwork or manual and don't have the warranty information so order at your own risk.

I MOUNTED THIS IN MY GOLF CART. WORKS GREAT.