I wanted to put CarPlay/Android Auto capability in my car, which is approaching twenty years old. The known solution displaces factory audio with a double-DIN bay for an aftermarket head unit. I decided against that path, because I wanted to keep the factory audio head unit (and all its electronic and stylistic integrations) intact. Instead, I want to put that capability where the factory navigation system screen sat.

Mazda's factory navigation screen sits in a little motorized hood that retracts when not in use and keeps a screen close to a driver's field of view while in use. I liked that position and thought perhaps I could fit an aftermarket unit within that volume. It has enough width and height to match a double-DIN bay, but only a fraction of the depth. This is not a problem because we're not dealing with CDs or cassette tape mechanisms so modern head units can be very shallow. For example, this unit (*) claims to be a mere 1.77 inches (probably designed for 40mm) deep. Possibly small enough to fit in the stock navigation hood. Another potential candidate is to buy a unit like this one (*) that fits in a single-DIN bay and connects to an external screen. I could mount that screen in place of factory navigation screen and find some space nearby to mount the main body.

I knew these solutions are overkill, because they are full audio head units. Meaning they have their own speaker amplifiers, AM/FM tuners, and many other components that I don't really need because I'm keeping Mazda's stock audio head unit. I had searched for head units because I didn't know any better, but Amazon search algorithm helped me out: it started suggesting sale listings for standalone CarPlay/Android Auto receivers. I didn't know these things existed! But as soon as I understood they were available, I ignored the full audio head units. Standalone receivers are even shallower and, I hoped, more amenable to creative mounting schemes. Which of many offerings listed on Amazon would be a good replacement for a 2008 Mazda RX-8 navigation screen?

(*) Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.