Clarion 285 USB Review

asdfasdf128 · Apr 9, 2008, 06:46 PM

After doing a good amount of research, I picked this unit over other ones mainly because of the features this unit has, its price, and the way the buttons match the evo gauges. Anyways, besides these things, it has an aux/usb port on the front of the unit for easy access. I really like this and if anyone is considering a headunit and doesnt want to blow 3-400$, this is a great substitute unit. It plays CDs (MP3/WMA...etc) and also has the USB feature. The only drawback so far that I have encountered with this unit is that the trim that came with it doesnt fit. Anyways, heres a pic of the unit. Enjoy.

asdfasdf128 · Apr 9, 2008, 07:33 PM

btw the color is more red than orange.

asenduy · Apr 11, 2008, 10:49 AM

love the simplicity

asdfasdf128 · Apr 11, 2008, 12:47 PM

^ exactly, all the important buttons are right there at reach. I was considering a pioneer, but someone mentioned that you have to go thru several steps to get the damn thing to pause, so yeah, its perfect.

EvoKnievo · Apr 11, 2008, 01:30 PM

price?

asdfasdf128 · Apr 11, 2008, 04:57 PM

I got it for 122 shipped w/ the harness at cartronixplus.com

EvoKnievo · Apr 11, 2008, 05:06 PM

nice price.

hytek369 · May 1, 2008, 04:55 AM

can the usb play songs from an external hd or only flash drives?

9evolution · May 1, 2008, 05:07 AM

funny I bought a low end JVC just because it perfectly matched the red dash lights. got unit,12sub,300w monoblock amp plus install 400$ sounds great and trim fits perfect on the dash.

asdfasdf128 · May 1, 2008, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hytek369

can the usb play songs from an external hd or only flash drives?

I havent tried external HD's yet. I have a flash drive, and just plug that **** in and listen to music. The cool thing is you can change your songs whenever you want w/o waiting for a damn cd to burn.

asdfasdf128 · May 1, 2008, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9evolution

funny I bought a low end JVC just because it perfectly matched the red dash lights. got unit,12sub,300w monoblock amp plus install 400$ sounds great and trim fits perfect on the dash.

very nice bro! Its always awesome getting a whole package which kicks ass instead of spending 400+ on just a head-unit. More money to mod

EvoHung · May 1, 2008, 06:30 AM

If you have a usb port on your phone, can you plug it up to this head unit and play mp3s from your phone?

dave_evolvix · May 1, 2008, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asdfasdf128

^ exactly, all the important buttons are right there at reach. I was considering a pioneer, but someone mentioned that you have to go thru several steps to get the damn thing to pause, so yeah, its perfect.

Yeah, I have a Pioneer, one of the pricey ones. It is too complicated to pause. But otherwise I really like it. There is something to be said about a no frills unit that just does what you want it to. I mean, it's an Evo. That's how we like it.

As for External HD's, my experience with headunits is that the external HD will draw too much current to get spinning and therefore will never power up and be read by a lot of headunits. If you google your headunit you should be able to find the mA threshold you need to be under. I think mine was 600mA.

Phones? The easiest thing to test is if when you plug it in to a computer it shows up as a readable drive, and you can browse to the music files in a usable format, ie MP3, WMA. If that is true then your chances are decent, but I still wouldn't bet on it working.

asdfasdf128 · May 1, 2008, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvoHung

If you have a usb port on your phone, can you plug it up to this head unit and play mp3s from your phone?

I never thought about it using my phone. Good idea! I'll give it a try when I get home & have my USB cable.

asdfasdf128 · May 2, 2008, 09:25 PM

I had no luck w/ my cellphone. I have the nokia n95, so maybe it'll work w/ other phones?