[Torino]

The car originally came with factory fitted Nippon stereo with CD, USB, AUX compatibility and a speaker on each of the front doors. The stock stereo looked attractive but the sound output was as basic as it can be. Driving with music is a norm and to improve the experience I installed a pair of Pioneer co-axials on the rear wooden parcel tray and a pair of Ground Zero tweeters on the front A pillars and the overall sound output improved significantly and the overall sound quality was average. Though this set up served its purpose, I wanted to upgrade to a touch screen HU for its snob value and a standalone amplifier to improve the SQ. I looked at several entry level touch screen HU’s from Pioneer, JVC, Sony and Blaupunkt.

In Feb 2018 I ended up buying the Blaupunkt Saint Louis 350 because the competition simply couldn’t match its features and price. I bought if from Paytm for Rs12,741 after discount and cashback. The installation cost was Rs500 and Rs1600 for the dummy facia frame and Rs400 for the connector socket at Radio Warehouse in Mount Road Chennai. Both the dummy frame and connector socket are form the brand called Global Byte and they seemed to be of good quality. The installation took less than 45 minutes and the installation process itself is pretty straight forward by removing the stock stereo and fit in the Blaupunkt.

I have been using the Blaupunkt for almost two months now and here are some brief observation points.

The Good:
1.Mirror Link. App less mirroring.
2.Front mounted SD card, USB and AUX input.
3.Bright 6.2 inch screen with standalone brightness toggle button.
4.Better output and sound quality than stock HU.
5.Equalizer has good frequency range and the one-touch equalizer button is handy.
6.HU connects seamlessly with phone bluetooth upon startup.
7.Due to inbuilt capacitor the display doesn't turn off when starting the car.
8.The processing speed is reasonably fast.
9.Clean looks.
10.The remote control unit has so many buttons and controls all the HU's functions.

The bad:
1.The resistive touch screen requires a firm touch.
2.Scrolling is almost impossible because the resistive screen requires a firm swipe to scroll.
3.The front USB port is a tad too close to the volume button. So a plugged in pendrive is a hindrance. Hence I use the SD card instead of pendrive for music.
4.Phone's HD screen doesn't look crisp on the HU's 480p display.

Initial Impression:
Saint Louis 350 is Blaupunkt’s entry level touch screen HU from the new 'Symphony series' with PhoneLINK feature and Bluetooth. The PhoneLINK allows you to cast your phone’s screen on the HU’s display via USB cable. The display is legible even when driving under direct sunlight and there is a brightness adjust button to dim the display during low ambient light. The touch input is a decently responsive and the onscreen layout is uncluttered and easy to use even on the move. There is a definite improvement in sound quality, the highs and lows are now better, and the overall sound clarity has improved. Once the phone is paired, the HU quickly connects with the phone every time it is turned ON and the music streaming via Bluetooth is seamless. The mic is routed through the A pillar cladding and clipped on to the roof trim behind the driver side sun visor and the voice call quality over Bluetooth is clean at both the ends.

PhoneLINK:
PhoneLINK is basically the cast screen function. To use this feature you must enable the USB Debugging under Developer options in the Settings menu in your smart phone. Connect the smart phone to the HU’s USB port and go to PhoneLINK menu in the HU and now the phone screen is displayed on the HU. Now you can stow away the phone in the glove box and operate the phone via the HU’s touch screen. Obviously the HU’s resistive screen is nowhere as slick and responsive as the smartphone screen for touch inputs, but it works. The phone's screen has to be ON for the PhoneLINK function to work and obviously it will drain the phone battery, so this needs installing a proximity service app.

PhoneLINK with Android Auto App: The Android Auto App displays an optimized screen for driving, i.e a simplified screen with shortcuts to Maps, Music, Calls and Google Assistant on the main screen. The app also enables 'OK Google' voice commands which works flawlessly. You cannot access the other apps in the phone when running the Android Auto app in the main screen.

Bluetooth:
Initial pairing of phone with HU is simple and the HU connects with the phone as soon as it boots up. The microphone is routed along the A pillar and is clipped on to the roof upholstery behind the driver side sun visor. Call quality via bluetooth is clear at both the ends. Playing music via bluetooth is a straight forward affair.

Come April next month and the car will complete its 3rd year of blissful ownership with over 67,000kms on the odometer. The current audio set up is,

• Blaupunkt Saint Marino 350 HU
• Pioneer TSA935 coaxials on the rear
• Stock Nippon components on the front doors
• Ground Zero GZA19T tweeters

The stock stereo HU.


The Blaupunkt Saint Louis 350.




The package arrived in 10 days. Overall packaging was good. Contains the HU, remote control, mic, cables and a thin frame (to be used in case there is a minor gap).


The installation and initial set up took less than 45 minutes. The installer knew what he was doing.


The matte finished dummy facia. I prefer piano black finish but unfortunately there was no option.


The dummy facia fits inside this stock trim.


The comprehensive remote control unit.


The final outcome. Plush fit and no gaps.


Buttons on the top left are 'Home' & 'Equalizer'. On the top right are 'Brightness' & 'Settings'.


Another view.




Home screen menu is simple and clean. Tiles layout gives it a typical windows phone feel.


Home screen menu extends to page two.


Music player. The album art is actually in black and yellow. My poor phone camera did not process the colors properly.


Bluetooth menu. Has the usual dialer and phone book.


Equalizer settings. The dedicated physical button for equalizer is on the top left corner.


Settings menu.


PhoneLINK. My Moto G4 plus doesn't have landscape view for the home screen.


Searching Google via PhoneLINK.


Google search tabs via PhoneLINK.


Amazon Prime video via PhoneLINK.


Android Auto app home screen via MirrorLINK. You can see the shortcuts for music, phone and navigation.


Android Auto music player


Android Auto App exit request.

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the ICE Section. Thanks for sharing!

Nice review, let's keep this as an independent thread. For those interested in your setup, here's your earlier report.

[Dry Ice]

Looks great! Especially with the Android Auto screens. Does it have the option to add reverse camera?

Did you consider importing any Android head units? I guess the landed cost would have been similar.

[NerdyMillennial]

The head unit that comes in the New Honda City is VERY similar to this one. Which android version is this one running?

[Sherlocked]

Originally Posted by Torino

Rs. 1600 for the dummy facia frame...

You could have got this frame a lot cheaper from the MGP store. The plastic frame from the lower LX/LXI variants would have been a direct fit.

See the price of fig.26 from this link:
http://oriparts.com/7/155/110/32779

[kiranknair]

Very nice. Some basic questions - can we integrate a reverse camera? I am planning to buy one unit for Skoda Rapid (older version). Is this compatible?

[Torino]

Originally Posted by Dry Ice

Looks great! Especially with the Android Auto screens. Does it have the option to add reverse camera? Did you consider importing any Android head units? I guess the landed cost would have been similar.

Thanks. Yes it does have a built-in rear camera input. Importing was not an option since I believe in buying from an established brand and its service backup.

Originally Posted by NerdyMillennial

The head unit that comes in the New Honda City is VERY similar to this one. Which android version is this one running?

I was told that Blaupunkt was involved in developing the head units for Honda and that is why it looks similar.
This is not a android HU, it's a basic touch screen HU running on Blaupunkt's proprietary software. The built-in 'PhoneLINK' feature allows you to cast your android phone's screen on the HU screen.

Originally Posted by Sherlocked

You could have got this frame a lot cheaper from the MGP store. The plastic frame from the lower LX/LXI variants would have been a direct fit.

See the price of fig.26 from this link:
http://oriparts.com/7/155/110/32779

You are right. Though I did not check with MGP store, few accessory shops I checked were quoting similar price.

Originally Posted by kiranknair

Very nice. Some basic questions - can we integrate a reverse camera? I am planning to buy one unit for Skoda Rapid (older version). Is this compatible?

Yes, it has a built-in rear camera input. It is compatible with all cars.

[Avikbrio]

Install Nova Launcher, Go to Nova Settings > Screen Orientation > Auto Rotate and now you will also have your home screen in Landscape mode.

[mashmash]

Nice crisp review. The HU unit really looks like OE after installation. You did not consider adding an amplifier?

MaSh

[GreaseMonk]

I thought I would add a couple of points regarding the Blaupunkt Saint Louis 350.

Mirror Link Phone Compatibility:

1. Despite the Blaupunkt Youtube video demonstrating the Mirror Link function with what appears to be either a Oneplus 3 or Oneplus 3T, I can confirm that the Mirror Link function does NOT work with the Oneplus 3T. An Amazon review seems to indicate that it works with the Oneplus 3, so it must just be an issue with the Oneplus 3T.

2. Mirror Link does NOT work with the Oneplus 5.

3. Mirror Link DOES work with the Oneplus One and Nexus 7 (2013) tablet.

Warranty in India:
Sadly, Blaupunkt does not honor the warranty of headunits purchased on PayTM (or any online retailer).

From an email I received after attempting the post-purchase registration process:

Your warranty could not be activated for the following reason -

"Sir, This is for your information, the product that you have purchased online is not authorized for online sales, so we would not be able to approve your warranty request. We request you to return the product back to the seller. Should you decide to buy the same model please share you contact information and location, so that we can request one of our sales guys to get in touch with you. The online seller of this model is aware that the model they sold you is not authorize for online sales. Our products require professional installation and therefore we do not encourage sale online.."

[audioholic]

Superb and detailed write up. When you use your car extensively, it is worthy to have a good ICE setup especially with respect to the HU functionality. The rest of the ICE is personal preference, but the head unit should be decently equipped. It is quite a worthy upgrade at 12k INR. I was once looking for android head units for my Celerio but apart from the Aliexpress brands, the branded ones were pretty expensive. For me, most important is if the head unit offers google navigation and be able to play music from YouTube. Since my current HU offers bluetooth, I am living with it. Would check this out once in detail and see if I get anything significant in terms of functionality.

[kap04]

Is this the HU that comes in the Nissan Micra Fashion edition? Its a Blaupunkt and looks similar.

[sachinayak]

Originally Posted by Torino

The phone's screen has to be ON for the PhoneLINK function to work and obviously it will drain the phone battery, so this needs installing a proximity service app.

I am looking to replace the stock head unit on my Gen 2 Innova and am seriously considering the Blaupunkt Symphony Saint Louis 350. My primary requirements are

1. Mirrorlink (primarily again for google maps)
2. Ability to play music of an SD card or USB Drive
3. Ability to use steering mounted controls.

I this specific HU addresses all 3 above. While there are limitations with the capacitive display, I guess I cannot ask for more in the budget of 13K.


Couple of questions

1. Will the USB connection not charge the phone when using Mirrorlink? If so, why would the phone lose charge?

2. Can I play music off the USB Drive or SD card when say using Google maps via Mirrorlink?

3. Can my phone work, with my bluetooth off? Since I would have the phone wired to the HU, would I be able to receive/make calls via the phone say when I am using Google Maps via Mirrorlink. I am guessing yes, but still confirming. I see no point of having BT on, when there is a wired connection.

Answers would be appreciated.

[Torino]

Originally Posted by GreaseMonk

I thought I would add a couple of points regarding the Blaupunkt Saint Louis 350

Thanks for the inputs.

Originally Posted by audioholic

Superb and detailed write up.

Thanks. At this price point I think there aren't any branded HU's with long list of features.

Originally Posted by mashmash

Nice crisp review. The HU unit really looks like OE after installation. You did not consider adding an amplifier?
MaSh

Thanks. Amplifier is definitely on the cards but not this time due to budget limitations. Next time, I plan to upgrade the Components and Amplifier.

Originally Posted by kap04

Is this the HU that comes in the Nissan Micra Fashion edition? Its a Blaupunkt and looks similar.

Sorry. I have no idea on that.

Originally Posted by sachinayak

I am looking to replace the stock head unit on my Gen 2 Innova and am seriously considering the Blaupunkt Symphony Saint Louis 350.

Couple of questions

1. Will the USB connection not charge the phone when using Mirrorlink? If so, why would the phone lose charge?

2. Can I play music off the USB Drive or SD card when say using Google maps via Mirrorlink?

3. Can my phone work, with my bluetooth off? Since I would have the phone wired to the HU, would I be able to receive/make calls via the phone say when I am using Google Maps via Mirrorlink. I am guessing yes, but still confirming. I see no point of having BT on, when there is a wired connection.

Answers would be appreciated.

Answers to your questions.
1.Yes, the USB connection will charge the phone during MirrorLink but you can lessen the battery discharge rate with a proximity app.

2.No. Can't do that. The music stops once the MirrorLink is turned ON.

3.Yes. You can make and receive calls via BT connection.

[neil.jericho]

I was exploring the option of upgrade the stock ICE of my Honda Jazz and had visited a few stores here in Cochin to find out what they were offering / pushing. I am looking to get a good pair of components and coaxials for now and a good four channel amp plus a sub (with damping) done at a later date.


At the top of my nice to have features from the head unit is the mirror linking feature so that I can use google maps for navigation. Hence I had the well priced Saint Louis 350 at the back of my mind. Most of the stores had the more expensive Pioneer and JVC offerings (Rs 24K onwards) but only a couple of them stocked the Saint Louis. I had a few questions for fellow forum members

- Does the PhoneLINK support only Android phones? Or Iphones as well? I didnt see the distinction anywhere so I was curious.

- Both stores that stocked the Saint Louis were pushing me towards higher end head units saying that the sound output from the Saint Louis would in no ways be comparable with the other higher priced ones. This sounded like the usual sales mumbo jumbo but just want to check with the experts on whether this is really true?

- An alternate option that one of the sales guys told me was to get a good single DIN JVC unit (I forget the model number) but it was priced around Rs 7000 which would supposedly give a much better sound output than the Saint Louis. Sales mumbo jumbo?

- Given the price difference between the entry level Blaupunkt offering and the other entry level offerings from its competition, is it worth waiting it out for a few months to see if more sub Rs 20K offerings make it to the market? To a relative noob like me, this mirroring feature seems to be the way forward.