Alpine iXA-W407BT stereo

If buttons annoy you on a car stereo, and you want Bluetooth hands-free, plus Apple iPod compatibility, this Alpine is for you.

The new iXA-W407BT has a seven-inch high-resolution touchscreen, as well as built-in Parrot Bluetooth to make taking calls on the go easy and legal.

The double-DIN unit works with the iPod and iPhone, and its display offers drag-and-drop control.

Navigating through your music collection is said to be easy, too, with Quick Search giving you playlist control, as well as a full alphabet search.

You can also personalise the view on the screen to show a clock, calculator or calendar, and if you don’t have an iPod, there’s a two-metre USB cable and a 3.5mm headphone jack for connecting to other MP3 players or memory sticks.

The set-up will also hook up to reversing cameras, GPS or steering wheel remote set-ups from Alpine.

Plus, its amplifier can power four 50W speakers, as well as two A/V inputs and three pre-outs.

There’s even the option to set up a dual-zone entertainment system in your car using this head unit as a base, by linking a video game console, TV tuner or Alpine’s PKG-850P roof-mounted screen.

 * Contact: alpine-electronics.co.uk

 * Maker’s claim: “The best option for iPod and iPhone users who want audio and video in their car.”