Aftermarket Stereo Upgrade: Alpine Halo iLX-F509 or Sony XAV-9500ES?

[jp.vegas]

There are 4 vents up front and its not like it doesn't blow cold air anymore or that it doesn't blow where you direct it (unless blowing low and you are short). But if I lived out mid west I guess it could be more of a consideration.

Also noticed the bottom part of the front vents don't blow air anyway.

99 for the high today. 100s the rest of the week and we’re not in summer yet. Trust me when I tell you that any sort of blockage is noticeable.

If it works for you, that’s cool (see what I did there?) but from a practical standpoint, a smaller screen would work better out here.

 

[17KT4R]

Same consideration for me recently with the vents, I wanted the bigger Pioneer unit too but settled with the 4660NEX. Very happy with the deck and even the Pioneer software isn’t too bad compared to CarPlay. No complaints so far, it’s zippy, all the integration works perfect. Anything is better than the OEM unit that was in there (2017). Paired with 4 Focal speakers and a Fosgate powered sub. Does the trick…

 

[Superjet]

Alpine iLX-F511 11in installed using a Scosche kit. With that kit I was able to snug up the radio right up to it so it doesnt stick out too far.

 

[arouth]

Alpine iLX-F511 11in installed using a Scosche kit. With that kit I was able to snug up the radio right up to it so it doesnt stick out too far.

You have good timing by the way. I just installed the ILX-509 in my 4Runner. Still testing it out.

 

[osugsxr]

Alpine iLX-F511 11in installed using a Scosche kit. With that kit I was able to snug up the radio right up to it so it doesnt stick out too far.

I bought a 8100 Sony from trail grid pro, how did you end up mounting this flush almost? Im probably going to use oem brackets to lower it and not block the vents. It blocks about 1/4 off lower vents. Wouldn’t making it flush

 

[Superjet]

I bought a 8100 Sony from trail grid pro, how did you end up mounting this flush almost? Im probably going to use oem brackets to lower it and not block the vents. It blocks about 1/4 off lower vents. Wouldn’t making it flush

The floating radios normally stick out because you need room to adjust it. You will know what I mean when you install one.

With the scosche kit, the brackets that screw to the radio mount to the back side of the kit. You can mount the deck all up to the kit on the bench instead, once you get the screen secured you can then slide the radio back some all the way to the kit face. Then you take the whole assembly to the truck. No need to mess with the OEM brackets. The install on mine is solid, no wiggle of the dash kit. The radio is adjustable up and down.

https://pdf.crutchfieldonline.com/ImageBank/v20110628150100/Manuals/142/142TA2106B.PDF

Scosche kit works up to 2019 model years

 

[osugsxr]

The floating radios normally stick out because you need room to adjust it. You will know what I mean when you install one.

With the scosche kit, the brackets that screw to the radio mount to the back side of the kit. You can mount the deck all up to the kit on the bench instead, once you get the screen secured you can then slide the radio back some all the way to the kit face. Then you take the whole assembly to the truck. No need to mess with the OEM brackets. The install on mine is solid, no wiggle of the dash kit. The radio is adjustable up and down.

https://pdf.crutchfieldonline.com/ImageBank/v20110628150100/Manuals/142/142TA2106B.PDF

Scosche kit works up to 2019 model years

OEM brackets would lower it and not block the vents

 

[Superjet]

Again, you can adjust the screen height to whatever you want. I could adjust it lower, but then 11in screen would cover more of the HVAC. The kit also comes with a pocket for filler since the Alpine is a single din chassis. I can mount the pocket in the top spot and deck in the lower, or vise versa.
The OEM brackets are irrelevant.

 

[arouth]

Alpine iLX-F511 11in installed using a Scosche kit. With that kit I was able to snug up the radio right up to it so it doesnt stick out too far.

Aside from mounting it so close to the dash, how are you liking the radio overall? It would be nice to hear your thoughts on it. I’m still testing mine out too.

 

[Superjet]

Aside from mounting it so close to the dash, how are you liking the radio overall? It would be nice to hear your thoughts on it. I’m still testing mine out too.

No complaints other than I worry about it getting attention by thieves wanting to break in. I do have an alarm, but still.
To be honest, I have had 5 different aftermarket decks in there (work in the industry) and it's a nice radio, but the price is up there. It's better than previous generations of the Alpine Halo decks. The mounting method is updated and no lag.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

OEM brackets would lower it and not block the vents

The problem with the oem brackets is the lack of holes, unless you feel like drilling the brackets you are extremely limited on the mounting holes. I was able to mount my Halo9 in the lower holes to not block the vents, but my Kenwood unit I was limited with the stock brackets and ended up blocking about an inch, inch and a half of my vents. Going to switch to the Scosche brackets to try and lower it

 

[osugsxr]

The problem with the oem brackets is the lack of holes, unless you feel like drilling the brackets you are extremely limited on the mounting holes. I was able to mount my Halo9 in the lower holes to not block the vents, but my Kenwood unit I was limited with the stock brackets and ended up blocking about an inch, inch and a half of my vents. Going to switch to the Scosche brackets to try and lower it

thanks for the input on them, I dont mind drilling if needed.

 

[arouth]

No complaints other than I worry about it getting attention by thieves wanting to break in. I do have an alarm, but still.
To be honest, I have had 5 different aftermarket decks in there (work in the industry) and it's a nice radio, but the price is up there. It's better than previous generations of the Alpine Halo decks. The mounting method is updated and no lag.

I've noticed on my ILX-509 that the screen doesn't really dim very well at night.

CarPlay is significantly brighter than the Alpine Home Screen. I'm having to dim the screen all the way to the lowest setting, then restart the 4Runner, and then it'll be dim enough so that CarPlay is blinding at night. Are you seeing anything similar?

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I've noticed on my ILX-509 that the screen doesn't really dim very well at night.

CarPlay is significantly brighter than the Alpine Home Screen. I'm having to dim the screen all the way to the lowest setting, then restart the 4Runner, and then it'll be dim enough so that CarPlay is blinding at night. Are you seeing anything similar?

I know my Halo9 had no dimmer/illumination wire

 

[Superjet]

There is a dimmer sensor bottom right of the display that measures the interior brightness.
The manual goes over setting for auto/on/off, page 28 and 29.
Also to add, page 80 goes over how to adjust the up/down position of the display.

https://pdf.crutchfieldonline.com/ImageBank/v20220407191700/Manuals/500/500ILXF511.PDF

 

[arouth]

I've noticed on my ILX-509 that the screen doesn't really dim very well at night.

CarPlay is significantly brighter than the Alpine Home Screen. I'm having to dim the screen all the way to the lowest setting, then restart the 4Runner, and then it'll be dim enough so that CarPlay is blinding at night. Are you seeing anything similar?

Just to post an update I’m removing the Alpine ILX-509 due to the dimming issue. Mainly bc paying $1200 for a stereo that does not dim properly at night is ridiculous.

The auto-dim is buggy and the manual dim in settings doesn’t really work. You have to manually dim it all the way down. Then restart the 4Runner and the ILX-509 will then dim. So driving during sunset you have to pull over, restart your 4Runner, and then you won’t be blinded by the radio. This is after updating to the latest software.

 

[Superjet]

Sorry to hear it didnt work out for you. I have no complaints.

 

[Heavy_GD]

Send it my way and I will properly dispose of it for you. :juggle:

 

[jone7724]

Follow up

Just to post an update I’m removing the Alpine ILX-509 due to the dimming issue. Mainly bc paying $1200 for a stereo that does not dim properly at night is ridiculous.

The auto-dim is buggy and the manual dim in settings doesn’t really work. You have to manually dim it all the way down. Then restart the 4Runner and the ILX-509 will then dim. So driving during sunset you have to pull over, restart your 4Runner, and then you won’t be blinded by the radio. This is after updating to the latest software.

What did you end up with? Shopping these and I could never tolerate a super obnoxiously bright screen at night. Wondering if alternatives work any better in that regard. I'm the type to dim my phone, tv, lighting in my home at night I would want the same for my car so I get it!

 

[arouth]

What did you end up with? Shopping these and I could never tolerate a super obnoxiously bright screen at night. Wondering if alternatives work any better in that regard. I'm the type to dim my phone, tv, lighting in my home at night I would want the same for my car so I get it!

I was able to update my 15 Trail to the 2020 4Runner stock radio.

Overall it does work and you can dim it so that it doesn’t blind you at night. The stock navigation is passable but I ended up getting a wireless carplay dongle and use that for navigation 90% of the time. It’s leaps and bounds ahead of the previous radio though. However I might eventually try the Sony XAVIER-9500ES since Trail Grid Pro has a kit for it. However if that blinds me at night then I’ll be back to the stock 2020 radio unfortunately