Alpine IVA-W200

[Barstow]

Hi,

I recently purchesed a 99 SR5 Runner. I am thinking about getting the double din Alpine IVA-W200. Does anyone have this? How hard was the install?

Thanks,
Barstow

 

[uwgrad97]

I've had one for about a month now. It looks and sounds awesome. Only complaint I have is that when the sunroof is open, I can't quite get the screen angled properly to eliminate glare. But overall, a nice expandable unit at a decent price.

I have no idea about installation as I had it installed professionally, but it took them most of the day to get it done. I speculate that most of the "difficulty" comes from the extra strapping to the dash and the extra wiring to the e-brake and gear shift.

 

[mit_peid]

do you have pictures of your Alpine unit? i want to see it in a runner.

 

[Fins_UP]

I too have this unit; had it installed professionally about a month ago. It is not perfect - it has a few shortcomings (just like any other head unit) - but in my opinion, for the price and what it does, it is nothing short of SPECTACULAR. The Full-Speed iPod connection is worth the $999 all by itself, if you ask me. For anyone with an iPod loaded with songs, it almost doesn't even make sense to get anything else. My installer had never worked with Alpine before. He could not get over how fast the iPod interface was. He was so impressed by the speed/touch screen navigation that he is going to buy an Alpine unit for his own truck. I also added Focal speakers, JL Audio amps, and a 12" JL Audio subwoofer. The system kicks major a** and that is the understatement of the year. I will post a detailed description of what was installed, complete with picks in the next day or two. Check back tomorrow...

 

[uwgrad97]

Here's pictures of the deck installed in an '02:

First, the view of the deck when in the off position.

 

[uwgrad97]

Second, side view of the deck when on.

 

[uwgrad97]

Finally, side view when off. When not in use, the deck automatically retracts to this position (it takes about 20 seconds for it to trigger once car is turned off).

Clearance with gear shift is not an issue. The deck tilts at 3 different angles. Even at its most extreme, there is at least an inch clearance when in Park.

Screen quality is very good. Only gripe I have is the glare when the sunroof is open.

 

[skkiii_whhaattt]

just out of curiousity.... does that unit play video's that are on the ipod video?

 

[uwgrad97]

I was just thinking that same question last week as I was looking at new iPods.

I've heard it can be done, but have not found anything on the internet to verify this.

Anyone got the definitive answer?

 

[endosj3]

Has anyone been able to get this installed so that the video can still run while the car is moving...I know its possible to do it and I am about to get one myself and put it in, I just want to know the easiest way of doing it.

 

[endosj3]

Also does anybody know where i could pick up the navigation parts for it cuz i can get the unit for a great price but they don't carry any of the nav pieces

 

[skkiii_whhaattt]

do alpine units use different wire harnesses? for dvd units and cd units? im wondering cuz im planning to swap out my cda 9853 unit for the new iva-w200 unit

 

[endosj3]

I'm pretty sure they should be the same one...they have a dedicated optical out on them to go a surround processor if you want to get full use of the dvd portion but if you are just doing a normal audio out it should be the same harness.

 

[cnims]

I did a similar swap a few months back and noticed the IVA-W200 harness has some additional wires that the non video HUs don't have, such as parking brake and foot brake (required to lock out the video display while driving).

 

[endosj3]

Speaking of that...did you find out anyway to loop those wires into the accessory wire or something to keep the video display working without the parking and foot brake on.

 

[uwgrad97]

eBay has postings for an Pac TR-7 Alpine video bypass that's supposed to enable the W200 to play DVDs at any time.

I hear they work, but don't know anyone who's installed one with their unit.

 

[cnims]

uwgrad97 is correct, you need the PAC TR-7. The instructions on how to wire it are included with the TR-7. The bypass hookup is the same as older units, such as the IVA-310. It's pretty simple.

 

[scrodd]

has anybody tried hooking up the bluetooth module for this thing? I wonder if its as good as the factory system.

 

[cnims]

Judging by the reviews on Crutchfield, the BT module seems to be missing some key features, like showing the phone number on the HU display.

 

[odark30]

I installed my Apline IVA-C800 in my 4Runner awhile back. The foot pedal sends a +12vdc signal to the brain unit when it is depressed and they E-brake send a ground to the brain until when it is set. What I did was tapped into a +12vdc and a ground source from within the vehicle and then I just installed a switch between those two sources so that I could control the signals going to the brain unit. It takes a little time to route the wiring, but it works and you save the money from buying that bypass thing.