Android Head Unit?

[roborob1969]

Hey everyone,

Heard back from Phoenix. They have mocked up some possible variants of how it would look.

For this one, the stock AC controls would be retained. It would be about a 7" screen.

View attachment 295408

For this one, they'd ship with all new knobs, which would replace the stock AC module. This one would be either a 10" or 12".

View attachment 295407

They also said they are thinking of posting this on their website as a pre-order listing, and that way it would be the best to gauge the interest. In addition, they dropped down the number to 200, versus the original 300.

Which one (the vertical or horizontal) would folks prefer?

Any news from Phoenix after them sending you the renderings? I'm still interested

 

[wrjones05]

Damn, that looks sick. I personally like the horizontal because you keep the A/C controls there.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[diodia]

Haven't heard back from them in a couple of weeks. Last we talked, they were working on getting an OEM HU to start doing mockups, etc.

I'll follow up with them right now!

 

[WkdRuna]

Haven't heard back from them in a couple of weeks. Last we talked, they were working on getting an OEM HU to start doing mockups, etc.

I'll follow up with them right now!

What's the word!?!

 

[Timberlinhvo]

updates?

 

[diodia]

Chatted with them on the phone - the person I have been talking to is no longer with the company.......... :wacko:

I am now awaiting a call from their manager to see where we are with this, as it seems the previous person didn't really do what she was claiming to :violin:

Will update after the call.

 

[Timberlinhvo]

:ybrick: i would be really interested in getting one. Our current unit is a little on the small side.

 

[diodia]

Some News

TL;DR: need 50 people to commit to start mock-ups, need a 100 to start development. GB list pending

Alrighty, chatted with one of the managers at Phoenix Radios and this is where we stand.

• They do not think that there is a demand for 5th gen 4Runner screens :lalala:
• They have other priorities (Older Suburbans, Tahoes, etc)
• Pricing should be similar to their Highlander models

Basically, in order for them to even start a conversation that'd be more than "can you do it", they want 50 people to be committed in a pre-order/GB format. For them to start development and give us specs, timelines, etc. - we need a 100 people.

In my opinion, it is feasible to get that many people, eventually. What the timeline would be for that - a month, two months, a year, remains to be seen. I know there are a number of Facebook groups where people don't visit the forum frusty, and there is a bunch of people on here that'd be interested. We should probably spread the message around?

The question is - do we want to start this going or should we leave it until demand for the unit presents itself (some other way, not in a shape of pre-order/GB). Thoughts?

On a different note, I myself am starting to wonder if this is necessary/a good idea altogether. A good Android tablet is half the price, has better specs, and has a multitude of other uses. Sure, it doesn't mount into the dash itself, but there are mounts out there for a reason. Wouldn't be as clean, but definitely more practical.

 

[wrjones05]

For me, not worth it tbh. I would love to have something like this as an option, but like you said there is little demand.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[epjfsa]

Alpine does this same thing with their "restyle" systems. I'd be far more willing to put some money down if Alpine were looking into it.

 

[borfoo3]

How well do these aftermarket android units hold up in extreme heat?? My stock one is starting to act up

 

[roborob1969]

TL;DR: need 50 people to commit to start mock-ups, need a 100 to start development. GB list pending

Alrighty, chatted with one of the managers at Phoenix Radios and this is where we stand.

• They do not think that there is a demand for 5th gen 4Runner screens :lalala:
• They have other priorities (Older Suburbans, Tahoes, etc)
• Pricing should be similar to their Highlander models

Basically, in order for them to even start a conversation that'd be more than "can you do it", they want 50 people to be committed in a pre-order/GB format. For them to start development and give us specs, timelines, etc. - we need a 100 people.

In my opinion, it is feasible to get that many people, eventually. What the timeline would be for that - a month, two months, a year, remains to be seen. I know there are a number of Facebook groups where people don't visit the forum frusty, and there is a bunch of people on here that'd be interested. We should probably spread the message around?

The question is - do we want to start this going or should we leave it until demand for the unit presents itself (some other way, not in a shape of pre-order/GB). Thoughts?

On a different note, I myself am starting to wonder if this is necessary/a good idea altogether. A good Android tablet is half the price, has better specs, and has a multitude of other uses. Sure, it doesn't mount into the dash itself, but there are mounts out there for a reason. Wouldn't be as clean, but definitely more practical.

I'd still be in, for the horizontal -- and, maybe if they offered it u with the Trail/TRD dash color

 

[corerolla]

I like your setup, I think I'll try the same thing. I like the DVR function. I already have a dash cam, but I also have a front camera (separate), and am working on side view cameras (low priority, been pushed to the back burner).

Where did you get the black dash kit? It seems Scosche only sells the gray version (my trim is all black and it would look weird. Plus I would prefer not to have to manually paint something.

Edit: I found the same exact wifi antenna on Amazon Prime (for those that would prefer not to buy from Ali Express and wait forever)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078N9J5YP/

Thanks for updating the antenna link from Amazon! I had the bezel painted to match.

 

[HoustonT4R]

It's a shame that Phoenix company is not up for the challenge.

I would be all over it

 

[epjfsa]

It's a shame that Phoenix company is not up for the challenge.

I would be all over it

I'm still hoping that Alpine comes out with a "restyle" stereo. Despite the cost, I would feel comfortable buying from Alpine. I wouldn't feel comfortable spending so much on something thrown together by a small shop.

 

[HoustonT4R]

I'm still hoping that Alpine comes out with a "restyle" stereo. Despite the cost, I would feel comfortable buying from Alpine. I wouldn't feel comfortable spending so much on something thrown together by a small shop.

I agree. Now searching for pictures of the Halo 9 on the Runner.

Seems like a nice unit with a little larger screen

 

[Friggin Idiot]

I'm still hoping that Alpine comes out with a "restyle" stereo. Despite the cost, I would feel comfortable buying from Alpine. I wouldn't feel comfortable spending so much on something thrown together by a small shop.

Doubt they will, not enough 4Runners in the market for a specialized kit. Although from reading 8" Alpine Navi Install it shouldn't be hard to make a X008U or X108U fit. The Metra kit (also available in Charcoal grey) has a wider opening that will probably work easier for the X108U.

 

[KuhDunkADunk]

I would be interested if anyone launches a group buy or something.

 

[RDTRD]

I would be interested in anything that was even close to current tech(ie; Android Auto, Apple Play) AND does not give up on all the real estate left and right of the current HU. My biggest frustration with the aftermarket options out there is aesthetics of the Scosche dash piece. I want my knobs and buttons..

 

[Cheers!]

Here is a picture I got from Alpine when I reached out to them directly.

Was it anyone here who did it? If so, did you do the install yourself. I'm thinking of doing the install myself.