Best budget Android Auto head unit? (w/ backup camera input)

[Iron Chef]

I'm out of the loop when it comes to modern head units. I've been just fine with a mounted phone setup so far, but I'm looking into a cleaner setup for my 4runner (2005 V8, no JBL system).

A must-have feature I'm looking for is back-up camera compatibility, which I plan to buy and install in a future date.

Beyond that, I'm pretty clueless on what other features and specs I should really care about, and what pitfalls I should keep in mind. In particular, I'm worried about compatibility - will any double-DIN head unit work? Are there things to watch out for that would make a unit incompatible with my 4runner?

Also, is there any compatibility issues I should worry about with a backup camera? I'm assuming the camera inputs are standardized, and any backup camera works with any head-unit that has a backup camera input.

Other notes:
- I'm no audiophile, so I won't be swapping out the sound system (or add amps, sub woofers, etc). Stock speakers is fine.

I want to keep it under $300, but I can stretch a little if something's really worth getting.

Some models that have come to my attention are:
- Boss BE7ACP

• $229.99 on Crutchfield
• Cheapest Android-Auto unit I've come across
• 7" capacitive touch screen

- Pioneer DMH-1500NEX

• Tons of good reviews
• But out of stock everywhere it seems :-(

- Alpine iLX-W650

• Rated #1 overall in this video - "Best Double DIN radio for under $300"

Appreciate any insight!

 

[Tomm-]

I'm out of the loop when it comes to modern head units. I've been just fine with a mounted phone setup so far, but I'm looking into a cleaner setup for my 4runner (2005 V8, no JBL system).

A must-have feature I'm looking for is back-up camera compatibility, which I plan to buy and install in a future date.

Beyond that, I'm pretty clueless on what other features and specs I should really care about, and what pitfalls I should keep in mind. In particular, I'm worried about compatibility - will any double-DIN head unit work? Are there things to watch out for that would make a unit incompatible with my 4runner?

Also, is there any compatibility issues I should worry about with a backup camera? I'm assuming the camera inputs are standardized, and any backup camera works with any head-unit that has a backup camera input.

Other notes:
- I'm no audiophile, so I won't be swapping out the sound system (or add amps, sub woofers, etc). Stock speakers is fine.

I want to keep it under $300, but I can stretch a little if something's really worth getting.

Some models that have come to my attention are:
- Boss BE7ACP

• $229.99 on Crutchfield
• Cheapest Android-Auto unit I've come across
• 7" capacitive touch screen

- Pioneer DMH-1500NEX

• Tons of good reviews
• But out of stock everywhere it seems :-(

- Alpine iLX-W650

• Rated #1 overall in this video - "Best Double DIN radio for under $300"

Appreciate any insight!

I was in your shoes a month ago. I was concerned ab all these things but I have the JBL system. Crutchfield asks you these questions (Nav, Backup Cam, JBL, etc) when you go through them and they tell you what you need. I was skeptical but I purchased everything they suggested. The install went flawless. I was kind of expecting more but it was shockingly simple. I ended up getting a Sony XAV-AX1000 because of a thread on here and couldn't be happier with it (link below if you're interested).

Sony XAV-AX1000 Digital multimedia receiver (does not play CDs) at Crutchfield

 

[BostonJon]

I was in your shoes a month ago. I was concerned ab all these things but I have the JBL system. Crutchfield asks you these questions (Nav, Backup Cam, JBL, etc) when you go through them and they tell you what you need. I was skeptical but I purchased everything they suggested. The install went flawless. I was kind of expecting more but it was shockingly simple. I ended up getting a Sony XAV-AX1000 because of a thread on here and couldn't be happier with it (link below if you're interested).

Sony XAV-AX1000 Digital multimedia receiver (does not play CDs) at Crutchfield

I'm in the same boat - currently shopping. Mine has the JBL system and I've found Crutchfield to be useful.

My sister in law has that same Sony unit in her Tacoma and loves it. However, because our radios are mounted so high in the 4th Gens, I dont really like the idea of a front-mounted USB port with a wire sticking out all the time. I'd much rather have a rear fed USB that I can route down under the console to use one of the switch blanks in the center.

I had this Kenwood unit in my 3rd gen and really liked it and would probably go with another Kenwood based on that experience.

Amazon.com: Kenwood eXcelon DDX6904S DVD Receiver with CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth and HD Radio (Renewed)

 

[Adeadwallnut]

I too have the Sony XAV-AX1000. Very easy to wire up and has a backup camera. I like the physical volume control and USB input. Much nicer than having to wire in the a separate USB port. I use it almost solely for Apple Carplay.

 

[Iron Chef]

I was in your shoes a month ago. I was concerned ab all these things but I have the JBL system. Crutchfield asks you these questions (Nav, Backup Cam, JBL, etc) when you go through them and they tell you what you need. I was skeptical but I purchased everything they suggested. The install went flawless. I was kind of expecting more but it was shockingly simple. I ended up getting a Sony XAV-AX1000 because of a thread on here and couldn't be happier with it (link below if you're interested).

Sony XAV-AX1000 Digital multimedia receiver (does not play CDs) at Crutchfield

Looks like its Apple Carplay only... :-(

Is there a "twin" version of this for Android Auto? I do like the volume knob. Why can't Sony make this compatible with both Apple and Android like most everyone else?

 

[importman]

Looks like its Apple Carplay only... :-(

Is there a "twin" version of this for Android Auto? I do like the volume knob. Why can't Sony make this compatible with both Apple and Android like most everyone else?

I doubt if you can still find one but the XAV-AX100 works with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. It's the predecessor to the AX1000. It also has the usb coming out from the rear. It really seems like they took a step back when they replaced it with the AX1000. But the 1000 is a little cheaper. I searched about 20 Walmart stores for the AX100 about a year ago. It sold for about $398 originally but when they discontinued them Walmart had them on clearance. I paid $139 for mine and I love it.

 

[riverwolf]

The Alpine W650 is certainly the current value leader for AA/CP compatible head units. Caveat emptor. Depending on your OCDness, Alpine chose to give it fixed color button lighting (white) instead of having the color changing option most units have. With the 4R's amber instrument lighting, I'm afraid I'd be grinding my teeth every time I drove at night.

My primary candidate right now is a Pioneer unit...I forget the model number, but it's $600 at Crutchfield. While it adds adjustable button color and an HD radio tuner compared to the Alpine, the biggest difference is probably the upgrade to wireless AA/CP (with a compatible phone). In case you're not aware, for AA/CP to work on most heads, the phone still needs to be connected via USB because Bluetooth alone doesn't have the bandwidth capacity for the data passed between phone and display. Wireless AA/CP actually use your phone's WiFi to connect to the head unit. With the much higher bandwidth available, you can get the AA/CP experience without having to physically connect a USB cable every time you get in the vehicle.

Otherwise, yes, with the appropriate trim kit, you can mount pretty much any single DIN or double DIN radio in the 4th Gen (Crutchfield does suggests there's potential problems with motorized faces). With the correct adapter, using the factory JBL amp/speaker setup is not a problem. Do be aware that there are differences among kit fitment depending on whether or not you have the Limited and possibly a couple of other special editions that Toyota did over the production run. Just confirm the model fitment with the mounting kit manufacturer.

If you really want to get wild-n-crazy. Pioneer, Alpine, and a few others are making single DIN chassis with 9" and up floating displays. You just gotta pay to play.

Good luck.

 

[Iron Chef]

Hmm, after more research, I might need to change my approach. Threads like this one is putting me off the idea:
Whoever's in charge of Android Auto Development Should be Fired

And then there are lots of mixed reviews on Google Play that can be summarize by this line:

• "When it works, it's great. When it doesn't, it's useless"

Maybe I'll just be better off with my mounted phone setup, and then get a backup camera with a dedicated monitor (which is what I'm REALLY am after).

 

[riverwolf]

Hmm, after more research, I might need to change my approach. Threads like this one is putting me off the idea:
Whoever's in charge of Android Auto Development Should be Fired

And then there are lots of mixed reviews on Google Play that can be summarize by this line:

• "When it works, it's great. When it doesn't, it's useless"

Maybe I'll just be better off with my mounted phone setup, and then get a backup camera with a dedicated monitor (which is what I'm REALLY am after).

Well, you don't have to use AA/CP just because it's built-in to the unit. ;-) At this point, the heads with backup camera without AA/CP just aren't that much cheaper...at least the last time I looked.

Unless you go with rearview mirror that has a monitor built-in for your dedicated camera set-up, I don't think you'll be happy. Without doing some custom fab work to do something like recessing it into the junk bin in front of the shifter, there's no real aesthetically pleasing way to mount a dedicate monitor.

I would take the Reddit reviews with a grain of salt. While forums are great for getting other people's experience with something, human nature being what it is, far more people take the time to complain than to praise. Pretty much every car manufacturer has come around to offering AA/CP compatible factory systems...says something about the popularity of the feature, IMO.

From what I've seen, and mentioned in the Reddit thread, a lot of the problems folks have with AA seem to actually be hardware in the phone. I'm a victim of this as well. Don't have AA in my personal vehicles yet, but I've tried it in a few rentals. However, my Motorola X4 (getting long in the tooth and probably not a high volume model when new) works great for a while and then just stops and the car acts like it's not there even though the phone still thinks its connected. Turns out, the general theory is something in the phone's USB circuit hardware...specifically, it seems like the disconnect might happen after the battery charge hits 100%. Go figure.

 

[Iron Chef]

Unless you go with rearview mirror that has a monitor built-in for your dedicated camera set-up, I don't think you'll be happy.

Funnily enough, that's exactly what I'm leaning towards right now.

If I was in the Apple camp, it would be a very easy decision - there's definitely something to be said about the "It just works" nature of Apple software.

But with Android - need to take the good with the bad. The bad in this case is the the impossible task of QA-ing against all possible variations of Android devices out there.