Headunit Upgrade - Sony XAV-AX7000: Trail Grid Pro

[osugsxr]

While the TGP looks like a fine kit, I don’t believe the module they use, unlike the Maestro module, will pull OBD codes (trans temps, coolant temp, check engine, tpms, etc.). If that stuff is important to you, you may want to make sure whatever setup you decide on uses either the Maestro RR or RR2 (if you want to have 3 programmable outputs; ie to control lights thru your head unit).

I asked them about this, and at the time it didn’t do OBD readings.

looking at 8100 unit vs a 10.1" model. The trail grid pro comes out to $948 or $841 without sirius xm adapter, crutchfield with the maestro rr and necessary install items are $1064. Almost a $200 savings with TGP since I dont use sirius xm radio.

What is the main differences between the pac used in the trail grid bundle and the maestro? Do you still need a obd2 dongle (bluetooth) to connect to the head unit ? The sony 8100 is wired car play only and cliff mentioned they've tried a few dongles for wireless but nothing has worked.


locally i can buy an android t10 headunit at $250 , wireless car play , decent fit but read about too many issues. Would like wireless car play, the 9500ES is probably too big of a screen. The bezel is a overkill for it, as for the 8100 has anyone mounted in the lower portion using the OEM brackets to not cover the vents

 

[ShermanOlsen]

Do you know if there is a version that is wireless? What's odd is my phone pairs wirelessly with my factory stereo now so it seems odd this head unit would not also pair with the iPhone to use this feature.

Thanks.

You can pair your phone through Bluetooth, but it’s not wireless CarPlay. That is, you don’t get the CarPlay interface unless you plug-in. The sound quality is a bit better plugged in but music through Bluetooth isn’t bad.


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[I4CUTigers]

looking at 8100 unit vs a 10.1" model. The trail grid pro comes out to $948 or $841 without sirius xm adapter, crutchfield with the maestro rr and necessary install items are $1064. Almost a $200 savings with TGP since I dont use sirius xm radio.

What is the main differences between the pac used in the trail grid bundle and the maestro? Do you still need a obd2 dongle (bluetooth) to connect to the head unit ? The sony 8100 is wired car play only and cliff mentioned they've tried a few dongles for wireless but nothing has worked.


locally i can buy an android t10 headunit at $250 , wireless car play , decent fit but read about too many issues. Would like wireless car play, the 9500ES is probably too big of a screen. The bezel is a overkill for it, as for the 8100 has anyone mounted in the lower portion using the OEM brackets to not cover the vents

No experience with the pac, other than my understanding that it will not pull obd2 codes. So no trans temps, tpms, coolant temps, etc. with a Maestro, you can pull that info, while retaining the steering wheel controls, etc. with a Maestro RR2, you get the added ability to have 3 500ma negative trigger outputs to relays. I am currently in the process of wiring an arb on board air system to my Kenwood DNR1007xr head unit which has 3 gui radio buttons that work with the rr2. If you have a head unit that doesn’t have the gui, you can still configure one of the steering will buttons as your negative output trigger.

I personally went with with Kenwood/RR2 combo because of the gui buttons which I will be able to control rarely used accessories like air and winch, and I can connect 4 cameras, making my own, higher res multi terrain monitor system on a larger screen, while getting OBD2 data, and some programming choices that normally have to be done at the dealer (like rolling down all the windows by pressing the key fob). Wireless car play, I grounded the parking sensor, so I can stream movies for my family via hdmi while on road trips. This head unit/maestro combo feels far more integrated to the car than stock. It’s really eye opening how limited the stock unit is.

No complaints.

If you didn’t want a huge unit, the Kenwood dnx997xr has all the features I think you are looking for in a double din screen. Not sure if it has Nav, but I rarely if ever use the garmin Nav on mine (and I originally had the dmx1057xr wothout Nav and returned it for the Nav model). I almost always use g maps on CarPlay.

 

[osugsxr]

No experience with the pac, other than my understanding that it will not pull obd2 codes. So no trans temps, tpms, coolant temps, etc. with a Maestro, you can pull that info, while retaining the steering wheel controls, etc. with a Maestro RR2, you get the added ability to have 3 500ma negative trigger outputs to relays. I am currently in the process of wiring an arb on board air system to my Kenwood DNR1007xr head unit which has 3 gui radio buttons that work with the rr2. If you have a head unit that doesn’t have the gui, you can still configure one of the steering will buttons as your negative output trigger.

I personally went with with Kenwood/RR2 combo because of the gui buttons which I will be able to control rarely used accessories like air and winch, and I can connect 4 cameras, making my own, higher res multi terrain monitor system on a larger screen, while getting OBD2 data, and some programming choices that normally have to be done at the dealer (like rolling down all the windows by pressing the key fob). Wireless car play, I grounded the parking sensor, so I can stream movies for my family via hdmi while on road trips. This head unit/maestro combo feels far more integrated to the car than stock. It’s really eye opening how limited the stock unit is.

No complaints.

If you didn’t want a huge unit, the Kenwood dnx997xr has all the features I think you are looking for in a double din screen. Not sure if it has Nav, but I rarely if ever use the garmin Nav on mine (and I originally had the dmx1057xr wothout Nav and returned it for the Nav model). I almost always use g maps on CarPlay.

thanks for the input

 

[KingPrat]

Do you know if there is a version that is wireless? What's odd is my phone pairs wirelessly with my factory stereo now so it seems odd this head unit would not also pair with the iPhone to use this feature.

Thanks.

[MENTION=143347]ShermanOlsen[/MENTION] answered this correctly. The stock Toyota head unit doesn't have wireless CarPlay, but will connect phone functions via Bluetooth.

This head unit will also connect to Bluetooth if you don't plug it in. CarPlay is a different function.

 

[Power24-7]

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I decided to get the Sony XAV-AX4000 bundle. The guys at Trail Grid Pro really take pride in their workmanship. Everything came assembled as advertised and really well packed. After watching the install video the whole install process was less than an hour.

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[8000m]

Sony AX4000 notes

I installed my Sony AX4000 package from Trail Grid Pro and wanted to pass along a couple of things. 2012 Limited with JBL and Nav.

Aside from some minor glitches the install was successful, though at one point I decided the package was ‘plug and pray.’ TGP responded the same day to my queries and I had the unit functioning before bedtime.

Keep the supplied extra connectors handy— I had to swap out two connectors that were installed on the new harness.

For those with their USB in the glovebox, TGP supplies a nice cable that replaces the AUX input in the center dash. Looks factory.

Leave several inches of slack in the Sony microphone cable so you can more easily drop the overhead console in the future.

Reconnect the factory mic by moving the cable to another spot—I routed mine under the main console harness. This will prevent your Safety Connect system from showing a red light on the overhead console. Does Safety Connect still work? IDK, I’m not subscribed.

The factory Nav GPS antenna connector that plugged into my factory head unit does not fit the Sony unit. You can either use the provided Sony GPS antenna or you can swap connectors. This requires a slight trim of the Toyota metal antenna connector and the Toyota connector will not be locked into the Sony plastic housing. You’ll see what I mean when you get them apart.

I had to remove some minor flashing from the edges of the Metra trim.

I get static parking lines but not dynamic.

Overall I’m very pleased, it’s a worthwhile upgrade at a good price from TGP.