Just bought an Ebay "OEM Replacement" Navigation HU.... complications

TSO

TSO

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Been looking at these for awhile, so after finding one that didn't look like a pre-school class designed the icons & interface, I decided on this unit:

corollaEX-2.jpg


I think the menus look pretty decent, AND a big reason is that it has orange button backlighting (most are green, blue, or white) so it will match my interior. It also plays/controls iPod directly, has iGo GPS (I've always liked iGo), plays USB and SD media, has RDS... all that other crap too. Here's a few more shots:

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And it comes with "DIRECT" fit and "PLUG-AND-PLAY" harnesses, so that you literally unplug your stock radio, transfer the brackets to the new unit, and plug it all back in, and you're up & running. SO, no wiring harnesses or Dash-Kits to purchase.

2e.jpg


All in all, the cost (off ebay) was $370 shipped. I've used ebay generic units before, and they're not all that terrible, so I figured what the Hell.
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So... last night the unit arrived, with relatively quick shipping from China. Typical generic box, user manual (vague), and no installation instructions... that's fine since I've installed lots of aftermarket units in the past.

Okay, so here's where it gets difficult. I have the JBL system, which I wish I DID NOT!!! The JBL system requires an additional harness for the amp interface (TYTO-01). I connected the interface to the unit's wiring as best I could for testing purposes, removed the stock radio, and gave it a try. Here are my observations & issues.

FIRST: Stupid me, I didn't realize that the JBL radio is a different size/shape than the stock SR5 radio. This Nav unit is made to fit NON-JBL systems. I knew that ahead of time, but I assumed it was only for the wiring, and not the size. Well, it would leave about a 1/2" gap around the sides, which isn't really a big deal because I can fabricate a surround to fill the gap.

SECOND: The unit powers up and works well. Surprisingly, with the TYTO interface unit, you can adjust the gain of the JBL Amp, and holy $hit if the stock system doesn't actually have some balls! I have been really disappointed with the sound from the JBL system, especially since you have to turn it up to over "40" to hear any resemblance of a bass response. With this new Nav unit and the TYTO, it actually sounds pretty damn good.

THIRD: The radio interface... well, I guess all the media interfaces since they're identical, actually function quite well. They're simple & intuitive. The ipod function is decent, and you can browse by Artist, PLaylist, etc... Only complaint on that is it only displays 6 "list" items and you have to scroll down the list via the on-screen "down" arrow.

FOURTH: The Nav... I was parked in my garage and didn't drive with it, but it works. If you've ever used iGo maps, there's no surprises. I actually like their mapping system.

FIFTH: The front buttons ARE NOT lighting up properly. I must assume that because of the JBL system & the interface... I must have a wire disconnected somewhere. The only wire on the Nav unit that appears to be for the button backlighting (titled Headlight test) isn't making it happen. Using the diagram below (attached) which I found from another thread on here, I tried all 3 Illumination/dimmer wires from the truck. If I connect the Illumination+ wire, it causes the truck's buttons to NOT light up, and doesn't light up the nav unit. The other 2 do nothing.

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So, I pulled it all back out last night and returned it to stock (yeah, late night). I'm awaiting a response from the seller.

I wish I had a damn NON JBL system!!!! The ONLY 2 benefits I see from the system is the steering-wheel controls AND the factory sub location. This unit would be fantastic if I didn't have to deal with this connection issue.

Any thoughts from anyone more versed in the JBL system?
 

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Sungod said:
How is that supposed to be an OEM replacement? It looks just like any other HU.
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The dimensions are identical to the stock (SR5) radios in the Toyota vehicles. So, you can remove your stock unit, and this one plugs directly into the factory harnesses, and factory location, without any splicing, adapters, or dash kits.

Look fellas, I know this isn't a "High-End" item. However, for the price, considering it is direct plug-and-play, requires no additions expenses (like dash kit, wiring harness, Steering-Wheel adapter)... and it has built-in features like Bluetooth, Navi, iPod control, USB/SD control, Steering-wheel controls with the factory wiring, etc etc etc........ You can't find a "quality" aftermarket unit for anywhere near the end cost of $370 shipped & installed.

Plus, I hate the look of "aftermarket"... even with a decent dash kit, you almost always know when something is not "factory." My biggest b!tch about the aftermarket units, and this might JUST BE ME... but on nearly EVERY stock radio, you have matching button/lights on both sides of the radio, and the design ties in with the rest of the dash. On the "namebrand" aftermarket units, most have only lit buttons on the left side, or bottom, etc. I think that when those don't match the natural flow of the interior, it just looks OFF.

My opinion anyhow. In my last 2 vehicles ('07 Tundra & '10 Tundra), I went through several different units. Tried a generic China one that was garbage (only $150 though)... then a Valor unit, which had the BEST iPod control of any unit I ever used, then a JVC Nav unit, which was boring, then a Pioneer F700bt, which was OK, then I spent the money to install a Factory Nav system. They EACH had their pros & cons.

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EDIT - I'm back to stock for the time being anyhow, until I figure out how to wire this one properly, or find a suitable alternative. I would consider finding a factory NAV unit, but I'm having a hard time filtering through the posts, figuring out exactly which units will work with my '03 JBL system, AND have matching orange buttons.
 
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I have a non-JBL system and I am fairly interested in this set up especially for the price. Are you able to turn navigation on and have it give you on screen updates while the radio or ipod remains on? I bought a similar unit years ago on eBay and once I got, realized that I could not use the GPS and radio at teh same time. I promptly returned the item.

Thanks and good luck!
 
BReardon21 said:
I have a non-JBL system and I am fairly interested in this set up especially for the price. Are you able to turn navigation on and have it give you on screen updates while the radio or ipod remains on? I bought a similar unit years ago on eBay and once I got, realized that I could not use the GPS and radio at teh same time. I promptly returned the item.

Thanks and good luck!
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Yeah, it all stays running in the background. Give me a few days to try to figure it out, and if I can't make it work properly with my JBL system, I'll sell it to ya for less than I paid, if you're interested. Like, $340 shipped?? Saves ya $30. I believe it comes with a 2 year warranty as well. Here's the ebay link if you're in a hurry to pay full price: eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
 
nice review

Thanks for taking the time to inform us and giving us an impressive write-up. I think the unit looks great. I hope you work out the issues so you can keep it.
 
Thanks for the in depth write up and information. I am definately not in a hurry to buy, just interested is all. I am expecting a baby in the next month, so I will be upgrading both the head unit and putting screens in the headrests. Seems nice that this is affordable and it has video out so I can run the screens in the headrests from the head unit. I am really interested in seeing if you can get this issued resolved. DO you have any pictures of the unit installed in your T4R?

If you don'tr get it resolved, and decide you really do want to get rid of it, shoot me a PM and we can see what my "mod budget" can afford. Thanks again!!! Good Luck!
 
BReardon21 said:
Thanks for the in depth write up and information. I am definately not in a hurry to buy, just interested is all. I am expecting a baby in the next month, so I will be upgrading both the head unit and putting screens in the headrests. Seems nice that this is affordable and it has video out so I can run the screens in the headrests from the head unit. I am really interested in seeing if you can get this issued resolved. DO you have any pictures of the unit installed in your T4R?

If you don'tr get it resolved, and decide you really do want to get rid of it, shoot me a PM and we can see what my "mod budget" can afford. Thanks again!!! Good Luck!
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no installed pictures, I only had it wired up but not bolted in, just to see if it worked... also, regarding the rear video, I believe that it has dual zone capabilities; meaning, you should be able to use video in the rear, while doing something different on the head unit and the front speakers.
 
PWGUNNY said:
Thanks for taking the time to inform us and giving us an impressive write-up. I think the unit looks great. I hope you work out the issues so you can keep it.
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no problem. I know that a lot of folks are interested in these units, but are afraid to ask, 4 fear of some audiophile snob chastising them for even considering such a head unit. My play budget is not what it used to be, hence the reason I'm driving an 03 4runner instead of my 2010 tundra; I think that's a lot of peoples budgets are shrinking just as mine are, making these headunits more practical than an expensive name brand unit. :shrug:
 
I found a 2 piece spacer kit for the radio...i have a pioneer HU with DVD and had the same issue. no fit kit would fit and had the 2 gaps on either side of the radio. i stumbled across that kit that basically just bolts to the side of the radio and fills them in. unfortunetly i dont remember where i got it from but im sure a search would turn them up. ill post pics up later.
 
IMO I hate these touch screen head units. And I can only image the no name china brand will function even worse than a branded unit. I have used several both aftermarket and OEM and then never function correctly and they are a huge PIA when you are driving. I never understood the love for in dash sat-nav systems when portable ones are cheaper, better, easier to use and are easier to upgrade.
 
Zuke said:
IMO I hate these touch screen head units. And I can only image the no name china brand will function even worse than a branded unit. I have used several both aftermarket and OEM and then never function correctly and they are a huge PIA when you are driving. I never understood the love for in dash sat-nav systems when portable ones are cheaper, better, easier to use and are easier to upgrade.
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It has more to do with navigating through your music/file menus. Most of us have thousands of songs on our iPods now... the faster & easier I can get to that specific song on my head unit, the happier I am. Having everything else built in, like bluetooth & Navigation, along with the radio... well, that's just icing on the cake. If you've ever bluetooth, you'll understand what I'm talking about.
 
I would rather navigate through my mp3 player than reach over and deal with a touch screen. Also most portable GPS systems have Bluetooth.
 
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