Need Info: Upgrading Stereo Head Unit - T8 Core vs Alpine ILX-F309

[Toda R]

I'm looking to upgrade my deck in my 2017 TRD Pro. I had been set on the Alpine ILX-F309 Halo 9" floating screen. However with the new T8 Core deck made for our 4Runner that i see people installing I need some advice now.

Does anyone have experience between both of these decks? Pros and Cons between both, besides price?

Thanks.

 

[WhiteRunner10]

I'm looking to upgrade my deck in my 2017 TRD Pro. I had been set on the Alpine ILX-F309 Halo 9" floating screen. However with the new T8 Core deck made for our 4Runner that i see people installing I need some advice now.

Does anyone have experience between both of these decks? Pros and Cons between both, besides price?

Thanks.

Just search ilx-309. Few ppl have given great reviews. There are 2 threads on the T8 and a few I've seen for sale on here, not a ton of love. Alpine is hands down the better unit if your doing a quality comparison.

 

[sn_85]

This isn't hard. Alpine has been in the business for a long time and has a good reputation. The Cartrim T8 is a Chinese brand running a rooted Android system. The only thing it has going for it is that it's nicely integrated into the dash. Buy once, cry once.

 

[llDemonll]

All the reviews on the T8 system are terrible.

Also note that the members who were pushing and promoting the system were getting commission of some sort from sales and have had 0 interaction since the negative reviews started coming through

 

[TaNk007]

I returned my T8 right away. that unit is utter crap. Went with ilx-f309 and absolutely love it.

 

[daytonaviolet]

am i the only that thinks the alpine ilx-f309 is too big? it's kinda out there in your face like an after thought. i prefer something more subtle like the 7" alpine ilx-107. metra and scoshe makes great face plates for our trucks.

 

[TaNk007]

am i the only that thinks the alpine ilx-f309 is too big? it's kinda out there in your face like an after thought. i prefer something more subtle like the 7" alpine ilx-107. metra and scoshe makes great face plates for our trucks.

It is up in your face but it's grown on me, I moved up from ilx-207.

the f309 screen is a lot better for maps and music apps

 

[KingTaco]

I have the T8 and actually like it, but that's because I use very few functions and just love the huge, well integrated display. If you really want to use all the features these things come with I don't imagine there's any comparison at all. Go with the Alpine. I don't like the way it looks, but that's just me.

 

[PK930]

am i the only that thinks the alpine ilx-f309 is too big? it's kinda out there in your face like an after thought. i prefer something more subtle like the 7" alpine ilx-107. metra and scoshe makes great face plates for our trucks.

Agreed. Plus the way it sticks out makes it kinda scream "steal me". I've had two truck broken into before so that played into my decision.

I, however, went with a Kenwood unit and couldn't be happier. That T8 does look sexy though.

 

[daytonaviolet]

I would get the t8 core over the f309. the t8 seems very buggy but very well integrated into the runner dash. I’ll wait for ver3 [emoji1417]

But I luv how the CarPlay shows 5 icons across same as bmw and Mercedes.

 

[mc1986]

T8 Core

I have zero problems with the T8 Core.

It blends perfectly with interior and I can customize it the way i want.
Sound is great, much better than factory entune but i did replace all factory speakers. Amp can be easily added. I can use multiple offline maps or tether to my phone for streaming anything else. I have had a 500 gb hd connected with no problems. I get bored easy and like changing things around so customizing is a plus with this unit.

 

[brtnstrns]

I'm waiting for that T8 thread to take a nosedive like a lot of up and coming "brands" do when they get shoved down peoples' throats out of nowhere on car forums by people with very little credibility/zero post history on the forum.

I may be disproven, but something about the whole thing feels sketchy and it has to do with the defensiveness of the users pushing the product any time it's like "oh you need this other little thing to make it work, and then just this other little thing, and then just this other little dongle, and then this other wire, and then this software download". **** all that.

I'd personally stick with the more credible brands even if it looks mildly less "slick" than the Chinese one.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

The T8 looks so good but it's no good. I saw this type of headunit come around on TW. The brand was Ottonavi and it looked awesome installed but the headunit proved to be problematic. I don't think they ever fixed the issues.

 

[jleetified]

I'll give you my pros and cons after having the T8 for a little over a month.

Pros
-looks great
-cheap price (from the deal)
-ability to use apps from Google Play Store
-Youtube/Waze/Customizable UI

Cons
-Bluetooth would disconnect every so often and then reconnect
-A little slow
-No data access unless tethered (solved by using my Verizon lte dongle)
-Limited to 1 music player for bluetooth which is featureless (see above with BT connection issue)
-You do need to know your way around the Android OS to do much

I think the pros outweigh the cons because of the LTE dongle. I dont need to worry about my apps accessing data through tethering so Spotify/Waze/Youtube all get loaded almost immediately.

 

[91324]

I've been running the T8 for a while now. The reason I grabbed it was because of the appealing price for me. It has its benefits, which have already been mentioned, and it definitely has its flaws. Full disclosure - I have been speaking with the manufacturer on a different product for the 4R, and I have a personal and great relationship with them, but I'm also brutally honest with them when I see issues arise.

I run YouTube premium 99% of the time (ability to save playlists offline). I run Waze when I have no idea where I am or on long road trips. That is literally it. I don't want any of my text messages or phone data going to the unit (call me paranoid). I haven't and don't run into the issues (slow, random power downs) that multiple people have been complaining about. I have heard when people reach out to the manufacturer, the respond very quickly with updates, things to try, etc. There is an issue with the existing T8 where the time and default radio station don't sync up - the manufacturer released a video recently on how to fix it, but it requires you take apart the unit to snip a connection. So, it sounds like they are working to make things better. Should you have to pay $475-$500 and have to do this type of stuff? No, not by any means.

I got the Apple CarPlay kit but was not a fan because (1) it's not wireless and (2) when I tried to run Pandora and Waze at the same time, it became very glitchy/slow. So, I don't use it anymore.

If you're looking short term (2 or 3 years) or don't plan to use the unit like a tablet to run every app from the Google Play store, the price is good IMHO. If you want stability and quality, go with Alpine. There's a reason they've been around forever.

 

[Hans Moleman]

I wish Alpine made something that looks like the T8.

The problem with the Alpine is it looks like an iPad and some crack head in San Francisco will break in and try to steal it.

 

[Kamil]

Question - why can't the Alpine be used in pre-2014 4Runners?
Is it because I have the back-up camera in the rearview mirror? Any other reasons?

I have a 2010 and don't have a reason to get a newer 4Runner.

 

[CITYRNR]

I've been running the T8 for a while now. The reason I grabbed it was because of the appealing price for me. It has its benefits, which have already been mentioned, and it definitely has its flaws. Full disclosure - I have been speaking with the manufacturer on a different product for the 4R, and I have a personal and great relationship with them, but I'm also brutally honest with them when I see issues arise.

I run YouTube premium 99% of the time (ability to save playlists offline). I run Waze when I have no idea where I am or on long road trips. That is literally it. I don't want any of my text messages or phone data going to the unit (call me paranoid). I haven't and don't run into the issues (slow, random power downs) that multiple people have been complaining about. I have heard when people reach out to the manufacturer, the respond very quickly with updates, things to try, etc. There is an issue with the existing T8 where the time and default radio station don't sync up - the manufacturer released a video recently on how to fix it, but it requires you take apart the unit to snip a connection. So, it sounds like they are working to make things better. Should you have to pay $475-$500 and have to do this type of stuff? No, not by any means.

I got the Apple CarPlay kit but was not a fan because (1) it's not wireless and (2) when I tried to run Pandora and Waze at the same time, it became very glitchy/slow. So, I don't use it anymore.

If you're looking short term (2 or 3 years) or don't plan to use the unit like a tablet to run every app from the Google Play store, the price is good IMHO. If you want stability and quality, go with Alpine. There's a reason they've been around forever.

Did you get the updated CarPlay adapter? I haven’t had that problem since I got it. But I feel you on the wireless. I currently have my T8 up for sale just because I hate wires. I got mine mainly to run Waze or Gaia GPS and it has worked flawlessly, plus I think it sounds better than stock. Was a deal for the release price or the price people are selling them used for.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Question - why can't the Alpine be used in pre-2014 4Runners?
Is it because I have the back-up camera in the rearview mirror? Any other reasons?

I have a 2010 and don't have a reason to get a newer 4Runner.

Yes you can, the wiring will be a bit different, but you can definitely make it work