Radio Upgrades... Let see them.

Does anyone have experience with the Kenwood DPX792BH ?
Kenwood in general regarding iPhone hands free communication.
I am about ready to pull the trigger on this model and would appreciate any thoughts/experience.
While I am in there I will be replacing multi info lamps as well as the rest of the lamps...climate control etc.
Thanks in advance
 
I should have qualified my Kenwood choice, I suppose.
I have some Best Buy fun tickets that need to be spent.
That Kenwood HU is in stock and we have a long weekend.
 
Just upgraded to a Kenwood DDX9703S. Gonna swap out the stock speakers for some Kickers nextView attachment 1

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Has anyone done a tablet install and added a backup camera?

I've been following this thread, and researching tons the different head units that are out right now, as well as the Android units, and the idea of installing a nice non-LCD receiver, with a tablet for most functions.

I am really liking the various Android units that are out, however, I don't think they are anywhere near being perfected. There are just way too many glitches & software problems for me to consider them. I shouldn't have to root, or do a major mod on a brand new unit to get it to operate properly. I think I'll wait until they are proven reliable. I've been wanting to do a full-blown carputer for a while now, but these Android units are potentially a nice alternative.

The tablet install is intriguing. The one downfall for me is finding a way to input a reverse camera's video. I personally don't know how that'd be possible. I think it would have to be BT, or wireless in some other way. I don't believe the micro-USB ports on the tablets I have (Samsung) allow for video input.


Maybe in the near future the story will be different. But for now, I'm sticking with a traditional LCD headunit...
 
Okay so I'm about done my install.
My trusty Alpine IVE-S920HD from my 3rd Gen.
Old school Alpine 6022GX tweeters with current SPX-17PRO mids.
Alpine PDR-V75 5 Channel amp. A little tight so just had to Dremel one of the plastic mounting ribs.
Kenwood KFCXW800F shallow mount sub.
The sub is a single 4ohm coil. Perfect fit. Drops in with no modifications at all!
For the back up camera, I used a swivel plate type and like my 3rd Gen, mounted it inside.
You have to reverse the camera as its mounted upside down and aim it downwards.
The camera never gets dirty and if the window happens to be really dirty, simply roll it down a few inches.
Center channel speaker removed and under the grille instead is the Sirius/XM & GPS antenna.
Total stealth install.
 

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I've been following this thread, and researching tons the different head units that are out right now, as well as the Android units, and the idea of installing a nice non-LCD receiver, with a tablet for most functions.

I am really liking the various Android units that are out, however, I don't think they are anywhere near being perfected. There are just way too many glitches & software problems for me to consider them. I shouldn't have to root, or do a major mod on a brand new unit to get it to operate properly. I think I'll wait until they are proven reliable. I've been wanting to do a full-blown carputer for a while now, but these Android units are potentially a nice alternative.

I had the same concerns but now that I've had my [Chinese] Android unit in for several months I freaking love it! Hands down, the best thing I've added to my truck in a long time. I've got it hooked up to a 1TB USB HDD in the glove box and have all my songs/movies on it as well as being able to stream any app off the Play Store, can't beat it.

You will not find anything made here in the states that matches the flexibility other than doing your own tablet install. After all, these Chinese android units are basically re-engineered tablets built into a shell with hard buttons. I did end up re-flashing it but it only takes a few minutes to do if you're somewhat comfortable with that kind of stuff (pretty easy). Having said that, the factory Joying ROM wasn't bad though.

Best of all, it fits 100% flush in the factory opening and looks completely stock...no need to the filler, trim kits, the lighting can be made to match any color as well (currently orange to match OEM lighting) and my factory steering wheel controls worked out of the box, no adapter needed. YMMV but I love mine.
 
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I had the same concerns but now that I've had my [Chinese] Android unit in for several months I freaking love it! .... snip

Got some questions, if you don't mind answering.

  1. Which unit did you get, make and model?
  2. Where did you buy it, how much did you pay?
  3. Did you get the backup camera with it, if so how did you wire it?
  4. Which ROM did you flash, where did you download it?

Thanks,
 
Got some questions, if you don't mind answering.

  1. Which unit did you get, make and model?
  2. Where did you buy it, how much did you pay?
  3. Did you get the backup camera with it, if so how did you wire it?
  4. Which ROM did you flash, where did you download it?

Thanks,


1) Joying JY-TQ123 (Stock with Android 4.4.4, Q3188 Quad-Processor and 1GB RAM). Pics are in my build...

2) Amazon primed from US-based seller, ~$290 shipped.

3) No backup camera. I initially wanted one but now realize I was just attracted to the gimmick of having one. Being in a lifted SUV, I have no trouble seeing when backing up and don't think it's worth it to me. It would be easy to set up with these units though as they're made for them.

4) I'm running the Malysk Kit Kat Rom (June build I think) from the XDA Developer Forums...tons of info over there.
 
Okay so I'm about done my install.
My trusty Alpine IVE-S920HD from my 3rd Gen.
Old school Alpine 6022GX tweeters with current SPX-17PRO mids.
Alpine PDR-F75 5 Channel amp. A little tight si just had to Dremmel one of the plastic mounting ribs.
Kenwood KFCXW800F shallow mount sub.
The sub is a single 4ohm coil. Perfect fit. Drops in with no modifications at all!
For the back up camera, I used a swivel plate type and like my 3rd Gen, mounted it inside.
You have to reverse the camera as its mounted upside down and aim it downwards.
The camera never gets dirty and if the window happens to be really dirty, simply roll it down a few inches.
Center channel speaker removed and under the grille instead is the Sirius/XM & GPS antenna.
Total stealth install.

Love the camera mounting on the roof!
 
Blaupunkt!

Upgraded the head unit to a Blaupunkt NJ 220. Great look if you are looking for something tame and more of a stock look. Also paired with kicker door speakers in all 4 doors. Rockford fosgate 12 inch sub coming soon. Would recommend ordering from crutchfield.
 
Got around to the install a little sooner than I thought. I got kinda excited. My first impressions so far:

- It's a pretty snug fit in the double din slot.
- I've read that you can cut the oem din brackets to work with this, but haven't done that.
- There's awkward gaps on the sides, so I'll have to get a real dash kit to fit it.
- Voice commands are hit and miss. If I use the app and then say a command, it's fine, but globally it doesnt catch the "OK google"
- Certain applications (backup cam, radio) will make music quiet, but still overlap them. (i.e. spotify and radio both playing)
- I haven't figured out what wire to connect for steering wheel controls yet, so those don't work. I had it hooked up to a metra Axxess because my Alpine stereo needed it, but not sure I need it now.
- backup camera and usb ports are sitting in the glove box for later.
- in bright sunlight the reflections are a little annoying. Could use a tiny bit brighter screen
- I was worried about the audio quality. Luckily it's not as terrible as some people say. There is less bass than my alpine, and spotify doesn't have an EQ in android for some reason, but I'm sure it can be fixed somehow.

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So are you still liking this? I am wanting to do this with their latest unit. Any other details or changes you have on the install? I have the JBL setup so that might be different.
 
Got around to the install a little sooner than I thought. I got kinda excited. My first impressions so far:

- It's a pretty snug fit in the double din slot.
- I've read that you can cut the oem din brackets to work with this, but haven't done that.
- There's awkward gaps on the sides, so I'll have to get a real dash kit to fit it.
- Voice commands are hit and miss. If I use the app and then say a command, it's fine, but globally it doesnt catch the "OK google"
- Certain applications (backup cam, radio) will make music quiet, but still overlap them. (i.e. spotify and radio both playing)
- I haven't figured out what wire to connect for steering wheel controls yet, so those don't work. I had it hooked up to a metra Axxess because my Alpine stereo needed it, but not sure I need it now.
- backup camera and usb ports are sitting in the glove box for later.
- in bright sunlight the reflections are a little annoying. Could use a tiny bit brighter screen
- I was worried about the audio quality. Luckily it's not as terrible as some people say. There is less bass than my alpine, and spotify doesn't have an EQ in android for some reason, but I'm sure it can be fixed somehow.

8mqJMqXl.jpg

znd5B28l.jpg

QygbXzbl.jpg

y0lwfEVl.jpg

f5jaQbPl.jpg

6ZrfQvil.jpg

vf7O0AYl.jpg

cCr0fRKl.jpg
So are you still liking this? I am wanting to do this with their latest unit. Any other details or changes you have on the install? I have the JBL setup so that might be different.
 
So are you still liking this? I am wanting to do this with their latest unit. Any other details or changes you have on the install? I have the JBL setup so that might be different.

I don't have an special tips on install. I know that the JBL systems tend to make things much more complicated, so I wouldn't even know how to advise you.

The short version:

I put the backup cam wires down the drivers side of the vehicle, through the grommet in the hatch door.

I put the USB connector cables in the glove box, and the GPS unit on the dash on the passenger front side right under the glass.

I still love it and think it was worth buying. However, a few things that I've noticed after a long time of use:

- setting up hotspot on my phone every time I drive has become a chore, so I really don't do it anymore. Instead, I auto-connect bluetooth and stream music from my phone. Much easier and less phone battery power.

- saving spotify offline playlists to the SD card in the unit is also a pain. It will save for some X amount of days and then wipe all your playlists until it can reauthenticate with spotify. At which point you have to re-download all your offline music again. A huge waste of time.

- Radio works well, and I like being able to see song titles on the screen.

- Backup camera has become sporadic. Sometimes it will work, sometimes it will not. That might be due to some wires that loosened over time. Make sure you keep connections tight to avoid my error.
 
Decided I would install a pioneer setup that I purchased off of amazon. I did the whole install my self and ordered the wiring harness off of amazon too. Super easy and pleased wth the results. I also have the JBL synthesis


IMG]http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161114/0fd4ca680735543f85707df355314132.jpg[/IMG]


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I don't have an special tips on install. I know that the JBL systems tend to make things much more complicated, so I wouldn't even know how to advise you.

The short version:

I put the backup cam wires down the drivers side of the vehicle, through the grommet in the hatch door.

I put the USB connector cables in the glove box, and the GPS unit on the dash on the passenger front side right under the glass.

I still love it and think it was worth buying. However, a few things that I've noticed after a long time of use:

- setting up hotspot on my phone every time I drive has become a chore, so I really don't do it anymore. Instead, I auto-connect bluetooth and stream music from my phone. Much easier and less phone battery power.

- saving spotify offline playlists to the SD card in the unit is also a pain. It will save for some X amount of days and then wipe all your playlists until it can reauthenticate with spotify. At which point you have to re-download all your offline music again. A huge waste of time.

- Radio works well, and I like being able to see song titles on the screen.

- Backup camera has become sporadic. Sometimes it will work, sometimes it will not. That might be due to some wires that loosened over time. Make sure you keep connections tight to avoid my error.
Cool. Thanks for the info. Have you tried tasker or something like that to autostart your hotspot? GPS work well without any data connections?
 
Cool. Thanks for the info. Have you tried tasker or something like that to autostart your hotspot? GPS work well without any data connections?

I haven't tried any apps for that. I have iOS though, so that has its own hurdles. I tried the GPS out in the colorado wilderness for a few days on one trip. It seemed to get my location just fine using HERE offline maps.
 
I've gone through a few radios in search of the one for me. Six years ago, I replaced the OEM radio with an inexpensive Clarion double din. It had very basic functions, but it was a workhorse and worked well with my iPod.

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I decided it was time for an update, so I bought a Pioneer AVH-4100NEX. At the time, it was $550 radio and had all the bells and whistles, including Carplay. It was super glitchy and Carplay would lock up all the time. I would have to pull over and turn the vehicle off and on again to get it to restart. I returned it after a couple of weeks.

oe2FZeu.jpg


Then I decided to try less bells and whistles and bought a Kenwood DDX373BT. This radio worked well, but there were some serious deal-breakers, including an annoying "please wait" notice everytime I tried to scroll through songs on my iPod. And it had an audio hiccup once per song, like it was trying to catch up. So that went back as well.

CYk6jGZ.jpg


Finally, I've bought a Pioneer SPH-DA120 "AppRadio 4." It has Carplay, which in my opinion, sucks. What good is GPS if you need cell phone signal to use it? For someone who goes camping a lot, that's useless. Carplay allows you to listen to text messages as well...but not if you don't have a signal. Then it's completely useless. Fortunately, there's an "AppRadio" side that works well. I strongly prefer it to the Carplay side.

The interface on this radio is nice and very responsive. It has the capacitive touchscreen, which is awesome and looks much more sleek. Bluetooth works perfectly.

kmKfGTq.jpg
 
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