Suggestions for touch screen stereo/NAV

[JerseyBiker]

I have a 2013 SR5 with the non-touch screen stereo system. I tried to find the OEM touch screen NAV/stereo system online but for the life of me I can't. The closest I can find to OEM is a system from a Canadian company named Astrium on eBay and Amazon. I was hoping to find the same exact system that comes factory installed. But I also would appreciate suggestions for other systems. I have researched quite a few. Many have all of the features that I want except that I could not find any that let's you use your Bluetooth steering wheel controls. You can control the music but not phone calls. You have to make the phone calls through the head unit. Basically I want NAV, Sirius/XM built in or compatible, Bluetooth audio & phone, DVD, USB or SDHD, backup camera and Bluetooth steering wheel control.

Thanks

 

[Swarty]

That's somewhere in here, try the alt search options. To be honest though an aftermarket unit will be a much better value. Either way you have to replace the dash piece so they look about the same level of stock and you don't have to pay for maps with most aftermarket options. I wouldn't worry about the steering wheel controls for calls so much. The voice controls on most phones and aftermarket is way more convenient IMO. I have the controls and still just use the "hey Siri" and "ok google" commands.

 

[rigtec]

"...I wouldn't worry about the steering wheel controls for calls so much. The voice controls on most phones and aftermarket is way more convenient IMO. I have the controls and still just use the "hey Siri" and "ok google" commands."

Hi Swarty,

I've been wanting to replace my oem hu but don't want to run into worse trouble than I'm already having w/'Entune' e.g., issues with phone connectivity, slow to frozen screens, system "Un-Pairs" w/my phone every other day, maps... forget it!

What are you using and at what (if any) compromise? Thx!

 

[Swarty]

Not that knowledgeable...

Hi Swarty,

I've been wanting to replace my oem hu but don't to run into worse trouble than I'm already having w/'Entune' e.g., issues with phone connectivity, slow to frozen screens, system "Un-Pairs" w/my phone every other day, maps... forget it!

What are you using and at what (if any) compromise? Thx!

I can only talk about looking for the stock touch screen. I started down that path and found it way too expensive for what you got and the issues that everyone like yourself has been having.
I run the stock w/o touch screen with my phone mount in the CD slot... I just talk to Siri and don't worry about the phone screen unless it's giving me directions... My biggest issue is the error 5 prob with Iphones... End up listening to music over BT a little too much.

I plan on buying something soon and my friend with a Tacoma just installed this:
Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.

Carplay is really slick. As long as your Iphone is working this works. The only downer is that there is no BT on this guy at all. Sometimes I want to leave my phone in my pocket for short trips... But it does hook up to another camera so he wired a front view cam into it. really slick.

I'm leaning towards this guy myself since it works with both Apple and Android and has BT:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/AppRadio/AppRadio+4+(SPH-DA120)

But to be honest I'm probably one of the worst people to ask...
I know both of these work with the music controls on the steering wheel but would have never thought of making the phone controls work cause I don't use any of them except the hang up button. I just know that I want more than system total 50 watts RMS so I'm going to need an amp...

 

[rigtec]

Okay thanks [MENTION=88975]Swarty[/MENTION],

guess I'll continue reviewing stuff before I spend any serious bucks; someone's gotta make a 'turn-key' hu w/ a complete hook-up e.g., sw controls, BT, camera...etc! Rgds

PS: You may want to check the 'Pioneer' link; Error code 404!

 

[adio3x]

The Pioneer AVIC's have always been good to me. I have the old AVIC Z120bt and it integrates the stock bluetooth controls and steering wheel controls just fine. Also still uses the 10 pin ipod connector, don't think apple will ever come out with a 160gb with thunderbolt.

 

[Swarty]

Prob with forum

Okay thanks [MENTION=88975]Swarty[/MENTION],

guess I'll continue reviewing stuff before I spend any serious bucks; someone's gotta make a 'turn-key' hu w/ a complete hook-up e.g., sw controls, BT, camera...etc! Rgds

PS: You may want to check the 'Pioneer' link; Error code 404!

For some reason it doesn't want to include the last parenthesis as part of the link, add it and it will work for you. idk ho to get it to show right.

 

[Swarty]

Maybe I should pul the trigger on this...

The Pioneer AVIC's have always been good to me. I have the old AVIC Z120bt and it integrates the stock bluetooth controls and steering wheel controls just fine. Also still uses the 10 pin ipod connector, don't think apple will ever come out with a 160gb with thunderbolt.

That's great to know!
If the old ones work I'd be surprised that this one didn't maybe I should go ahead and get it.

Think you are wrong about Apple. This years iphone was 125 Gb so i would guess in the next year or 2 they will be at 256 Gb, although technically if you are looking for exactly 160 Gb for some reason than I'm sure you are right. Also I'm pretty sure these will play mp3s off any flash drive or powered hard drive so the Ipods usefulness has dwindled sharply.

 

[JerseyBiker]

That's somewhere in here, try the alt search options. To be honest though an aftermarket unit will be a much better value.

You are probably right. I think I'll just go aftermarket. Bluetooth control on the steering wheel is preferred but I can live without it as long as I can do voice commands on the head unit. Thanks.

 

[JerseyBiker]

I plan on buying something soon and my friend with a Tacoma just installed this:
Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.


I'm leaning towards this guy myself since it works with both Apple and Android and has BT:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/AppRadio/AppRadio+4+(SPH-DA120)

Both of those seem to be primarily for iPhone owners. I have a Galaxy S4 and probably always will go with an android phone. But that Pioneer is very reasonably priced on Amazon.

 

[Ducmonsta]

The Pioneer AVIC's have always been good to me. I have the old AVIC Z120bt and it integrates the stock bluetooth controls and steering wheel controls just fine. Also still uses the 10 pin ipod connector, don't think apple will ever come out with a 160gb with thunderbolt.

Same here. Pioneer has treated me very well. Always connecting, steering wheel control work, but the nav could be better. But, I'm comparing it to a Garmin system so that's not really fair.

That's great to know!
If the old ones work I'd be surprised that this one didn't maybe I should go ahead and get it.

Think you are wrong about Apple. This years iphone was 125 Gb so i would guess in the next year or 2 they will be at 256 Gb, although technically if you are looking for exactly 160 Gb for some reason than I'm sure you are right. Also I'm pretty sure these will play mp3s off any flash drive or powered hard drive so the Ipods usefulness has dwindled sharply.

I think what Andrew is talking about is the connector. The new CarPlay radios are designed for the Thunderbolt plug AFAIK. This is the newer small plug that the latest Apple products use. I also have an old 160GB iPod that I use solely for music and movies in the truck. So someone would need to make an adapter that goes from the Thunderbolt to the old school 10pin Apple connector to make it work.

 

[JerseyBiker]

The Pioneer AVIC's have always been good to me. I have the old AVIC Z120bt and it integrates the stock bluetooth controls and steering wheel controls just fine.

You are not kidding it is old. The unit that replaced it, the Z130BT is 2 years old. The newer model is $350 cheaper than yours on Amazon. The Z130BT has all of the features I want but I'm concerned about so many bad reviews.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

 

[Ducmonsta]

You are not kidding it is old. The unit that replaced it, the Z130BT is 2 years old. The newer model is $350 cheaper than yours on Amazon. The Z130BT has all of the features I want but I'm concerned about so many bad reviews.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

A majority of the reviews are about the nav system. Which I can agree on. It leaves a lot to be desired. However, the newer "NEX" systems from Pioneer use Apple CarPlay. So it will use your phone and Siri for navigation. Which is a lot better than most factory installed systems.

 

[adio3x]

That's great to know!
If the old ones work I'd be surprised that this one didn't maybe I should go ahead and get it.

Think you are wrong about Apple. This years iphone was 125 Gb so i would guess in the next year or 2 they will be at 256 Gb, although technically if you are looking for exactly 160 Gb for some reason than I'm sure you are right. Also I'm pretty sure these will play mp3s off any flash drive or powered hard drive so the Ipods usefulness has dwindled sharply.

But those are $800+ phones.... Apple already discontinued the ipod classic and the way the sales are for the ipod touch, most likely that'll get the axe too. The way I am with my music is, I have 16k songs, load it on an ipod and keep it plugged into the head unit for the rest of it's life and occasionally take it out when I go on business trips. I don't want to hassle with unplugging it and plugging it back in every time I get in my car, especially when the cable is in the glovebox and door doesn't like to close the first time you shut it. Mine doesn't allow external hd's to be plugged in, I'm sure newer systems allow this to work.

 

[mace.]

So someone would need to make an adapter that goes from the Thunderbolt to the old school 10pin Apple connector to make it work.

Thunderbolt is a computer cable. Lightning cables are what newer iOS devices use while the older iPods / iPhones I believe use a 30-pin connector. They do make lightning to 30-pin adapters but I have never used one so can't say how well they work.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Thunderbolt is a computer cable. Lightning cables are what newer iOS devices use while the older iPods / iPhones I believe use a 30-pin connector. They do make lightning to 30-pin adapters but I have never used one so can't say how well they work.

hahaha...that's what I meant. Damn, meteorologists!

They do make a lighting to 30 pin but not a 30 pin to lightning. At least, I haven't found one yet. The newer aftermarket radios have a lightning cable coming out of them. The question was if you could use an older 160gb iPod (that still have the 30pin) with the newer CarPlay radios. I'm currently using a 30pin to lightning to make my most recent itouch work with my outdated AVIC.

 

[sandcrawler]

I think what Andrew is talking about is the connector. The new CarPlay radios are designed for the Thunderbolt plug AFAIK. This is the newer small plug that the latest Apple products use. I also have an old 160GB iPod that I use solely for music and movies in the truck. So someone would need to make an adapter that goes from the Thunderbolt to the old school 10pin Apple connector to make it work.

there are ("old school") 30-pin connector -to- Lightning adapters available and they work just fine. right now, however, CarPlay is only designed to work with an iPhone 5 or newer; no iPod support, unfortunately. CarPlay simply mirrors your iPhone's key functions on a large, accessible, capacitive touchscreen that's safer to use while driving with Siri hands-free to cap it off.

but i'm with [MENTION=50186]adio3x[/MENTION]: i sincerely hope Apple listens to the market and adds support for a second USB plug so people can also use their iPod via that gorgeous touchscreen interface. there's still a place for a dedicated music player in today's market—and we don't need to be upgrading them every year or two like a cellphone.

 

[Raven]

They do make lightning to 30-pin adapters but I have never used one so can't say how well they work.

They work just fine ...

 

[mace.]

hahaha...that's what I meant. Damn, meteorologists!



They do make a lighting to 30 pin but not a 30 pin to lightning. At least, I haven't found one yet.

I'm currently using a 30pin to lightning

I know what you mean. Yes apple doesn't make an official adapter but there are some cheapo ones out there on fleabay. That said not sure if they actually work.

 

[Nolarola]

There's a ton of information in this thread - http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/61082-aftermarket-stereo-34.html

I did this myself and it was really easy, I think I even posted a shopping list somewhere in there which will allow install without any cut wires, etc. - unless you install a backup cam, which means one, I think, tapped wire. I don't think OEM in the stereo department makes any sense - not to mention that if you were trying to upgrade from a non-nav to nav, it would not be easily done.