What aftermarket head unit did you install

[obxbird]

Looking to upgrade my radio in my 2018 4Runner. Just curious as to which unit I should get. I am an Android user and like using Google Maps and Waze.

 

[WhitePrivilege]

Since nobody is answering... Note I have been researching which head unit to buy for several months now but I have not used any.

The most popular ones are the CTHome T9, and the Alpine Halo 9. I personally like the OEM look of the CTHome T9, but it does come with some hiccups. The Alpine Halo has a massive screen but it blocks vents and sticks out of the dash a bit.

Alternatively, there is the BeatSonic USA module that uses your factory screen and keeps everything OEM, but adds only Apple Carplay and Android Auto to your factory head unit.

Personally, from all those options I would go with the BeatSonic simply to keep everything as simple and reliable as possible, however in the future if CTHome releases a new version of their head units that resolves problems from the T9, I would go with that.

Sent from my SM-N975W using Tapatalk

 

[SparkySparks83]

I went with the T9, I've seen some complaints about the Halo and with the price and it blocks your vents as well, it was a no go for me.

The T9 has been just about as plug and play as an aftermarket radio can get. I have had to do a few little tweaks to get it exactly how I want it but that is how a Android tablet based head unit is going to be.

 

[Time2Ride]

I'm using an Alpine ILX-W650 paired with an Alpine-KTA-450-Power-Pack, sounds really good. I had already replaced all the speakers with Infinity's. Gotta love Car Play!

 

[utctscanr75]

Went with the Pioneer NEX 8400

and love it. Wireless Apple Carplay and capacitive touch screen are my favorite features.

 

[ayeyothisiskyle]

BeatSonic looked like a great solution for me, but I was reading a bit and it says that forward skip and prev buttons on steering wheel do not work. Honestly, thats a dealbreaker. $500+ for the unit isnt worth it.

 

[Irishperil]

I’m about to pull the trigger on an install myself. I already own a brand new Pioneer head unit with CarPlay. I believe it’s the 4500NEX. I bought it just before getting my 2017 Limited because the deck in my 2008 went out.

Buuut, the JBL system in the Limited is way better than I expected and I’ve been hesitating to spend $1800 on a new system. (That’s a recent quote for front and rear Audison speakers, a 5ch 1000w Rockford amp, my deck installed, dynamat the front and rear doors, and install my 12” sub I kept for my last system, plus steering controls and hardwire my radar detector)

All for just a louder clearer version of what I already have but adding CarPlay (which Really makes my day) If I didn’t own the deck or the sub I wouldn’t even be thinking about it.




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[Sp00ner]

I have the Pioneer 8500NEX in my cart at Crutchfield right now, just finalizing the adapters/accessories.

Pioneer AVIC-W8500NEX Navigation receiver at Crutchfield

 

[Brownfaux]

I just ordered the parts to put my Pioneer 4500NEX in my 16 Trail Premium, no JBL.

The stock system was fine for a few months but I miss CarPlay, and the app I just got for offline gps Gaia, is integrating to CarPlay, that’s what sealed the deal.

I seriously considered the T9, but I’m saving a couple hundred by keeping what I have. Also, as silly as it may sound, I like the big blanks on either side of the dash kit. Don’t get me wrong, they look like crap, but I plan on adding some switches and phone mounts to the sides.

I like this sticky back mount.

Coming from my 100 series LC, I’m just relieved I didn’t have to spend 2k to convert to manual climate controls again.


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[NB17Limited]

I've got the Maestro RR2 paired with the Kenwood DMX706S. Keeps all steering wheel controls, adds TPMS/battery screen and a gauge screen, has an input for a front facing camera that you can map to a steering wheel button, and can integrate a radar detector. It's also a half depth double din unit so it's very easy to stuff all the wires behind it. Total for the headunit and Maestro and the two other optional harnesses was just over $600.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Thank you for your suggestions, I'm also looking for a head unit for my car.

Crutchfield.com

 

[daytonaviolet]

I went with the CTH T9. I mainly use it for wireless CarPlay, Netflix and Amazon Prime movies. I only watch like an hour at a time as I wait for the kids. It works well for me. I like the big screen and oem look.

 

[IanB]

Pioneer NEX4500, wireless carplay/android auto, WAZE for maps/nav, it's been an excellent upgrade over the awful stock system. If you don't mind using your phone's data for navigation, the 4500 is quite a bit cheaper than the 8500 with built in nav.

 

[08TxRunner]

I've got a Pioneer 4400NEX and couldn't be happier. For you other Pioneer fans out there, keep in mind that after the 4400 (possibly the 4500) you cannot use the $10 doohicky to trick the unit into thinking the parking brake is on - thus allowing video while driving. The more expensive units rely on GPS and will lock that out. And if you don't hook up the GPS, you will get error messages and still not be able to view video.

 

[smeerun]

I went with the CTH T9. I mainly use it for wireless CarPlay, Netflix and Amazon Prime movies. I only watch like an hour at a time as I wait for the kids. It works well for me. I like the big screen and oem look.

Hey [MENTION=1863]daytonaviolet[/MENTION], can you elaborate a bit on how the T9 interacts with your phone? It looks like this unit has a full-blown Android OS with it's own apps and connectivity to the app store. Do you have to log into apps like Netflix ON the head unit? Or are you simply utilizing the apps on your phone to connect? Furthermore, if you're utilizing the app within the head unit does that mean you have to use your phone hotspot to give it internet connectivity?

I am leary of logging into accounts on a secondary device that sits in my car...

 

[Goyo]

[emoji23]

You talking about the "Tesla" tablet conversion ? Was it really $2k ? I thought that was cheaper. And couldn't agree more with you ... Unless one.gets an early version or the unicorn "Hawaiian" LC, dealing with HVAC and radio is a PITA.

BTW.... how long you had the Hundy and what are your thoughts 4R vs LC100 ?

Cheerios !

G

I just ordered the parts to put my Pioneer 4500NEX in my 16 Trail Premium, no JBL.

The stock system was fine for a few months but I miss CarPlay, and the app I just got for offline gps Gaia, is integrating to CarPlay, that’s what sealed the deal.

I seriously considered the T9, but I’m saving a couple hundred by keeping what I have. Also, as silly as it may sound, I like the big blanks on either side of the dash kit. Don’t get me wrong, they look like crap, but I plan on adding some switches and phone mounts to the sides.

I like this sticky back mount.

Coming from my 100 series LC, I’m just relieved I didn’t have to spend 2k to convert to manual climate controls again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[daytonaviolet]

Hey [MENTION=1863]daytonaviolet[/MENTION], can you elaborate a bit on how the T9 interacts with your phone? It looks like this unit has a full-blown Android OS with it's own apps and connectivity to the app store. Do you have to log into apps like Netflix ON the head unit? Or are you simply utilizing the apps on your phone to connect? Furthermore, if you're utilizing the app within the head unit does that mean you have to use your phone hotspot to give it internet connectivity?

I am leary of logging into accounts on a secondary device that sits in my car...

Just saw this reply now .. sorry for delay.

Yes it’s basically an android tablet. So things like Netflix, Amazon prime .. you sign in once and it remembers your login. I have a dedicated t-mobile SIM card for the android apps. Hot spot is a option but I have not tried that yet l.

One of the apps I use 90% of the time is Autokit.apk which launches CarPlay. Anything running in CarPlay uses data from the iphone.

 

[nyvram]

Bump. What are people installing these days?

Reading this thread I just learned some headunits can read ODB2 data..how cool is that? So the display could list TPMS data for instance..is it smart enough to show you the PSI for each tire? I have a 2015 so I 'm not sure what is possible with the stock TPMS.

I guess the holy grail would be a headunit that could also function as the brain for a dashcam and rear backup camera, ODB2 info and of course you can listen to music :lmao:

 

[Ripper238]

Bump. What are people installing these days?

Reading this thread I just learned some headunits can read ODB2 data..how cool is that? So the display could list TPMS data for instance..is it smart enough to show you the PSI for each tire? I have a 2015 so I 'm not sure what is possible with the stock TPMS.

I guess the holy grail would be a headunit that could also function as the brain for a dashcam and rear backup camera, ODB2 info and of course you can listen to music :lmao:

My Kenwood DMX does all that plus sooo much more. Its truly amazing with the maestro data link.

It can read and clear codes, give PSI and tire/intake/exhaust temp. I also have front and rear cameras for it. No CD player though. lol

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Bump. What are people installing these days?

Reading this thread I just learned some headunits can read ODB2 data..how cool is that? So the display could list TPMS data for instance..is it smart enough to show you the PSI for each tire? I have a 2015 so I 'm not sure what is possible with the stock TPMS.

I guess the holy grail would be a headunit that could also function as the brain for a dashcam and rear backup camera, ODB2 info and of course you can listen to music :lmao:

Just have to cruise Crutchfield and look at the specs. Kenwood makes dashcam capable units with their own cams but I think you can only view the video on the headunit, not control the cam.