Please discuss why I should replace '13 Head Unit. Basics.
 

Should I replace my '13 OEM head unit ?
I heard it's bad, and Bluetooth barely works.
If the OEM worked fine, I would not even think about replacing it.

I am hoping to get some ideas from other people who've done the same.
I am hoping to keep this as simple as possible. I have an Android phone.

Any ideas? What could I replace it with?
I prefer picking a HU that is like the most popular upgrade.
That way, I am going down a popular path with few issues.

I've never had a new car, so I don't even know what head units should do these days.
All I really want is to be able to have some BT connection to my phone, so I can talk on speaker using the car's audio system.

Also, nice to have an AUX in to play Spotify music directly.

Oh, I have a GPS antenna on my roof, so how does that work?
It would be cool to have Google Maps on the dash, instead of looking at my phone.
How does the car's GPS work? Who does it talk to? Subaru GPS satellite?
Can I have GPS maps using an aftermarket HU?

Just how "plug and play" is this project?
I'd like to try to do the installation myself,
so I want to buy something that is not overly complex to install.

Is it worth installing a reverse camera?
For now, I will skip this, and leave it as an option for the future.

I read the '13 OEM speakers are bad.
I don't want some insane audio system.
What is a decent basic direct replacement set?
Plug and play with zero mods is a must.

I have the '13 base model HU, the pioneer one with the tiny screen.
http://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sit...ead-unit-1.jpg

I love this thing. I hate big screens and I just wanted the basic function which it does perfectly. Bluetooth has been super reliable since day 1 (4 years ago) at least with my iPhones. If you wanted a less expensive oem HU that fits perfectly and is kind of old school this one is great. But if you want all those new features then it's probably not the one for you.

91.5 KUSC!!? :cheers:

Agree, mine works great. I have a CD mount for my phone for maps and such.

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I have a full screen type of HU.
It seems backwards to replace it with a basic stereo.

The map only takes up half the screen.
It says "No connection" for Bluetooth, and my phone doesn't even see it.

If I replace it, I think I want at least the same functionality the car supposedly tried to come with.
So, can we discuss some of those options? Ideally, one that is purely plug and play with no mods.

I have a '13 BRZ with the OEM navigation head unit. Hasn't given me any trouble. What don't you like about yours?

For starters, I don't have a clue how it supposed be setup.

It just says Bluetooth, no connection.
I have no idea how to make a connection.
My phone does not detect it, and anything I press on the screen does nothing.

I don't know if it's operator error or broken.

What exactly do you press to get it to do something?

Wow, your google-fu is weak young grasshopper.

For starters try reading the manual. If non available try online.

Well the fast and short version of new aftermarket head units are this: they are way better than oem ones. They have all the features you are looking for. The downside, it's pricy. If you want one with all the bells and whistles your looking at maybe $1k+

Start out by either going to a car audio store or any online car audio retailer.

Please discuss why I should replace '13 Head Unit. Basics.
 

You can buy a used headunit for a lot cheaper by the way.

The oem headunit from 2013 (there's the bespoke unit and the regular unit) have a decent amount of issues however, they're fast and now a days, most new headunits take a while to load up their systems. An issue with the bespoke headunit is that, it doesn't shuffle music properly. It picks like 15 songs and shuffles between them ignoring the rest. No sat nav and a below average sound quality. If you can live with those things then honestly, just stick with the oem. Also, it depends on what phone you have. My iPhone sounds amazing through USB vs my friends phone that sounds okay over AUX and like crap over bluetooth

Right now I'm looking at an android headunit for the reason that I want the torque app running on it while I listen to music. Sound quality might not be great, but it has many cool features.


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I installed the Kenwood DDX917WS a couple weeks ago and I couldn't be happier. It has a lot of features, and Bluetooth is reliable. Plus it has Android auto so I can run Waze.

All bluetooth devices need to be paired before they will work together. Play around in the menu's are worst case read the manual. If the touch screen isn't responding at all then your unit may be broken. My headunit and phone reliably connect, and I stream music everyday. ID3 tags work as well. I have never had much luck with text messages on the headunit, but I'm not really concerned about that either.

The way most Bluetooth devices work like HUs is they only broadcast a pairing signal for a small amount of time, the trick is to start your phone searching for Bluetooth pairing signals right after you trigger it on the HU. It can be tricky but know timing is key to getting things to pair the first time.

@LudwigMiles, I had the same HU as you and rocked it for a while, didn't really have any issue with it with Bluetooth.

I did replace it eventually by buying the 2014 Scion Pioneer headunit because I wanted built-in GPS. They are fairly readily available on eBay, here and other sites, and it's a simple plug and play. The whole process took less than 20 minutes. I would recommend the 2014 over the 2013 because it seems less problematic.

See my Owner's Journal here.

My 2013 BRZ HU comes with built-in GPS.
I can see the map on the screen.
What GPS service does it use?