[HELP] AppRadio 3 vs Nexus 7 Head Unit

[ToyoburuBRZ]

I am looking to change my HU in my BRZ. The main purpose of this is so that I can run an OBDII app whether it be Torque or Dash Command. I don't want to have a mount for a tablet or phone, I want the interior to remain nice and clean.

On top of the ability to run an OBDII app, I would like to keep as many of the current functions that I have with the stock HU as possible. GPS navigation, hand free calling, bluetooth or direct connection to my iPhone for music, and radio would be nice as well.

In terms of installation, I am still not 100% sure what is involved with a tablet install as I can't seem to find any sort of DIY for it. I am hoping it is something I would be able to do over a weekend. I am fairly skilled with electrical work as I designed and built the wire harness for an FSAE car. I just want to ensure I am not taking on too much with a tablet install when I may be able to get the same functionality with just a HU swap.

Finally budget. I don't want to be spending a large amount of money. I already know that since I have an iPhone I have to buy an expensive bluetooth OBDII reader if I go with AppRadio. I think I can get a cheap one if I go with an android tablet (correct me if I am wrong).

Anyways I am looking for some advice hopefully from a few people who have tablets and a few who have AppRadio. If anyone else contemplated this and made a decision I would love to here from you as well. If you have any other suggestions to I am open to them.

Thanks in advance!

[cfusionpm]

This should give you a good idea of the capabilities of the AppRadio 3

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGd15XCmD54"]2013 Pioneer AppRadio 3 SPH-DA210 With Android Samsung Galaxy S4 Review & Features Demo - YouTube[/ame]

[Prog]

If you buy a 16 GB Nexus 7 (2013) on sale right now for about $190, expect to spend about $350-400 total if you already have tools. You will have to carefully plan out the components and be willing to not have any form of radio from the head unit.

[brzninja]

I just bought a 32GB nexus 7 (1st gen) for $114 from Newegg Man. refurbished. Going to install it during the holiday break and write a nice tutorial on here when I'm finished for anyone else who would like to do it. I know there was another user (name escapes me) who has a wonderful write up and videos on the nexus 7.

[ToyoburuBRZ]

Originally Posted by brzninja

I just bought a 32GB nexus 7 (1st gen) for $114 from Newegg Man. refurbished. Going to install it during the holiday break and write a nice tutorial on here when I'm finished for anyone else who would like to do it. I know there was another user (name escapes me) who has a wonderful write up and videos on the nexus 7.

I look forward to the write up!

[pixel67]

I would go the appradio 3 route as it seems to be a more worry free configuration. I currently have the nexus 7 mounted in front of the stock unit and while it is nice to have that functionality at my fingertips, it still sits in front of the volume and radio station selectors.

[strmshadow84]

Don't go with appradio 3 go with either the pioneer avh8500 (i think 5500 also works) or the asteroid parrot. Appradio 3 doesn't work with arliberator yet (they could have it working now???), and the 8500/5500 does. With the parrot asteroid you would have to root it but it all you would have to download on it is torque.