Head unit recommendations

[denverroat]

I was wondering if anyone has any Head Unit recommendations, I heard the Idoing one is pretty impressive but wanted to explore other options as well. Would prefer it to be Plug and Play.

[blsfrs]

Originally Posted by denverroat

I was wondering if anyone has any Head Unit recommendations, I heard the Idoing one is pretty impressive but wanted to explore other options as well. Would prefer it to be Plug and Play.

Check the Crutchfield catalog. Tons of stuff with installation kits. I put a new unit in my 3rd gen 4Runner. The only downside is the radio reception is weak. Their service tech said it's a common problem with all aftermarket units.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by denverroat

I was wondering if anyone has any Head Unit recommendations, I heard the Idoing one is pretty impressive but wanted to explore other options as well. Would prefer it to be Plug and Play.

About 10 years ago I had a Kenwood DNX573S installed in my FRS. Yep, the Geek Squad installed it and I played it. It works real good.

That one is most likely obsolete, just as my 8-Track was, but I swapped it out because I could no longer buy 8-track tapes for it -

[ChibbMD]

I recently installed a Sony XAV-AX4000. $500. It has wireless Apple Car Play. I also like that it has regular buttons for volume. Honestly, it seems to respond better/faster than the fancier Pioneer in my truck which cost $800.

[Bonburner]

I'm quite happy with my seicane (cheap chinese android headunit).

I don't need to put gauges anywhere because Torque app shows it on the screen.
These headunits come with a real equalizer so the audio is actually really nice even without upgrading speakers.

[wheelhaus]

I was running a Pioneer DEH80PRS single din head unit that I loved because of its really high sound quality with a full audio system. After having that head unit for 10+ years through a few different cars, I finally decided to go with a newer HD wireless Carplay head unit and went with a Kenwood DMX958XR. Love it. Sound quality is fantabulicious and the HD screen is nice and responsive.

[Clipdat]

Do you miss not having a physical knob for volume adjustments?

[Bobharp]

What's your budget? Do you really want to listen to music? This is not the car for that unless you want to sound deaden. That said, I've been incredibly frustrated with my 2020 HU. Constant disconnect for my connected phone, randomly won't play audio over AA but will over bluetooth, some random AA functional playback issues that don't happen with my other vehicle, poor screen contrast, etc.. Been eying an Alpine with two USB inputs like the iLX-507 with an Idatalink interface. That way I can link up to my OBDII and get some extra gauge visuals. Have not pulled the trigger yet. Expensive and a bit worried about esthetics. As noted by blsfrs above, check out the Crutchfield site.

[Griever423]

I would stay away from any of the Chinese Android style head units. They look glamorous but are not reliable and are lower build quality.

Kenwood is my personal favorite but the SOny head unit someone above mentioned is also quality. Like others have asked what is your budget? What features are you wanting?

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by wheelhaus

I was running a Pioneer DEH80PRS single din head unit that I loved because of its really high sound quality with a full audio system. After having that head unit for 10+ years through a few different cars, I finally decided to go with a newer HD wireless Carplay head unit and went with a Kenwood DMX958XR. Love it. Sound quality is fantabulicious and the HD screen is nice and responsive.

still have the 80prs? they're commanding crazy prices these days... almost $400 in some cases. which is still hilarious to me considering my 2 80prs' were picked up for $180/each...


i love my 80prs. i'm still searching for a unit that's as complete and functional. i don't need the full active portion so much, and the 1-global eq sucks, but the massive volume knob, and easy forward/reverse track controls don't exist in anything else so far...

[FR-S2GT86]

Originally Posted by soundman98

still have the 80prs? they're commanding crazy prices these days... almost $400 in some cases. which is still hilarious to me considering my 2 80prs' were picked up for $180/each...


i love my 80prs. i'm still searching for a unit that's as complete and functional. i don't need the full active portion so much, and the 1-global eq sucks, but the massive volume knob, and easy forward/reverse track controls don't exist in anything else so far...

You think THAT head unit is expensive?

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by FR-S2GT86

You think THAT head unit is expensive?

Attachment 220284

i've been eyeing the non anniversary editions of those, as the japan-spec models are floating around $200-300.

[Bonburner]

Originally Posted by Griever423

I would stay away from any of the Chinese Android style head units. They look glamorous but are not reliable and are lower build quality.

Kenwood is my personal favorite but the SOny head unit someone above mentioned is also quality. Like others have asked what is your budget? What features are you wanting?

I agree on the lower build quality, but I don't feel its such a lower build quality that it's a detriment or that it falls apart. This is a budget primarily plastic car to begin with.
I've had to use the reset button on my head unit about once every 3+ months?
Something in the unit glitches and it freezes. It most often happens when I'm shifting into reverse, I'm guessing the sudden electrical signal causing a hiccup or something else happening.
I really don't know, it's so infrequent that I don't remember what seems to have triggered them.

I've had mine for 5.5 years and it's going strong.

[alex87f]

I’m quite happy with my Sony XAV-AX100. I prefer the head unit being a name brand, it runs CarPlay, looks decent and has been perfectly reliable.

You do need a few adapters though (fascia, wiring and USB port), and I find the absence of OBD2 monitoring app from the CarPlay platform infuriating.