Easy carplay solution?

[alex87f]

Hey guys,

I have a 2013 GT-86 with the stock Toyota TAS300 radio unit, and am looking for a replacement that would include Carplay functionality.

Anything else is pretty much secondary, as the radio will be on Carplay 99% of the time it's on. However, I do have a couple of extra criteria:

-Carplay (as mentioned), in a plug & play form, i.e. not having to launch it via some third party app on the radio. I want a "set & forget" type of experience where I can just connect my lightning cable when I get in the car, and have carplay pop-up on the screen
-Rear-facing USB in order to re-use the stock USB port in front of the gear lever
-max. 250€ (or about as many USD)

The Sony XAV-AX100 seemed a great solution, but they aren't available anymore and were replaced by a new unit without rear USB.

I'm sure I'm not the first one to have these search criteria, so what did you guys end up buying?

[Hurricane Nate]

Way back in the day (2013?) I replaced my Impreza head unit with a Pioneer AVH4000NEX, which did exactly what you are looking for. Unfortunately the Pioneer units are a bit pricier than you are looking for, unless you go used.

You might look into the current iteration of BRZ head units, as my 2020 BRZ works exactly like you want, I plug in the lightning cable and CarPlay goes, no further input from me required.

[alex87f]

Thanks! Yeah those HUs are not cheap indeed.

I also looked at the 19-20 Toyota HU (codename OM2086DA - PT296-18190-20), which would be fantastic (Carplay, 200mm wide, OEM, etc.), but they're $800+

So far, the Pioneer SPH-da160dab seems to tick all the boxes, while being only 280€ as we speak. It just lacks a physical volume knob. Am I nitpicking? Maybe.

[Hurricane Nate]

Originally Posted by alex87f

Thanks! Yeah those HUs are not cheap indeed.

I also looked at the 19-20 Toyota HU (codename OM2086DA - PT296-18190-20), which would be fantastic (Carplay, 200mm wide, OEM, etc.), but they're $800+

So far, the Pioneer SPH-da160dab seems to tick all the boxes, while being only 280€ as we speak. It just lacks a physical volume knob. Am I nitpicking? Maybe.

That unit looks nice IMO. If I was to replace mine, that's probably what I'd go with. There weren't many CarPlay stereos for good prices back when I did it.

If you want to keep the steering wheel controls, don't forget to get something like the Metra ASWC adapter.

[MX-5RACER]

I have had decent luck with my Atoto A6 in my BRZ. I got the CarPlay add on and hooked it up to the factory USB port in the car. As long as you keep the app open, it will automatically connect every time you plug your phone in.

[alex87f]

I ended up getting a used XAV-AX100 from Sony for about 150 bucks with a set of ISO -> Toyota adapters thrown in. Put it in yesterday and it works just fine.

Now waiting for the Subaru Escutcheon bits, and the adapter for the stock USB port, both of which probably won't get here before next year.

[Sasquachulator]

Originally Posted by alex87f

Thanks! Yeah those HUs are not cheap indeed.

I also looked at the 19-20 Toyota HU (codename OM2086DA - PT296-18190-20), which would be fantastic (Carplay, 200mm wide, OEM, etc.), but they're $800+

So far, the Pioneer SPH-da160dab seems to tick all the boxes, while being only 280€ as we speak. It just lacks a physical volume knob. Am I nitpicking? Maybe.

physical volume knob isnt a big deal. My HU (stock 2020 OEM) has physical buttons and they work fine (I also have steering wheel controls for it as well).
It helps that they're arent tiny slit sized buttons too.

As long as its not a touch slider...cuz that could get very annoying depending on function. My old Honda Fit volume control was only via touch slider (and steering wheel control) and it was semi laggy so it was annoying to adjust volume with it.
my current HU uses a touch slider to scroll through the alphabet....and it is quite a pain in the butt to get to a specific letter for a song or artist name......(theres other quirks with this HU that pisses me off but i wont get into that)

As for HU itself, i always thought i'd end up swapping out for something made by Pioneer since that seems to be the only ones around nowadays that you can go to an electronics store to check out.