Android Auto

Anyone have an android auto head unit? Do you like it? Works seamlessly with nav apps (google maps, waze)?
I currently have a pioneer touch screen that i want to upgrade soon i think.
I have been eyeing the pioneer nex 2300 but some kenwoods look nice too but im looking to spend under $400 most likely. Ill wire it in myself most likely.

Kind of a cross post from the audio section but zero responses in there.

 

I got the Kenwood Excelon DDX9903S on a killer cyber Monday deal last week. I installed it on Saturday. https://www.crutchfield.com/S-95SYs8uhyeJ/p_113DDX9903/Kenwood-Excelon-DDX9903S.html

So far, I'm very impressed. It's a capacitive touch screen double din unit meaning the screen is glass like your phone and not that squishy type of screen (resistive touch screen). The Android Auto function is very good so far. I run a Pixel device with 7.1.2 and it's working well. There are a fair amount of EQ and TA functions too but I'm running a dedicated sound processor so I won't be using those. You can also get an adapter that lets you keep the steering wheel controls and I can confirm it works with the Tacoma controls.

One reason I got this unit is because I have the OEM backup camera that resides in the tailgate with the screen in the rear view mirror. This means I don't rely on the headunit for camera display purposes. This headunit has not one but TWO inputs for cameras. Meaning, I'm in the process of hooking up a front view camera for spotting off road when I'm on REALLY steep climbs and can't see what's right in front of the truck. I'm going to put the second camera under the truck to check for clearance issues on rock gardens.

 

Good to know.
I already have an aftermarket rear view wired up so that will be a plug and play item, current steering wheel controls will just have to get re-wired but good to know there is compatibility. Some of these units may be flaky in that regard.

 

I should also mention that my standards are somewhat high. This is the last headunit I've purchased in 8 years. The reason is because I've been using an Android tablet as a headunit for a long time. I was doing this because the current headunits (at the time) didn't have enough functionality for me. I wanted a brilliant user interface and loads of features. I basically had to build it myself. Recently, my Nexus 9 tablet died due to a hardware failure so I finally went back to a traditional headunit. Android Auto has matured to a point where it works extremely well. I have it in my VW Golf R so I was ready to get it in the Tacoma.

 

Thats kind-of what ive been waiting for. Android auto working extremely well.
I just stumbled across the JBL unit and for the price it is very intriguing also.

Golf R you say... Ive been casually browsing for a new toy. For some reason i keep circling back to he 04 R32 though. Prob because i always wanted one when i had my BT 337.

 

Getting the DDX9903S installed this week with front/rear back up cams and Maestro harness, Excited!

 

Recently got an alpine ilx-207. Android auto is awesome. I like the ability to use waze on the head unit and voive commands for all sorts of things.

 

I'm thinking about that same HU. How's it working out for you? Any updates?

EDIT: Crutchfield doesn't carry it anymore. Apparently, there is a newer model...maybe Amazon has it.

UPDATE: Amazon has it for $445...the DDX9704S is $429 and the DDX9904S is $599.

From one Amazon review, here is the difference b/t 9904s and 9903s:

Question:
What is the difference between this and 9903s? It seems so close.
Answer:
There was a firmware update that needed to be implemented. Which already is taken care of. And HDMI has been removed, replaced with better capacitors to get the best sound. Awesome stereo.
By Nsist on November 17, 2017

And it looks like seller is willing to make a deal:

Question:
RCA output power?
Answer:
It has 5V output on the RCA. Since you initiated the question, I am authorized to offer you an aggressive price on this unit. Buy thru Amazon, full warranty. Text me at 512-750-8726 for the quote. Thanks!
By Custom Sounds and Tint Seller on June 6, 2018

 

@Geronimo1111 Mine is doing excellent. I too had to upgrade the firmware when the new one came out but it's dead simple to do. Well, I didn't HAVE to but I wanted to be on the latest since Android Auto is always updating. Mines been working so well.

 

Good to hear. It doesn't sound like a big difference b/t yours and the newer DDX9904S except for firmware update, better capacitors (I don't really know what that means) and removal of the HDMI port.

I wonder if your updating the firmware is the same as Kenwood doing a firmware update on their new unit...

Couple of quick questions:

Does yours have a capacitive screen?

Do you use the HDMI port for anything?

Thanks for the feedback...I think I'm pretty much narrowed down to the three Kenwood units above...just trying to hone in on the details...don't want to pay for stuff that I don't need...

 

I have the Android 8.0
Paid $320 and its blows away any kenwood, or pioneer. You can download any app like your phone can!!!!!

 

Yes, mine has the capacitive screen. It's wonderful. It's like the screen on your phone.
HDMI port is completely unused for me.

The better capacitors isn't anything you'll hear the difference in. Not even stopped in your truck with the engine off in the dead of night.

 

On my to buy list in the future. Always wanted to take advantage of the android auto setup in my truck

 

Just a quick update...I've been texting back and forth with the guy from Custom Sounds and Tint (referenced above). He has been helpful with pre-sales questions if anyone is interested.

I'll see if I can figure out a way to link a copy of our text transcript.

Update: Can't figure out how to link it...but if anyone wants a copy, hit me up...copied it to Word, saved as a pdf and when I go to save as a jpeg, png, etc...it wants to break it up into four pages...

Also a link to another related post on Tacoma World...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/replacing-my-nex-7100-suggestions.541492/#post-18132364

@airrage I read that they can be a little glitchy...No?

 

They use to be I had a 4.4 version. This 8.0 is perfect and fast

 

How is the sun glare? My stock screen is useless when the sun is shining directly on it (usually when I'm backing up making the backup camera useless)

 

Mine seems to do fine. You can actually set the angle of the screen (it's motorized) so it remembers where it is supposed to be. That helps a good bit.
PS: it has two camera inputs. I use #1 for a front camera and #2 is a rear diff camera. Really helps with offroading.

 

Have you used WAZE on it? Interested to know how that works...

 

no just Google maps but there is a video I think on youtube someone using Waze and Spotify the same time