Alpine ILX-107 Headunit

I just installed the Alpine's ILX-107 couple days ago, and I can't express enough how happy I am with it. I recently bought a 2017 Tacoma TRD PRO, and the headunit wasn't bad. It sure was better than the crappy stock Subaru one I had. At the end of the day, I wanted Apple Carplay, and that was my main reason for pursuing an aftermarket headunit. I had Pioneer 4000 NEX in my previous car, and had little to complain about, so I was looking into getting the newer 4200 NEX and Alpine ILX-107. After much debate, I decided to go with the alpine as it offered wireless carplay, capacitive touchscreen, and such. I'm very impressed at how fast it loads and how responsive everything is. Definitely would recommend it to those looking for something with carplay.

Alpine ILX-107
Pros
-fast and responsive interface
-only headunit with wireless carplay
-clean and simple to use
-capacitive touch
Cons
-no android auto available
-lacks features like: CD Player, satellite radio, etc
-expensive at $700

Pioneer 4200NEX
Pros
-more features: CD player, satellite radio
-android auto and carplay available
-$700 msrp but can get cheaper on Amazon ($500)
Cons
-slower interface, longer boot time, laggy at times
-resistive touch

Here's a link to what the ILX interface looks like. I made a short video
https://youtu.be/WAFBs4518f0

 

I install professionally and don’t think that the 2 can be compared. If we are talking features ( like hdmi dual usb etc and eq ) the 4201 offers so much more. If we are talking about screen then the alpine is def the better to go with. You have to spend more than the 107 price and jump to the 8201 to get that capacitive screen ( even though you get a lot more that you might not be using ). Plus with the pioneers ( the models to mention ) you get a camera included. Good for people that don’t have 1. Alpine has been great for years but over priced and behind on the Bluetooth ( yes I know the 107 does not have it ) but solid. I would love to have a features of the 207 but wireless. That would be great for me. It’s only a matter of time until the other manufactures get the wireless going. It’s going to to be awesome. Congrats on the 107!!!... SEXY unit!!!

 

I completely agree that the pioneer has more features. I just couldn't list all off the top of my head. Majority of the new car owners don't need a backup camera (in my thought process), and with me using it mainly for carplay, Alpine's carplay is less glitchy and faster loading than pioneer. If you love features, pioneer is way to go. If its just simplicity and carplay, the alpine is the way to go.

 

Totally agree with the simplicity of the unit as mentioned earlier. Even the original alpine Ilx-007 I found it was a great unit for what it was. More and more the people don’t care about hard nav ( they will use their phones maps ) dvd/cd sat etc. CarPlay and Android auto is totally where it’s going and that 107 is awesome. People that have the 4201 or 8201 wont use the majority of the features. Either they think they will or have to have the best to say it. I will say the new pioneers ( mvh, avh 1330,2330 and 3300 ) are fast and very very good units on a budget. But I just literally installed 3 of the 107s yesterday and I love them more and more. The future is going to be wireless and that great

 

I've been looking at that headunit. I like that you can get the addon to control all your accessories. I've only been hesitant because like jmk said it shouldn't be long before other manufactures follow suit with the wireless CarPlay. Anyhow, I'll prob wait until a more equiped until comes out with the wireless or we see a price drop, sale, on the 107.

Also I'm used to using waze now for navigation. Did you use the native apple navigation before? Or did you switch after getting the CarPlay? Any thoughts on it?

 

Thinking of upgrading my head unit and not familiar with CarPlay. If I have TomTom nav app on my iPhone. Will the 107’s CarPlay show/use the app and all misc apps or is it restricted to certain apps? Thx

 

Right now it will only use the native iPhone maps app. It is possible in he future it will also use google maps or waze but not yet and no guarantee they will allow it in the future. Also, seeing google's track record with vigorously controlling where their apps are used, there isn't much hope for google apps to be enabled on CarPlay.

 

How does it sound? Do you have stock speakers or did you upgrade them with kickers or anything?

 

Assuming your truck has a factory backup camera, could you have connected the factory camera to the new head unit?

 

Yes to integrating the factory backup camera

 

Two more questions for you - Does the back up camera kick on when you shift into reverse? And Did you purchase the addon connector to get the steering wheel controls / tire pressure / etc working?

 

does the apple maps app pull gps data from your phone or do you still need a gps antenna installed? Thinking of buying this week!

 

It does have a gps antenna but that’s only for backup. It does your data
Not much but does

 

I just ditched my AVH-4200NEX in favor of the iLX-107. Sure the Pioneer has quite a lot more features, but the software was SOOOOO crappy. 1. Back up camera was crappy and grainy. Alpine is far better. 2. Who uses CDs anymore with FLAK or ALAC? 3. I had two 4200 units with bad USB ports and constant cutting out when using CarPlay. 4. The iLX doesn't really need Bluetooth or Sirius Radio if you are a CarPlay user as everything runs through the phone. I actually like the SiriusXM App better than the tuner. However, the iLX has to be a Apple CarPlay user and a heavy one at that to really enjoy it. If you are an Android Auto its not the deck for you. I agree, if the 207 had Wireless CarPlay, I would have likely purchased that one.

 

So I know this is the head unit that I want, I had CarPlay in my previous vehicle & used it strictly. Are you guys installing this unit yourselves or taking it to a shop? I’m going to purchase off of Crutchfield & get all the extras to keep the steering control & factory menus but I’m worried about the install. I don’t know how to do all that but it seems pretty plug & play, if it is I’d be up to give it a shot. The radio seems to pull out easily enough. OP (or anyone) did you purchase from Crutchfield & install it yourself?

 

I ended up installing myself. I purchased the custom wired harness that crutchfield offers for 29$ so incredibly worth it. Took a couple hours to do properly. It was super easy to do. Sounds great!

 

Besides all the details above, I did purchase mine at Crutchfield and installed it myself. I however used a iDataLink Maestro to retain the backup camera and steering wheel controls. I did install this myself as it is easy.

 

In the checkout on Crutchfield it states that you need a windows PC to format the idatalink interface...shit I only have a Mac. Looks like I have to take it somewhere.

 

I have the 3rd gen as well. You said you bought a $29 kit. I’m looking at all of this which they recommend on the site, did you get something different? Do you have the steering wheel control & backup cam still?

 

If you are buying the iDataLink with Toyota Harness (Mine was T01, not sure if the 3rd Gen uses the T01 or T02 harness), that $29 adapter paradox4286 used
is not needed as it exists inside the iDataLink Harness. The antenna adapter and USB adapter are good as well as the dash kit.