Hooking up the idatalink maestro RR

Problem solved. Hooked up the rear camera as described in the video above, and it works beautifully. The parking brake signal is just a ground. To bypass, splice it in with the black ground lead from the radio, and you're all set.

 

I just had mine installed. And now I’m going through the configuration on my Kenwood DNX996XR, and was wondering what everyone is using for the gauges? I get a P1 & P2 with a large center and 4 smaller.

 

Transmission Temp. is an absolute must. The throttle position is kinda wonky. Go & play with ‘em a little. Find out what suits you.

 

Thanks, I’m playing with them trying to find some good combinations. Trans temp is one I would have probably not checked, but now I will.

Thanks,

 

The most useful imo = engine+transmission+intake temps and distance to empty.
I like to see the avg+instantaneous mpg (although arguably useful).

 

I thought I would report on my experience installing the Maestro RR +

$749 Kenwood DNR476S KENWOOD DNR-476S 6.8" Car Stereo, Garmin Navigation Built in, Inrix Traffic Service, CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, (Does Not Play DVD's)

Kenwood DNR476S stereo...

I replaced the Entune system with navigation.

Upon installation, the rearview camera did not appear on the screen. This was solved by iDataLink customer support; they uploaded a custom flash to my account and told me to connect the yellow/black wire from the maestro harness to the black wire on the OEM reverse camera harness (the yellow/black wire replaced the blue/yellow wire from the original instructions).

Lesson: Don't spend a lot of time trying to solve this problem via google. Just call customer service (idatalink's CS keeps business hours, though).

Overall, I feel underwhelmed by the whole setup when I factor in the cost and the huge amount of time spent installing. The OEM system on my 2019 Hyundai Veloster is superior in all ways but 2: the native nav is not Garmin based and no OBD2 data. The Hyundai system really spoiled me and motivated me to change out the aggravating Entune factory system.


My gripes (in no particular order):
1) The HU is not controlled by voice commands. This is really galling in light of the fact that I had to install the mic that came with the HU.
The only way to enter a destination into the Nav is manually.

2) The swiping functionality on the touchscreen doesn't work like 90% of the time.

3) The widgets are worthless.

4) Radio: The radio can only store 15 preset FM stations.

5) The overall user interface is disappointing - it is dated, non-intuitive, extremely limited in its customizability.

6) SLOW. It takes a really long time for the OS to boot once the key is turned. Once the system finally boots, it take a long time for Apple Carplay to initialize. It takes forever to switch from radio to bluetooth streaming. (#1 most annoying)

7) Getting the stereo into position without the interference of the tangled mass of wires took many hours of experimentation. Solution involved lots of velcro stickers + velcro cable ties + daisy chained zip ties + removing tape from the factory + Maestro harnesses, extracting pins/wires from connectors. None of the directions from Kenwood, iDatalink, Crutchfield, Metra offered any guidance on this - the most difficult part of the install by far.

8) Spent a whole day soldering and crimping to create the full kenwood + maestro harness. I really burns me up that the maestro wiring kit came with an amp adapter wiring harness from which I had cut off the RCA wires to solder onto the main T01 harness from the same kit.

9) The HU STILL isn't quite centered.

10) Maestro only allows 2 screens of gauges. Why not let me have enough screens to see all available gauges?

11) Forced to choose the functionality of the steering wheel controls when flashing the Maestro - with no description of how the choices affect behavior in actual usage.

12) The factory USB (if you get metra usb port cable recommended by Crutchfield) does not work with Carplay. It is impossible to find a quality usb that fits in the center switch hole.

13) No more aux.

 

https://maestro.idatalink.com/accessories/category/product_id/961/project/rr

I've had good luck with the maestro usb adapter. Two of the main issues with wired CarPlay not working are
1. Non Oem/Apple Charging Cable
2. Charging Cable is too long

 

Crutchfield says that item is not compatible with my vehicle. It also says, "The iDatalink Maestro ACC-USB2 is not compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto."

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_794ACCUSB2/iDatalink-USB2-Adapter.html

The point is moot anyway since I gutted my factory USB/AUX switch to insert a USB extension.

 

Does anyone know if a Pioneer NEX head-unit will need a dash kit or can it just be fit into the double DIN slot where the entune unit went on a 2015?? I'd like to maintain the factory trim around the radio.. scosche is the only one with a decent gloss black

 

You will need a dash kit. The kit I used is a matte black, but the main reason I went for it is that it is the only kit I found that has real metal brackets. Every other kit MFR I found had brackets made of flimsy plastic.

https://www.scosche.com/2012-toyota-tacoma-double-din-and-din-with-pocket-in-dash-install-kit

 

for what it's worth I installed a Pioneer NEX (can't remember the model) and yes, you do need a dash kit like mentioned above, but for my truck stock brackets worked and is very secure. I just threw the plastic brackets that came with the dash kit away. On a side note, they sent me two left brackets, and while waiting for them to send me a right bracket, I went ahead with the install and discovered the stock metal brackets were fine. In the end, the dash kit is there, connected by it's clips, but doesn't actually touch the head unit or connect to it in any way.

 

dash kit is a must!

 

Thank man! Yeah after some extensive research I found that i'll definitely need one because I am going with the Pioneer DMH-C5500NEX 8" display. Unfortunately, Metra is the only one that makes a kit for that head-unit

 

Is this the one you used to fit that head unit?
http://www.metraonline.com/files/products/99-8235_PRODUCT_SHEET.pdf
also curious about how Apple CarPlay works on this unit. it says wired in the listed features does this mean you have to actually plug the phone in for CarPlay to work?

 

I found what I was looking for and finally found the head unit that meets my wants thanks man! Pic is the DMH-C5500NEX installed (not my truck)

 

How has this stereo worked for u? Have u been using it for awhile ??? Reliable?

 

I just installed mine about two weeks ago and I’m loving it

 

I have had two professionally installed, first one after two days the screen became unresponsive but powered on and was replaced under warranty, the second one stoped working after a day. Screen stayed black and unresponsive but unit had power. Now waiting for a third to arrive under warranty and be installed. All were bench tested with the same result.
Glad to here yours is problem free as I was getting a lil discouraged, love it when it worked!

 

Glad to see your Pioneer C5500NEX installed with the Metra dash kit and the 2TPAM.

I've also got a 2TPAM and was thinking about a pioneer 5500NEX and that same Metra dash kit - how did the 2TPAM mount up to the dash kit? Did you have to do anything custom or wonky to get the geometry to work?

 

@Anderson