Which Aftermarket CarPlay Radio did you go with?

I’m looking to replace the factory unit for one that has CarPlay.
I’m looking at the Sony ax5000 as my top pick so far. I would like a unit that matches the dash and blends in well.
Please post pictures of your install if you have them.
Thanks for your input.

 

I have a 2nd Gen, but I’ve got a Pioneer in my truck and I’ve been satisfied...

 

I had the Alpine iLX-107 in the old Subaru I had. It was installed when I purchased the car but I loved it. Wireless CarPlay was really awesome.

 

I just ordered a Kenwood DMX906S, UPS will be delivering it tomorrow. Unit reviews well and wireless Android Auto was a must. As to blending into the dash, I'm more concerned with the look of the trim. Both the Scoche and American International trims that seem to be the most common don't quite look right to me. I found a Metra trim that might look okay, but it's an additional two weeks out. If it doesn't look right I'll probably just design one that looks exactly how I want it to and have Shapeways print it.

 

I installed an Alpine ILX -207 with a Maestro adapter in my 2017. It worked great and looked factory installed. I put the stock head unit back in when I sold my 2017 for a 2020. I then reinstalled the Alpine in my daughters boyfriends 2000 Tacoma so it lives on doing its thing back in a Tacoma.

 

Stinger elev8

 

I’ve always gone with pioneer and never had issues. Plenty of functions and never breaks

 

How do you guys retain the stock units system settings when replacing the deck?

 

Maestro RR kit, retains most function. You'll lose the compass in the instrument panel however.

 

Do you also lose the turn-by-turn directions in the dash mini-display? What about the the music information in the dash mini-display?

 

Had a 4200NEX in my last two vehicles that I won't be transferring over. Reasons: resistive display, not bright enough in daylight, sometimes restarts. Going to do a ton of research and find something that is as perfect as possible: retains factory mic location, same size screen, wireless CarPlay, looks factory-ish, adapters over cutting, good resolution.

 

Wow, that looks really good. How is this Stinger treating you? I like the way they look in our 3rd gen. I’m just not quite sold on the brand. Does everything work properly as far as oem function? How is the quality and very importantly, how is the operating system? I am looking for a smooth and user friendly operating system.

 

What your saying here is exactly what I’m doing. I would want everything to be seem less with the factory stuff.

 

So I’ve been messing with this radio since before it came out for resale(I got a demo unit) and I love it. I’ve done a few installs and it’s smooth the operating system is great super easy to navigate. It has built in steering wheel controls so I did not have to buy a separate adapter, it also has optical out which was the main reason I got it. Also has four camera inputs(rear,front,left turn, right,turn) hdmi input,optional built in nav and if your fab savy you can flush mount it like I did and it looks dam near factory.

 

Also stinger is a great brand is owned by aamp of America they are huge in the 12v world. I know one of the head designers of this radio and he is a huge audiophile and actually cares about what he puts out in the market he has been a iasca(sounds quality competition) judge for years.

 

@forty2 That’s the bad boy I’ve been eyeing and think is the best bang for upgrading my aging aftermarket pioneer non carplay unit. I have an 08 and didn’t wanna break the bank but figure if I’m gonna tech her up and prob pay for install I might as well have some features that are nifty like wireless Apple carplay. Do u mind sharing where u bought it and good price and do u plan on having it installed. Also if u wouldn’t mind sharing your thoughts after u get it in. I wanted to take advantage of bestbuy free install but they don’t have this unit. @destin_meeks any way to get this through bestbuy or do they just not carry kenwood excelon line ? What would it cost to have them install a head unit that wasn’t available to be bought through them ?

 

Any of them do car play wirelessly. Having to plug in is anon starter for me and they bury that deep in the manuals.

 

Nope, Best Buy doesn’t carry the excelons unfortunately. Touch screen install is $100

 

It's funny, just the other day I posted in a thread somewhere that I didn't actually hate Entune as much as I expected to when I bought the truck, and I meant it. And yet, ever since I posted that all I can think about when I'm in the truck is: yeah, I am actually ready to replace the damn thing.

If you have time, I'd love to hear what you think about the unit; that's the one I've been looking at. All the reviews I've found have been very positive, and it seems to have everything I'm looking for. One thing I've always been hesitant about (with aftermarket in general, not this HU specifically) is the quality of the microphone. I take conference calls for work in my truck every so often, and the quality from the factory mic is pretty good; half the time folks don't even know I'm not at my desk. I know there are a few threads with various failed attempts to re-use the factory mic or replace it in the same location. I dunno, sooner or later Entune's navigation is going to push me to replace the unit no matter what, but I keep wishing I could retain the mic. Knowing audio quality isn't significantly downgraded will put my mind at ease a bit lol.

 

With harness adapters these days, installs are fairly easy with someone who knows how to get trim pieces off without damaging them. Now, I may have read we need to trim some metal tabs in the dash on the 3G?