Halo11 / ILX-511 experience.

I am considering swapping out the stock JBL head on my 17 Limited to get wireless Android Auto, and the newer Halo11 is looking pretty attractive.

Has anyone been living with this stereo in their Taco for a bit and want to comment on the experience? Too big? Buggy? Bad interface?

It's a lot of dough, but I think I would appreciate being able to use proper maps and apps without having to look down at my phone while driving.

 

I've had the iLX-507 for a couple of months now. Same exact interface as the 509 & 511, just in a DDIN 7" screen form factor. I've been really happy with it but then again my prev HU was a CDA-9835 that was 15 yrs old, didn't even have bluetooth.

The 507 even sounds so much better. Running a

$280 KTP-445A Head Unit Power Pack

KTP-445A power pack, Infinity Kappa components in the front, Kappa co-ax in the rear, & a

$265 PWE-S8 120W Compact Powered 8" Car Subwoofer for Under or Behind The Seat

PWE-S8 compact sub.

So nice not having to touch my phone anymore while driving. I have ran into a couple of bugs but not a big deal to me. Wireless Carplay/Android Auto is nice. I don't use AA much except on longer drives but one bug is when connected to AA wirelessly, there's sometimes a lag or sometimes freezes when skipping songs. The HU doesn't actually freeze, if I pause & unpause it will catch up. But then again I've got an old Note8, rooted, had to flash a newer ROM for wireless AA, & not sure if it's the Samsung Music player either. I don't use Apple products so no idea if it happens with Carplay, I suspect no. Doesn't do this when using just Bluetooth for music. I think it's just my old ass phone.Maps run fine wirelessly, both Waze & Google Maps. Voice assistant works well. No issues with phone calls.

All the settings are easy to navigate compared to my old HU, was playing a lot with audio settings for the 1st few weeks. I'm running a custom programmed Micro Bypass to access settings anytime. I hate push button volume control so I bought the RUX-H02 volume knob (also controls sub volume), so much better. Sucks that it doesn't auto connect though. Have to wake it up everytime before the HU turns on but not a big deal, I'm used to it now. They don't come with a remote but my old remote worked with it, not all the remote buttons though, volume, directional pad, mute, that's all I care about, so I bought a new genuine RUE-4202 remote for it.

If I had to do it over I'd would buy it again.

...snip

 

Been running the ILX-309 for almost three years now, you will have to add a inline amp if you plan on swapping the speakers out, the head unit alone will not be able to power all speakers, its a common tacoma issue. I added a inline mono 500W alpine under the seat and it sounds amazing. there is still alpine support for firmware updates and what not for the 409, and other models of the alpine halo . as for the 309, there is no further support for firmware and whatnot. I have mine set to read the OBD reader, so you can get real time stats, ( tire pressure, door ajar, camera rear front on/off, various temps). it isnt a bad way to go and they are nice for using the large screen for navigation and full integration with android and Iphones.

 

Wouldn't it tie into the factory JBL amp?

 

I did not have a factory inline amp. I just bought the standard OR model, tech package, no other upgrades. but upgrading the speakers and adding the amp kicks the OEM upgraded speaker system IMO.

 

Gotcha. Thanks for the info.

What do you think about the 9" screen? Too big? Could be bigger?

It looks like the 511 reduces the bezel so it doesn't take up a lot more space, but I haven't seen one in place to see if it's going to be covering up vents.

The 507 that zero4 is showing looks like a viable alternative, and probably about the same size screen the JBL has to start with. I just figured I'd regret not getting the bigger screen if I'm going to do the upgrade.

 

I think its perfect, I have the 11 inch screen its a little big but like I said if you do alot of Nav stuff, it works well, it is a little bright at night, I need to adjust it to auto. I dig it , its a great upgrade and you won't be disappointed.

 

Ah, ok. Sorry about that. You listed the 309, so I figured you were talking about the 9".

Thanks for the input.

@zero4 , Do you have cameras in your 507? I know Alpine wants you to use their own camera systems, but I've already got the factory rear and an aftermarket front via an anytime camera module.

 

I have a 1st gen so no factory camera or idatalink stuff. I haven't hooked up any cameras yet, on my to do list. The vendor I bought from did include a wireless charging pad & back up cam for free. I'm not gonna use that back up cam though cause it's a license pate mount one.

From what I read you don't have to use Alpine cameras, maybe for the front/dash cam but I haven't researched that. The harness also has connections for universal camera. From what I remember you have to add a ground to the RCA on Alpines if you do have issues with whatever camera you are using.

 

I sell them and the ilx-509 looks good in the dash of a Tacoma the unit itself works great make sure when you get it that it is updated to the 2.0.0 software though aside from that spend the money and get a idatalink maestro harness it will retain all your factory options and controls functioning

 

It looks like the 509 might "fit" better than the 511.

 

Been a minute since your post on the Alpine...Im curious on how good the Alpine handheld remote worked for you?
I see it did at least work, but can you expand on if it allows radio presets scroll, usb file next track, etc?
Im looking at the ilx507 and its the little bro to your HU. Like yours, no SWC, so Id rely on the HHRemote. [Im an old-dude and really wary of eyeballs on the screen]

 

crickets...?

 

I was out of town....

I have the iLX-507. The RUE-4202 is the one I settled with. It's shape & feel is is the same as my previous Alpine HU remote (RUE-4187, which also worked with the iLX-507). Has the same hump & battery compartment bulge on the back which I actually find comfortable. I originally purchased a RUE-4360 but had issues with it. When the remote got cold it would stop working & it wasn't battery. Most of the buttons didn't work anyway & I couldn't get used to the size & layout. Thought I would like the smaller size but I didn't. With the RUE-4202 I've already got muscle memory for it because of my prev remote. But I don't use the remote much anyway, I could live without it. But the RUX-H02 volume knob I have to have.

I don't play audio from USB but I'm sure the remote will work for track fwd/rev as well as FF/rewind. It works fine with bluetooth & AA. For radio presets it's kind of counter intuitive. The radio presets are listed vertically, going down is obviously the next preset. On the remote you have to press up to advance to the next preset which is going down on list & press down to go back up. Makes sense but that's not what your eyes expect to see while looking at it.

 

@zero4- thx a mil.
Been on fence about the ilx507 b/c just bot a Tundra Gen1 [Tacoma wasnt up to towing new boat] and bigger cab means longer reach for button bar. Handheld Remote is what i used in my Gen1 Tacoma for years w/a SglDIN Alpine and it operated everything [even Tone, Fade, Source, etc]....but my priority is Vol, Mute, Presets or Tracks...dont really need any else.
Heard fr/a handful of reviewers [Crutch, audio forums, etc] that the Alpine recommended RUE-4360 does nothing other than volume. Search by "ilx-5xx" brought me to TacomaWorld.
Glad I got the info direct fr/an "ilx-5xx" user; even my call to Alpine corporate support somewhere back east, said the 4360 works all functions. When I mentioned the half dozen users de-rating Alpine specifically b/c the recommended remote 'was almost useless' the Alpine guy got almost confrontational. [wow, 'soup-Nazi' fr/Seinfeld...ha-ha]
I beieve Alpine once had [apparently discontinued] a downloadable App for cells that might have done even more than the IR Remotes...too bad.

Thx again.
'@Ziffel'

 

Follow-up Q on ilx-5xx Alpine series:
Ilx-507 manual states..
"HDMI Input/Output: The Alpine iLX-507 is outfitted with a full-size, rear-panel HDMI input for an all digital audio and video connection to an optional DVD player or mobile device. The full-size, rear-panel HDMI output allows you to enjoy the unit's HDMI input audio/video signal on an optional rear view entertainment system (such as an overhead or headrest monitor). The HDMI input and output support up 480p and 720p video."
Does this HDMI mode also allow a cellphone ['mobile device'] to be mirrored as a 'wired-connection' ?

 

I have a wireless display adapter connected to mine & can screen mirror my phone to it. I use a USB switch to cut power to it when not in use which is pretty much all the time. I just installed it for the heck of it, I never use it.

 

Ok, looks like a USB dongle w/xtra benefits?
not sure I follow what the dakotadigital pic is about...