Pioneer AVH-X5500BHS 7-inch system

Hey guys, I'm looking into upgrading my head unit to a 7-inch DVD and motorized Pioneer AVH-X5500BHS.. It's pretty awesome for the price, and I don't need navigation. http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-AVH-X...rized-Touchscreen/dp/B00A02KOHM/ref=pd_cp_e_1

Was wondering if anyone had any thoughts, details, or comments regarding this unit.

Also would love to know what all I need here. I want to keep the stock clock, I want to use steerling wheel controls, and will possibly be hooking up my Android phone / Ipod touch to unit.

Thanks!

 

I just did mine and you asked me on my post to post pics, which I will. I have the JBL system so I had to get the JBL harness as well. Here is what you will need.

Taco Tunes
Dash and mounting kit.
Steering wheel control interface.
JBL Harness.

Amazon.com
Pioneer AVH-X5500BHS as low as $359.99
SiriusXM Sxv200V1 Satellite Radio

If you do the JBL harness, there is a potentiometer that needs to be turned up. I had no volume and all speakers were over driven and it sounded like total crap. I thought I was going to have to build a whole system. The installer at Best Buy found the potentiometer, he just didnt think of it a couple of days ago. I don't need another thing. This thing thumps and cranks better than factory.

Everyone says that the JBL system is crap. Not true. In fact it is one of the best factory high end systems out there. and this has been said by people who have some pretty powerful aftermarket systems. Just have to know how to tune it.

 

Hmm. Thanks for the update. I'll check out your post for more details and pictures. Yes I have the JBL system, I'll remember that tuning step to get optimal sound. What's the Taco Tunes?

 

Www.*********.com

 

I just had a pioneer AVH x8500 installed in my 2013 Tacoma and I have to say I am very dissappointed. The screen is VERY hard to see during the day and I have tinted windows....I took the truck back to where I had it installed and they disconnected the dimming wire, that helped a little, but it is still no where near the quality picutre my factory touch screen was. the screen at night looks great, but during the day it is terrible. Myself and the guy who installed it tried to adjust the picture ratios, but nothing seems to be helping. Has anyone else had this problem with this radio or any of the other Pioneer Double Din Radios as far as the screen during the day????? I think I am just going to have him put the Factory radio back in, it is that bad.

 

I will admit the screen is very hard to see especially the angle it is in the Tacoma. What dimmer wire is that u talked about.

 

Hey, I joined to just comment on this (I don't even own a truck). I have the Pioneer AVH X5500 and I have the same problem. I found this thread via google trying to see if anyone has figured out a solution. I too have tried all the picture adjustments that exist. At this point I'm considering returning my HU to Amazon because its horrible in the daytime.

I haven't undone the dimmer switch yet because I don't think that's my problem.

 

Even though the screen is hard to see in the day. I still feel it is the best you can do in a HU other than the factory. If you had entune then I would have never changed it out.

 

AZM9

The dimmer switch is the orange and white wire going into the back of the unit that dims the head unit when you turn on your headlights. I purchased the head unit for the appradio mode with arliberator....if you haven't seen arliberator yet, google it...pretty awesome, but the radio is totally useless during the day...going back on Saturday to have factory radio installed back....I'll be putting pioneer on ebay

 

I've tried the App Radio 2 with ARliberator and I hated it. Far to slow.

 

What brackets did they use? Stock metal ones or the ones that come with the install kit? The stock ones make the HU sit at a funny angle and you can not see the screen due to washout. I've seen quite a few people have 'screen' issues and its almost always one of two things.
1. They dimer is low or the brightness settings are low on the HU
2. The HU is sitting at a crappy angle and its causing wash out.

 

1. Verified this is not my problem.
2. I'm using aftermarket brackets and they too make the HU sit at a crappy angle.

Camry

 

The after market (Scosche) brackets do not make the HU sit at a funny angle. At least not for a Tacoma. Not sure about the Camery like you have pictured.

 

I have the X5500 and love it. I have not had any issues and it does exactly what I needed it to. I installed utilizing a

$63 ASWC1 Metra Axxess ASWC-1 Steering Wheel Control Interface

ASWC1 steering wheel interface. It works great, I have all functions of my steering wheel. I do admit that due to the location of the deck you do have wash out, it is the same with alpine and kenwood units I have seen in other tacomas. There is not a whole lot you can do to correct this. I would not go to a different brand just due to the wash out you experience. Get the deck that serves your needs the best. If you are not able to accept some level of blurring or washout then stay away from the touch screens.

 

Did you do the work yourself or did you take it somewhere to a shop?

 

Did all the work myself. not sure how to link it but I did "took the plunge" in this section. It covers my install. If you do a search it comes up.

 

+1 loving the unit. Sure there's some washout but I bought it for Sirius so as long as I can tell where the 1 2 3 buttons are I'm good. Like someone else said, if you're worried about washout, stay away from touchscreens or build a sun shade.

I installed mine myself with the help of some threads here. The hardest part was figuring out the ASWC but for your year they make it own special adapter for no tapping into the factory harness.

 

I'm going to build a sun shade for mine.

 

Put the same unit in myself and love it also. I had a kenwood in with the ASWC original model. All I needed to do was upgrade the firmware on the ASWC and it programmed itself to the pioneer.Mine has minimal washout but like others said the angle isn't optimal.Tried changing the angle through the units built in adjuster but didn't help.But I do like the HU and best I've had so far.

 

I bought some antiglare screen protectors that I'll cut to fit. I'll try those out and let you guys know how they do.