Aftermarket stereo

Hello TW.
I'm considering getting the Pioneer 8200nex to replace my stock one. Anyone have any experience with this in the 1st gen? Pics of how it looks like. How is the GPS when it's so low as compare to location of 2nd gen. I did a search but did not find much. Thanks in advance.

 

the problem with the location of the 1st Gen Tacoma/3rd Gen 4Runner is it is too low to be useful for watching during driving. It's even too low for a backup camera (although you can see it).

I use my phone for directions anyway since I don't have a touchscreen and it's right in my field of vision so I don't have to look away. My JVC has Bluetooth for taking calls.

 

I would tend to agree with frizzman here, except for one thing. Glare.

I tend to get quite a bit of glare on the screens on my newer vehicles ('17 4Runner, '14 Corolla) when the sun is at fairly low angles, which to me is more annoying than having to look slightly farther down to see it.

While the lower position may not be as good for being in your direct line of sight, it will surely be better hidden from glare. Ideally, you could angle the screen up slightly so it is facing you more directly, but I don't think you can do that with this deck.

 

put a standard single din stereo with bluetooth capabilities and find yourself a good sturdy phone stand and use your phone for media and maps.

 

Pioneer (and maybe Kenwood) make a motorized unit that can tilt upward for better viewing. https://www1.crutchfield.com/p_130X4800BS/Pioneer-AVH-X4800BS.html?tp=72406&avf=Y

 

I had a Pioneer a few years ago, it was totally fine. Recently, I upgraded to an Android head unit by Joying. So. Much. Better. And, the newer Intel Sofia-based ones are even better - ODBII via bluetooth works, and you can run all your apps right there on the head unit. GPS is great (there's a "remote" GPS receiver that you can hide higher up under your dash, or in the A-pillar). Also supports both front and rear cameras.

 

another thing to consider is Bluetooth operation... I have a single DIN Sony in my F150... either you make the call or you take the call and the stereo shifts it source from tuner/CD to Phone. When you are done it does not go back to the source that it was before the call, you have to push the source button until you get back to what you were listening to before the call... this is a real pain in the ass Sony.

 

While these are nice and on my consideration list, you still have to "look downward" at them if you want to follow. Taking your eyes off the road for this could be detrimental.

My HU automatically switches back after the phone disconnects. Is there an option in yours or was this one of the first BT units?

 

I just installed a

$319 pioneer AVH-x490bs double din bluetooth in-dash dvd/cd/am/fm car stereo receiver with 7" WVGA display/sirius xm-ready

pioneer AVH-x490bs. The screen tilts up in three positions making it very easy to view. The blue tooth is amazing. I also installed the micro bypass for the parking brake. Haven't installed the camera yet. That's the project for this weekend.

 

thanks for all the input. the 8200 can tilt up... but i missed the deal online already. brand new $515 shipped after rebate...it went quick.

 

On this topic I am simply looking at a small 180w bluetooth amp that takes auxiliary & pre-amp imputs.
I need the console space for a multi gauge engine monitoring panel by removing the cd/radio head I have there now. Priority!
The amp will go about anywhere (5" x 5" x 2") as my Android will provide most all of the imput. The bluetooth amp auto quiets for incoming calls.

It may be the way to go for me as I am not looking for a multi-media entertainment/communications system like you are all talking about.
Appreciate your opinion or a better suggestion than this:

http://www.cjponyparts.com/ken-harrison-bluetooth-amplifier-180-watts/p/AMP1/

 

you can honestly find a single DIN head unit with bluetooth and gain a pocket below the radio for even less than that BT adapter that needs to be wired in.

 

Frizzman,

Good point but I have already a single DIN stereo/cd player, which I am getting rid of. The motivating factor is my need for the space it is taking.
I have only room for two engine monitoring gauges and this, believe it or not, now don't laugh!






Surprisingly these ebay Chinese decoders/mini receivers are supercheap (not that this is the selling point).
The interface will provide FM Radio (connected to my oem antenna) with connections to USB, SD Memory Card, 3.5mm jack or bluetooth, all controlled manually or remotely.
I have watched enough youtube reviews of this device since yesterday to be convinced that it will work to my satisfaction.
Apart from its stupid lettering (which I will sand off) its quite small and perfect for little space I have in my console.
Connected to a simple power amp and I'm good.
I am not interested in superior quality audio just what I can get on the radio or from my Android phone.
I'm going to buy a handful of these and for now have some fun with it.

 

I have also been looking at the Pioneer Double-DINs, but also was rather turned off by how low the mount in the dash would be. So, I am thinking about one of these single-DINs with all of the features of the Pioneer Double-DINs, but I would mount it in the Top DIN spot, so the 7" touch-screen, when extended would go all the way up to the A/C vents. Anybody have one of these mounted in a 1st Gen? Many mfr's make them; I just picked the Jensen for the pic.

And, as an added plus, that would leave the lower single-DIN slot for mounting another device like in-dash CB Radio, a really cool pop-out cup holder, or just a storage pocket to put your phone in.

 

Quite honestly, I have to look "down" at the nav screen on my 4Runner. If you don't want to look down, the only option is a dash mounted gps/phone, and that blocks some of your view of the road (also bad).

I ended up Frankensteining a phone mount that attaches were there's an empty switch plate that's between the a'c outlets and the stupid clock you can't see form the driver seat. It's in just about the perfect location as a compromise between looking down and blocking my view. It's also closer to my body center line so I'm not looking as much to the side (center of vehicle) either. Only problem is that it mounts flat so the glare can get bad at certain angles. I want to get a ball mount to account for that...

 

Huh.....well there's an interesting idea!

 

That's why I use the phone mount too. I keep it to the right of my steering wheel and can see the road as well. quick glance 10° and that's it

 

Here is my cell phone mount, pictures are dark.
Google Maps has the best map software on the market and their map app on our cell phones can track your car without requiring pay-4-data. Not sure why someone would pay for that function in a special DIN head.

Here is my cell phone as attached to an old Garmin GPS device I used to rely upon for maps before my cell phone.
The pictures are regrettably dark but they show, at least for me, what has become an ideal spot for my phone





Lastly this foto shows from the viewpoint of driving

 

I installed this pioneer 2800 about a year ago and so far I've been pretty happy with but there are a few issues that I've run into. 1.) it's a pita at times when trying to connect to pandora.. most times you have to exit pandora on your phone and let it resync. 2.) the pioneer app is complete garbage and I would not recommend downloading that. 3.) the location of the radio for a backup camera/gps is a little low for my liking so I just use my phone for gps and I picked up a Pyle backup camera for $50 that I have yet to install.

 

Dude,
Nice truck.
What is that underneath, a CB?