iLX-F309...CarPlay and everything else...

Doing the lord's work.

 

Did you get a discount for buying the install accessories without the stereo with them?

 

Nope, full price was about $215.

I'm taking my time researching all the install steps before I jump in. Never used idatalink, but it seems pretty straight forward.

 

That's pretty sweet, if I wasn't gunning for wireless android auto, I'd have jumped on this one. Can't wait to see pictures/videos of people's installs of this HU.

 

Yup wireless android auto is supposedly coming the end of the year. I'd love to have that, but wasn't a deal breaker, considering a wired connection will always be better.

 

So exited to hear how it looks!

 

This is a great head unit from just the reading up on it I did, tho one thing I don’t like is that it’s “too universal”, the protruding screen looks like an iPad mini using a magnetic mount. I’d be 100% sold if it were flush..I know because of certain dash angles, they can’t just create one for every make, model and year. Back in the day a single DIN was a thin headunit that wasn’t touchscreen so if it pointed up a few degrees, no one cared, the few buttons were all mechanical. Now with bigger touch screens, the wrong angle causes poorer visibility (I.e the screen will appear darker if not viewed orthogonal to the eyes or at least fairly close) plus with our trucks fixed seat height, another variable thrown in is your height...and you can’t change that nor your seat height to compensate. Small details that can change everything so in a way, I don’t blame alpine. They did great compared to Entune, but I am actually content with my Entune, I don’t think it’s as bad as some say, however, I only use it for music and it gets the job done when paired with my phone. I guess I tend to rely more on my phones apps (I.e. Waze, sigalert, YouTube or pandora)...I go between both devices.

 

This comment alone has me sold. Lol

 

Great, something else I have to buy, haha. Looking forward to seeing some reviews. The Entune is almost completely worthless in my opinion.

 

Almost? Lol. The thing is useless.
I only use it with pandora. And now days any HU can do that. The worst is the navigation. Can’t find places that have been there for a good 20 years, took me to the wrong destination a few times. The app keeps logging me out every few days. And that’s only a few.

 

I have the same issues with the maps, & it won't update when I take a path that I know is quicker. I only use it for Bluetooth connection now, which has a 3 second delay, which my wife hates.

So little customization, I want to go office space on this thing, haha.

 

I agree, Entune nav is pointless.

The only thing I like about Entune is the weather radar display

 

Been checking this thread daily like it’s a MESO product drop lol.
I’m also considering the Halo9 and am interested to see your thoughts on install and functionality. (Also, really curious where the mic will go, if it replaces factory mic etc)

 

Lol, I'm trying to find the time to install it (2 jobs and a baby at home). As soon as I do, I'll post some pics and my initial impression of the unit. Alpine recommends putting the mic on the sun visor, they give you a clip for it. I'm not sure I'm gonna like it there, possible gonna put it on the A pillar.

 

Any install pics yet?

 

Anyone else notice how its blocking the tuner/volume knobs????

 

Naw man, spent the truck funds on Baja Designs! lol this is going to have to wait a while

 

Whoooops lolol... Got any pics of dem at least???

 

Keep in mind, an sPod works when the vehicle is off.
You need your radio on to control lights, winch, etc.
That is the biggest downside for me.
I had people sending me this from CES, and thought I would have it purchased and installed by now.... but that is a deal breaker for me, for the control of auxiliary devices.
It COULD be worth adding a toggle switch to enable the unit when the vehicle is off, but I also have an Amp and Proccessor/Amp combo that we engage when I turn on the head unit.

I may be able to organize a group buy on this from a local dealer.

I will let y'all know.

 

I'm tempted to order one of these also to compare it to my Kenwood. The kenwood screen looks small and I don't care for the look of the dash kit. I'll need to put spacers in to make it sit flush. Right now I can't figure out how to get wireless android to work which is my main purpose of getting it.

So yeah, I'm tempted to order the ilx-F309. The kenwood also does something weird to the rear camera and it looks pretty bad. It's a LOT more fisheyed and the factory guide lines for reverse are pixelated, so I overlay them with the HU ones. I'm not sure how to fix that. I'd be curious to see how the rear camera looks on the ilx-F309.