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CES 2020: Alpine and Pioneer Debut Largest-Ever CarPlay Receivers With Up to 11-Inch Hovering Displays

I wish Alpine would make a processor unit attached to a monitor only via a cable like GME's TX3420 UHF radios for those without DIN entertainment systems. I have been installing Alpine's entertainment systems and CarPlays from my first car to my previous 2014 Mazda CX-5. If Mazda could design their cars' computer to have a port for CarPlays to be integrated into their dash board displays considering current model Mazda MZD Connects are barely competitive with Alpine units back in the year 1998. Even Mazda's proprietary retrofitted CarPlay / Android Auto to my 2017 MX-5 is slow to connect to iPhones / Nokias; has movement screen lock out / rotary centre console controller only enabled; cumbersome switching between CarPlay and terrestrial FM radio. I only use Apple Maps, not Mazda's GPS, do not care for FM radio particularly and I really appreciate Siri after trying Mazda's voice recognition.
 
H3LL5P4WN said:
*waves at you in Wrangler*

radio.jpg
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I dropped an i209-WRA in my 2017 Wrangler. It's a great unit, integrates with my Jeep like it's from the factory.
 
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Cyberius11 said:
I dropped an i209-WRA in my 2017 Wrangler. It's a great unit, integrates with my Jeep like it's from the factory.
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If I'm putting two large into my Jeep, it's going to be wheels and tires. And that's after the lift, lol.

Most of the units I've looked at will just slot into the pseudo Double DIN. Speaking of, did you have to do any cutting of the sub dash to fit that? Just curious.
 
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H3LL5P4WN said:
If I'm putting two large into my Jeep, it's going to be wheels and tires. And that's after the lift, lol.

Most of the units I've looked at will just slot into the pseudo Double DIN. Speaking of, did you have to do any cutting of the sub dash to fit that? Just curious.
Click to expand...

I actually got a really good deal on mine. For a month or two after it was released, there was some company in California that was offering them at 20% off or so - plus being in another state, I didn't have to pay sales tax at the time.

For the install, the old radio came out of course, and then the entire middle to left section of dash lifts off, which includes the trim around the window switches and center air vents - that entire middle section is cut off, the original dash is reinstalled around the gauge pod, and then the i209 drops in and overlaps the area of dash that was cut. If someone didn't know it was aftermarket, it looks like it's from the factory. It even integrates with the EVIC, plus it gives you a panel of electronic gauges that's kinda neat. The center console USB is retained with a new wire harness adapter, and the output is increased so my iPhone charges much faster than before. With a new backup camera I came in just under $2k and I'd buy it again.

However, after the Wrangler 4xe announcement at CES, I think I'll be trading mine for the Rubicon 4xe when it releases later this year. It's either that or a Model Y performance for my next vehicle, but I'm a Jeep fanboy and the versatility of the Wrangler is very hard to beat.
 
There are several manufacturers that make din dash kits to use your iPad in lieu of a traditional aftermarket stereo. Descent alternative if you already have an ipad

Soundman iPad dash kits

iPad vehicle installation dash kits and Soundman merch. ipad car stereo. hot to install an ipad in your car. ipad car installation.
soundman.co

Scosche makes a few as well, depending on your vehicle.
 
ChromeAce said:
Ridiculous considering you can custom mount an iPad Mini and have full iPadOS functionality, not a dumbed down version of apps.
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With
jessea said:
The Alpines don’t even have wireless CarPlay. You have got to be kidding.

I literally just want a screen, preamp outputs, steering wheel controls, and backup camera connection running wireless CarPlay. No radio. No CD. No ugly logos, bezels, or buttons.

If only Apple would release a head unit...
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Don’t you plug in to charge? That’s a deal breaker for you?
Seen someone comment about resolution too, you realize you’re viewing CarPlay on there and it’s a 9-11” screen right?
Someone else talking about an iPad, hope you’re on the cell network, and hope you don’t care about sound tuning like I do.

Been waiting for a larger screen ever since they dropped the new iOS and album art and split screen were added. I wanna see one in person.
 
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Cyberius11 said:
I actually got a really good deal on mine. For a month or two after it was released, there was some company in California that was offering them at 20% off or so - plus being in another state, I didn't have to pay sales tax at the time.

For the install, the old radio came out of course, and then the entire middle to left section of dash lifts off, which includes the trim around the window switches and center air vents - that entire middle section is cut off, the original dash is reinstalled around the gauge pod, and then the i209 drops in and overlaps the area of dash that was cut. If someone didn't know it was aftermarket, it looks like it's from the factory. It even integrates with the EVIC, plus it gives you a panel of electronic gauges that's kinda neat. The center console USB is retained with a new wire harness adapter, and the output is increased so my iPhone charges much faster than before. With a new backup camera I came in just under $2k and I'd buy it again.

However, after the Wrangler 4xe announcement at CES, I think I'll be trading mine for the Rubicon 4xe when it releases later this year. It's either that or a Model Y performance for my next vehicle, but I'm a Jeep fanboy and the versatility of the Wrangler is very hard to beat.
Click to expand...

Well, Tesla doesn't make a truck or truck-based vehicle, so it's kind of apples to oranges.

I guess that awkward charging port location is a small price to pay for the only true offroader to start going greener.
 
H3LL5P4WN said:
Well, Tesla doesn't make a truck or truck-based vehicle, so it's kind of apples to oranges.

I guess that awkward charging port location is a small price to pay for the only true offroader to start going greener.
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I actually put down the $100 reservation on the Cybertruck, but I don’t know if I want to wait 2 years for it to release. The charging port on the 4xe is a bit stupid but won’t cause any problems for me.
 
Cyberius11 said:
I actually put down the $100 reservation on the Cybertruck, but I don’t know if I want to wait 2 years for it to release. The charging port on the 4xe is a bit stupid but won’t cause any problems for me.
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Musk couldn't pay me to drive one of those ugly cars. Well... maybe he could, but I'd have to wear a disguise.

But I'd never willingly own one. Or any vehicle that pretends to be a truck, but isn't body on frame and have a solid axle in at least the rear.
 
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H3LL5P4WN said:
Musk couldn't pay me to drive one of those ugly cars. Well... maybe he could, but I'd have to wear a disguise.

But I'd never willingly own one. Or any vehicle that pretends to be a truck, but isn't body on frame and have a solid axle in at least the rear.
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lol.. I’m one of the few that like it I guess. I’d have a rust wrap installed on it - and it actually seems like a fairly capable truck.
 
Cyberius11 said:
lol.. I’m one of the few that like it I guess. I’d have a rust wrap installed on it - and it actually seems like a fairly capable truck.
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I'd actually rust the panels, if that's the look you're going for. Sure, a little patina would result in some microscopic loss of bullet proofness, but eh.

Also, I fixed it for you:
It actually seems like it's fairly capable for a car.
 
EssQ said:
With


Don’t you plug in to charge? That’s a deal breaker for you?
Seen someone comment about resolution too, you realize you’re viewing CarPlay on there and it’s a 9-11” screen right?
Someone else talking about an iPad, hope you’re on the cell network, and hope you don’t care about sound tuning like I do.

Been waiting for a larger screen ever since they dropped the new iOS and album art and split screen were added. I wanna see one in person.
Click to expand...
Actually having a wireless carplay unit, I would find it hard to settle for a wired only connection. I only use the USB connection on trips of more than say, an hour. To settle for a wired only head unit, it would have to be amazingly bargain, eg hundreds of dollars less than a wireless equivalent. I reckon wireless carplay would be worth at least $150-$200 more, but everyone has different priorities. These alpine and pioneer flagships are overpriced though.
The main point of a higher resolution capacitive screen in these puppies is they tend to have much better screen brightness And viewing angles. This makes all the difference on sunny days. You just can’t go back to the old lower res resistive screens of older head units once you have a capacitive screen. I really notice it in hire cars that being more modern, come standard with a resistive screen and carplay.
 
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entropys said:
The main point of a higher resolution capacitive screen in these puppies is they tend to have much better screen brightness And viewing angles. This makes all the difference on sunny days. You just can’t go back to the old lower res resistive screens of older head units once you have a capacitive screen. I really notice it in hire cars that being more modern, come standard with a resistive screen and carplay.
Click to expand...

The issue with capacitive screens is they work poorly when people have gloves on or the screen gets contaminated with water, i.e. by mist or dew. Some automakers did put capactive controls, like touch buttons, and they got many complaints (see Lincoln models circa 2011). This is why automakers stick to resistive, particularly when the system incorporates essential functions like climate control and backup cameras.
 
entropys said:
Actually having a wireless carplay unit, I would find it hard to settle for a wired only connection. I only use the USB connection on trips of more than say, an hour. To settle for a wired only head unit, it would have to be amazingly bargain, eg hundreds of dollars less than a wireless equivalent. I reckon wireless carplay would be worth at least $150-$200 more, but everyone has different priorities. These alpine and pioneer flagships are overpriced though.
The main point of a higher resolution capacitive screen in these puppies is they tend to have much better screen brightness And viewing angles. This makes all the difference on sunny days. You just can’t go back to the old lower res resistive screens of older head units once you have a capacitive screen. I really notice it in hire cars that being more modern, come standard with a resistive screen and carplay.
Click to expand...
I guess since I’m constantly ending up with a dead battery by the end of the day, I just plug in any chance I get.
The Alpine lists as capacitive touch. What are they overpriced in comparison to? I looked at the large screen option for my truck and the price difference was way more than any of these units and seemed to give you less (no hdmi, no gauges, not 9” in car play mode)
 
jessea said:
The Alpines don’t even have wireless CarPlay. You have got to be kidding.

I literally just want a screen, preamp outputs, steering wheel controls, and backup camera connection running wireless CarPlay. No radio. No CD. No ugly logos, bezels, or buttons.

If only Apple would release a head unit...
Click to expand...
Take a look at the Alpine iLX-107. Its a bit pricey but it hits all your requests. I just installed it in my 2015 Prius a few months ago. Wireless Carplay is the best.
IMG_3538 3.jpg
 
I have a Dasaita unit, DIN 2, looks just the same but it's full Android, works great, costs around 400 $. Check it out on Amazon, I think also a single din version exists.
 
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