Pioneer Unveils New Aftermarket CarPlay Receivers, Including First Single-DIN Model For Older Vehicles

[MacRumors]

Pioneer today unveiled five new NEX in-dash multimedia receivers with CarPlay and Android Auto support, including the first-ever single-DIN model.

The single-DIN AVH-3300NEX is a smaller, more universally sized receiver that can fit into many older and collectible cars. Unlike a double-DIN receiver, which has a built-in display, this single-DIN model features a 7-inch pop out, motorized capacitive touchscreen. The whole unit is also detachable for added security.

The other four receivers are double-DIN models, including the 7-inch AVH-2330NEX and AVH-2300NEX and 6.2-inch AVH-1330NEX and AVH-1300NEX. These models have resistive touchscreens.

In addition to CarPlay and Android Auto, Pioneer said all five receivers feature Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming, native Spotify and Pandora, a USB port, HD Radio, and SiriusXM compatibility with a tuner sold separately. All models are also backup camera and Pioneer navigation system ready.

The AVH-3300NEX, AVH-2330NEX and AVH-1330NEX also come with a remote control to adjust volume, audio sources, and more.

Pioneer said the new NEX lineup will be available through resellers in July with suggested retail prices of $600 for the single-DIN model, and between $400 and $500 for the double-DIN models, in the United States.

Pioneer's current NEX receivers retail for between $400 and $1,400 in the United States. Competing aftermarket CarPlay systems are available from Alpine, Clarion, Kenwood, JVC, JBL, Sony, and other manufacturers.

Article Link: Pioneer Unveils New Aftermarket CarPlay Receivers, Including First Single-DIN Model For Older Vehicles

 

[TurboPGT!]

It has been a long time since I owned a car where replacing the in dash system was an option.

Wonder how popular this market still is.

 

[pierce1979]

Read they are resistive touch? Yuck. Why?

 

[rotax]

WoooHooo! Single DIN .... edit But guess I'll wait for a future rev with capacitive touch and wireless CarPlay

 

[Dekema2]

It has been a long time since I owned a car where replacing the in dash system was an option.

Wonder how popular this market still is.

I have an SUV from 2003 where the in dash system (with cassette player and 6 cd changer) broke down. I had been using a "cassette adapter" to connect my iPhone, and later connected it to a Bluetooth/Siri adapter. Eventually it all broke, including the radio, and I spent $160-200 to replace the entire unit to a JVC one that has Bluetooth/Siri Eyes free, better sound handling, SiriusXM and "color changing lights."

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Read they are resistive touch? Yuck. Why?

To keep costs down. These are $400-$600 units compared to ones that Pioneer sells for up to $1,400. Friendlier price points is their goal here, in addition to launching its first single-DIN model.

(Added a quick mention in the article.)

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

None with Wireless CarPlay. Looking to upgrade from the AppRadio but I won't do it without wireless. The wireless standard has been around for 3 years and yet no factory vehicles offer it yet (BMW will soon) and Alpine is the only aftermarket to offer it, though that deck isn't out yet.
[doublepost=1495120578][/doublepost]

It has been a long time since I owned a car where replacing the in dash system was an option.

Wonder how popular this market still is.

It's still an option with pretty much every vehicle on the market. They just now require a different dash kit.

 

[Steve.P.JobsFan]

None with Wireless CarPlay. Looking to upgrade from the AppRadio but I won't do it without wireless. The wireless standard has been around for 3 years and yet no factory vehicles offer it yet (BMW will soon) and Alpine is the only aftermarket to offer it, though that deck isn't out yet.
[doublepost=1495120578][/doublepost]

It's still an option with pretty much every vehicle on the market. They just now require a different dash kit.

BMW already offers wireless CarPlay in the G30 5 Series.

https://www.theverge.com/2016/10/13/13278694/apple-wireless-carplay-ios-2017-bmw-5-series


On-topic comment: I am SO excited for this. My older BMW M3 uses a Single-DIN radio, and I have *always* been sad that I couldn't have CarPlay in it. No more!

 

[TylerL]

I don't understand how these are still so expensive. Surely the guts don't need to be all that different than commodity tablet parts?
A 7-inch capacitive touch screen tablet can be had for $50, and the requisite video input for backup cameras and audio amplification are simple technologies...

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

I don't understand how these are still so expensive. Surely the guts don't need to be all that different than commodity tablet parts?
A 7-inch capacitive touch screen tablet can be had for $50, and the requisite video input for backup cameras and audio amplification are simple technologies...

Markup, profit margin, and parts designed to not melt or explode in 150+ degree heat.

 

[mmomega]

This is good for a majority of users.
I ended up going with the previous NEX model double DIN at the higher price point due to the more expensive models having built-in Navigation/gps rather than solely relying on cell service for this.
That and the previous lower expense models didn't have Sirius available.

I will say that I use CarPlay pretty much 100% of the time when I get in my truck as well as my wife's Mercedes SUV, the UI some of the car manufactures have is terrible even still in 2017. Someone not very techy would almost need a full day class to understand how to navigate the entertainment system and where and how some settings are hidden.

 

[venom600]

Read they are resistive touch? Yuck. Why?

They operate primarily using the touch screen. You ever tried using a capacitive touch screen in the middle of winter while wearing gloves? They do not work. I'd bet the vast majority of people who live in areas where it gets cold (not me... I've never even seen snow) would rather not have to take their gloves off just to change a song or radio station. Does any auto maker even include a capacitive touch display? Every one I know of uses either resistive touch or an iDrive type controller.

 

[cjgrif]

The specs on the 1-DIN model says it has a capacitive touchscreen...

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/NEX/AVH-3300NEX

 

[Defthand]

…the more expensive models having built-in Navigation/gps

Can you clarify something for me? If a car's infotainment unit has a built-in GPS, does Apple Maps (via CarPlay) use that rather than the phone's GPS?

 

[ZeDestructor]

Read they are resistive touch? Yuck. Why?

WoooHooo! Single DIN .... edit But guess I'll wait for a future rev with capacitive touch and wireless CarPlay

To keep costs down. These are $400-$600 units compared to ones that Pioneer sells for up to $1,400. Friendlier price points is their goal here, in addition to launching its first single-DIN model.

(Added a quick mention in the article.)

I shall quickly quote @cjgrif here:

The specs on the 1-DIN model says it has a capacitive touchscreen...

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/NEX/AVH-3300NEX

Indeed.. A bit of a journalistic fail there, Jim, not even checking out the specs..

I don't understand how these are still so expensive. Surely the guts don't need to be all that different than commodity tablet parts?
A 7-inch capacitive touch screen tablet can be had for $50, and the requisite video input for backup cameras and audio amplification are simple technologies...

Heat and cold resistance, vibration resistance, licensing and the general R&D.

BOM is probably around the 100-150 mark (+50 for the AVH-3300's motorized screen), with another $50ish (+20-30 for the AVH-3300, because of the motorized screen) in R&D, QA, validation, certification, and then some more in packaging, shipping and warranty/support services.

At 600USD MSRP for the motorized single-DIN variant, they're not exactly making mad bank. A decent profit, sure, but nowhere near as much as, say, the AVH-8200NEX's 1400USD MSRP (which should have about the same costs as the AVH-2300/2330NEX).

EDIT: mind you, the 8200 does have integrated navigation, but in this day and age of Google/here/Apple Maps on phones.. yeah....

 

[Iconoclysm]

Read they are resistive touch? Yuck. Why?

Capacitive touch in a car is more complicated. They need to work with gloves, and so usually involve something more such as infrared scanning.
[doublepost=1495124181][/doublepost]

They operate primarily using the touch screen. You ever tried using a capacitive touch screen in the middle of winter while wearing gloves? They do not work. I'd bet the vast majority of people who live in areas where it gets cold (not me... I've never even seen snow) would rather not have to take their gloves off just to change a song or radio station. Does any auto maker even include a capacitive touch display? Every one I know of uses either resistive touch or an iDrive type controller.

Yes, my 2016 Volvo XC90 has a capacitive touch screen - it uses an infrared field of some sort to work with gloves or without. This was a feature they were quite proud of when their new platform came along, and it works very well.
[doublepost=1495124292][/doublepost]

This is good for a majority of users.
I ended up going with the previous NEX model double DIN at the higher price point due to the more expensive models having built-in Navigation/gps rather than solely relying on cell service for this.
That and the previous lower expense models didn't have Sirius available.

I will say that I use CarPlay pretty much 100% of the time when I get in my truck as well as my wife's Mercedes SUV, the UI some of the car manufactures have is terrible even still in 2017. Someone not very techy would almost need a full day class to understand how to navigate the entertainment system and where and how some settings are hidden.

CarPlay is even more useful when you do a lot of travelling with rental cars. Figuring out a new system as you drive off the lot is always a pain in the ass. It's still a pain to figure out how to launch CarPlay but once you're there, you're done, same as every other car.

 

[mmomega]

Can you clarify something for me? If a car's infotainment unit has a built-in GPS, does Apple Maps (via CarPlay) use that rather than the phone's GPS?

Short Story:
If youre using CarPlay and Apple Maps it uses the GPS software of your phone and the antenna in your phone for it's navigation.


Long Story:
The built-in GPS system uses it's own gps/navigation software (independent of your phone), such as some units use Garmin as their navigation. So the implementation on the stereo display will look essentially just like a stand alone Garmin GPS/Navigation unit.
Some manufacturers develop their own Nav software.
The built-in also use (usually) an external GPS antenna

The wire will connect to the back of the head unit then typically to the outside of the car and mounteed on the roof. Alot of antennas have a strong magnet base or use a strong 3M style external tape. This will usually give the GPS the clearest and strongest signal since it's outside the vehicle with no oobstructions. Some mount on the dash, some directly to say the back window or side windows, I personally have mine run to my roof.


The pro being. If your cell phone loses all cell service or you don't even have a phone with you or your phone is dead, your head unit can still be able to navigate and direct you where you want to go.

 

[ZeDestructor]

Capacitive touch in a car is more complicated. They need to work with gloves, and so usually involve something more such as infrared scanning.
[doublepost=1495124181][/doublepost]

Yes, my 2016 Volvo XC90 has a capacitive touch screen - it uses an infrared field of some sort to work with gloves or without. This was a feature they were quite proud of when their new platform came along, and it works very well.
[doublepost=1495124292][/doublepost]

I believe these are just using a normal capacitive screen with increased sensitivity, similar to how some of my Sony phones have done it, with reasonable success too!

Short Story:
If youre using CarPlay and Apple Maps it uses the GPS software of your phone and the antenna in your phone for it's navigation.


Long Story:
The built-in GPS system uses it's own gps/navigation software (independent of your phone), such as some units use Garmin as their navigation. So the implementation on the stereo display will look essentially just like a stand alone Garmin GPS/Navigation unit.
Some manufacturers develop their own Nav software.
The built-in also use (usually) an external GPS antenna
View attachment 700213
The wire will connect to the back of the head unit then typically to the outside of the car and mounteed on the roof. Alot of antennas have a strong magnet base or use a strong 3M style external tape. This will usually give the GPS the clearest and strongest signal since it's outside the vehicle with no oobstructions. Some mount on the dash, some directly to say the back window or side windows, I personally have mine run to my roof.


The pro being. If your cell phone loses all cell service or you don't even have a phone with you or your phone is dead, your head unit can still be able to navigate and direct you where you want to go.

Last integrated GPS install I did I just ran the antenna to the dash - glass is transparent enough for it to work very well. Do wish I coulda hidden it under the dash, but alas, there was no space

Also, when you have an integrated GPS in the headunit, your phone may use that GPS for GPS data instead of it's internal GPS (well, Android Auto does, at any rate). This has benefits for power savings, and if the GPS in the headunit is fast, also gets you faster, more granular GPS data. Very useful for speed calculations and such.

For phone navigation, there are fully-capable when offline navigation maps available, like Here maps or Google maps if you've downloaded the maps for the appropriate area beforehand.

 

[Iconoclysm]

I believe these are just using a normal capacitive screen with increased sensitivity, similar to how some of my Sony phones have done it, with reasonable success too!

It's definitely not the case in my XC90, it's technically not even capacitive just completely infrared. http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...-but-skipping-capacitive-tech-entirely/page-2

https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/...ly-admirable-technological-feat/#4ae0ba02fe8e

 

[ZeDestructor]

It's definitely not the case in my XC90, it's technically not even capacitive just completely infrared. http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...-but-skipping-capacitive-tech-entirely/page-2

https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/...ly-admirable-technological-feat/#4ae0ba02fe8e

Cool! Still like MB's COMAND knob more, though (I don't like fingerprints on screens). Shame you can't fit it on every other car

 

[QuarterSwede]

Can you clarify something for me? If a car's infotainment unit has a built-in GPS, does Apple Maps (via CarPlay) use that rather than the phone's GPS?

For CarPlay it's literally only acting as a touch display. Everything is running from the iPhone. So in CarPlay Maps is running on the iPhone using the iPhone's GPS and displaying it in CarPlay. If you switch to the headunit's GPS app it'll use the headunit's own GPS.

To be honest, there is almost no reason to buy a headunit with built in GPS anymore. The only real reason is for offline maps if you're out of cell range regularly enough. Even then you can load up a route in Maps before leaving and it'll work.

 

[Juicy Box]

This will be perfect in my 2002 Ram with only a single DIN slot.

I also really like the fact that the single DIN unit has physical buttons and a volume knob. It seems like the trend is going toward all or almost all touch screen buttons, which I hate.

It has been a long time since I owned a car where replacing the in dash system was an option.

Wonder how popular this market still is.

I am not sure what you are driving, but all four of my vehicles, with years ranging from 1991 - 2015 all have aftermarket head units.

I know a lot of newer cars has many other things tied to their infotainment systems, such as environmental, ecu, and stuff like it, but the average age of vehicles in the US is currently 11 years old, so there is many cars that could benefit from an aftermarket headunit.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

came here hoping to see wireless CarPlay, leaving disappointed. Alpine has it (when they can ship units) but that's such a bare unit otherwise. I'd really like to see a fully featured wireless unit hit the market.

 

[QuarterSwede]

None with Wireless CarPlay. Looking to upgrade from the AppRadio but I won't do it without wireless. The wireless standard has been around for 3 years and yet no factory vehicles offer it yet (BMW will soon) and Alpine is the only aftermarket to offer it, though that deck isn't out yet.

I doubt it's stable enough yet and has to be a battery hog. It's been a while since they announced it so my guess is that there is some reason nobody has yet to roll it out.

Slightly in the weeds: Think of how fast AirPlay mirroring drains the battery. It's probably similar as CarPlay is sending the CarPlay UI to the headunit.

For stability the wired connection is flakey when starting up or at least has been for me. If I don't plug things in after my headunit has finished fully booting it'll crash 9/10 times. Sounds easy enough but when you're late for something the last thing you want to do is wait for a minute. Once the connection is stable then it usually works as expected without crashing. That after 10.3 was put out and Apple fixed a lot of bugs. It was frustrating before that release to say the least.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

BMW already offers wireless CarPlay in the G30 5 Series.

https://www.theverge.com/2016/10/13/13278694/apple-wireless-carplay-ios-2017-bmw-5-series


On-topic comment: I am SO excited for this. My older BMW M3 uses a Single-DIN radio, and I have *always* been sad that I couldn't have CarPlay in it. No more!

As someone who owns 2 M3s, I'll pass on the 5 series.