looking to do a backup camera headunit

[drasch21]

anyone have some solid advice?

ideally the headunit needs to have blue lights or have ones you can choose the color on... would prefer not to have to chop up the dash either.

[jpmst3]

I added one recently that clips onto the existing rearview mirror and has the display built into it. It was a simple installation and the system was cheap.
I didn't want any extra screens, holes in the dash, new radio, etc. It is a recording front facing camera as well.

My only knock on the entire system is that the little bit of extra weight makes the mirror shake a little. I think I can find a fix for that though, I just haven't had time to do any tweaking.

You can find them everywhere if you are interested in that alternative:
https://www.amazon.com/rearview-mirr...+backup+camera

There is also a factory version now, that mounts to the windshield mount and not over top of the OEM mirror.

[Fatman2006]

Two options for not cutting the sub-dash.

Direct fit/Single Din - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094W3H6YS...roduct_details

Double Din - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[DublinOH]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/303317347843...53.m2749.l2649

Recently installed this unit along with Apple CarPlay module, backup camera, and cap type TPMS. Plug and play, no cutting. Waiting on my painted trim bezels to come back and I'll post photos.

[Crit]

Will that Chinese unit work with the factory amplifier for the Alpine RB1 navigation radio ? I'm assuming I'll need to get a conversion harness?

[Steve M]

From the eBay ad:

IMPORTANT NOTE:
1. This Unit does NOT Support original amplifier sound system.
2. This Unit does NOT support original navigation system.

[Crit]

Thanks for the update, sometimes you can get a integration controller to allow an aftermarket head unit to utilize the factory amplifier system.

I knew it wouldn't be able to utilize any of the factory navigation hardware, I was merely referencing the rb1 navigation unit as the current unit in the car in case anyone had installed this Chinese unit as a replacement for that unit and had any insight.

[drasch21]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/303317347843...53.m2749.l2649

Recently installed this unit along with Apple CarPlay module, backup camera, and cap type TPMS. Plug and play, no cutting. Waiting on my painted trim bezels to come back and I'll post photos.

assuming this only lights up in that green?

- - - Updated - - -

Two options for not cutting the sub-dash.

Direct fit/Single Din - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094W3H6YS...roduct_details

Double Din - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

what is the "sub-dash"?

[Steve M]

assuming this only lights up in that green?

The description shows being able to set it to any color.

what is the "sub-dash"?

I'd assume he means the magnesium dash support - the double DIN would require cutting, but you what you'd need to cut would only be plastic, not metal.

[drasch21]

The description shows being able to set it to any color.



I'd assume he means the magnesium dash support - the double DIN would require cutting, but you what you'd need to cut would only be plastic, not metal.

derp....

this unit actually seems promising and not to expensive... seems to good to be true ~ ussually thats a bad sign lol

[Steve M]

derp....

this unit actually seems promising and not to expensive... seems to good to be true ~ ussually thats a bad sign lol

This review stuck out to me:

When I first saw this unit I was very impressed. I wanted the factory look for my 2004 Grand Cherokee and this unit plugged right into the harness. Install was under 10 minutes and the only tool needed was a Phillips screwdriver. It was very impressive looking when I was done and looked especially impressive at night with its variable color lighting. Unfortunately I couldn't deal with the size of the screen. They try to cram too much into a 5" display and it's not adjustable aside from backlighting color. When the radio is on the clock is so tiny it can't be seen from the drivers seat. The radio presets are too small to safely engage while driving, you can't just give a quick tap, you really have to reach over to it and be very precise as to where you press your finger. The GPS and phone functions worked very well but I could never get it to sync up with the engine monitor option even tough I bought the Xtrons OBD 2 unit with it. The sound quality was excellent. I did have further concerns over how hot the radio got while operating, I found it uncomfortably warm during the install testing. The interior dash space is very small and there's nowhere for the heat to escape, this would lead me to have longevity concerns. If the factory look and ease of installation are your most important concerns this unit is perfect.

Might be worth a shot if you are willing to either figure out how to get it to work with the factory amp, or you have the patience to wire up an aftermarket one.

[drasch21]

This review stuck out to me:



Might be worth a shot if you are willing to either figure out how to get it to work with the factory amp, or you have the patience to wire up an aftermarket one.

car has an aftermarket amp already and a head unit from previous owner ~ i need to take a peak behind the radio to see if they used an adapter harness or spliced wires....

[Steve M]

car has an aftermarket amp already and a head unit from previous owner ~ i need to take a peak behind the radio to see if they used an adapter harness or spliced wires....

I'd bet an adapter harness...can't imagine anyone these days doing something that's irreversible.

[drasch21]

I'd bet an adapter harness...can't imagine anyone these days doing something that's irreversible.

heh... you would think but based on the wiring ive already fixed due to noticing it was rigged ~ it wouldnt surprise me. Still baffled me someone had a car as nice as a viper and had speaker wire running from the amp and not connected to anything with live wires just sitting in the dash...

[drasch21]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/303317347843...53.m2749.l2649

Recently installed this unit along with Apple CarPlay module, backup camera, and cap type TPMS. Plug and play, no cutting. Waiting on my painted trim bezels to come back and I'll post photos.

pretty interested in this. would love to hear your feedback on how its feels to use etc

[GT Trooper]

Alpine ILX-F409 works for me. Yeah it blocks the vents a bit but not a big deal. No cutting the dash or factory harness. Apple car play, rear-view camera, and all the goodies.

[Crit]

Wow, what a cool looking head unit, do you have an installed pic?

[GT Trooper]

Wow, what a cool looking head unit, do you have an installed pic?

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I will also post an install video on my YouTube channel in the next day or so that may be helpful. (https://www.youtube.com/c/EmmittMAKNHP)

[drasch21]

thats alot of vent coverage.

[GT Trooper]

thats alot of vent coverage.

Yes - still gets pretty cool in there with the air on. Was also a concern of mine when I initially came across this but now that's in there I have absolutely no regrets.

[drasch21]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/303317347843...53.m2749.l2649

Recently installed this unit along with Apple CarPlay module, backup camera, and cap type TPMS. Plug and play, no cutting. Waiting on my painted trim bezels to come back and I'll post photos.

any update on this?

[Nitro66215]

I've been wanting to try this. The screen can be positioned so as not to block the vents / knobs. I still think there will be some blockage though.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MLP8KYX?ref=myi_title_dp

[DublinOH]

Actually, just got her put back together this week. Now I need to figure out how to post the photos?

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[drasch21]

Actually, just got her put back together this week. Now I need to figure out how to post the photos?

id be fine with an email

[DublinOH]

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Only issue I had was you need to reverse the polarity on the rear speaker outputs to get the center sub to work. In the supplied radio harness, I just cut and crossed the white +/- and then did the same with the purple +/-. Radio sounds great. If I plug in to the charger cable i ran to the center console, the apple car play launches. Or I can connect wirelessly through BT. I placed the TPMS transmitter in the glove box so that I could access the USB for other purposes if needed. For example, I unplugged the TPMS and plugged in a thumb drive with the hood photo and the green background. I then moved the file to show during radio boot and for use as the background color. I can also connect my radio via my phone through a hotspot and surf the web, download apps, watch youtube etc. For the money, it's a no brainer. JMO!