Trying to hold out on buying a new car but I really want Apple CarPlay.
Any recommendations on head units and where to get started ? I would also like to install a reverse camera too. I am open to installing it myself but I would rather have someone do it for me. I'm located in Sydney so recommendations for my area would be great!
Thanks~
Edit:
The car is a 2009 Corolla sedan.
I installed a Sony XAV unit by self in my previous car a corolla hatchback. Pretty solid unit and hadn't had any issue at all. Make sure you get the models with USB outlet at the faceplate and not from the back of the unit as otherwise you may need to get another usb attachment to passthrough the wire. For reverse camera however I'd say get it installed by a professional as you'll have to pop out a whole lot of trims and may even need to drill to pass the wire outside the chassis.
Check the compatibility through this link to get an idea -> https://aerpro.com/selector. Mine did show I needed steering wheel button mapping unit as well, but with a bit of research managed to custom map it without anything fancy (sony unit does allow custom mapping). Use the microphone that comes with new headunit as it's lot better than trying to get the car's inbuild bluetooth mic to work with it. Get a few quotes from few different autobarns and some others for comparison. They might give discount price if you buy the unit from them as part of installation.
I installed Grundig unit in my Corolla. No issues. Replacing the speakers are a bit tricky.
But Agee with the previous poster. The rear usb is a pain. I popped out one of the blanks on the dash and run the cable through that.
Toyota din size is abit wider than the standard din slot and Aerpro has a facia kit that fills in the void on both sides and has a usb port that you can connect the head unit one into.
Connecting a reverse camera is much easier on the sedan than on the hatch as well as its a shorter run for the trigger/power wire. not hard to run the wire to the front of the vehicle either i went the passenger side and up the passenger foot well. grab a cheapo panel puller kit off ebay to help as it'll save your fingers.
@OP; use the aerpro selector that nsuinteger linked above and it'll tell you everything you need to get connected. I pretty much grabbed everything that was listed and it all went in relatively seamlessly. HMU if you need any more help.
Awesome. I might look into that usb facia. And yes running a reverse cam on the sedan isn’t hard.
We have a Sony XAV unit. Only has wired carplay and it’s a bit hit and miss if it connects to the phone. Otherwise install was pretty easy with a wiring harness to suit.
As above, running a reverse cam can be a pain with the amount of trim and stuff you need to remove. If you are lucky there’ll be someone who has posted a how to on a forum or YouTube which will take out some of the guess work.
we had the same issue and it came down to cables. even branded ones were hit and miss. only one that worked seamlessly was the oem lightning cable
How much does it generally cost to install these things into cars? I’m also looking for a professional installer in Sydney.
$125-$200 will get you an android system off aliexpress with android auto and carplay.
Need about 1 hour of time to take out the existing one and installing the new one. Else can pay someone $100 off marketplace to install it.
Best value for money head units going. (Previous one i bought was 7 years old and still going strong when i sold the car.)
Similar. I went with a Joying car-specific HU and running great for the last 2 years. Just plug-and-play after removing the old unit out. Took about 2 hours in total for me.
I did read a lot of reviews before buying, which were almost equal positive and negative ones, but a pretty happy customer now.
Yep, i rate the Joying units highly
Avoid cheap Chinese crappers.
Kenwood DDX/DMX 200mm units fit straight into the Corolla's hole without the need for aftermarket fascias. Plug and play, only need a 20pin to 28pin adapter harness from Toyota parts for the SWCs. Easy to DIY.
+1 on the Kenwood units, have 2 in my vehicles and they are great - also love that they learn your steering wheel controls so it avoids having to buy SWC loom/converter to adapt like others need.
Sony XAV are pretty decent units. You probably want the AX1000 for $400 or AX3000 for $450 and both come with reverse camera.
Bankstown Sound & Marine often post on here and would probably give you a quote to install.
Most recent post: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/708062