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Anyone else replace their factory radio with a GPS head unit?

3K views 22 replies 19 participants last post by  AlaskaErik 
#1 ·
Hey guys,

My 130n died due to a freak rain storm that hit when I didn't have a top on. I highly doubt the dealer will replace it due to negligence.

I was looking at the Pioneer 6100nex but they're now replaced by 6200nex, and man they are expensive.

I'd like something that I can later install a backup camera with and I would need to retain the use of my steering wheel controls.

What head unit did you replace your factory with and how do you like it? Looking for reviews and pictures.
 
#2 ·
I replaced mine with the 4200nex. I can use my iPhone for the GPS side of things. Car play is a bit buggy with Spotify but other then that I am pretty happy. I am all in about 700 with the harness, maestro rr (for steering wheel controls programming) and misc parts.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#3 ·
I replaced my 130s with a 430N that I picked up off Ebay. was plug and play and everything works with no issues.
 
#4 ·
I replaced my 430N with a Kenwood DNX892, and am pretty happy with it. It's not a night and day difference in sound like some posts would suggest, but it's a much better designed and thought out unit.

Separate gain levels for each input, separate EQ settings for each input, much easier to use phonebook, history of incoming/outgoing calls, ease of adding rear camera, etc.

Will take and post some photos later.
 
#5 ·
Built in Navigation is nice but get quickly out dated compared to using Car play (apple or Android). You can always get a garmin just incase. The 4200NEX is very nice and I am quite happy with my HU! You can easily maintain all your controls and then then some if you pick up a Maestero RR with it.
 
#6 ·
@FuneralFire762 I replaced my 130s w/ the 6200nex and I'm very happy with the purchase. I have the oem alpine upgrade as well as uconnect. I haven't changed any setup only the head unit.

I was able to use all steering control functions using the PAC harness. I haven't used the speech/call function on the steering wheel. I really only used it once or twice just to experiment since ownership (2 years), but haven't used it since the 6200nex.

It displays current speed, live street speed limit, altitude, and a lot of other cool goodies without needing the idatalink.

First, voice calls are way better since you don't have to wait for the annoying uconnect teleprompt. Once it rings, I can answer using the 6200nex touch screen and it will connect right away.

Also, the sound improved drastically. Volume half way up, the speakers distort due to the new amplified power.

GPS ... I never got lost once and during the times of bumper to bumper traffic, the navi detoured me to the fastest route saving me a lot of time.

Start up takes only a few seconds to start playing music, but navi does take a while to load up. If you have a trip and set the route, it will save it and start from your location even if you turn off the jeep to get gas/food or what not.

My only vice is the gps speech volume. You can't adjust it when driving.
 
#7 ·
I bought and installed a 4100nex with the PAC harness. I love it! I did the video bypass mod yesterday so that my son and friend could watch a movie while we took a 90 min drive to the lake house. Worked perfectly, and it was like a movie theatre with the Polk speakers powered by an Alpine amp and the powered sub. Really cool!

I bought the head unit and harness for right at $600
 
#8 ·
Replaced my 130 with Premium Alpine in my 2016 Hard Rock with my old, trusty Kenwood DNX6140 that I have had since 2009.

A bit old, but it boots up fast (no Windows CE like the later units) has built-in Garmin Nav (I loaded Garmin Topo maps and City Navigator on it) and Sirius.

I go lots of places out in the boonies of SW Idaho where there is absolutely no cell coverage (or much of any civilization) so built in Nav is a must.

It was in my FJ, my JK and now my JKU. Plus I have a spare from my daughters old car

Since I have the premium Alpine I had to use a fancier PAC CAN-BUS wiring adapter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001U3ULQO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

which works just fine.

I used this adapter to use the existing factory Sirius antenna https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VE1XH4A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And the Metra dash kit, which does not fit all that great https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00133VQWE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A simple install. Took me maybe 2 hours total which included having to remove the metal support that interferes with a normal size Double-DIN head-unit install in our Jeeps.
 
#13 ·
That's the route I took. Boy, what an expensive mistake that was. Worst. GPS. Anywhere. Stuff like it thinks I still have 200 feet to go when I'm already at the corner. If the street has a slight jog in it I get warned to "stay right". WTF? It doesn't verbally tell me the name of the street to turn on - I have to look at the display to see that - all while dodging traffic...

I'm back to using the Garmin I had before the "upgrade".
 
#11 ·
If my 130 went out, I'd replace it with...another 130. This is my GPS set up. Costco GPS for the road...$150 and free lifetime maps. Versus paying a couple hundred dollars to upgrade the map in an in dash GPS. And an iPad Air 2 with Gaia topo app that costs $19.95. It gives you much better off road situational awareness. I value functionality over aesthetics.

 
#14 ·
I replaced mine with the Insane Audio JK1001. It's a more open system, allowing me to install a variety of Android apps and the company really stands behind it's product. Amazing support.
 
#15 ·
#18 ·
I would never again buy a HU with built in GPS unless the maker gives free map upgrades. And this is coming from a guy that has it on his stock Tundra as well as on a high end Kenwood in another car.
A decent Garmin GPS with 6 inch screen can be found for $200 and has free map upgrades and they offer a lot more information and are easier to use than a GPS in a HU.
 
#22 ·
That's a really nice setup, Erik.

I agree with you. I skipped out on the 430 HU's and just did Uconnect/ 130 with Sirius.

Until I figure out what I want to do, I found a refurbed Garmin Nuvi 2597 with lifetime maps and traffic for $122 delivered from Walmart online.

I like it a lot, actually. Saves on my monthly cell data usage as well.
 
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