Trying to decide between these two radio interfaces for my Pioneer 4200NEX. Trying to figure out what the Maestro really buys you and if it is worth it.
I had the same dilemma about a year ago and went ahead and got the Maestro and have no regrets. You can program the steering wheel buttons to do whatever you want and it is so nice to be able to change the volume or track without taking your eyes off the road. It isn't cheap but it is totally worth it.
I have a Pioneer 4700BS and everything worked perfectly on it except when I plug a USB into the center console, it will read the drive but I can't hear anything. No big deal since the head unit has it's own USB.
the PAC RP4-CH11 Wiring Interface should still keep the steering wheel controls. From reading only difference is the Maestro comes with extra interface for gauge info (speed, tire pressure, etc)
I did this same setup about two months ago. (4200nex + Maestro setup). It was my first radio head unit install start-to-finish and all of my research on the forums seemed to suggest straightforward wiring/soldering with no surprises with the Maestro setup (the RR and the harness combo). That was my biggest fear, having never soldered a harness or wired a brake bypass and rearview camera. So, I opted to go the Maestro route. All in all, I spent a bit more money, but I like having the reprogrammable steering wheel buttons and everything worked great first time through (rearview camera, brake bypass, GPS add-on, Sirius radio add-on). Yes, it does the car gauges/sensors screens and mine had a direct plug-and-play wire to the canbus. I heard earlier versions required some extra PITA effort to link the two.
If you know what you're doing and don't fear car stereo install process, I'm sure the PAC would work just fine, minus the car gauge screens.
I have the PAC w/ a pioneer 6200nex. It displays current speed as well as speed warning (nav), altitude, and i'm still able to use my steering wheel controls.
I have the PAC w/ a pioneer 6200nex. It displays current speed as well as speed warning (nav), altitude, and i'm still able to use my steering wheel controls.
I just ran the odb connector cable from the 4200 under the steering column, then plugged it into the ODB input jack near your left leg. Used some black tape to secure the connection.
Honestly. I rarely use the ODBII info. I'm sure it will come in handy if the jeep was every throwing a code, but otherwise I don't think it's worth it too much.
Agree. It's fun. That's about it. I did use it to compare intake air temperature on my stock system vs a "cold air intake" setup. That was interesting!
Very useful thread here. I just received my 4200NEX and maestro last night and was going through the wiring diagrams.
Have any of you guys wired yours up with an aftermarket sub? I'm running RCA's from the 4200 to a 5-channel amp. My question is, do i run my 9-wire from my amp speaker outs directly to the maestro cable and bypass the pioneer speaker harness connections?
I have the factory Alpine system, so if I do that does it put the factory amp and sub back into the signal chain? I want to bypass those if possible.
I don't have the Alpine system so not 100% sure but it seems that all you should have to do is hook it up normally. The sub is integrated into the factory amp which the Maestro takes into account. Like a said it's a guess but that's where I would start.
Damn, he said "aftermarket sub." So he *is* using an aftermarket amp, but to power his sub--not his regular speakers. Sorry, I misread and muddied the waters there.
The aftermarket amp would be going to the regular speakers as well.
I'm installing a 10" sub in one of MattK's under seat sub boxes. It is being powered by a Precision Power P900.5 5-channel amp.
the 9wire is 18 ga., and is rated for anything under 75 watts RMS per channel, and the amp is only 70 watts, so i think it will be OK.
I'm just trying to decide if i want to run the 9wire from the aftermarket amp to the factory speaker harness, or by-pass the factory harness and run new speaker wire from the new amp directly to the speakers.
OK, got my install done last night, the OBD plug was indeed included in with the CH1 harness. I was a little dissapointed that I had to lose the 7mm screw on top of the dash (in the tray). That's where my Rugged Ridge phone mount connected, I did put the mount back up without the screw and it still holds my phone but I'm not sure how it will hold up offroad or big bumps. The Maestro performs as promised and was pretty straight forward although it has a TON of connections to be made. I disabled Uconnect in the firmware setup since I will never use it again, the 4200 does a nice job on it's own.
Hey guys, awesome thread! I am about to begin my install project on my 2014 Wrangler Unlimited 6spd Manual with the same load-out (Pioneer 4200NEX, Maestro iDataLink +CH1 harness). I am also going to be adding a Boss CAM25 backup camera at the same time to minimize dash trim tear-downs.
I apologize for the noob question here but I might be confused (due to reading too many articles online!). Do I still wire in the backup camera to the reverse light for power or does the 4200NEX provide the power and knows then I shift into reverse?
Ok....two (noob) questions, does the 4200NEX with a backup camera offer the ability to toggle the camera on/off through the head unit (if there is constant power) or would you still need a switch?
Hey guys, awesome thread! I am about to begin my install project on my 2014 Wrangler Unlimited 6spd Manual with the same load-out (Pioneer 4200NEX, Maestro iDataLink +CH1 harness). I am also going to be adding a Boss CAM25 backup camera at the same time to minimize dash trim tear-downs.
I apologize for the noob question here but I might be confused (due to reading too many articles online!). Do I still wire in the backup camera to the reverse light for power or does the 4200NEX provide the power and knows then I shift into reverse?
Ok....two (noob) questions, does the 4200NEX with a backup camera offer the ability to toggle the camera on/off through the head unit (if there is constant power) or would you still need a switch?
I powered my backup camera from the reverse lights. If I could do it over again, I would power it from the head unit so I could view the reverse cam anytime. Luckily, I can view the backup cam *almost* anytime...as long as I shift into reverse.
Sorry for the double post- I must've hit the Enter button before meaning to.
I pulled the trigger on a Pioneer AVIC-8201NEX (same as 8200 except it comes with a rear view camera) from Crutchfield and sprung for the Maestro at the same time.
I didn't find the instructions from Crutchfield to be much to write home about, and relied on the Maestro instructions for installation to maintain my wheel controls.
I am waiting for my rear view mount from Quadratec before running the wiring.
I have been told by various people that:
1. The system will recognize reverse on a manual and I won't need to find the passenger kick wiring
2. The system won't recognize reverse on a manual and I'll need to find that wire
I also put in a Pioneer 8200NEX and purchased a returned Pioneer camera from BestBuy for $80. The 8200 was just under $1000 at Crutchfield as opposed to a few hundred more for the 8201.
Anyway, I do use the ODB gauges, especially the instantaneous MPG readout. I always like that and Chrysler removed it from their vehicles years ago.
Hi. The brake bypass is a small SD card-sized chip that wires into the harness. It's quite simple and instructions were good. It allows you to change GPS options while driving without being in park. It also allows you to play video on the move without being park (not the wisest strategy - I do it once in a while for my 5-year old in the back). I'll try and post some gauge pics.
I don't know why it says OBD2 disconnected when I just checked it and it's plugged in. I had it serviced recently and maybe the dealer jacked it up or disabled it or something (any ideas Jeepers?)? Nonetheless, here's the guages...
USB only and only in the top USB port on the back of the 4200
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