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Review: Alpine i207-WRA First Impressions

118K views 644 replies 88 participants last post by  brandofamily 
#1 ·
Before I took delivery of my 2017 Wrangler Unlimited Sport S I sent it over to the audio shop for a new install. I replaced the 430 factory stereo with:

Alpine iLX-207 Head Unit w/ Maestro Controller, KAC-001 Accessory Controller, XM/Sirius module
JL HD905/4 Amplifier
JBL GTO609C Premium 6.5-Inch Component Speaker System - Set of 2
Rockford Fosgate Prime R1L-2X12 2x12" subwoofer box

I had the shop install the speakers, amp and head unit while wiring up the KAC-001 to my light bar, front cubes and fog lights. After I got the Jeep back, I added the Sirius adaptor and an Amazon Fire stick to the unit myself.

The Setup

. Maestro Module. This plugs into the ODB-II port and gives you access to some of the system stuff. You can see tire pressure, a gauge panel and diagnostics if you trip something (I havent, so not sure how that works). I guess its kind of cool, but I havent really used it.
. Amazon Fire Stick. Adding the Fire Stick to have access to movies, live tv, etc was easy and took less than 30 minutes. Using a hot spot, I can use all of Amazon and the apps I downloaded. I have unlimited plans on both AT&T and Verizon to use. The sound through the stereo is great, although for movies you'll end up at a volume level around 30 at times, so be careful when you switch to something else. There is an HDMI source option you select. I bought the stick with voice and even with the device in the dash (pushed into an area to the right side by the vents) the remote works fine. You will want to use an extension cable as the one that comes with the stick isnt long enough IMO. I bought a 6' cable, but thats more than you need, if you can get a 1' extension cord, then go for it. I went longer not being sure if I could place it right there. I ran the USB cord back into the glove box where I have a dual smart usb port plugged into the lighter. The remote fits perfectly in the little net area in front of the shifter.
. Sirius module. This was also about a 30 minute install, the one thing that is a "gotcha" is that the antenna won't plug directly into the SXV300v1 module box. While the adapter is just $40 (and comes with 3 months free), I had to go back to the audio store to buy a $30 adapter to plug the Jeep satellite antenna into the Sirius module. Do yourself a favor and order it online and save a few bucks, they are around $15. Once it was wired up and I turned on the subscription, it worked right away.
. Accessory Controller. Looks just like in the promo page.

I did pay retail at the shop ($999) and then additional for the accessory module. I think the cost of the units was $1180 and the amp was $900. I got the speakers online off Amazon. Originally I was planning to use two RF amps I had (a 4 channel and a mono sub amp), but they wouldn't fit according to the installer, so I ended up buying the JL unit.

The Good

. While I didn't do the wiring, it all fits together without any modifications (except for the removal of the top screw bracket under the top tray). I've had it apart a few times to add new items and had no problem putting it all back together again.
. It sounds great! While I was disappointed I couldn't use my Rockford Fosgate Mono amp for the sub box (too big to fit under a seat), the output of the JL unit is plenty of power for me. Lots of bass - not like my 500 watt RF mono amp, but enough for my now older ears.
. Except for the item below about not being able to make Waze the default navigation app, I really like Android Auto and the ability to stream iHeartRadio, my police scanner app, Google Play, etc.
. I love having the Fire Stick option - I know, you arent suppose to watch movies while driving in the front seat, but I can and do throw up sports channels and the news from time to time.

The Not So Good

. The interface takes a bit of getting used to - there is a lot of poking around to be done to get everything working like you would expect. Instead of just simple buttons to do basic things, it seems like I spend a lot of time pressing option buttons. If you want to customize the sound, get out the manual and you may end up installing the Alpine TuneIt app on your phone. This isn't a plug and play stereo we're used to, with all the flexibility comes some effort.
. This isn't about the unit, but about Android Auto, the Navigation button continues to bring up Google Maps instead of Waze which is my preference. Even if I have Waze open in AA, if I go to music and then click on the navigation button, Maps get opened. Even after setting Waze as the default navigation app on my S7 Edge, it continues to open Maps. Hopefully Google will address this.
. I am not a fan of the Accessory Controller and regret buying it and having it installed. If I need to turn on the lights, I have to hit the Menu button, the Accessories button and then on the screen select the lights to turn on. I already purchased an a pillar switch kit with MicTuning switches that I will probably install in the next few weeks.
. If you look at the photo of the head unit, you'll see the top of the unit isn't flush with the console. I'm not sure why that is despite my best efforts to get it so. The right ride of the console pops up after a few minutes after being pressed in, I think its because the top bolt is removed to allow for all the wiring that goes in there, but it's annoying to me. I'm going to end up trying to figure out how to make it flush.

What's Next?

I'll add a backup camera, I just didn't like the Alpine solution that would remove the center hub of my wheels at the time, so skipped that part. I'll probably go with the Brand Motion solution that puts a camera inside the wheels, but was considering the license plate version even though its off to the side.

I've tried to cover my thoughts from the first week, if you have any questions, please ask,.
 

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#4 ·
Great write up! Give the accessory controller a little time you may get used to it. I used to have an spod and I found it much easier to reach the screen than to reach the buttons to turn things on and off. It did take some getting used to though. If you do go with switches you'll probably have to rewire your relays as the Alpine controller outputs a 250MA negative trigger signal so you may have to flip the wires around on the relay to get them back to triggering off a positive voltage from your pillar switches.
 
#5 ·
Bummed this requires removal of the top screw bracket as that would result in the loss of the 67D phone mount.
 
#8 ·
OP stated his bracket was removed for the installation. Did you not have to remove the bracket?
 
#9 ·
Correct, the bracket was removed, so there is no where to put the screw back. The audio installers said it needed to come out to fit the accessories in the space. I was also able to get the console to fit flush taking it apart again and carefully trying to get everything back lined up (thanks for the kick to try it once more).

I know taking out the accessory controller is going to be a pain with the relay up in the hood area, so I'll probably sit on it for a little bit. Its not a deal killer, but it did keep me from high beaming the jack-ass that nearly ran me off the road.
 
#11 ·
I know taking out the accessory controller is going to be a pain with the relay up in the hood area, so I'll probably sit on it for a little bit. Its not a deal killer, but it did keep me from high beaming the jack-ass that nearly ran me off the road.
Maybe not so hard to get the Alpine box out of there if this idea will work. Problem is there's a few ways to wire the Alpine box to get it to work and not knowing how your installer did it, this is only a shot in the dark so please take it as such. If you've got 3 devices hooked up you should have 3 relays up front. The good news is you already have 3 trigger wires inside the cabin and they "should be" the negative input to each relay. I say "should be" as again not knowing how your relays are actually wired this is only a guess, but all you may have to do is connect one side of each pillar switch to one of the 3 wires coming out of the relays that used to go to the accessory box. The other side of each switch should go to ground. The idea here is instead of switching 12 volts on and off, you are switching ground input to the relays on and off because the relays "should be" wired for a negative input. Again not knowing how your relays are wired this is only a guess so be sure you know what you are doing if you start experimenting around with this.

Your installer probably had to extend the wires coming out of the Alpine box, and probably extended those wires using different colors, but if you want to experiment with this, the wiring out of the Alpine box is:

output 1 purple
output 2 white/red
output 3 brown

Before messing around with this you should take a look at how your relays are wired. The relay schematic I used to get mine to work was one Alpine gave me:

Relay Pins 86 and 87 to 12v from battery
Pin 85 trigger input from Alpine box
Pin 30 Power to the accessory

As you can see in the example above, there is no ground on any of the relay pins. In this case the Alpine box is switching ground on pin 85. If any one of your relay pins are wired to ground then this idea won't work and don't try it. 12 volt wiring, though it seems simple at times, can be very tricky stuff don't be messing around with this unless your sure about what your doing.
 
#15 ·
Question regarding factory GPS antenna vs the Alpine GPS antenna. I got the adapter and was able to connect the factory antenna to the Sirius tuner. It works great. I didn’t install the Alpine-supplied GPS antenna, thinking I wouldn’t need it.

Now the time won’t set on the display. It just shows “—:—:—“. Do I need to also install the Alpine GPS antenna and connect to the head unit just to be able to get the time to set?
 
#19 ·
My Alpine GPS is installed but I am still not able to set the time either. I get the “—:—:—" but the unit just beeps at me when I try to set it. :rant:
 
#17 ·
Yes. You need both.


Ok good to know. I’ll go back and add the Alpine antenna as well.

For those that use Apple CarPlay, any trouble getting navigation audio? I can set a destination and the audio volume drops when turn-by-turn directions are supposed to be heard, both there is no audio output for the directions. The map and visual directions display fine. Perhaps there’s a sound adjustment I need to make on the head unit or on my phone?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#24 ·
Great, glad you got it straightened out. I agree about how easy it is to get into the dash and work on stuff. It took me three tries to to get everything right. I can get into the dash and put it back together very quickly now :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#31 ·
I use Android Auto exclusively. Waze and Spotify in particular, but also Scanner Pro app. It works very well, however, you have to rethink how you use your head unit, it's like have two completely separate head units that don;'t work together.

You can't add AA shortcuts to your Alpine favorites page, for example.
Pandora on your head unit is Bluetooth, but in AA its by your wired connection, so if you are in AA and go to the head unit and click on Pandora, its going to try and launch the Bluetooth version.
I ran into a problem where I was on the phone and had turned on External Accessories lights and couldnt get back to the menu while on the phone. I had to hang up the call to then get to the light switches again.

It's not a big deal, but like I said, you just have to think of the setups as being two separate things.
 
#34 ·
I use Android Auto exclusively. Waze and Spotify in particular, but also Scanner Pro app. It works very well, however, you have to rethink how you use your head unit, it's like have two completely separate head units that don;'t work together....

It's not a big deal, but like I said, you just have to think of the setups as being two separate things.
Thanks for that explanation. It will save me from a lot confusion.
 
#35 ·
@packetjunkie Does your unit show a Wrangler on the screen where the tire pressures, door status and battery are displayed? My screen has a regular coup. The Alpine product page has a Wrangler shown.
 
#43 · (Edited)
Unfortunately 'Page 21' refers to the opening screen, not the Vehicle Information screen. :( An example of what I'm referring to is shown on page 91. I do have the WRA model.
 
#42 ·
As long as you convert it to a BMP with the correct resolution, you can.
 
#44 ·
How many different engine parameters can you pull up on screen?

I see they have a big one centrally located and 2 more on either side, but can you change what you want to see and can you change it anytime?
Like in the menu set up, not hooking Maestro up to laptop and programming it every time
 
#45 ·
There are a bunch you can pick from and you dont need a laptop to change them, its all on-screen from a pick list.
 
#47 ·
I did flash the idata link maestro. I might try reflashing it to see what happens again. Besides selecting the vehicle and steering wheel configuration I don't remember there being a lot of other options.

I would be curious to see pictures of what the wrangler looks like on the screen from those of you that are seeing it.
 
#52 ·
Just a quick update - the Accessories Module was a bust. It got to where 8 out of 10 times, the lights wouldn't come on at all. And without a clear indication that the lights are on, I had a couple instances where some driving lights were blinding others. I swapped it out for A-pillar switches.

Other than that, I am happy with the unit.
 
#53 ·
Just curious - is there an option to toggle heated seats with the accessory module? I'm looking at doing an after market kit, but I absolutely loathe where all the vendors recommend putting the heated seat switch. I figured if the accessory module could support this, then I'd make the jump.
 
#56 ·
There were a number of icon options, not just lights, but I dont recall if there was one for seats.
 
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