Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 23, 2020 21:15:17 GMT -5
When my 2016 ATS came out of lease last year I turned it in and ‘inherited’ my wife’s 2016 Subaru Outback (she didn’t like it because it needed gas!). While I miss the comfort and appointments of the ATS on my trips to and from Park City each winter, outside of that I don’t drive that much and even though the ATS was AWD, the Subaru is a better ski car (not to mention paid for).
The one thing I really miss from the ATS is Apple CarPlay, and even though the Subaru’s built in Harman Kardon system sounds good, I really dislike the interface. So I don’t mind putting some money into an aftermarket car stereo with CarPlay (even though it seems odd to be replacing a perfectly good system). I’ll probably buy it and get it installed at Best Buy, they’ll even put the factory system back when I go to sell, and being one of the only local B&M’s I like to support them.
So I went by BB and they were pretty helpful coming up with an installation package that included harnesses and kits to hook up my steering wheel, backup cam, and other options (I think they’ll only use the existing speakers). However the person I talked to couldn’t help much picking a unit. My #1 requirement is Wireless CarPlay (I had wired CP in the ATS), that seems to jump from the $300 to $400 units to the $600 to $700. I don’t need GPS as I’ll use Apple, Google, or Waze Maps, that seems to save me from the units that start around $800.
So I have found Pioneer, Kenwood, Sony & JVC that have wireless CP, some say they don’t have HD radio, is that even possible these days? I’m leaning toward the Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX, but honestly the only distinguishing feature is a rear facing USB-C port that maybe I could hook my iPad Pro 11 to (do they put an extension on these, what if my car only has USB-A connectors currently, can they replace one with C?)
So anyone into car stereos, can you recommend any of these brands over the others? Are there things I’m not considering that are important? Any other thoughts? It’s been a long time since I’ve looked aftermarket car systems. I’d appreciate any thoughts or suggestions you have. —Bruce
The one thing I really miss from the ATS is Apple CarPlay, and even though the Subaru’s built in Harman Kardon system sounds good, I really dislike the interface. So I don’t mind putting some money into an aftermarket car stereo with CarPlay (even though it seems odd to be replacing a perfectly good system). I’ll probably buy it and get it installed at Best Buy, they’ll even put the factory system back when I go to sell, and being one of the only local B&M’s I like to support them.
So I went by BB and they were pretty helpful coming up with an installation package that included harnesses and kits to hook up my steering wheel, backup cam, and other options (I think they’ll only use the existing speakers). However the person I talked to couldn’t help much picking a unit. My #1 requirement is Wireless CarPlay (I had wired CP in the ATS), that seems to jump from the $300 to $400 units to the $600 to $700. I don’t need GPS as I’ll use Apple, Google, or Waze Maps, that seems to save me from the units that start around $800.
So I have found Pioneer, Kenwood, Sony & JVC that have wireless CP, some say they don’t have HD radio, is that even possible these days? I’m leaning toward the Pioneer DMH-W4660NEX, but honestly the only distinguishing feature is a rear facing USB-C port that maybe I could hook my iPad Pro 11 to (do they put an extension on these, what if my car only has USB-A connectors currently, can they replace one with C?)
So anyone into car stereos, can you recommend any of these brands over the others? Are there things I’m not considering that are important? Any other thoughts? It’s been a long time since I’ve looked aftermarket car systems. I’d appreciate any thoughts or suggestions you have. —Bruce
