iDatalink Maestro

There were some questions in a previous post concerning iDatalink Maestro.
Here is my experience with iDatalink.

First, here is what i used.
Kenwood 9903s
iDatalink ADS-MRR interface module (brain)
iDatalink HRN-RR-CH3 factory integration (wiring harness)
iDatalink ACC-USB-RAM USB port cable (to retain center usb/data port)
Metra 12040EU55 Antenna adaptor (european to standard, because Mopar refuses to use standard antenna plugs)
Metra 95-6518B Dash Kit
SiriusXM SXV300V1 tuner (the factory satellite radio is built in to the stock head unit)
iDatalink Maestro SAT1 (retain stock satellite antenna)
You will need access to a Windows base PC to flash module to your trim level.
Your factory tailgate back up cam will plug right in.
This should all come to around $1000, way cheaper than a OEM GPS set up with a lot more features and expandability. I would definitely go this route before dropping $3,200 on the Alpine X009. (that doesn't even have Apple Carplay or Android Auto)
I do recommend professional installation by a quality stereo shop. (see certification)

Note, i am using an iPhone, results/feature may be different for Android.
uConnect will no longer work. the uConnect button on the steering wheel will now activate Siri.

Things i lost.
uConnect (replaced with Siri)
Tow gain adjuster (can still be adjusted on the cluster screen, just not the radio)
The ability to adjust the delayed power shut off for the radio after ignition is switched off. (will stay at default)
The ability to make the horn honk or not when locking the doors with key fob. (will stay at default, short honk when looking doors)
Factory hands free phone mic. (head unit came with a replacement)

On a side note, i have had probably 20 high end head units, this is the first one that has the same radio reception as stock. Most aftermarket radios have inferior am/fm reception compared to OEM.

I will add anything i may have forgotten. [/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

The ApplePlay screen flips when you swipe just like the phone.
[URL=http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/crf909/media/IMG_1710_zpsrtjyczve.jpg.html]
[ATTACH=full]371346[/ATTACH][/URL][IMG][URL=http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/crf909/media/IMG_1709_zpslemhnnii.jpg.html]
[ATTACH=full]371347[/ATTACH][/URL]
This screen just shows your current manual climate control settings. If you have electronic climate control, I'm pretty sure this would be where you would adjust it.

[/IMG]

Live engine data.
[URL=http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/crf909/media/IMG_1703_zpsfr8li0wx.jpg.html]
[ATTACH=full]371349[/ATTACH][/URL]
Tire pressure and battery voltage screen. Apparently, if you have a check engine light come on, you can see the code here and reset it.

[ATTACH=full]371350[/ATTACH][URL=http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/crf909/media/IMG_1697_zpsitonqeur.jpg.html]
[ATTACH=full]371351[/ATTACH][/URL]

The replacement usb/dataport lights up to make it easy to spot in the dark.[/URL][/IMG]

Nice write up sickboy. How do you like the 9903, specifically when it comes to carplay and navigation? Is it a full solution once the phone is connected and straight forward or is it convoluted in that you don't get access to certain things that you would on say a unit with navigation built in like the 893?

I am torn between the unit you have and the 893 as I want a full solution but I also know that phone maps are updated faster.

The interface is fantastic. Apple has designed Carplay to work perfectly with their GPS. Because you have Siri, you can type or speak your destination. There is an additional GPS looking antenna that comes with the 9903 that is supposed to help with the signal. I looked at the Kenwoods with the built in GPS also, but i like the traffic notifications better with Apple GPS. And, as you said, the maps are updated much more frequently and the updates are FREE. In my opinion, the days of built in navigation are numbered.

sickboy said:

The interface is fantastic. Apple has designed Carplay to work perfectly with their GPS. Because you have Siri, you can type or speak your destination. There is an additional GPS looking antenna that comes with the 9903 that is supposed to help with the signal. I looked at the Kenwoods with the built in GPS also, but i like the traffic notifications better with Apple GPS. And, as you said, the maps are updated much more frequently and the updates are FREE. In my opinion, the days of built in navigation are numbered.

Click to expand...

Great to hear and your thoughts are exactly mine when you say days are numbered. I also like the fact that it's cheaper.

Oh, one other question for you. How long have you had it installed and have the steering wheel controls been rock solid?

My last go with a maestro was in an 11 F150 and while it worked nicely, some days volume would only go down, not up from the steering wheel. A simple turn the truck off and back on again corrected it but it was an annoyance. Hoping to avoid any of that BS.

troutspinner said:

Oh, one other question for you. How long have you had it installed and have the steering wheel controls been rock solid?

My last go with a maestro was in an 11 F150 and while it worked nicely, some days volume would only go down, not up from the steering wheel. A simple turn the truck off and back on again corrected it but it was an annoyance. Hoping to avoid any of that BS.

Click to expand...

actually, i have only had it for a month. my experience with electronics has always been if there is an equipment issue, its typically right away. if there is an issue down the road, its typically an installation issue. any good installation shop will have a 12 month no questions asked warranty. if they don't, they are probably not an authorized dealer for that product, find another shop.

I've had a Kenwood unit with idatalink in my 2015 for about a year now with zero issues

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

troutspinner said:

Oh, one other question for you. How long have you had it installed and have the steering wheel controls been rock solid?

My last go with a maestro was in an 11 F150 and while it worked nicely, some days volume would only go down, not up from the steering wheel. A simple turn the truck off and back on again corrected it but it was an annoyance. Hoping to avoid any of that BS.

Click to expand...

That is an odd issue. Could have been a number of things, but I will say the Maestro SW is by-far the best SWC interface on the market. ASWC works when it wants to, PAC usually works well but is limited and usually needs to be mapped, and the Maestro flat just works every single time for us.


OP: Be on the look out for updates on the Maestro/Kenwood. They should be launching dynamic parking lines soon.

adrianp89 said:

That is an odd issue. Could have been a number of things, but I will say the Maestro SW is by-far the best SWC interface on the market. ASWC works when it wants to, PAC usually works well but is limited and usually needs to be mapped, and the Maestro flat just works every single time for us.


OP: Be on the look out for updates on the Maestro/Kenwood. They should be launching dynamic parking lines soon.

Click to expand...

Good deal. I have the same setup as the OP. Always interested in new SW features. Only thing I'm not crazy about with the 9903S is the touchscreen sometimes isn't as responsive as I'd like, but I think that's the norm with most of these HU's.

OP, so the delay off can't be set on yours through the radio maestro setup screen? I'm pretty sure all of those options work on mine. I'll check though. Your center dash does look different than mine though.

well done man!!! The gauge page looks great

adrianp89 said:

That is an odd issue. Could have been a number of things, but I will say the Maestro SW is by-far the best SWC interface on the market. ASWC works when it wants to, PAC usually works well but is limited and usually needs to be mapped, and the Maestro flat just works every single time for us.


OP: Be on the look out for updates on the Maestro/Kenwood. They should be launching dynamic parking lines soon.

Click to expand...

thanks for the tip.

Good info. I was just at a shop today looking at stereos, got a quote of just over 800 for a pioneer head unit installed with everything but the Sirius parts.

sickboy said:

There were some questions in a previous post concerning iDatalink Maestro.
Here is my experience with iDatalink.

First, here is what i used.
Kenwood 9903s
iDatalink ADS-MRR interface module (brain)
iDatalink HRN-RR-CH3 factory integration (wiring harness)
iDatalink ACC-USB-RAM USB port cable (to retain center usb/data port)
Metra 12040EU55 Antenna adaptor (european to standard, because Mopar refuses to use standard antenna plugs)
Metra 95-6518B Dash Kit
SiriusXM SXV300V1 tuner (the factory satellite radio is built in to the stock head unit)
iDatalink Maestro SAT1 (retain stock satellite antenna)
You will need access to a Windows base PC to flash module to your trim level.
Your factory tailgate back up cam will plug right in.
This should all come to around $1000, way cheaper than a OEM GPS set up with a lot more features and expandability. I would definitely go this route before dropping $3,200 on the Alpine X009. (that doesn't even have Apple Carplay or Android Auto)
I do recommend professional installation by a quality stereo shop. (see certification)

Note, i am using an iPhone, results/feature may be different for Android.
uConnect will no longer work. the uConnect button on the steering wheel will now activate Siri.

Things i lost.
uConnect (replaced with Siri)
Tow gain adjuster (can still be adjusted on the cluster screen, just not the radio)
The ability to adjust the delayed power shut off for the radio after ignition is switched off. (will stay at default)
The ability to make the horn honk or not when locking the doors with key fob. (will stay at default, short honk when looking doors)
Factory hands free phone mic. (head unit came with a replacement)

On a side note, i have had probably 20 high end head units, this is the first one that has the same radio reception as stock. Most aftermarket radios have inferior am/fm reception compared to OEM.

I will add anything i may have forgotten.

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

The ApplePlay screen flips when you swipe just like the phone.
[URL=http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/crf909/media/IMG_1710_zpsrtjyczve.jpg.html]
[ATTACH=full]371495[/ATTACH][/URL][IMG][URL=http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/crf909/media/IMG_1709_zpslemhnnii.jpg.html]
[ATTACH=full]371496[/ATTACH][/URL]
This screen just shows your current manual climate control settings. If you have electronic climate control, I'm pretty sure this would be where you would adjust it.

[/IMG]

Live engine data.
[URL=http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/crf909/media/IMG_1703_zpsfr8li0wx.jpg.html]
[ATTACH=full]371498[/ATTACH][/URL]
Tire pressure and battery voltage screen. Apparently, if you have a check engine light come on, you can see the code here and reset it.

[ATTACH=full]371499[/ATTACH][URL=http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/crf909/media/IMG_1697_zpsitonqeur.jpg.html]
[ATTACH=full]371500[/ATTACH][/URL]

The replacement usb/dataport lights up to make it easy to spot in the dark.

[/URL][/IMG]

Click to expand...

Im diggin your Hu, I HATE MINE!!! How much was yours?

You shouldnt have lost delayed power, and horn honk. If you have issues, call them. When i installed mine, (installed week after idatalink was avalible for our trucks) i had 0 features, they made me a custom flash.

Haha i have bought everything from Idatalink asoon as they come out. Fun install

Here are some pics.











Apparently I need to add some air to my right front







































Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

How hard of an install is this if I were to do it myself? I've installed many of single dins throughout the years.

PCT said:

Im diggin your Hu, I HATE MINE!!! How much was yours?

You shouldnt have lost delayed power, and horn honk. If you have issues, call them. When i installed mine, (installed week after idatalink was avalible for our trucks) i had 0 features, they made me a custom flash.

Haha i have bought everything from Idatalink asoon as they come out. Fun install

Click to expand...

I paid $650 for the 9903s....when i came back the following week, it went up to $750. good timing.

1500ram12 said:

Here are some pics.











Apparently I need to add some air to my right front







































Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

thanks, i dig through the menus this weekend.

homebrew said:

How hard of an install is this if I were to do it myself? I've installed many of single dins throughout the years.

Click to expand...

It's not too bad. you have to make sure you purchase all the correct items and everything basically plugs in. You will have to cut out a small piece of metal behind the stock radio.

Heres my question....

I have a Jenson VX7022 ready to go in that was purchased for me as a present. Has Navi built in and my father has the same radio in his truck, loves it. Much better then the Base radio these trucks come with (mine did anyways...)

If I use the harnesses and other components you used, will I gain this added functionality of gauges and TPMS monitoring, etc etc? I'd LOVE to have all that data and functionality, I simply cannot afford that expensive of a radio though...

mpicc84 said:

Heres my question....

I have a Jenson VX7022 ready to go in that was purchased for me as a present. Has Navi built in and my father has the same radio in his truck, loves it. Much better then the Base radio these trucks come with (mine did anyways...)

If I use the harnesses and other components you used, will I gain this added functionality of gauges and TPMS monitoring, etc etc? I'd LOVE to have all that data and functionality, I simply cannot afford that expensive of a radio though...

Click to expand...

I don't think Jensen is compatible with idatalink maestro. You can go to the there website and find a list of compatible radios

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk