Aftermarket Radio options

[2010 Infantry Vet]

My truck is a 2010 ram 1500 I bought and has a Kenwood 6.2" screen radio without GPS. Since my radio does not have GPS, and i can not get my iphone to connect to the kenwood bluetooth, I am looking to upgrade to a newer unit.
I noticed Alpine has a model that has an 8" screen. I dont know much about radios, so input is needed. (No i will not be spending the rediculous amount of money for the new alpine 9" radio!). Lol. My question is do i need to to deal with all of that crap you guys with 2013+ rams have to add?
The 8" alpine i know i will have to modify my radio bezel. Also its an older unit. What benefits would I gain by getting Alpines new 7" screen vs their older 8" screen?
The 8" radio i saw used on ebay for $700.
New 7.2" alpine is around $600. Says it has carplay, what is that? I attached pics and model numbers of both radios.

 

[NapaRam]

If you don't want carplay and just nav and radio factory look you can get this one: https://www.infotainment.com/collec...-dodge-ram-1500-gps-navigation-rer-730n-radio The Alpine is a killer unit and the only wireless carplay unit available riight now. I love carplay basically all your iphone basic functions (phone, including merging calls, maps, music, messaging) plus a number of third party apps as well (Pandora, iHeart Radio etc..). I had a Kenwood 6.2" carplay until in my previous car and loved it and will be upgrading my 5.2 radio in my 15" express to the new carplay one from infotainments as soon as I can afford it!

 

[adrianp89]

The Alpine interfaces SUCK. Kenwood or Pioneer is the way to go right now.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

If you don't want carplay and just nav and radio factory look you can get this one: https://www.infotainment.com/collec...-dodge-ram-1500-gps-navigation-rer-730n-radio The Alpine is a killer unit and the only wireless carplay unit available riight now. I love carplay basically all your iphone basic functions (phone, including merging calls, maps, music, messaging) plus a number of third party apps as well (Pandora, iHeart Radio etc..). I had a Kenwood 6.2" carplay until in my previous car and loved it and will be upgrading my 5.2 radio in my 15" express to the new carplay one from infotainments as soon as I can afford it!

Yeah im not into all of that pandora, merging calls, and phone carplay stuff. I had a nice 7" alpine unit in my jeep with the microphone for the phone...no one could hear me. To me its useless. Plus all of the different adapters and uodates you have to do. Too much of a hassle. My main concern is being able to have GPS in the radio, and have it broadcast turns thru the radio.
One thing i did not like about my old alpine 7" was at night it was too bright even on the night time setting. Very distracting whike driving. Thanks for your input. From what you have told me, it sounds like I do not need carplay and all of the goofy adaptors and downloads needed. Seems the 8" alpine would benefit me more.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

The Alpine interfaces SUCK. Kenwood or Pioneer is the way to go right now.

Please, elaborate on interface.

 

[adrianp89]

Please, elaborate on interface.

It's clunky, you have to go through tons of options to get any basic settings (especially audio). Oh and to change literally anything on the radio but track or volume, the parking brake AND footbrake need to be on. And it's slow.

Either way I would still use a Maestro harness, it may be more than you need but it should shoot your navigation info into your gauge cluster.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

It's clunky, you have to go through tons of options to get any basic settings (especially audio). Oh and to change literally anything on the radio but track or volume, the parking brake AND footbrake need to be on. And it's slow.

Either way I would still use a Maestro harness, it may be more than you need but it should shoot your navigation info into your gauge cluster.

Thanks for explaining all of that for me. I am aware of the parking brake. They make an adaptor for the alpine so you dont have to hard wire it, or have the brake on. I had it in my 7" alpine in my jeep wrangler.
Ill have to look into this maestro harness. My fatory radio wasnt a touch screen. My truck is a 2010 and i do not believe i will able to have gps show on my cluster, but please correct me if i am wrong.

 

[NapaRam]

Yeah im not into all of that pandora, merging calls, and phone carplay stuff. I had a nice 7" alpine unit in my jeep with the microphone for the phone...no one could hear me. To me its useless. Plus all of the different adapters and uodates you have to do. Too much of a hassle. My main concern is being able to have GPS in the radio, and have it broadcast turns thru the radio.
One thing i did not like about my old alpine 7" was at night it was too bright even on the night time setting. Very distracting whike driving. Thanks for your input. From what you have told me, it sounds like I do not need carplay and all of the goofy adaptors and downloads needed. Seems the 8" alpine would benefit me more.

If you don't need/want carplay then either the Alpine or Kenwood that comes with the NAV system would probably be fine for you.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

If you don't need/want carplay then either the Alpine or Kenwood that comes with the NAV system would probably be fine for you.

Thanks man. Yeah im leaning towards the 8" alpine. Found one for around $600 on ebay.

 

[adrianp89]

Check Maestro's website, it will tell you what it can push into the cluster based on your vehicle and radio.