Recommendations for Headunit

[Pancho1310]

Hey guys. New to the site. Have a 2017 Ram and would like to changeout the headunit with something with Apple Carplay capabilities.. Understand I will lose some of my Uconnect capabilities. Any recommendations or sharing your experiences would really help.

Thanks

 

[audiophile]

I personally recommend Pioneer. Several different models with tons of options. Go through Crutchfield and they have the harness that will retain most of the factory connections.

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[daveray9]

Let us know what you go with!

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[cam101]

Lots of different options. Definitely look thru crutchfield. Myself I am using Kenwood. I would also look thru Amazon you might find a killer deal as well. Good luck!

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[deathbyburito]

I would also look at this thread if you haven't. This is what I did for my 2016 Ram. Ended up with Android Auto and kept the stock look/functionality and spent the same amount of money if not a little less. Not sure if you already have the 8.4" screen as that may also impact the decision.
https://www.ramforum.com/threads/how-to-install-a-2018-4c-uaq-uas-radio-in-2013-2017-ram.116140/

That said I've had Kenwood and Pioneer for Android Auto. I really liked both although the Kenwood had a capacitive touchscreen versus resistive on the Pioneer, and I will say the capacitive was very noticably better.

 

[Pancho1310]

Yes I have the 8.4 inch screen. Thank you all for your help. Will do a little for comparing and let you know what I decide.

 

[Pancho1310]

I did not realize how much information was out there. After doing some research I think I will go with the Kenwood DMX9707S 6.95 inch. However, I have read so much about mirroring your iphone like mirrorlink and devices like Carplay Air 2 that supposedly tricks your car into thinking it has carplay. Guys, I'm a little old to be trying to understand all this business. Should I just go ahead and buy the headunit or try one these new devices and save a lot of money. Help! I did compare the Pioneer AVIC-W8500NEX with the Kenwood and thought the Kenwood looked like a better deal overall.

 

[Quint]

I think that you answered your own question. You're a little old for using tricks to get things to work. At some point you'll just want it all to work and will wish you'd just spent the money on a new headunit with the features you wanted.

 

[Jbyron]

I second Pioneer. We have 6 Pioneer headunits (4 double din Carplays, 2 non CarPlay) in our cars, one HU is over 10 years old and none of them have failed.

I suggest you go for 1) Pioneer 2) one with a capacitative touch screen

 

[cam101]

I agree with another of the new electronic products its not easy to get exact what you want. Strict my opinion but I would go with the Kenwood.

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[Firetruck41]

I would go with the Kenwood.

 

[canadiankodiak700]

I'm very pro Kenwood, but Pioneer does make some very nice units. As of right now, kenwood is best in class with better grade audio components in thier radios, and the clear resistive anti glare screen with higher resolution is second to none. Go with thier excelon line if you can, they are amazing products.

As for the "tricking gadgets" pay attention to the reviews from the pros in the industry. Yes they work... Consistently... No, and they should ship with a lifetime supply of Tylenol... You will need it.

I'm 41... Life lesson learned the hard way... Just spend a bit more cash up front for the better product..... Or you will be spending more cash in the end for that exact same product eventually to solve your problems that you wouldn't have if you did it right the first time......

Trust me, I've learned that lesson more than once... Lol


That DMX9707S is a great head unit, I had, (age still have on the shelf) the older version but a step down... The 7704s. It was a solid unit, it may even get installed in my 19 classic until I can set aside some cash for a new excelon. Right now, still rocking the oem 8.4 and is ok... But as soon as the audio system is upgraded, I can see that 8.4 being replaced by a Kenwood Excelon

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