Has anyone owned this radio?

Pioneer AVIC-W6500NEX

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130AVW6500/Pioneer-AVIC-W6500NEX.html?

Does anyone own this radio? If so, how do you like it? I am looking for Apple CarPlay. Preferably wireless and something that’ll work with the datalink harness to keep steering wheel controls, etc.

Any other suggestions on stereo upgrades please let me know. Thanks!

 

I went with the Kenwood DDX9905S and installed the datalink and stereo just this past week.

So far works great with the steering wheel and the sound is amazing compared to the stock head unit.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the newer options available.

 

@Tech12volts

 

I know a few members are running the pioneer NEX series, including myself (8200 NEX). It’s the shit. You won’t be disappointed.

 

I installed mine a month ago and love it. It works well with Apple CarPlay and also has android play if you ever change things up which is nice. Let me get some pics for you and I will post them here.

 

Sweet for sure. I'd love to see some pictures.

 

Does it have Navigation built in?

 

I've got the

$599 AVH-W4400NEX In Dash Multimedia Receiver with 7" WVGA Clear Resistive Touchscreen Display

AVH-W4400NEX and have been happy with it. It has wireless CarPlay/Android Auto and iDataLink Maestro RR compatibility, though I'm not sure what the other feature differences will be from the unit you posted.

 

How much did yours run?

 

So does the datalink harness make it plug and play pretty much? Don't want to do splicing or soldering if I can help it.

 

I think I paid around $500 for an open box model. You won't need to do anything to the factory harnesses and wiring with the iDataLink harness - you should have a kit with that which will be plug and play. You'll just need to crimp/solder the radio harness to the iDataLink and adapter harnesses.

 

I assume that it comes with a walk through on what wires to crimp?

 

Yeah, the vehicle-specific harness kit will have a wiring diagram to tell you which wires to match. I used a Crux steering wheel kit instead of iDataLink, but same idea. Also, make sure to pick up antenna adapters for the factory XM and GPS antennas if you plan to keep those (I think Crutchfield usually has a mail-in rebate on the XM kit)

$30 Maestro Acc-SAT-TO2 Sat Radio and GPS Antenna adaptors for TO2 Vehicles

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K03PORU/

 

Would I need the GPS one if I did not have GPS to begin with on the stock radio(I had that Scout App GPS)? Or is that since the new one has GPS?

 

The new stereo should include a new GPS antenna and mounting kit - if you didn't have that as a factory option, then no you wouldn't need that adapter. I think I only found this as a kit with both the satellite radio and GPS adapters, but you may be able to find them individually if one is needed.

 

It has Waze functionality and comes with a GPS antenna, although map data may be from your phone. Not sure how that compares to the Pioneer.

My primary motive was to improve the sound and add Carplay/Android Auto.

The wiring is not difficult at all if you follow their diagram. You'll need some patience sorting through the colorful spaghetti.

 

That's good to know. I want to improve my sound and add CarPlay too. But the built in navigation is definitely tempting too. But it is a big price jump compared to

$599 AVH-W4400NEX In Dash Multimedia Receiver with 7" WVGA Clear Resistive Touchscreen Display

AVH-W4400NEX which seems to have everything except the built in nav.

 

I have the AVH8100-NEX, a few years old and is a very solid HU. I installed for BT and back-up camera, NAV and wireless carplay added bonuses. Scored used, very reasonable from co-worker. No steering wheel controls so no extra harnesses for me.

I wanted to mention, although I could have done the install (many years since doing one) I had a local install shop do it for like $200, me supplying the parts. That included a new tailgate latch camera install as well. Money well spent IMHO and done in like 1.5 hrs. Wouldn't hurt to get a quote or two.

 

My brothers got an NEX and its nothing but problem . I suspect hes the odd one out though because hes an idiot and I really trust l pioneer

 

Holy Ram Mounts, Batman

 

Problems begin when you use windex to clean the screen and the liquid runs down the screen and behind those front buttons...microfiber towel only...

 

I put the 8400 in my truck and my buddy put the 8500 in his 2nd Gen and we both love them. No problems so far. I would highly recommened going capacitive touch screen over resistive. I bought close to when it came out so dont ask me about cost please, but my buddy just got his for 700 on crutchfield. You'll have to get Idatalink maestro and face plate so plan on spending a couple hundred on top of the HU.

 

What happens in ram mounts stays in ram mounts.

https://www.ics-fab.com/

 

Sorry to hijack this thread but I was thinking about getting the W4500NEX. I was looking at some pictures and it looks like Crutchfield has a ready harness for the Pioneer to the stock Toyota wiring which makes installation a bit easier. For the iDataLink harness, it would be using the iDataLink port on the back of the head unit and the stock Toyota wiring harness is plugged into the iDataLink harness to get power, audio and everything else?

 

That doesn't look like the same unit linked by OP. I like that it's in dash and not sticking out. Which unit is this please?

 

I really like these HU and would love to swap out the factory one, but I HATE how the trim piece doesn't match the factory trim. You would think after 5 years of the Gen 3s being out, someone would've released a trim piece to match OEM color perfectly.

 

The unit itself allows for the end user to set the display angle. So you can set it at 90 degrees or 45 or whatever you like. That is why it appears to be a different unit. I just have it set at a different angle.

 

I did this exact setup to maintain use of factory steering wheel controls and it works perfectly.

 

I like the wireless because I have a Pixel 3.. it would work but the $700 price tag is still a little too much for me, IMO.