Upgraded radio. Need thought here

So I have a basic non nav non jbl factory stereo. I want built in android auto and gps from my phone. I tried an Amazon Awesafe....junk. I then tried two name brand radios from crutchfield. Double din styles. Both had issues. Both Jensens. Both returned. I'm back to oem. Thoughts on what to do next? I really like radio when it worked, the backup camera always worked but android auto would freak out and lock it up. I'd say every other drive!!! 2nd jensen was no better.

 

I have had good success with Kenwood & Pioneer.

 

Jensen = crap. Get a quality head unit and you should be good. Also Android auto = buggy on most radios

 

Jensen is junk. Always has been. My Kenwood has been flawless for 4 years now.

 

Kenwoods are still good? Thoughts on any others? I used to like Pioneer, no idea how they are now

 

Kenwood. Pioneer, Alpine, Sony, basically all the good name brands are still making quality radios. Just be aware that a $400 pioneer and a $1200 Pioneer will not perform the same. Obviously. But a $400 Pioneer will run circles around a Jensen, or Boss, or whatever brand they put on those crap radios.

 

As others have said, I recommend the Pioneers. Their newer AVH models have no problems doing Android Auto wirelessly. You get what you pay for. Buy once, cry once.

 

I just switched mine out for an Alpine 670. So, far it's been pretty good. Time will tell I guess.

 

I’ve got a JVC/KW from crutchfield, it’s been great, had an issue with a bad cable, but not the head unit. Wasn’t very expensive either.

 

Ordered a Kenwood 8709s from Crutchfield. Send back the pos jensen. This is what they recommended. Has way more on it than I need but the guy said they rarely get complaints and returns on this unit. Will see how it works out!

 

I've heard good things about that unit.

 

Ugh, Jensen... That's the POS that came in my RV, Bleccchh!

I had a Pioneer AVH double din w/DVD player in my '00 Tundra and it worked well... the Android Auto stopped linking to my phone after 4 years or so, I never tried to hard to troubleshoot it.

That being said, I REALLY like the big ass Kenwood HU I put in the '19 recently. Spent way more than I should have, but "Buy Once, Cry Once"

Had some connectivity issues with Android Auto right after install (I think it may have been operator error) but we got it sorted out and it's been flawless ever since.

Made a substantial improvement in sound quality even with the stock speakers.
Wireless Android Auto for me, wired Apple Car Play for the wife.
Uses my phone's NAV instead of the clunky Toyota version
Much better voice commands with more capability than OEM
I can speak to send text messages *Important note* Be especially careful about reactions to stupid drivers when using this function... I almost sent my best friend a text calling him a stupid fuckin' asshole one day when somebody cut me off while I was speaking his text.
Added a front cam
Can read more gauges, particularly glad to have trans, coolant temp

*BONUS*
My, ummm... "passengers" can watch Netflix, YouTube, Prime, Peacock, etc. on a road trip with the wireless screen mirroring to my Samsung phone.

 

As a current Pioneer owner, I'm gonna do Kenwood or Alpine next.

 

As a current Kenwood test bunny and Jensen test idiot I'm putting my stock unit in. 3 different units all 3 lock up and don't work worth a shit. Kenwood was $600 with install gear and it lasted 1 ignition cycle. I swear 2 of the 3 were return units the way the boxes look....Crutchfield service has been great to deal with but no more aftermarket crap for this guy. I'll buy a new truck first!!!! I've wasted so many hours doing this. It's easy but time consuming. I should know better being a GM tech for over 25 years. Just when I thought GM had the worst electronics in the industry, I get this crap!!!!

 

Did Crutchfield confirm you bought refurbs or what? That's definitely a good run of bad luck...

 

No they didn't. Just seems weird that two of the boxes were opened and manuals loose in the big package the stuff came in. I swear I could go to walmart and buy a $150 pioneer with a backup camera and bluetooth and it would work. I'm just sick of taking shit back. My dash is like a cheap whore its been apart so many times

 

I'm assuming they gave you full refunds?

 

Problem is you bought budget level gear and expecting better than stock quality. There are ways to dress up your stick unit and there are ways to replace it and get better performance. If you want to replace the stick amp with more power and upgrade speakers, that’s what many of us did as a stopgap. Then eventually you’ll want to upgrade the head unit to wireless CarPlay, etc.

It really depends on your expectations - if you simply want wireless android capability, you can get a baseline pioneer, kenwood, etc. and do fine. But if you want performance and bells & whistles you’re going to have to step up the budget pretty significantly.

 

Crutchfield is giving full refunds. I just wanted a backup camera and android auto. I figured the Kenwood would work fine. The Jensen being only $300 was a shot in the dark. I recently put a $50 Amazon china made backup camera in my nephews car and it works perfect. I'll just order another and leave the stock radio in. Before all this I also tried a Dasaita type radio off amazon for a few hundred dollars that had great reviews. Never left the driveway. This truck is as simple as it gets for a radio. Base radio no jbl no nav. I figured the aftermarkets would be better. 20 years ago they were.

 

I’ve had a Kenwood and Alpine in my Tundra - both were wayyy better than stock head unit and gave me wireless CarPlay.

 

They still are. My Kenwood has been flawless.

Weird to have multiple units giving you so much trouble. One defective HU I can understand, but...

 

I wonder this also. The Jensen first one was good for like a week or two. Then it would always skip off 94.5 on its own and skip over channels and go right to 96.5....odd, taking it to church didn't help either. 2nd jensen would lock up going from phone to audio every time. This Kenwood just won't come off the KENWOOD start screen now. The packaging on this last shipment was terrible, loose and I'm sure that didn't help.

 

Some of the kenwood, pioneer and alpine units wont operate and will stay on start screen or locked in demo mode if you don't have a "set" screw installed. Some of them are tricky to get seated properly.....maybe look to see if that was the issue with the kenwood?

 

not that its back to crutchfield. If I try another I'll buy a stereo locally. The way they packaged this last one.....well my labrador could've done a better job