What Am I Missing Here?

I'm looking for a new head unit for my 2016. I'm not looking at spending $1,000 bucks. I can buy a $160 head unit that is a direct replacement from Amazon or Ebay that has wireless carplay and android auto, has GPS navigation, has wifi and Bluetooth and works with steering wheel controls. Does not have XM radio or a CD player (I don't care). So what is wrong with these head units? Anyone using one?

 

I would bet money you'll lose any of the vehicle control options that are in the stock head unit. Just a guess, but I don't see them integrating seamlessly on that front. Resolution is also not likely to be anything amazing. If you can find a video review of the specific model you are looking at you'll probably get a better idea rather than the copy paste photo edit stuff all over scamazon.

 

I have full control of my limited setting in the instrument cluster. There are a thousand videos on YouTube, thought I would ask here for first hand experience. I'm not looking at any specific model/brand but there are dozens of these headunits that vary in price from $120- $250. Thinking that other members might have first hand experience, good or bad on these cheaper units.

 

Really? That's pretty sweet, actually. If it's really a plug and play swap, you may just wind up being the guinea pig for it.

 

By full control there isn't much I can do in the head unit or the cluster and I'm hoping someone else has sacrificed their guinea pig dollars.

 

You can't change things like the lock and light behavior in the head unit?

I don't blame you wanting to get info from others. If nothing else, my unhelpful questions are bumping it to the top of the list!

 

Lock and light control yes but I can do that in techstream.

Bump, bump

 

I replaced my factory head unit with an aftermarket one and had to get a maestro module in order to keep the steering wheel controls.

 

What did you buy and how do you like it? The ones I have been looking at say the steering wheel controls would work.

 

It was about a year ago, bought from crutchfield. It is a jvc unit and it looks factory but has CarPlay. The jvc description says it works with the steering wheel controls but there’s a note that said maestro was needed. When I called crutchfield they were real good about getting me everything I needed, including plug n play wiring harness.

 

Any issues and are you happy? If you don't mind me asking, what was the cost?

 

Yes, happy with it. I want to say with everything it was about $300. I don’t remember exactly. Came with everything though, even the little plastic surround do the factory look.
Main reason I did it was for CarPlay. My 21 rav4 has it and I got spoiled with it. One cool thing about the maestro thing is it tells you tire pressures. Some other things too but I know I’m not using it or stereo to its potential. I’m not a techy guy at all. Just like to hear some tunes and have a map that’s easier to see than my phone. I still reach for a non existent volume knob all the time.
If the one you’re looking at off eBay says it will work, maybe research that particular model off manufacturers site for any notes about maestro type module being needed. I wouldn’t have known if I didn’t call crutchfield.

 

Thank you for the info.