Pioneer CarPlay Headunit, has anyone got one fitted yet?

Arkious said:
I see a few of you are tempted too, it would be so nice to replace Audi's terrible speach button with Siri or the Android equivalent ^.^
Click to expand...

It would be very nice indeed, but I suspect that this would depend on individual head unit's ability to learn and customise inputs from the steering wheel buttons.
 
Just picked up my 2011 A3 last week really interested in this head unit just can't make my mind up. I have a pioneer avic F10bt from my old car but it is about 4 years old now. The new head units certainly seem to have more features when it comes to using apps now.
 
I've ordered all of the parts needed for the install today. Settled on Pioneer AVH series head unit in the end and will be looking to get full Android screen mirroring via HDMI & controls over BT. This should allow the phone to be fully controlled via the touchscreen with all media output going out through the unit, with just a single cable connected to the phone. That's the theory anyway...
 
Can the microphone be wired to the OEM microphone location? (Dome/map light cover). Is the cable long enough?
 
The mic cable has always been quite long on all Kenwood units I used in the past and I don't see this being different on a Pioneer (will find out soon) . I guess that the best way to find out is to go to the audio shop and check the unit out or look for an unboxing youtube video for your chosen unit.
 
The mic cable on my old pioneer was a good 3-4metres long so should be more than enough. Certainly was in my old Honda. I ended up using a cable tie to bunch the excess up under the dash.
 
The wire is long enough however the mic isn't as good so if you hide it in the roof panel you will get issues with people being unable to hear you correctly, I speak from experience. I have it now sitting discreetly just in front of the little flap by the roof panel. As I have the black headliner it's not really visible unless you look for it.
 
Is their any way to use another mic? Isnt it just a normal 3.5mm input. Hows using audi's oem mic (rns-e mic)
 
Here is what mine looks like
The aftermarket stereos tend not to use 3.5mm jacks on their mica... It's smaller but I can't say exactly what size.
You could try to use the own mic but you would need to rewire it to suit your stereo connector
 

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This has been really good reading and has prompted me to get one of these HU's fitted to my 2010 S3. I've always hated the Concert Stereo with my Bose set up.

I thought briefly about retro fitting the RNS-e but, what's the point other than wanting an OEM look and feel.

This Pioneer unit (SPH-DA120) seems to tick all the boxes and I can plug my iPod in and get playlists and track info. It will make all the the existing Bluetooth and ipod connections that came with my car redundant but, it seems to be worth with. I'm also hopeful that a semi-decent HU will give me additional control over the Bose set up which i have to say, Audiopilot is shamefully rubbish.

The only downside I can see is having to have an additional microphone installed hands free. Would have been perfect if the existing OEM one would work.

Anyway, i'm planning to have it fitted at the weekend by Car Audio Centre, so if anyone beats me to it, please do let me know what you think.
 
Personally I don't like the app radio units as they are dependant on your iPod/iPhone. No cd/DVD slots or sd cards. This why I have the avh-8400bt
 
Same here, but Im also a heavy Android user, so iDevice integration is not relevant in my case. What does float my boat is the full screen mirroring from the phone, with a bit of messing about on it.

I went for avh-8600bt in the end. It should arrive on Friday, with all of the facia and harness adaptors delivered today.
 
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Just installed the Pioneer head unit and the difference in sound quality to original unit is amazing! Much more depth to the sound and better in every way even on the stock Bose speakers!

Haven't connected the phone using mirroring yet, just via BT streamjng and all mfsw controls seem to work well.

Once the correct android cable arrives I'll be rooting my phone :)
 
Did some basic messing about with it and took a video below. I have a phone connected using BT and seems to work well so far. Will need to figure out how to mount the stereo a little deeper in the dash, as it still pokes out a bit to much for my liking.

 
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audi upgrades
I think YouTube blocked it for some countries or devices due to music on the radio. I'll try to find an alternative
 
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Funny this has come up ! I've been looking at the AVIC-F60DAB! Looks awesome! However it's £850 ..? A lot of monies
 
I got my HU from a shop in Italy via eBay. Was about £140 cheaper than anything in UK. Strong pound vs euro helps too.

Looked at options for DAB and GPS, but seeing as my phone would be the primary music and navigation source, spending more money on a unit with these features seemed pointless.
 
Yup, I had the correct cage, just haven't adjusted it to sit further in the dash at that time. Since the video, I relocated the adapters on either side and the unit sticks out very slightly. I'm happy with how it looks. Just waiting for the correct adapter cable for my Android to arrive and will be trying to get full mirroring to work with one of the many dashboard apps.
 
fantastic thread. props to you mate

ive been wanting to change this spastic concert head unit ever since I got the car back in november. Been looking at alpine as ive had two of their headunits before and the sound quality is superb.

does the pioneer offer a lot of sound manipulation? equaliser etc?
 
@Ash187 did you do anything special to the HU bezel to get it to sit as flush as it does on your photos? I found to be protruding a bit further on my install. I pushed it in as far as the last notch, should I try refitting it to be even further than that?
 
Hey Guys,
Hopefully someone can shed some light on this.
My birthday just passed and i have been lucky enough to get a SPH-DA120 as a present.

I am trying to put together a list of all cables, adapters cages etc i will need to get it to work fully in my car, but I'm having some difficulty in this.
I have read this thread over and over twice so i definitely did look.

Parts i know i need are:
Flush Mount Cage as Ash187 has suggested:
http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/connects2-ct23au02a-audi-a3-double-din-fascia-panel-adaptor.html

Will get a Reversing camera but that is not essential, will also install the GPS antenna and the Mic.

Do i need to buy any additional adapters for all the speakers to work and do i need any Arial adapters?

I will also need a CD-AH200 cable pack to get my phone to mirror to the HU, also seem pretty hard to come by in uk.. ?


I haven't had my standard unit out so i don't really know what connections it has.

Also i have just the stock sound with radio that takes 6CD's & a Cassette NO Steering wheel buttons to worry about either.

Also what about these fitting cages?
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/ctkau01-audi-a3-radio-installation-kit
http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/audi...stereo-fascia-steering-stalk-fitting-kit.html



Any advice will be greatly appreciated as im itching to get this installed and then i can worry about adding in a nice amp to supply all 4 speakers and a new sub..

That's a topic for another day however.

Thanks :)
 
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What year is your car? for the right kit you want one of these:

2003 - 2006: ISO fitting http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/conn...nwards-double-din-car-stereo-fitting-kit.html

2007 - 2012: Quadlock fitting http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/audi...ia-steering-stalk-fitting-kit-1721573455.html

They include the wiring leads to convert the Audi wiring to the aftermarket stereos, the steering control box and the adjustable cage. if you need confirmation just ring up Dynamic sounds who will be able to confirm the bits you need. I have dealt with Dynamic sounds for a few years now and they have helped every time.

That should get you up and running.. if you need any help fitting it give me a shout.
 
Hi Ash,
thanks for your reply.

I have the 2004 model, and the one you have linked includes the cage, but is it a Flush Fitting one?

Will i not need any Arial Adapters?
 
in the description it mentions that the aerial adapter is included. you should call them and ask if the cage is the flush fit type as it normally wouldn't include a cage at all
 
Ash187 said:
Generally those kits come at a better price and have all the wires you need in one kit.
Click to expand...
The only thing is that they bundle the single fakra connector for the radio aerial, which may be the wrong type and results in bad reception. Dual fakra connector fixes this for cars with dual connectors. I used this on my install and no radio reception issues whatsoever.
 
Ah, fair enough, thought I'd mention it just in case :)
 
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Just to be extra sure, I'd email dynamic sounds and confirm with them. Their tech guys are quick to respond during business hours.
 
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