Sick of my Pioneer AVIC NEX. What next?

I've used Pioneer receivers since I got my 2nd Gen in 2012... I'm on my 3rd one. One died, one stolen, and current radio is a good 5-6 years old.

Running the Pioneer AVIC7200-NEX. Every week or so it just doesn't start with the truck. Screen is on, no audio (older models did this too). Now it's getting crazy slow, laggy, and I have to start the truck 2-3 times to get it to work. Over it!

What next? Try a Kenwood, get one of the Tesla-style Aucar models? I want wireless Android Auto and SiriusXM.

I have a 2011 with JBL.

 

Luckily you have the wiring harness and everything so your install will certainly be cheaper. If you currently have XM, that means you have the XM module as well so that’s good. Most major brands will support XM, but many of the Chinese ones won’t so just be sure to check the unit you’re looking at for the XM port on the back.

from my experience installing, everything is hit or miss in terms of longevity. 5-6 years was pretty common among nicer units. Less for cheaper units from big brands. Even less from boss and the cheap junk.

my pioneer w8400 from 2017 is still going, but each Alabama summer takes its toll and I’m starting to save for a replacement when that day comes.

Kenwood is good but the menus and layout is very different so you’ll need to re-learn some things. Not a big deal though.

the joying units seem to get a lot of love here, but I don’t have experience with them myself. I’m also not sure when they hit the scene so I don’t know if the life span has been proven beyond a few years.

When mine dies, I’m debating on putting the factory head back in and using an iPad mini

 

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I have all the wiring, SWC, mics, antenna, XM module ready to roll. As long as plugs are the same I could swap fairly easily. Good point on the Chinese stuff.

I loved my JVC Excelon waaay back. Was considering one of those too. Not sure how I feel about a floater, either. But maybe.

 

These days, kenwood owns JVC and uses that brand for the low-end stuff.

as for floating screens, it’s certainly a personal preference. I don’t like the look of them but they’re clearly very popular so we all have our preferred flavor

 

True, but the Excelon is the higher-end stuff for JVC.. hm. I guess I'll just have to try a few somewhere to see the UI, then decide.

 

Kenwood uses the excelon name now for their top end stuff

 

Yup. I'm aware

 

i have a jvc kwv-250bt has everything like you want. siriusxm, pac swc and cam controller. going with a another jvc with hd radio and the sound is amazing. just helping, as i am also looking. thought about a chinese one myself but going with jvc or kenwood.

 

@xguntherc you ever end up with something new? I am on going on 10 years now my second NEX unit, first was a AVIC-6000NEX in the first truck, now a

$891 AVH-W4500NEX Digital Multimedia Receiver - Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6.94" Resistive Touchscreen, Double-DIN, Built-in Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa via App, Backup Camera Compatible

AVH-W4500NEX in the current one. I really like the UI but its starting to show its age and the bug the prevents auto linking a phone makes it less useful.

 

I went with my factory JBL and the Carsynctech mod. It's not the latest and greatest but it's only $300 bucks all in. Only had it a few weeks but so far so good! (only complaint is I can't get the screen mirror to work). If it shits on me in 3 years, I guess I'll just buy a new truck. Currently own a 2017.

 

I installed this unit as well. I love it but mainly because I now have wireless CarPlay with my stock head unit that I never got around to replacing. I had some specific things I added to the stock head unit that I didn’t want to lose hence why I stuck it out with stick.

I think if I had replaced my head unit with an aftermarket one, I probably wouldn’t go back to stock + CarSync. There are some pretty cool larger screen setups available these days.

 

haha I had the 6000 also, now on my 7200 (or whatever). I did not get a new unit yet. Now that it's warming up and not so cold outside, it seems to start-up and work every time without issue. We'll see how it does when it's 105 inside the truck. I feel like as these age, temps affect performance. Who friggin knows.

 

What "specific things" did you add to the stock head unit? I'm curious.

 

CarSolutions anytime/front camera harness module. Works with the stock head unit and steering wheel controls. Basically when you go into reverse, rear camera comes on as usual. When you move out of reverse, the aftermarket front camera automatically turns on (think parallel parking). The front camera turns off after you hit 5mph or if you tap the mode button on your steering wheel. You can also turn on the front camera anytime by tapping the mode button on the steering wheel twice (think pulling into your garage) and then using the up and down buttons on the steering wheel, you can toggle between rear and front camera.

Aftermarket head units require you tapping buttons on the screen to engage cameras. I really love how intuitive the CarSolutions setup is. It’s one of the main reasons I’ve hung on to the stock head unit for so long.

 

Right on! I was actually looking into the Anytime Backup Camera brand but since I kept my SiriusXM (I have a subscription) I just don't think I could stuff anything more behind the stereo. Everything is literally jammed full back there now. I could barely get the bolts back in it is so tight.

 

So is there a bona fide #1 head unit out there for 2.5 gen tacomas? Or is it mostly preference based? If money us no object and you just want thr best, what unit is that?