I installed a new Sony AVX AX100 in my '07
Cayman
(non-
Bose
). What a deal at $350 from Crutchfield, and they supply everything you need for an OEM look install for just $18.. including a perfectly matching surround bezel.
The Sony is so inexpensive because
1) a new model has come out, causing Sony to deeply discount prices on this model
2) There is no CD/DVD player (when is the last time you played a CD in your car?)
3) There are no built in Maps.. this unit, like even many current new car models, utilizes Google Maps or
Waze
mapping function from your smart phone, insuring up to date mapping (Yes, I know, if you are out of cellphone reception range and don't have your route saved, you're screwed.. that's why I keep an old clunker Garmin in the aft storage bin as a backup.. likely will never use it!)
The Sony supports
Android Auto
AND
Apple CarPlay
. I'm an Android guy and know nothing about
CarPlay
, but assume it has similar functionality.
Basically, you plug your phone into the provided standard USB port from the unit (which you would do anyway to keep it charged). After the first-time initial setup, the Sony AND your phone automatically switch into
Android Auto
mode, allowing seamless, voice-controlled access on the Sony screen to phone calls, text messages (yes, all voice controlled), navigation (Google Maps AND
Waze
), and an unlimited choice of online music sources.. Pandora, Google Play, USB tunes from your phone, etc.
Once plugged into the USB dongle, you never have to look down at your phone again. Everything you would need while driving is right there on the screen. There are other similarly equipped brands, but I chose the Sony specifically because of its dedicated REAL volume knob, not some little arrow buttons you have to distract your driving with.
Of course, this unit, like most these days, has a plug on the back for a backup camera, and that seemed like a nice option. I went for a Boyo brand license plate camera as recommended by the Crutchfield guy.
Installation of the camera was much simpler than I would have imagined. I wanted the camera to be powered up anytime the ignition is on, so I can use it WITHOUT having to go into reverse. But, I also wanted it to activate automatically when I select reverse. That required running one power cable from the console to the camera (positive and negative), and then an additional single separate wire to attach to the rear backup light, and connected to the backup sense wire on the Sony's harness.
Without having to remove any trim pieces, I ran the camera wires down the passenger side of the console, just tucking them underneath the plastic console cover, where they are held snugly. Then I pulled back the "firewall" engine pad (just behind the seats) to allow me to run the wires underneath and across to the driver's side and through an ample slot at the very top outer corner of the "firewall, into the actual engine compartment. The padded engine cover needs to come off too, so that you can just secure the wires along the edge, but well clear of the cover when reinstalled. At the aft side of the engine compartment, I used a plastic wedge to carefully lift up the faux metal trim piece that runs along the full aft edge of the engine compartment (sounds tricky, but with a little persuasion it pops right up).
You don't have to remove that "metal" trim piece.. just raise it up on one corner about 1/2" to allow you to slip your small wiring bundle underneath, then tuck it into the seams between the carpeted trim and upper plastic all the way around to the driver side taillight cove.
You might wonder how to get your wire from the license plate camera, inside the car and back to your A/V unit. Don't listen to those guys who tell you to remove part of the bumper, or the license plate light housing.. none of that is necessary. Here is the very simple, 10 minute process:
1) remove your rear license plate (it will have to come off anyway to install the camera).. underneath you will see a hole in the plastic bumper about the size of a half dollar. This is where you screw in a tow hook in emergencies
2) Remove the black plastic taillight housing cover from inside the rear hatch (loosen the one thumb catch, then it just snaps out from its 3 other snap fittings.
3) unplug the taillight wiring connector..It has, surprisingly, a decent length of wire in the harness, so you can pull it clear of the cove in order to connect your single-wire backup sense wire from the radio unit. If you spend any time at all working on automobile wiring, do yourself a favor and pick up a little kit of "T Tap Electrical Connectors from
Amazon
:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077YB123S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These make "tapping" in to an existing wire simple and elegant. Just connect to the Black/Blue wire on the taillight harness, and you're good to go.
3a) then remove the 3, easily accessible 8mm nuts (NOT 9mm as one other poster specified) that hold on the taillight housing.
4) Lift out the housing along with its insulating gasket
5)Look down the inside corner of the housing opening, and you will be able to see the hole behind the license plate.. a short piece of wire can easily be run from the housing opening down through that hole (when I did mine, the wire came right through the lower hole on the first attempt!)
6) That's it! Just tape the small disconnected plug from the camera onto your pull wire, and carefully snake it up into the taillight housing opening.
7) You might be tempted to just run the camera wire underneath the lamp housing gasket, but that would be crude, wouldn't it? Instead, get a proper sized rubber grommet and drill a hole on the inside edge of the opening, well clear of where the housing will reattach. On the Boyo, this connector is only about 1/4" in diameter, so you only need about a 3/8" hole with appropriate grommet to properly seal the "intrusion"
Plug in your camera connector to the wire bundle you previously ran, and test it all out before reinstalling taillight housing and all the the panels.
Mine worked perfectly the first time.
With the Sony, here's how my backup camera functions:
1) On initial startup (key on) regardless of whether you are in reverse, the Sony automatically selects the camera display (makes sense.. this is the most likely time you'll use the camera). Don't need it? Just push the HOME button on the unit to extinguish the camera and revert to all your other choices.
2) Anytime you select REVERSE, the camera again automatically displays
Finally, several other posts complained that the "bumperettes" restricted side-to-side viewing from the camera when installed at the license plate top. I found that to not be the case at all (in the photo below, the borders on either side of the display are actually the sides of my garage door opening, but when in the opening I get full view). My only minor complaint is that the view from the camera offers, as they say "objects in the mirror are closer than they appear".. caution is still recommended when relying on the camera alone.
Enjoy!
Phil - Austin Texas
Great thread! Because of you I am now considering this exact head unit. I agree with you on the importance of a real volume knob!
Did you notice an improve in sound quality when you went to the Sony?
Yes! I didn't mention in the initial post, but the P.O. had graciously installed all new 4 channel power amp and subwoofer amp in the "frunk", as well as a nice subwoofer in the pax-side rear compartment. I can't explain how or why, but the sound quality with this new system (which, of course, doesn't use its own internal amps at all) is vastly superior to the Alpine. I attribute it to the very user-friendly and flexible 10 band graphic EQ plus additional control over the subwoofer, so I was able to shape the sound to my liking. The interface is so simple, I have even been able to make tweaks while underway. Bass is clear and not boomy, and the high freqs cut right through the road noise.
I have to assume, that given the correct adjustments, the Alpine would yield the same sound quality, after all, my system just utilizes the pre-amp outputs, but I never found the "sweet spot" with it.
I am now a serious disciple of
Android Auto
, and keep learning new Voice Commands that give the driver incredible control over music, navigation, and texting without ever having to take your eyes off the road!
As a further aside, given my new discovery of
Android Auto
, I have taken to using the app exclusively in stand-alone mode in all my other vehicles that don't have any sort of onboard media screen (8 vehicles in all!). I've even added suction cup mounts with magnetic faces for my phone to keep all the functions right at windshield level on all vehicles. Most all the same features, including voice commands are available from the phone alone in an auto-friendly interface.
Great write up! Thanks so much!
Paul, this was a great report you did that just proved VERY helpful. I recently got a 2009
Boxster S
. Someone had installed an older
Kenwood
DNX6190 unit. Nice features, but unfortunately, it had some weird problem with its built-in Garmin GPS losing signal, and poor AM reception, even under the best of conditions. So, I replaced it with a new
Pioneer
DMH-1500NEX with similar attributes as the Sony unit you installed such as using my Android phone for navigation, etc. The majority of the project involved 'cleanup' of the previous wiring mess in the head unit area where instead of using a connector that mated to the
Porsche
harness, the prior craftsman had simply spliced and taped everything. My fingers are still black from peeling off the goo of all that vinyl tape and restoring insulation on the wiring!
A rear camera was a 'must have' and I had already chosen that same little "Boyo" license plate frame unit. I was worried about snaking the cable to the back bumper, envisioning drilling all kinds of holes. I had already decided to just tuck the camera cable from the head unit up inside the edge of the console like you did, and then I saw your writeup and that guided me the rest of the way. I found a way to tuck the cable under the rubber protective sheath that the convertible top rests on when parked, and there was a passage from there into the rear trunk area. So no drilling. I removed the driver's side tail light fixture, spliced into the blue/black reverse wire for powering the camera. Ran the cable through that little opening in the corner of the tail light box right down to that nice hole behind the license plate mounting pad. Hopped in, stuck it in reverse and the
Pioneer
unit presented me with a nice view of the world behind me. Perfect! Thanks much.
Thanks Bob,
I recently installed another in-dash unit in my "vintage" 1998 Chevy Silverado truck, tossing the old cassette player. The Sony unit with real volume knob seems to no longer be available, so I had to settle for another brand without knob, but even more features and about $100 less than last year's Sonys. These things just keep going down in price. As before, I can't praise Crutchfield enough.. a plug and play adapter harness, and color matching surround bezel designed specifically for the Silverado, you'd never know it didn't come from the factory like that.
Seriously considering the same treatment for the wife's 540iT.
A way to get the conveniences of late model vehicles yet still enjoy the significantly less-complex innards of a 17 year old car!
