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Topic: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend? (Read 663 times) previous topic - next topic
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Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Looking to upgrade the stereo on my ‘06 RV, to include Apple CarPlay capability. Any recommendations? TIA.
2006 RB
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #2 –
Looks like newer receivers are doing away with CD players and going to CarPlay. I am undecided if CDs are something I would miss (especially with my large collection) on the road. Anyone have thoughts?
2006 RB
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #3 –

Hi Cebuano; I have a library of over 400 CD's and they have all been transferred into a computer hard drive. I converted them into mp3 format, but with storage options so big now, you can leave them in the original 'redbook' format.  Now, only the songs I want, fit into a flash drive about 1/3 the size of a sugar cube. My entire collection takes less than 10% of the 64 gigabytes storage of the cube. It plugs into the front of the radio, which has a cover that folds over it. No storage concerns. No shuffling CD's or cases. I miss the cover art very little.   An Amazon drive:  Amazon.com: SanDisk 64GB Cruzer Fit USB 2.0 Flash Drive - SDCZ33-064G-G35:...
  
     Just one of Amazon's radios. Look for a 'front USB' plug.  Amazon.com: Sony MEX-N4300BT Built-in Dual Bluetooth Voice Command CD/MP3...          RonB

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Cebuano54  - 
Looks like newer receivers are doing away with CD players and going to CarPlay. I am undecided if CDs are something I would miss (especially with my large collection) on the road. Anyone have thoughts?
Not a fan of the CarPlay interface at all, have it on two cars (2017 & 2021) and don’t use it on either.

It has been many many years since I carried CDs with me, as they were all added to my iTunes library more that 10 years ago.    Both current cars stream music off my iPhone via Bluetooth.  But even before that, my 2006 Prius had an AUX headphone jack outlet that I could hook up an iPod/iPhone to.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Cebuano54  - 
Looking to upgrade the stereo on my ‘06 RV, to include Apple CarPlay capability. Any recommendations? TIA.

One of our first upgrades in our 2003 was new speakers.  I'm no audiophile, but the stock speakers were pretty bad.

Rich
2003 MB
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #6 –
A couple years ago I had Crutchfield install a Panasonic 2din unit in place of the factory radio.  Charlottesville VA is Chrutchfielf’s HQ and they have a storefront in town.  I like the unit. But believe any of the major manufactures have something of the same quality. 
This is important whoever does the install if you are not doing it yourself.  Tell them the power must come from the house batteries, just as the existing unit has done.  Many shops will just do what they do for other trucks and grab power from a place they always use because that is safe for how they normally do things. 
Something I like is the installer Velcroed the remote to the dash next to the radio.  It gives the device a logical home and looks nice.  They suggested a kill switch for the radio, I did not take them up on it because I didn’t understand the need. After all, every other radio in every other car didn’t need this.  For the longest time I had an issue with the radio being in a low power stand by.  This will allow the radio to wake up when I make a call so I can talk and listen hands free - almost anywhere in the RV.  Nice except when you put the RV in storage then call your brother to have him make sure the beer is cold.  Yes, the following week I went by to get some things and the unit was on.  A simple switch would fix that.  
I’ll post a pic if I can find it. 
John
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #7 –

Absolutely Rich, I replaced with Kenwood 6x9 speakers similar to these: Amazon.com: Kenwood KFC 6996PS 6 x 9 Inch 5 Way Car Speakers 650W Maximum...   almost immediately. In a TK, thats where we sit. I built boxes to put over the backs of the speakers, to keep debris from the storage compartment from getting to the cones, and provide a bit of 'acoustic suspension'.  The remote control for the new Alpine radio was important also. Few radios had remotes in 1999, and the mothership was unaware of the benefit for a floorplan with the main seating way in the back.    RonB

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #8 –
The unit I purchased was this one a Pioneer 4400.  Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX DVD receiver at Crutchfield
That unit is no longer available. 
It was replaced with a Pioneer AVH-W4500 NEX.  Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX DVD receiver at Crutchfield
I can not find the old phone pictures I took for a similar thread a few years ago.

No pictures but some notes from a earlier post, "New Voice for DaVee":
 ... The tech who worked on my rig during the estimate review/site survey said that with e450s on the back side of the dash there is a lip that needed to be cut or trimmed for the unit to fit.  The finished product looks very nice.   A key like is that it is easy to use on the road.   Incoming calls are a snap.  The unit came with a microphone so the iPhone can be in another part of the RV charging and I still have hands free comms.  I was as far back as the fridge when talking on a call, the rv was in a parking lot,  and my sister had no issues with reception.   It was only after that call I saw the tech installed the mike in front of the speedo-meter.
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #9 –
Speaking of speakers, this annotated diagram might be helpful for owners of older LDs who want to replace the ones in the cab door (or for that matter just the door trim). This photo shows a 2003 Lazy Daze; I don't know how many other model years it applies to, but probably a fair number in that era.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Andy Baird  - 
Speaking of speakers, this annotated diagram might be helpful for owners of older LDs who want to replace the ones in the cab door (or for that matter just the door trim). This photo shows a 2003 Lazy Daze; I don't know how many other model years it applies to, but probably a fair number in that era.

Add to the Companion? — Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #11 –
Sony XAV 8000
Huge display.
Apple Car Play
2006 Mid Bath
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #13 –
In my 06 E450 chassis it doesn’t block anything. It sounds great, the hands-free functions like calling hey Siri and Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay all work great.
They do make a model it’s a little smaller and fits in the double DIN hole, but it required a lot more installation time and money.
Sounds great, it would definitely benefit from new speakers, but it sounds good enough for me
2006 Mid Bath
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #14 –
Where it really shines is using either Google maps or Apple Maps for navigation. It can all be voice controlled and the displays huge
2006 Mid Bath
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #15 –
Quote from: Easy Victor  - 
In my 06 E450 chassis it doesn’t block anything. It sounds great, the hands-free functions like calling hey Siri and Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay all work great.
They do make a model it’s a little smaller and fits in the double DIN hole, but it required a lot more installation time and money.
Sounds great, it would definitely benefit from new speakers, but it sounds good enough for me
How it it attached?  I just watched this. It just slips in the old radio slot, eh? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP2hRbfUrnk

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #17 –
That’s a nice radio upgrade but looking at my dash, it looks like it would block some of the controls or vents.  Would like to see it installed in a newer cab arrangement before considering.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #18 –
A lot of the new stereos now include a hard drive built in.
My cousin has an Audi with one that is 5 gigs.
He took a bunch of his music and put it on an SD card that fit the stereo.
That was downloaded to the built in hard drive.
Pretty handy to have for me, I have a lot of music.
Jota
96 23.5 FL
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #19 –
Quote from: Cebuano54  - 
Also curious, did you consider other brands with similar size screens, like Pioneer, Kenwood or Alpine? If so, what made you decide on Sony? Thanks.


There are so many brands, it’s overwhelming. I found one or two, looked at the reviews and pick the Sony
2006 Mid Bath
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #20 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
That’s a nice radio upgrade but looking at my dash, it looks like it would block some of the controls or vents.  Would like to see it installed in a newer cab arrangement before considering.
Call the people at crutchfield.  Ask them for the size of the screen.  How much it sits above and below the 2Din opening.  Have them mail the info to you so you can make a templet.  They might have a templet they can send you.


Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #21 –
At the risk of hijacking the thread I started, I noticed that some of the newer receivers are capable of hooking up rear cameras (usually license frame cameras). Has anyone done that to monitor their toad while driving? Is that even possible to set up that way?
2006 RB
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #22 –
Quote from: Cebuano54  - 
At the risk of hijacking the thread I started, I noticed that some of the newer receivers are capable of hooking up rear cameras (usually license frame cameras). Has anyone done that to monitor their toad while driving? Is that even possible to set up that way?

I think it’s ok to hijack your own thread.  😉
I would be interested in that also as the factory installed monitor’s video quality isn’t the best. Could be the camera, though. Not sure which, maybe both?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Which stereo upgrade do you recommend?
Reply #23 –
Quote from: Cebuano54  - 
At the risk of hijacking the thread I started, I noticed that some of the newer receivers are capable of hooking up rear cameras (usually license frame cameras). Has anyone done that to monitor their toad while driving? Is that even possible to set up that way?

Never done it but others here have. The Factory rear-view camera is low-resolution unlike the high-resolution cameras is used in new vehicles.
Some of the after-market radios use a higher resolution add-on camera.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze