Props to Carver and others for their input.

Just finished and love it. Or I should say the wife loves it

Parts list:

All from ebay

- Alpine 920HD ($500 used)
- HDE backup camera (HDE E336 Waterproof Rear Vehicle Backup Camera With 170 degree Viewing Angle) ($15)
- Metra Axxess ASWC steering wheel control ($45)
- Metra Lexus 04-09 DIN and DDIN MOUNTING KIT (free from friend)
- TR7 PAC bypass ($20)
- 2001-UP Toyota/Lexus w/ Amp Axxess ADBOX Harness ($80)

I installed everything with friend. I was quoted $400 to install from reputable shop.

Will get better pics tomorrow during the day.

 

I'll bet she is enjoying the new set up! Maybe you can give a usability report on he Alpine after a while. My Kenwood is knocking on three years old now and I'm starting to think about a replacement with streaming BT and the other new toys.

I've been following the posts using the new Metra stuff and only the ML seems to be a problem. Did you experience any extraordinary problems with the install? Thanks for the write up!

 

Thanks. I'll definitely report back soon. I didnt have nav or ML so there were no issues. Wiring the back up camera was the only tricky part because the Alpine also has connections for a front camera and it didnt work at first. My favorite features of the Alpine so far are:

- split screen (in other words you can have Nav on the left and radio/CD/whatever on the right - I'll take a pic of this)
- Bluetooth streaming for pandora or any other source (could be iphone music folder) so you really don't need the ipod connection even though I have it routed in the glovebox. I was surprised how clear sounding it is too.
- "My Favorites” screen lets you add shortcuts to: frequently dialed people, Nav destinations, pandora, radio, etc.

 

The streaming BT will be great! That's the only thing I dislike about my setup; if I want tunes I have to plug in the iPhone to go to the grocery store.

 

What an interesting concept! Please take a picture!

I've been considering the GROM options, but I actually might lean more towards something like this! Great post. Looks very slick.

 

I feel the same way. Everything is stock at the moment. I forgot how much I hated burning CD-Rs all the time.

 

What beats Siri? Nothing!

 

Some more pics:

Camera mount, mic location and split screen nav as I mentioned earlier..

 

Nice and sweet! What's the total outlay minus labor?

 

did you install it? also how much for everything?

Looks nice!!

 

Thanks. I edited my original post to reflect pricing.

 

Yes, I installed with friend. See original post.

 

couple more...

 

Very clean, nice job,

 

thanks man