I love the ML system in my 2006 SC and am currently re-foaming the surrounds for the speakers to maintain the original sound quality. However, would like BT connection as well as a reverse camera. There are 3 possibilities:

• New Pioneer headunit, W4400NEX with a beatsonic 13L adaptor. Integrate with AUTO VOX HD rear view camera. This is the most expensive option and is on the top of my list. However, I am concerned with the fitment of the HU, with retaining the door function. Several posts here have mentioned that there is a small gap left at the top
• VAIS SL3b-L for BT streaming and NavIKS/Auto VOX HD rear view camera. This is slightly cheaper than the first option and may be a bit easy to install as the reverse camera integration will all happen in the trunk, based on the posts I have read here.
• NavIKS solution for BT streaming and reverse camera. I do not know much about this but am assuming that there is a single solution with NavIKS. Has anybody done this for BT and reverse camera?

I am prepared to go with the first one but am concerned with the fitment as well as do not know how well W4400NEX will work with a reverse camera. Can someone here help with these issues? Is there an adaptor that makes the gap disappear at the top? How well 4400NEX works with a reverse camera?

I would be happy to hear from others experiences who have been in the same boat as me and decided on a particular solution.

There is a sale at VAIStech till tomorrow so need to decide quickly.

Thank you!

 

Regarding the “gap”, I have done the upgrade to the new pioneer head unit on my 02. On my car the only gap present is when the door is open. Beatsonic includes a stainless steel plate to obscure it. But, for me, it was so unnoticeable I did not use it. No gap is visible with the door closed. Did a substantial write up on it back in 2012 posted here: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...-controls.html

I would check the dimensions between the unit I installed and the one you’re considering.

 

I first installed just a navics for the rear camera display on the top screen. Was not happy with the picture quality. I then replaced the head unit with a pioneer unit and it now has the rear camera display. That makes a much clearer and bright picture quality.
The gap you are talking about with the door opened easily disappears by covering the silver radio bracket with a piece of vinyl electrical tape. This does not hinder the door operation and fills the void nicely.

 

Thank you Bob. I already have the beatsonic and it does include the stainless steel plate. Please let me know the dimensions of the HU you installed vs. 4400NEX. Are they any issues with ground noise loop with the Pioneer HU? This is one more reason I am hesitant about the HU replacement as the conversion did not go well some years ago in my LX. In contrast, the addition of Vaistech IVIC-5i went very well in my daughter's ES.....no ground noise and crystal clear sound!

Anything else to watch for in the conversion process?

 

What Pioneer HU and rear camera you installed? Thank you for your help.

 

Purchased a rear camera on ebay with a rotating head (adjustable) with a Pioneer AVIC-Z150BH. Both work very well.

 

I installed Pioneer AVH-4400BH. I was not interested in GPS at the time as Lexus was still producing DVD maps back then. No issues whatsoever. I covered any installation issues in the 2012 thread & PDF document.
Here are the dimension.....