Pioneer CarPlay single DIN folding install
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I promised to make a thread for this as and when I managed to get to fully complete the install of my self-gifted Christmas present for this year
So here she is, a Pioneer AVH-Z7200 DAB installed in my Cerb. I did a lot of research before ordering, being rightly worried about overhang contact and lack of compatibility because of it.
This unit contains depth and angle adjustment for the hinge and screen position. The result has been to make sure it’s in the furthest “out” setting, and then I’ve adjusted the angle to suit too. The screen does sit against the overhang, as I wanted it to brace against this for extra stability when using the touch screen. The hinge mechanism has a spring loaded safety mechanism of around 10 degrees, which I have just gone in to to make sure it is secure.
As you can see, the results speak for themselves. I’m really happy with the unspoilt finish when retracted, and you can even retract the screen and still play music/receive nav commands etc. too.
Regarding the install, there is a small additional module for the DAB and radio functions which has to be installed in addition behind the unit, and if you want to use DAB you will have to purchase a separate antenna to add to this (around £20-30).
I have to say, the thing I was most impressed by within the install was the condition and routing of the harness behind the dash… it was far superior to anything I thought possible from Blackpool. I know it’s a late car (2003), but it is light years ahead of photos I’ve seen of late Chim’ harnesses and things.
Anyway I hope this is useful for people, not a cheap solution, but I’m so glad I’ve been able to add CarPlay, and also bring sound quality etc. up to date too.
I promised to make a thread for this as and when I managed to get to fully complete the install of my self-gifted Christmas present for this year
So here she is, a Pioneer AVH-Z7200 DAB installed in my Cerb. I did a lot of research before ordering, being rightly worried about overhang contact and lack of compatibility because of it.
This unit contains depth and angle adjustment for the hinge and screen position. The result has been to make sure it’s in the furthest “out” setting, and then I’ve adjusted the angle to suit too. The screen does sit against the overhang, as I wanted it to brace against this for extra stability when using the touch screen. The hinge mechanism has a spring loaded safety mechanism of around 10 degrees, which I have just gone in to to make sure it is secure.
As you can see, the results speak for themselves. I’m really happy with the unspoilt finish when retracted, and you can even retract the screen and still play music/receive nav commands etc. too.
Regarding the install, there is a small additional module for the DAB and radio functions which has to be installed in addition behind the unit, and if you want to use DAB you will have to purchase a separate antenna to add to this (around £20-30).
I have to say, the thing I was most impressed by within the install was the condition and routing of the harness behind the dash… it was far superior to anything I thought possible from Blackpool. I know it’s a late car (2003), but it is light years ahead of photos I’ve seen of late Chim’ harnesses and things.
Anyway I hope this is useful for people, not a cheap solution, but I’m so glad I’ve been able to add CarPlay, and also bring sound quality etc. up to date too.
I should probably add, CarPlay speed and responsiveness is very good, although the screen sharpness is possibly not quite as good as the latest BMW’s for example… although this is a high bar for comparison to be fair.
Touch functionality is very good, and I’m actually really happy the screen does sit to the overhang as it creates more support for it, meaning there is little to no flex when using touch controls. You can also adjust switch illumination colour and other settings too. The screen auto opens/closes with ignition, and the illumination auto dims with the side lights.
Touch functionality is very good, and I’m actually really happy the screen does sit to the overhang as it creates more support for it, meaning there is little to no flex when using touch controls. You can also adjust switch illumination colour and other settings too. The screen auto opens/closes with ignition, and the illumination auto dims with the side lights.
Nice one. Looks great.. Looks like there's a bit of forward tilt on it? But might just be the pics?
Ive been eyeing up android auto head units for the daily driver, but most require the cable to be plugged in? Can it work wirelessly or do you need one of those carsify adaptors?
Also, where did you stick the DAB antenna? I stuck mine in the helmet holder area temporarily (which has now become permanent) and reception is better than most other places I tried but still patchy.
Ive been eyeing up android auto head units for the daily driver, but most require the cable to be plugged in? Can it work wirelessly or do you need one of those carsify adaptors?
Also, where did you stick the DAB antenna? I stuck mine in the helmet holder area temporarily (which has now become permanent) and reception is better than most other places I tried but still patchy.
Ice_blue_tvr said:
Nice one. Looks great.. Looks like there's a bit of forward tilt on it? But might just be the pics?
Ive been eyeing up android auto head units for the daily driver, but most require the cable to be plugged in? Can it work wirelessly or do you need one of those carsify adaptors?
Also, where did you stick the DAB antenna? I stuck mine in the helmet holder area temporarily (which has now become permanent) and reception is better than most other places I tried but still patchy.
Not sure what you mean about the adapter part, CarPlay and AAuto are both hard wired, I’ve gone straight for a lightening connection as that’s all I use Ive been eyeing up android auto head units for the daily driver, but most require the cable to be plugged in? Can it work wirelessly or do you need one of those carsify adaptors?
Also, where did you stick the DAB antenna? I stuck mine in the helmet holder area temporarily (which has now become permanent) and reception is better than most other places I tried but still patchy.
To be honest I haven’t fitted a DAB antenna, I’ve wired in the FM and that’s nice and crisp… but I didn’t want to go to the extra faff of fitting a DAB antenna when 99% of the time I use CarPlay for Spotify/BBC Sounds/Classic FM etc.
The hard wire part puts me off.. But I found this the other day which apparently works for Android auto.
https://carsifi.com/
https://carsifi.com/
FarmyardPants said:
You also have aftermarket buttons for windows etc I notice, they look good.
They were produced by someone on this forum about 15 years ago. I also have them and on the steering wheel as well.I use a JVC Hal-4 aerial on the rear screen. It glues either side of the glass, aerial lead runs around the windscreen, down the center console.
On the MX5 (15 years later) I have a small windscreen stuck aerial
Edited by Byker28i on Tuesday 4th January 13:24
Demondad said:
Nice radio/tv but my favourite bit is your eject button. I want one!
Good spot 
for if I don't like the passenger or they don't like the journey 
Think I got it on the 'Bay, not too expensive either, nice aluminium one with an o-ring to fit in to the cigarette lighter socket
Edited by Joshandcars on Tuesday 4th January 15:43
porterpainter said:
I have the same stereo in my tuscan.
I bought one of those cheap DAB windscreen aerial from amazon (£9 i think), and it works fine despite not being grounded...if you did want DAB.
Thanks a lot I bought one of those cheap DAB windscreen aerial from amazon (£9 i think), and it works fine despite not being grounded...if you did want DAB.
I might do it in future, but to be honest I'm not keen on spoiling anything to install it, think they look a bit unsightly in the windscreen too 
Joshandcars said:
porterpainter said:
I have the same stereo in my tuscan.
I bought one of those cheap DAB windscreen aerial from amazon (£9 i think), and it works fine despite not being grounded...if you did want DAB.
Thanks a lot I bought one of those cheap DAB windscreen aerial from amazon (£9 i think), and it works fine despite not being grounded...if you did want DAB.
I might do it in future, but to be honest I'm not keen on spoiling anything to install it, think they look a bit unsightly in the windscreen too DuncanM said:
Excellent stuff, thanks for sharing - a new stereo is on my list of todos this year (hopefully).
Have you looked at hooking it up with rs-ajp? Could be very useful.
Your car looks absolutely stunning
Thanks Duncan, that's really kind of you to say sir. Have you looked at hooking it up with rs-ajp? Could be very useful.
Your car looks absolutely stunning
Sadly because I'm an iOS fiend (iPhones), I don't think I can run RS-AJP without using an android device in there somewhere
It has external video inputs, so I'm sure someone could add it if they wanted too, and likewise it could be run using an android device and screen mirroring software for sure.
Scratch that, I’ve just discovered this:
http://rsiajp.com/index.php/en/
Apparently there is an iOS app now, whether it would be CarPlay compatible is another matter… the game is afoot!
http://rsiajp.com/index.php/en/
Apparently there is an iOS app now, whether it would be CarPlay compatible is another matter… the game is afoot!
For the video input, think about a rear view camera. I have one mounted in my rear number plate, powered by the reversing light, as it's quite a shallow depth, small camera and there;s room with the reverse lighting recess.. The display automatically switches to the video input when it's powered (it was in the settings when you set the video input as a reversing camera).
I think mine was about £8 and came with the correct size hole saw (tiny), unfortuneately they aren't on Amazon anymore...but I do have a spare one if you can't find one.
One was this
https://www.erisin.com/products/erisin-es588-170-v...
I think mine was about £8 and came with the correct size hole saw (tiny), unfortuneately they aren't on Amazon anymore...but I do have a spare one if you can't find one.
One was this
https://www.erisin.com/products/erisin-es588-170-v...
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