Question: What is the best head unit for overlanding? Let me know what you got and why you like it.

[keith.gowan]

Currently, I'm running a Pioneer DMH-1500NEX.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-7-apple-carplay-android-auto-built-in-bluetooth-multimedia-digital-media-receiver-black/6401086.p?skuId=6401086

I added a front and rear camera to my LandCruiser, and bought this headunit mostly for the dual camera inputs. That would still be a primary requirement, if I decide to upgrade.

Overall, it would be nice to see some tech that includes some more functionality, similar to what is built into wife's new Jeep. Some sort of tie-in to the OBDII port for vehicle info. Or even some application compatibility that shows offroad things like pitch & roll.

Basically, What features do you have in your head unit - or features that make you really want to upgrade?

 

[Ubiety]

CarPlay for sure. Use an iPad for tunes/nav/etc. - I like the large screen size of the iPad and the fact that it is expandable with regards to the apps that it can run. I almost forgot that I had a head unit until I started playing with CarPlay on my stock Jeep head unit. Now I have an iPad and an extension of the iPhone and can “hand off” duties between them. I am absolutely thrilled with cement road nav using Apple Maps, iPhone, CarPlay and the Apple Watch - incredible integration and I have not missed a turn since ;) Yeah, I must sound like an Apple commercial but it all is really that good.

I don’t typically text and drive but CarPlay makes it safe, it will read received texts to you and dictate your voice responses. The Apple Watch buzzes my arm with different “patterns” for left or right turns and displays next turn info. I can run Gaia on either the ipad or via CarPlay (I use Gaia off-road and Apple Maps on road for its turn by turn). Just added a DCDC/solar charger and it supports Bluetooth and has an app so I can monitor/control it from the phone or the tablet.

For me the head unit is basically a “second monitor” with some unique functionality included by Jeep (vehicle control/data, offroad pages, XM, radio, maps, etc.) that I still use on occasion.

 

[keith.gowan]

@Ubiety

Yeah, apple CarPlay is a solid thing. I like that you can use Gaia maps in the environment as well. I have an ipad to add to the mix. But I'd love to see some tech that combines them all into one cohesive thing.

Excellent info, thanks bud!

 

[Ubiety]

This video seems to talk about getting OBDII telemetry onto your iOS device using a plugin ODBII dongle (only watched a bit) and an app. Looks like it uses WiFi so you would need to connect the iPad to the the dongle's WiFi access point which is all well and good but then you won't be able to get to the internet unless you have a cellular capable iPad and data plan (in cell service either my Jeep or iPhone provides WiFi and I connect the iPad to one of them. I have a cellular iPad for its included GPS but don't pay for a data plan...). I think it would be better if you could do the same via bluetooth.

A word of warning though. A long time ago I had a "carputer" which would display ODBII data on its screen via an ODBII dongle. Came back from vacation to a dead battery - evidently the dongle used some juice while plugged in. If you do go this route be wary about leaving the dongle plugged in while you are not using the vehicle for extended times (or camping in the wild places) and let me know how it works out! Unfortunately newer Jeeps have a security gateway that messes with ODBII dongles; I understand there is a workaround but I have a Tazer installed so am not sure how that would all work out. The Jeep's head unit display's a ton of good info so I'll probably just stick with the setup that I have.

Keep on pushing the tech! Awesome stuff ;)

 

[ObiShawnKenobi]

I really do like the CarPlay system quite a bit. I now have a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that has a ton of features that I still need to learn how to use. I may eventually go the iPad route as well but my dash is almost too cluttered already and I will need to map that out. Great discussion!