I just recently bought a 2015 EX. I was wondering if anyone has looked in to swapping out the head unit for a newer model year to pick up CarPlay or Android Auto? Would such a thing be possible? I've seen some aftermarket units from places like Crutchfield, but I'm not sure how those would mesh with the interior given the amount of trim around the display and the fact that it's basically all one big piece of plastic. Has anyone on here had luck with such a retrofit?

 

If you're worried about looks, here's the Sony that replaced the OEM head unit in my '16 LX.

The biggest problem with installing an aftermarket head unit is compatibility with the backup camera, LaneWatch, and the steering wheel controls.

You need aftermarket accessories and adapters to retain all those functions. Unless you're installing these yourself, the cost of accessories and install starts shooting up there.

To save costs, especially since I was buying and installing four rather expensive speakers, I decided to forego the backup camera on the install. My LX doesn't have LaneWatch so nothing to lose there.

I could have bought the accessories to retain the steering wheel controls, but I didn't use them much with the OEM head unit, so didn't retain those either.

There are plenty of threads here on aftermarket install.

BTW, the Sony head unit - while not having android auto or car play - is awesome. I don't miss my OEM head unit one bit.

 

Ive been looking to do a CarPlay aftermarket swap since 2015. In that time my biggest gripe with the OEM EX radios has been the "driver lockout" (inability to adjust settings while driving—even simple things like EQ.) the lack of physical /analog adjustments is awful.

Im curious, does the Sony allow you to make settings adjustments while driving?

 

Yes it does. But every time the unit powers up, you get a disclaimer screen that doesn't clear for 30 sec. or so unless you tap OK. Doesn't interfere with the audio, which still plays during the interim, just the screen.

 

Thanks (just to be clear, the radio EQ/speaker balance can be adjusted not just while in [P], but also while driving down the road in [D].)

 

I would have liked a Sony, but thanks to a long and convoluted argument with the wife, I ended up buying an Alpine ilx-w650 for her Ridgeline. Now it's in the Fit instead, and it works very well unless you want Android Auto. Didn't know this prior to buying it, and wasn't an issue because she uses an apple phone, but this head unit works great with Carplay and not at all with my Samsung.

I don't think I have the mounting brackets adjusted right, want it to sit a little further back, and I'm expecting the steering wheel control and backup camera adapters later today. Still, the sound quality is good. And despite only having maybe 22w rms, it produces plenty of volume without distortion. Put some infinity speakers in the doors at the same time though, no idea how it sounds with the factory speakers.

One thing to look for is that many of the aftermarket head units need to see the parking brake go from off to on- just grounding the parking brake wire isn't good enough anymore. The Alpine works with a bypass, but it's a chip with some kind of trickery built in that you splice into the wiring harness. Similar bypass modules are out there for other brands, too. Look around on Amazon.

Apologies for the dirty car, tried to use a baby wipe on the dash and it left a bunch of lint.

 

what is the purpose of the 'bypass'?

 

The head unit gets a wire spliced into the factory parking brake sensor. I had a Kenwood years ago with a DVD player in it that worked if I just connected that wire to ground. Saw the signal as the parking brake being engaged all the time. Some of the newer ones will not work like that, so you get a module that connects to the appropriate wires and sends a signal to the head unit as though you had the brake off, the head unit boots up, and then it sends a signal that the parking brake is on.

All this happens automatically as soon as you start the car, so once it boots, it unlocks itself without you having to fiddle with the brake or hit any buttons.