Axxera Radio replacement

[savtom]

The Boss from what I have seen is almost a plug and play set up. The cameras still work the same as there is actually only one input to the radio, the switch system is a part of the RV. BTW I grew up in Lawrence

[Big-Foot]

Thanks for your valuable insights everyone!

Duck - you mentioned replacing your current unit with a Tablet.
I have an unused iPad Air (with GPS) that won’t update beyond ios 12.5 …
It’s got a pretty nice screen that is easy to read.
Are there camera input interfaces for tablets that I haven’t seen? Bluetooth perhaps?
Yes, we can use our cell phones for roving hotspots..

Originally Posted by sportcoupe

Yes you can use a switch or diode to turn on the rear camera anytime ignition is on.

I chose a switch. Here is my diagram and the switch I used.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082WBQKZ2


.

Thanks for this too! I think this is well within my technical ability…

[happy]

Do most radios allow the rear camera to stay on all the time?
I really like that feature but do not find it stated in the sales ads.

The Axxera has a separate button that does this, but it also will show the turn signal cameras if a different screen is being used. Is this also a "special" feature or is it standard for most brands?

[ducksface]

My overhead monitors were $70+.(post 78 in my signature thread)
You can easily route the rear camera to it, or you can route all cameras to it.
It's an easy alternative that does not require looking away from the road and refocusing your eyes, looking back at the road and refocusing.
The radio now does weather and exit and map and torque duty.

Other than my monitors or a detailed call to a radio manufacturer who possibly won't know about this obscure option, I guess it's going to be a guess about full time reverse cameras for any particular camera.

And
I have a
USB c to 9 pin monitor cable. It was $9.(my old phone can act as a touch screen for my overhead monitors while mirroring my phone screen weather or map app.)

I suppose if they make that silly cable they make one for Apple to video.


I have an external gps left over from my laptop/street atlas usa/3.11days in 1992ish.

External Bluetooth/cable gps units are available dirt cheap if anyones laptop/tablet doesn't have gps.

[Big-Foot]

Thanks a bunch for all that Duck! You’ve given me a lot to think about and research…

[Dasher]

I bought a boss and returned it, same quality as Axxera. For me, I do want a built in navigation that permits height and weight. I do like that navigation is easy to see. I'd like to avoid a separate screen such as a Garmin. Too bad Google maps doesn't do what we desire.

[happy]

That is too bad about the quality. How was the screen for viewing?
There are radios with GPS but in my searching I did not wright down which ones had it. Also, I do not recall reading what companies GPS was in the unit.
That will be important for updates.

If you decide on a radio, please report back here. We hope to replace ours by mid-summer.

[ducksface]

Sygic maps Will do weight, height, length, axles, fuel type.
So will Truckmaps.
Sygic used to come on sd cards to make it a stand alone. I don't know if it still can.
But
If you download the whole united states, it then is a stand alone/built in.
We have it downloaded and it's always there as a button on the screen.
(New versions of android let's you do a split screen so two map programs can be seen at once. We don't use split screen because we have monitors to mirror to.)

The pictures are related map type apps we have available to us depending on the situation.
We can even view traffic cameras live.

We don't get lost.
If there is a way around something, we know alternate routes, where they go and if they're viable.

[happy]

To get these great apps, is it correct that you have to have an Android radio or else one that can use CarPlay? The radio then uses your phone to access the apps?

Is an Android based radio a better way to go? Even for us that will use CarPlay on that Android radio?

I'm still stuck in not knowing what is a built in radio feature and what is the radio using an app.

[ducksface]

My head unit and most head units that say android, you download the app ovet Wi-Fi right to the radio head, no phone needed.

When you buy an android head unit you are mostly buying an android tablet with a din sized mount. There is no 'radio' to it. The radio portion is a single small chip ran by an app.

[happy]

Okay, sounds like an Android unit is going to be better able to grow with me as I learn more and use more apps down the road.

Atoto (I believe is a brand you mentioned) seems to be one that has most everything I need and claims future updating capability.

[Striderking]

Go to Crutchfield and pick out a nice new one. I got a Alpine and love it. They will help you with install.

[ducksface]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SQ3G4RQ...xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Wireless csr play adapter.

[happy]

That adapter is nice. Too many units do not have wireless CarPlay.

Striderking, the Alpine with 11 inch floating screen has caught my eye.
What modelAlpine did you get, if you don't mind saying?

[Chateau_Nomad]

Holy cow! Those gadgets can get really expensive!!

[sportcoupe]

Originally Posted by Dasher

I bought a boss and returned it, same quality as Axxera. For me, I do want a built in navigation that permits height and weight. I do like that navigation is easy to see. I'd like to avoid a separate screen such as a Garmin. Too bad Google maps doesn't do what we desire.

You will not find built-in nav with that feature on any radio.

[sportcoupe]

Originally Posted by happy

That adapter is nice. Too many units do not have wireless CarPlay.

Striderking, the Alpine with 11 inch floating screen has caught my eye.
What modelAlpine did you get, if you don't mind saying?

Wireless carplay is relatively new, that's why.

[Edensob]

I just replaced my head end on my 2018 Mercedes with a $$$ Kenwood large floating display unit and new door speakers Sound is 200% better than original with the cheap Mercedes speakers. (did I just say cheap and Mercedes in the same sentence, impossible!) Bought from Crutchfield and they were very helpful anytime I ran into a question or problem. If you want GPS that provides a weight and height option, you probably won't find one and will need to use the Carplay app like Sygic Truck as Duckface has already mentioned. Couple things to make sure you mention when ordering are that the units are supplied radio delete, if you have steering wheel controls make sure you follow the manufacturers directions to make them work (mine connected to the emergency flasher wires, go figure) and if you are squeamish regarding the wiring, Crutchfield offers a service to make up the wiring adapter for the radios they supply as well as photos of your dash disassembly. I definitely learned a lot more than I already knew with these newer vehicles and my background is in electricity.



I suspect Thor worked with Axxera in developing their radios for MH's. Too bad they are such junk with so many other features, including their brightness and size.

[happy]

Our coach does not have steering wheel controls. An add on controller may be easier than the factory steering wheel controllers. We would like that feature.

Crutchfields sounds like a winner to me.

[ducksface]

Originally Posted by happy

Our coach does not have steering wheel controls. An add on controller may be easier than the factory steering wheel controllers. We would like that feature.

Crutchfields sounds like a winner to me.

Dkoldman has the add-on aftermarket steering controls.
He'll tell you if he likes them or not.
$25+- and will run other devices along with the head unit.