T9 Headunit

Does the surround come in the dark charcoal color as well? That unit really does look good.

 

It is more like a flat black (the version I got anyway). I thought the transition from gloss trim to black might bug me, but it really doesn’t.

Obviously need to get some miles in with it before drawing any conclusions... but now that I’ve had a chance to download a few apps, I’m feeling a little more content with the purchase. My main goal was running off road navigation, and I’ve already got Avenza and back country navigator up and going. I also installed Apple Music, and downloaded my playlist so there won’t be any hiccups when out of coverage area (or need to fuss with car play). Sound quality is very good... but... I’m also running a DSP, amp, and aftermarket speakers. So not necessarily an accurate representation.

 

If you get a chance, can you take a few pics from further away so we can see how it ties into the rest of the vehicle?

 

How is the viewing angle? Any issues seeing the non-ips screen during daylight?

The big 2019 android auto update is slowly rolling out. Did it get the update? Not sure on the system requirements for the update. What version of the OS is needed.

 

I think the new android auto update is os in itself (not an app like current) so no, it definitely isn't running that. But nothing else is either.

If you are referring to the 4.4.592344 version, i would think it is upgradeable via play store. We will see.

 

Native Android Auto then?

Also, what version of Android is the T9 running? I'd heard it was 9.0, but haven't confirmed.

 

I hope to check soon and will post.

 

It's a shame that one of the bigger companies can't make a HU for the 4Runner that looks this good.

 

Running Android 8.1.

 

Bummer. That's curious, as this Nissan T9 unit is listed as running Android 9:

https://cartrimhome.com/Head-Unit-For-Nissan-X-Trail-T32-2014

 

Sorry for the delay, hope this helps.

 

Whew. Looks like glare city.

 

Looks really nice.

Our vehicles should have come stock with a HU that looks like this.

Thanks for the pic!

 

Just curious. upgrading to this you loose the functionality of the car settings you had with your old radio?

 

Yep, it’s not that bad when up close; but still will likely end up adding a screen protector to reduce the glare.

 

It comes with a canbus interface to retain car settings and steering wheel controls. I haven’t really vetted all of it out to see if I lost something or not. I just know that on steering wheel the volume and mute works, as well
As the arrows for skipping songs. On the radio I get door open warnings with a visual representation of what door is open. That’s about as far as I’ve dug into it so far.

 

Thanks so much for posting this info. I've been itching to pull the trigger and really appreciate you taking the time to post this review.

1) Backup Camera - Could you tell me if there is any lag using the backup camera? You mentioned it boots up by the time you put your seat belt on. If that is the case, it would seem the camera would still be useful.

2) Have you tried to connect to WIFI using your phone's Hot Spot, instead of using the SIM? I have Verizon and may want to try and avoid the extra $5 or $10 per month. I'm not really sure I need WIFI at all.

3) I think this is more of an Apple Car Play questions, but can you use Spotify or Pandora while using your GPS at the same time?

4) How's the video quality?

5) Has the Bluetooth connection held up and would you say it's been reliable? I love being able to keep my phone in my pocket while still being able to access maps and music through Apple Car Play. This would be the main point in buying this.

Thanks again for your review and pictures.

 

Though I do not own it, I can answer some of these.

1) Backup Camera - Could you tell me if there is any lag using the backup camera? You mentioned it boots up by the time you put your seat belt on. If that is the case, it would seem the camera would still be useful. - From another reviewer, the backup camera comes on right away, even while the "tablet" is booting up. Hope kbp810 will double check this as well.

2) Have you tried to connect to WIFI using your phone's Hot Spot, instead of using the SIM? I have Verizon and may want to try and avoid the extra $5 or $10 per month. I'm not really sure I need WIFI at all. - Yes it will work just fine with a hotspot (mobile wifi). It's basically an android tablet as a headunit. The advantage of a sim card (which I am thinking about) is not longer having to do anything on your phone. Just use the big new display for everything.

3) I think this is more of an Apple Car Play questions, but can you use Spotify or Pandora while using your GPS at the same time? - Yes. Just like using a tablet/phone for gps and music simultaneously.

 

1) Backup Camera - Could you tell me if there is any lag using the backup camera? You mentioned it boots up by the time you put your seat belt on. If that is the case, it would seem the camera would still be useful.
No lag, it comes on instantly when you shift into reverse (no matter what you are doing the backup camera takes over the screen); and turns off instantly one you shift out of reverse.

2) Have you tried to connect to WIFI using your phone's Hot Spot, instead of using the SIM? I have Verizon and may want to try and avoid the extra $5 or $10 per month. I'm not really sure I need WIFI at all.
I picked up one of those sync up and drive things (T-Mobile), the thing that plugs into your OBDII port, but also works as a WiFi hotspot. I went this route so I have a dedicated always on wifi connection, and didn't have to fuss with charging and/or mounting something else up. I opted to not use the SIM card, as 1) I got the wrong SIM harness and haven't received the right one yet, and 2) they couldn't confirm for me which bands the unit will support; most of my coverage is band 12/700Mhz, with band 66/600Mhz coming very soon... the obdii thing for sure supports both. I wouldn't want to use my phones hot spot, as it can tank your battery, and also you will have to fuss with turning hotspot back on/off all the time. I would def recommend having a data connection on it of some sort though... makes things easier. Some apps also want to ping a data connection before they'll launch as well (android/ios app thing). Unless you plan to just primarily use android auto or carplay, then maybe you wouldn't necessarily need it?

My personal opinion is that the T9 works better when you just use it as is; run waze, or google maps, or pandora, etc... directly off the T9, instead of via android auto or carplay (others may have a varying opinion, this is just my experience and preference so far).

3) I think this is more of an Apple Car Play questions, but can you use Spotify or Pandora while using your GPS at the same time?
Yep. Over the weekend I had waze and pandora running at the same time (also had waze and apple music going at same time as well). Didn't experience any issues. Note that you either need to run both via car play, or both via the T9 directly (no car play). I don't think you could run maps on car play while also running pandora on the T9.

4) How's the video quality?
It's pretty good. Playing around with it, I played a couple of you tube videos, and the resolution was sufficient.

5) Has the Bluetooth connection held up and would you say it's been reliable? I love being able to keep my phone in my pocket while still being able to access maps and music through Apple Car Play. This would be the main point in buying this.
Apple car play has worked well so far with two caveats... 1) it does take a bit for car play wireless to load up the first time; as it has to connect with the phone. 2) Listening to apple music via car play, it will every so often "skip" or sort of blur the music... but aside from that, the quality is good. I loaded apple music android app onto the head unit itself which works perfect, especially after downloading my songs for offline play on it (by passing car play altogether).

Also... I tried playing music through the bluetooth app itself (not using carplay); and while I didn't experience the intermittent skip thing... the sound qualify was a bit flat. I definitely lost some details in the music by streaming directly over the native bluetooth app.

Calls over bluetooth... the other person is saying they are getting static on their end, but I think this may be the fault of the bluetooth Mic I'm trying to use... it has a 2.5mm mono out, and the T9 mic is a 3.5mm mono. I tried to use a 2.5mm to 3.5mm stereo adapter; and while it fits, and seems to work, it may also be the cause of the static. I ordered a different mic from Amazon that should arrive today. Will see how it goes. The built in little mic on the front of the T9 isn't great... the other person could barely hear me at all when I tried using it.

 

Thanks for the detailed reply. I do like the Entune call quality so far. I'd love to hear your feedback with the different mic.

 

I'm curious... Where is the OEM mic in the car? Can't we hook into that one. I'd assume it must be a simple wire running into the back of the OEM head unit that we can use. I guess not but I don't get why.

 

Are you able to change what mic you’re using (built in or external) after the fact? Don’t want to install the unit to try the internal mic only to have to remove and hook up an external mic?

 

Thought the T8/9 used the oem mic. Guess not?

 

I didn’t see a specific connection for it, unless I totally missed it. I have to take it out to connect the other mic anyways so will take another look.

I know when I installed a kenwood in my taco, there was no connection or adapter for the oem mic and had to use kenwoods mic. I’m sure there is a way to figure it out one way or another.

 

So, just got done pulling the radio again; I didn't see any specific connections relating to the OEM mic. So if it's connected via the harness by default, then it's not working very well, as this is how I originally tried it, and people could barely hear me at all (I made the assumption it was just using the little mic on the front of the unit).

I hooked up the updated mic with 3.5mm plug, and that did the trick. Initial results was that I was coming in loud and clear now.

Note that I sort of let the mic connection dangle below the radio, so that it's covered by the ac/heat control panel... so that if it needs to be replaced later, I don't have to pull the whole radio to do so. Just pop off the side trim pieces, then pop off the ac/heat panel. So @Mfavic89 I would probably do this if you want to see how the mic works (or if your OEM mic works) first. Would make it easy to add an external mic later on if you decide to do so.

 

When I put a sony Carplay unit in my taco it was the same. No adapter and had to use the sony supplied mic. In some locations it sounded like garbage, but after moving it around enough, I found one that worked.

 

Great info and thanks again. I think I'm going to pull the trigger as well. I also like your idea about the OBDII port connection. Could you share what 3.5mm mic you purchased from Amazon?

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015KY5J7Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

What stopped you from re-using the existing mic? Some sort of proprietary adapter would be needed?

 

I have a few questions.

1. Does this radio have Sirius XM support
2. Does it have built in GPS.
3. If it does have built in GPS can you install Navmii via the google play store? This would be amazing for offline maps.
4. can apple play on this unit display more apps than a traditional apple play would on a stock vehicle. Im hoping for navmii either from the head unit or projected from the phone.

Sorry for all of the questions.

Thanks!