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I have a 2014 Mazda CX-5 and a 2017 Subaru Outback. I have replaced the head units in both with 3rd party units which support CarPlay/AA. Both installations wer

by tssva 2y ago

I have a 2014 Mazda CX-5 and a 2017 Subaru Outback. I have replaced the head units in both with 3rd party units which support CarPlay/AA. Both installations were easy and took about 2-3 hours. Both support changing the car settings through the 3rd party headhunt, integrate with the steering wheel controls, factory backup camera and the factory installed amplifiers (Bose and Harmon Kardon). The key to these integrations were iDatalink Maestro units. I ordered mine through Crutchfield but most decent car audio websites will generate an installation package including the appropriate wire harnesses, iDatalink unit, 2-DIN adapter and trim pieces once you select a head unit to purchase.

fransje26 2y ago
> Both support changing the car settings through the 3rd party headhunt, integrate with the steering wheel controls, factory backup camera and the factory installed amplifiers (Bose and Harmon Kardon) Wow, I'm impressed. I wouldn't have thought manufacturers nowadays would be forthcoming enough to allow that. Do you know if it is something specific to (some?) Japanese manufacturers, or is it a form of info-display standard that would also make it possible with other brands?
- tssva 2y ago
  I know the iDatalink Maestro works with some European and US cars also. I don't know that there is any kind of standard. I suspect the unit has reversed engineered the canbus messages for the different manufacturers. Before installing the unit you have to program it via usb. They provide software for Windows and Mac. You select your vehicle, wiring harness model and head unit model and it programs it appropriately. It also downloads pdfs with instructions for installation including wiring harness connections. For my Mazda no splicing of any of the factory wiring was necessary. For the Subaru I had to splice a single wire for the Starlink (similar to Onstar and not SpaceX Starlink related) unit. 3rd party headhunts from various manufacturers have a port for the iDatalink unit which allows it to integrate with the head unit. Both of mine are Kenwood but I know a few others have support. There are also alternatives to the iDatalink Maestro it is just what I have used.
  - fransje26 2y ago
    Thank you for your insightful reply. I'll start searching from there.

by tssva 2y ago

fransje26 2y ago

> Both support changing the car settings through the 3rd party headhunt, integrate with the steering wheel controls, factory backup camera and the factory installed amplifiers (Bose and Harmon Kardon) Wow, I'm impressed. I wouldn't have thought manufacturers nowadays would be forthcoming enough to allow that. Do you know if it is something specific to (some?) Japanese manufacturers, or is it a form of info-display standard that would also make it possible with other brands?

tssva 2y ago
I know the iDatalink Maestro works with some European and US cars also. I don't know that there is any kind of standard. I suspect the unit has reversed engineered the canbus messages for the different manufacturers. Before installing the unit you have to program it via usb. They provide software for Windows and Mac. You select your vehicle, wiring harness model and head unit model and it programs it appropriately. It also downloads pdfs with instructions for installation including wiring harness connections. For my Mazda no splicing of any of the factory wiring was necessary. For the Subaru I had to splice a single wire for the Starlink (similar to Onstar and not SpaceX Starlink related) unit. 3rd party headhunts from various manufacturers have a port for the iDatalink unit which allows it to integrate with the head unit. Both of mine are Kenwood but I know a few others have support. There are also alternatives to the iDatalink Maestro it is just what I have used.
- fransje26 2y ago
  Thank you for your insightful reply. I'll start searching from there.