So I bought a new truck this weekend and it came with the Alpine IVA-W205 DVD player/stereo. I'm wondering if the bluetooth and/or the nav modules are worth while. I believe retail on each is around $300, so not terrible, but if they suck then not worth it. I have the option of adding the factory bluetooth if the Alpine is no good, so those with experience with the Alpine bluetooth, is it worth it?
Stereo Guys (specifically an Alpine question)
- Thread starter Caleb
- Start date
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
The Whiskey Duece Ought Five rocks, that is what I'm running in my Tacoma. I've heard poor reviews about the Blackbird, in fact it was Holmes from Car Concepts that told me to skip it. A modern smartphone likely does a better job at no cost. Its a 100% street based nav system, while the direct interface on the head unit could be nice I don't think its worth the $200 price tag? I'm not familiar with the bluetooth module.
I've had the XM on mine for the first two years, loved it but I let my subscription lapse and am reconsidering renewing. Its been refreshing going back to DVD's. I've also got the IPOD interface cable, its nice to be able to control the IPOD through the head unit or just plug it in and let it charge.
We set mine up with a hack for the shift lock, so my passengers can watch movies while we Cruise down the highway. I think as designed it will only allow video while parked? Its been awhile since I installed it.
I've had the XM on mine for the first two years, loved it but I let my subscription lapse and am reconsidering renewing. Its been refreshing going back to DVD's. I've also got the IPOD interface cable, its nice to be able to control the IPOD through the head unit or just plug it in and let it charge.
We set mine up with a hack for the shift lock, so my passengers can watch movies while we Cruise down the highway. I think as designed it will only allow video while parked? Its been awhile since I installed it.
Cool, good info. I too have the ipod cable, agreed, it's very nice to be able to plug in my phone and listen to the things I have on it. I'm curious about the shift lock, I've only played with mine while sitting in my driveway, so I wonder if it works while driving. My back seat has the Rosen headrest DVD players, so the back seat has their choice of DVD (separate or together), the built in gaming system, or any gaming system (or anything else for that matter) that hooks up to the aux ports.
I've never been much of a fan of bluetooth, so it's not something I would ever do personally. As for as the blackbird nav, I agree with Kurt, it's not going to be as good as what you can get for free on your phone (google nav), but there is something to say for having it built it to the deck.
Yeah, traded my Tacoma for a Crewmax Tundra. I needed something that could tow a travel trailer.
That's the only appealing thing for the Nav. Having it built-in is very nice. Although, my wife's Rover has it and I've never used it more than to screw around with. I've used my phone when out of town and once it's plugged in to the stereo it works quite well. I doubt my truck will see anything more than a fireroad if it even ever sees that, so the road-only isn't a huge deal to me.