NYHolden
New Member
- Joined
- May 25, 2022
- Messages
- 11
- Reaction score
- 24
- Points
- 3
- Age
- 33
- Location
- Long Island, NY USA
- Members Ride
- 2009 Calais-V Wagon, 2014 Caprice PPV
Hello all!
My name is Mike. I have a 2009 Calais-V Wagon in the US (not a common sight here) and I'm looking for some advice on best practices today. I have the rear seat entertainment. If I can integrate it with something aftermarket, great but I wouldn't lose any sleep I cant use it as I don't use DVDs much for the kids and it looks like it doesnt work with US region DVDs anyway.
Ive done a ton of reading and researching, and the options I'm pondering:
#1) Aerpro kit ordered from Australia and getting a quality head unit locally.
Going this way, I know it keeps the front/rear parking sensors. I'm assuming rear DVD doesn't connect? From what I read, it seems like the latest dual zone Aerpro unit works well. I would assume I just need the fascia kit, patch harness and the lower tray. Anything I should worry about?
If I go this route, does anyone have suggestions on preferred Aerpro dealers that might ship to the US?
#2) Alpine Kit Looking at the new alpine kits has me drooling a bit. Its pricey, but not far off from the Series 2 Conversion with the Android Auto shipped to me. I asked a few dealers in AU and no one seems to be able to ship to the US. Any concerns with these kits, and are there any recommended Alpine dealers who will ship to the US? Otherwise I could try using a freight forwarding mailbox in AU.
#3 Series 2 Swap with Android Auto I was looking at the Series 2 IQ swap with the upgrades to allow Android Auto and I'm not against the idea, but with shipping (since its a bigger package with all the trims) I'd be looking at a landed price pretty close to the lower end Alpine unit.
I'd love to get some opinions. I've pretty much ruled out the Kayhan (I like the concept, but dont like the idea of a chinese tablet with iffy support) but am open to suggestions.
My name is Mike. I have a 2009 Calais-V Wagon in the US (not a common sight here) and I'm looking for some advice on best practices today. I have the rear seat entertainment. If I can integrate it with something aftermarket, great but I wouldn't lose any sleep I cant use it as I don't use DVDs much for the kids and it looks like it doesnt work with US region DVDs anyway.
Ive done a ton of reading and researching, and the options I'm pondering:
#1) Aerpro kit ordered from Australia and getting a quality head unit locally.
Going this way, I know it keeps the front/rear parking sensors. I'm assuming rear DVD doesn't connect? From what I read, it seems like the latest dual zone Aerpro unit works well. I would assume I just need the fascia kit, patch harness and the lower tray. Anything I should worry about?
If I go this route, does anyone have suggestions on preferred Aerpro dealers that might ship to the US?
#2) Alpine Kit Looking at the new alpine kits has me drooling a bit. Its pricey, but not far off from the Series 2 Conversion with the Android Auto shipped to me. I asked a few dealers in AU and no one seems to be able to ship to the US. Any concerns with these kits, and are there any recommended Alpine dealers who will ship to the US? Otherwise I could try using a freight forwarding mailbox in AU.
#3 Series 2 Swap with Android Auto I was looking at the Series 2 IQ swap with the upgrades to allow Android Auto and I'm not against the idea, but with shipping (since its a bigger package with all the trims) I'd be looking at a landed price pretty close to the lower end Alpine unit.
I'd love to get some opinions. I've pretty much ruled out the Kayhan (I like the concept, but dont like the idea of a chinese tablet with iffy support) but am open to suggestions.