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I am buying my son either 2007 or 08TL. Both cars I’m looking at do not have navigation. Can anybody please suggest the best aftermarket way to get a back up camera installed onto this car? I already was planning on putting the BT45-acu updated system for the Bluetooth and music streaming, but I’m realizing that that does not have a back up camera. What are my options to both update the Bluetooth and music streaming and also I have a back up camera? Or do I need to switch my search to a model that has navigation just so I can have a back up camera? I was planning on buying one of these two cars tomorrow so I hope I get feedback quickly on this form. Thank you so much and advance for any insights and suggestions
Also, shouldn't 07-08 non nav model take BT45-HON3, not the Acu?
Peter thank you so much for the quick feedback , so navigation or not having navigation definitely should not be a decision maker? If anything maybe it’s better to buy one without the navigation since that factory system sucks?
Honestly, if i were you, i would just buy your son a phone mount and call it a day. I barely use the navigation on either my TL or other cars. https://www.proclipusa.com/product/8...p-center-mount i use this in conjunction with a magnetic mount from Scosche Magic Mount (https://www.scosche.com/magic-mount-...r-tablet-mount) to attach my phone and use it for Waze/Google Maps as needed. I wouldn't let navigation be the deciding factor
Honestly, if i were you, i would just buy your son a phone mount and call it a day. I barely use the navigation on either my TL or other cars. https://www.proclipusa.com/product/8...p-center-mount i use this in conjunction with a magnetic mount from Scosche Magic Mount (https://www.scosche.com/magic-mount-...r-tablet-mount) to attach my phone and use it for Waze/Google Maps as needed. I wouldn't let navigation be the deciding factor
Huh I just glued the $7 mount to the passenger air bag indicator when I decided nexus is too slow to use as navigation.
Peter thank you so much for the quick feedback , so navigation or not having navigation definitely should not be a decision maker? If anything maybe it’s better to buy one without the navigation since that factory system sucks?
It's an old outdated 2007/08 navigation system.
Personally, I would get the nicest car you can find in your budget. Then install an aftermarket touchscreen radio that can do android auto or apple so you can use google maps or waze. However, you'll need to make sure to also install a module to retain the steering wheel controls. The PAC SWI-CP2 should allow you to retain all the buttons.
Huh I just glued the $7 mount to the passenger air bag indicator when I decided nexus is too slow to use as navigation.
not bad .jpg! I definitely could have done that too with the Scosche mount, but my man @sockr1 hooked it up with the ProClip for a good deal so I obliged
Personally, I would get the nicest car you can find in your budget. Then install an aftermarket touchscreen radio that can do android auto or apple so you can use google maps or waze. However, you'll need to make sure to also install a module to retain the steering wheel controls. The PAC SWI-CP2 should allow you to retain all the buttons.
What about incorporating a back up camera with this set up?
You can purchase a camera and mount it where the OEM camera would be. Most touchscreen aftermarket radios have at least one camera input.
With an aftermarket radio that has touchscreen, if it has a back up camera input, how does a radio know when the car is put in reverse? in Other words if there’s a wire going from the input from the new radio out to the camera at the rear of the car, where is the signal coming from that you put the car in to reverse To turn the camera on?
With an aftermarket radio that has touchscreen, if it has a back up camera input, how does a radio know when the car is put in reverse? in Other words if there’s a wire going from the input from the new radio out to the camera at the rear of the car, where is the signal coming from that you put the car in to reverse To turn the camera on?
You will need to connect the radio to the +12V reverse switch source. People typically connect it to the reverse lights. That will trigger the radio to switch to display the camera.
If you're not comfortable with electrical, it's best to take it to a shop before you create headaches for yourself. Maybe find a couple of reputable car audio shops and ask them for a quote to determine if it's worth it.
I would definitely recommend an aftermarket touchscreen stereo as opposed to converting from non-navigation to navigation. In my 2006 TL, I had a broken navigation system and handsfree link , prompting me to look at options for repairing or installing aftermarket. I ended up going with a Pioneer double din stereo (and converting to non-navigation, but you wouldn't have to do that) and it's been great so far. Having modern phone integration through Android Auto/Apple Car Play is exponentially better than the factory navigation and handsfree link. And that is comparing to 07-08 Navigation, I used to have an 08 TL with fully functioning navigation. There's just no way around the fact that the Navigation system in these cars is 15ish year old technology.
As people have mentioned, most aftermarket touchscreen stereos have a RCA input for a backup camera. I haven't installed one with mine yet, but plan to as shown in the video shared by Synchro.
In terms of downsides for installing an aftermarket stereo in these cars, it ends up mounted a little lower than one might like. That combined with the semicircles left from the volume and tune knobs make for a somewhat ugly appearance to some. For me, the modern features are worth the compromises. I have included a picture of my setup.
By the way, if you decide to go the aftermarket route, https://mobilemaxcaraudio.com/ made this a very easy install in terms of wiring. I bought their complete install kit and it made the whole process plug and play. They make a custom harness based on the brand of stereo you buy that retains the steering wheel controls and factory amplifier. The information is out there to wire everything up for cheaper, but it saved a lot of time having the plug and play harness.
I would definitely recommend an aftermarket touchscreen stereo as opposed to converting from non-navigation to navigation. In my 2006 TL, I had a broken navigation system and handsfree link , prompting me to look at options for repairing or installing aftermarket. I ended up going with a Pioneer double din stereo (and converting to non-navigation, but you wouldn't have to do that) and it's been great so far. Having modern phone integration through Android Auto/Apple Car Play is exponentially better than the factory navigation and handsfree link. And that is comparing to 07-08 Navigation, I used to have an 08 TL with fully functioning navigation. There's just no way around the fact that the Navigation system in these cars is 15ish year old technology.
As people have mentioned, most aftermarket touchscreen stereos have a RCA input for a backup camera. I haven't installed one with mine yet, but plan to as shown in the video shared by Synchro.
In terms of downsides for installing an aftermarket stereo in these cars, it ends up mounted a little lower than one might like. That combined with the semicircles left from the volume and tune knobs make for a somewhat ugly appearance to some. For me, the modern features are worth the compromises. I have included a picture of my setup.
By the way, if you decide to go the aftermarket route, https://mobilemaxcaraudio.com/ made this a very easy install in terms of wiring. I bought their complete install kit and it made the whole process plug and play. They make a custom harness based on the brand of stereo you buy that retains the steering wheel controls and factory amplifier. The information is out there to wire everything up for cheaper, but it saved a lot of time having the plug and play harness.
Hey man, awesome post. Greatly appreciate you taking the time to type all that up. So I have not bought a TL yet I’m stuck between three cars right now I’m buying one of them this weekend. Are you saying that if I have a choice it’s almost better to go with one without the navigation screen? Or is it best to buy one with the navigation screen so I have the room to put the aftermarket stereo in? Thanks
I would say it doesn't really matter either way, definitely shouldn't be a deciding factor as the aftermarket stereo can be installed with either option. I would say pick whichever TL you want based on other things like service records, tires, body damage, stuff like that. Regardless of the specific TL's options, there will be ways to add the options you want
I would say it doesn't really matter either way, definitely shouldn't be a deciding factor as the aftermarket stereo can be installed with either option. I would say pick whichever TL you want based on other things like service records, tires, body damage, stuff like that. Regardless of the specific TL's options, there will be ways to add the options you want
are the stereos different as far as the mounting dimensions with the navigation versus non-navigation models? because obviously it’s the two smaller screens versus one bigger screen if the model has navigation. Is it a completely different stereo that you have to buy or is it the same stereo and you have to do some cutting to make the two screens one big hole ( non ba models) for the unit? Sorry for all the questions, I’m annoying myself at this point with my amount of questions now. LOL
Its all good. The installation of an aftermarket stereo goes in the same spot (replacing the factory radio) regardless of whether the car has navigation or not. These two pictures show an aftermarket stereo in both a navigation TL and a non navigation TL. Note these pictures are not mine, they are from various threads on here. The search feature on here should lead you to even more examples and explanations, just have to search around a bit.
By the way, if you decide to go the aftermarket route, https://mobilemaxcaraudio.com/ made this a very easy install in terms of wiring. I bought their complete install kit and it made the whole process plug and play. They make a custom harness based on the brand of stereo you buy that retains the steering wheel controls and factory amplifier. The information is out there to wire everything up for cheaper, but it saved a lot of time having the plug and play harness.
I agree, the wiring can be done cheaper, but they've done all the research to make a plug and play product.
Did you retain all the steering wheel controls with the Axxess module? Where did you mount the mic and USB plug?
OP, something to keep in mind. You will lose the center channel and the factory BT phone.
I agree, the wiring can be done cheaper, but they've done all the research to make a plug and play product.
Did you retain all the steering wheel controls with the Axxess module? Where did you mount the mic and USB plug?
OP, something to keep in mind. You will lose the center channel and the factory BT phone.
Yes, the harness included the Axxess module which allowed all the steering wheel audio controls to work. However the Axxess module does not readily allow for use of the handsfree link buttons. It is possible, requiring the handsfree link buttons to be connected into the audio controls circuit. I contacted mobile max about it and they explained it to me, but I decided against it because its easy enough to hit the google assistant button on the radio screen.
I have the USB extension cable coming out of the access cover for the parking brake adjustment. The I have a USB A to USB C cable running to the upper part of the center console where I plug in my phone. So everything is hidden away in the center console.
I have the microphone up by the rearview mirror. Works great, no issues with phone call quality.
+1 on Aftermarket Navigation if you don't want the cell phone mount.
My 07 type S had Navigation, but the disc was from 2014 and scratched when I got it. The stock rev camera is pretty lame and the resolution is poor, with no grid lines for reference.
I opted to install an Pioneer navi unit and clarion camera with license frame mount from another car that I already had. Its a lot of wires, but its totally manageable if you can read a wire diagram.
I am actually considering one of the newer 9" remote displays with cell phone mirroring to replace the stock navigation display; which is rendered useless with an aftermarket head unit.
