Kenwood - 6.8" Bluetooth Digital Media Receiver with rear camera input

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/kenwood-6-8-bluetooth-digital-media-receiver-with-rear-camera-input-black/6546097.p?skuId=6546097
$169.99
Save $60
Was $229.99

JVC - 6.8" Bluetooth Digital Media (DM) Receiver with Rear Camera Input and Parking Guidelines

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/jvc-6-8-bluetooth-digital-media-dm-receiver-with-rear-camera-input-and-parking-guidelines-black/6544996.p?skuId=6544996
$159.99
Save $70
Was $229.99

Kenwood - 400W Class D Bridgeable Multichannel Amplifier with Variable Crossovers

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/kenwood-400w-class-d-bridgeable-multichannel-amplifier-with-variable-crossovers-gray/6330252.p?skuId=6330252

$135.99

EXTRA STUFF

ANOTHER KENWOOD AMP.. (MAYBE CLEANER THAN THE OTHER ONE ABOVE?)



KICKER AMP BELOW (SIZE COMPARISON)





KENWOODS SLANTED SCREEN IS REALLY NICE. 2ND ROW FROM THE BOTTOM, ON THE LEFT. YOU CAN PICK THE DEGREE ANGLE WITH THE PUSH OF A BUTTON.

 

even cheaper at Amazon
$138 4.3 star

KENWOOD DMX129BT 6.8 Inch LCD Touchscreen Digital Media Car Stereo, Bluetooth Audio and Hands Free Calling, Double Din, USB, Rear Camera Input, AM/FM Radio

https://www.amazon.com/JVC-KW-M150BT-Bluetooth-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B07SG91ZRZ/ref=m_crc_dp_lf_d_t1_d_sccl_4_1/143-7291243-6463747?pd_rd_w=3WfMP&content-id=amzn1.sym.76a0b561-a7b4-41dc-9467-a85a2fa27c1c&pf_rd_p=76a0b561-a7b4-41dc-9467-a85a2fa27c1c&pf_rd_r=XCGCK4F4YXMS8X33WG9Y&pd_rd_wg =srLVe&pd_rd_r=5ceaa3ec-3ded-43d1-8828-75ca3adf5cc1&pd_rd_i=B07SG91ZRZ&psc=1

 

As I'm still indecisive about whether I want to switch my ever-increasingly defunct OEM navigation screen, (as well as a SiriusXM module that kills my battery ) to either Tesla/Nexus7 tablet, or double DIN unit, I continue to research pro's and cons.

@Chad05TL Are you using either of these double DIN units? If so, how are they?



Right now my current solution to have a free alternative to getting "CarPlay" in my car is using my old phone, Galaxy S7 as a slave dummy that's always wired up via aux and power cord. Then whenever I hop in the car with my primary master phone (S9) I gotta Bluetooth tether the two of them together. Tasker app installed on both phones so that whenever they're paired together, S7 automatically opens Waze and Spotify, altho when they are paired together Waze is verrrry slow to respond when trying to input destinations. I wonder if screen mirroring would be less laggy.

 

I like your enginuity on your current system. ie. tagging your phones back and forth.
but NO, I have not bought any of those devices above. For now, my system still works and I think I would like to keep it that way until the DVD player in the trunk breaks.
I did the 100ohm resistor trick on the back of the navi screen, and it totally rendered my "Audio" button useless and "non-funcational". And I didnt really like that. I think it basically confuses the main Navigation display.
And to me , that is not a great solution. So, for now, since my dvd player is still working, I decided to let it be.
I wish there was a way to install an 3rd party "audio unit" (cd/usb player) and have it send data to the navigation screen. So it would be more "seamless".
For now, I have 2 Pioneer amps and 1 sealed subwoofer box in the trunk, with 2 aftermarket speakers in the rear deck. I have both the OEM sub and the aftermarket sub wired to 1 amp and the other 4 speakers on the other amp. I have no center channel.

ps: I use GOOGLE MAPS most often because it shows traffic data and it is pretty fast on my Google Pixel. When you live in a big city, traffic data is important because I can take alternate routes. Otherwise, the OEM DVD player has standard maps for long distance intercity trips if I want to nail it up on the display and watch it.

Final thought: There really isn't a "best choice" or a "great option" for a 3rd gen TL. Just Do what ever is available to you. Whatever is easiest. Whatever you have patience for... And I guess, whatever is worth the price. =)

 

There is a kenwood unit that the screen pivots up, which I thought was nice.. but kinda expensive too.

Also, I was previously very interested in the floating display.. but you know, after a while you may not want it sticking out. It may get in the way. And it takes away from the OEM look. So I have not been as interested in the floating display as much as I was before. You definately have to find the right one. In fact, the smaller floating display would be better than the larger one, in my opinion. Because it is not as much in the way. If I did get a floating display, I would buy one that you can push back out of the way. Or maybe even raise it to cover part of the OEM navi.. But it has to be movable so yuou can hit all the climate buttons.

Other than that.. I have no idea which unit is better or worse. (as far has reliability, and software features) But some of those software features are duplications on your phone. I would mainly like to have a screen with a Browser that I could tether off my phone.. but you know, I do have a browser on my phone. And you cant type while driving. So at the end of the day, you still have to stop and do internet browsing. So whats the use right? No idea.