This 9-inch in-unit car entertainment system combines wireless Apple CarPlay, dash cam functionality, and a backup camera for a comprehensive upgrade to older vehicles. The device features a large screen, various mounting options, and easy installation, making it ideal for users without modern tech in their cars. With options like Bluetooth audio, FM modulation, and video recording, it offers great versatility. The rearview camera provides backup assistance, and the system’s intuitive interface ensures a smooth user experience. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for enhancing vehicle tech with added safety and convenience features.
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Unboxing and Overview
And this is a 9 inch unit, so this one looks very similar to the one I actually have in my Explorer right now. My SUV was not new enough to even have CarPlay, but I actually have this mounted on the dash and it works pretty well. We’re going to do a quick unbox here to see what’s inside of it. This has been rebranded multiple times, so this is one of the highest rated options. Again, very large screen. This one also offers dash cam capability, so if you need something that’s dash cam and you have room for a larger 16:9 screen, again, removing the protective coating looks really good.
This one looks very, very similar to others I’ve tested. This unit includes a rearview camera, which provides backup camera capability. If your vehicle doesn’t have a backup camera, this one can be stuck onto the back window. You run this very long cable, and now you’ve added a backup camera to your vehicle. So, it’s a dash cam, CarPlay video receiver, and a backup camera all in one.
Mounting Options and Accessories
Lots of cool options here! This one has a lot more mounting options. It includes a flat mount similar to the one we had before, but also a windshield mount. If you have a unique dash or want to take it with you, this windshield mount is great. It can be flipped over and used as a dash mount, which is what I used in my truck.
There are also stickup versions where you can stick this directly onto something if you have an area wide enough for your stereo. It comes with a car vehicle trim tool, an auxiliary cable, and an additional sticky bottom for this plate. Lots of capabilities here!
Plugging In and Features
I’m going to go ahead and plug this in using the cable that we have and take a quick look at the features to see if it’s identical to the ones we’ve tested previously. The dash cam is on the back, and this is the difference in size—this one is shorter but wider, giving a bit more screen real estate.
The user interface on these keeps getting better. I could drop this right into my other one because all the connections are exactly the same. They’ve really started to improve the user interface! Reverse line calibration is available, and it can be triggered on always on. This unit records for the dash cam and has sound options.
Recording and Playback
Now, if we go to the DVR, you can see it’s actually recording with this camera lens behind me. It’s a really high-quality recording. The date and time are already there, and it looks like the GPS is working to correct the time.
The carplay playback capability is impressive. You can access onboard video, locked video, or any other files you want to put on here. The audio output settings allow you to decide if you want this to be an FM tuner, Bluetooth audio, or an auxiliary audio cable. The great news is if you’re using it with an iPhone, you don’t necessarily need to have any of these settings—you can connect directly.
Navigation and User Experience
Let’s go to CarPlay and follow the instructions. Remember we were on our way to LAX? I’ve got a wireless CarPlay receiver, so that trip is easy to navigate. You can see everything on the screen, and I really love this view. There’s also a podcast view and access to audiobooks, which is great for family trips.
The system features built-in speakers and sounds, which is a nice touch. The interface is smooth, allowing you to jump back and forth into navigation and other apps easily.
Reverse Camera and Installation
Now, let’s take a quick look at the reverse camera. The cable provided has a long red wire that connects to your reverse lights, so it can automatically show the backup camera when backing up. The DVR will continue to work regardless of whether you hook that wire up.
It does come with a 64GB flash memory card, which is a nice addition. This means you can save yourself some money unless you want to upgrade to a higher capacity card. The dash cam view is clear, and the GPS automatically adjusts the date and time, although there might be a minor time zone issue to work out.
Overall, I’m very happy with this unit. It offers a solid blend of functionality and ease of use, making it a great option for anyone looking to modernize their car’s tech.
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