Kenwood Excelon DNX893S HU Install

Carsmak said:

Heli, please keep updating as you progress, later this year I'm planning a major overhaul of my audio system, since I'm keeping it till the wheels fall off

Fine, I'll spend more, because it will work and be tested properly. Unlike Android, it's the freaking wild wild west.

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Mak! I had no idea you were such an Apple-ite! >

Actually, according to the article Heli linked to: "Suppliers said Google’s certification process for Android Auto is similar in many ways. Some say it is equally stringent and others say it is slightly less so."

Perhaps that's a recent change in Androids open architecture as they struggle to compete with the Apple Monster.

As an admitted Apple basher.... what I was digging at is: an entire fugging vehicle is a requirement for Car Play certification? MAN! I wonder if they spec the model & trim level of the "test vehicle"? From my very limited perspective, lab tests on a bench would be sufficient to verify interoperability between host and client devices. Even though Car Play includes handsfree call processing, the polar pattern, sensitivity & frequency characteristics of a microphone are the base line to how it will behave when in use. Other than handsfree, testing in-car seems nuts!

Unless there's something missing in my version of logic, there is zero need to test Car Play in cars. I wonder if Apple is mapping the acoustic characteristics of vehicles as part of their Car Play certification process. Maybe they are very, very concerned about mobile phone voice quality - or Siri's ability to understand the spoken word when Car Play is deployed in a 2016 Buick Enclave with leather vs vinyl trim? Windows up @ 60MPH vs, down @ 73.5 MPH?

I'm involved in test, measurement and certification of mobile devices destined for service on "the nations largest LTE network". While the requirements are tight - some might say onerous taking up to 3 months to complete in lab, IOT & OTA environments - there is no requirement to test inside a vehicle - even though that's where many phone voice calls & data sessions terminate/originate. I sure am glad we aren't required to submit an entire vehicle to the lab for testing in-car calls. SHEESH!

On the upside of these seemingly stringent test requirements, IF Apple is using privately owned certified labs to "un-bottle neck" the cert process, they're at least supporting the job market/economy by enforcing seemingly nutty test requirements. Perhaps Tim Cook's brother-in-law owns such test labs?

All said in jest of course. Apple does have some very cool products and they deserve acknowledgement for advancing the technology sector.

Carsmak said:

Yep, I had an Android Phone for about 2 weeks, I had previously had an iPod Touch 2nd Gen IIRC, I actually still have that and it still works. Android back then (4+ years ago) and IMHO, the OS is decent, but basically you get what ever model you buy and never expect any updates because LG, Samsung and others layer all their crap on top of it and no one wants to spend the time or money to update anything because it would require re-certification and newer crapware over that. Android Phones are basically disposable after about 6 months to a year, so you can get the newest offerings. If I was ever to buy another it's gonna be a Nexus, so it's the cleanest and best representation of Android, but when I price it out, there's not enough $ saved to leave Apple.

EDIT: Anyway Apple needs all the cars it can get so it can test and measure them against the new "Apple Car"

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Fully understand your perspective on Android. But they've come along way since then. Sure enough, the mobile stations from OEMs are pre-loaded with revenue producing crap (I) never use. On top of that, every device carriers put in their retail sales channel include junk they've made deals for. The user has no control over those things - UNLESS - one is interested in taking control by rooting. THEN there is control. And risk.

Same when jail breaking iOS. Only different.

After everything is said, it comes down to acclimating to software. Windows vs Mac, Android vs iOS. We choose a path, get comfy, and move along.

My beef with Apple is the drone from Apple-ites how their SW "reads your mind", is SOOOO intuitive, and "it just works". When I get on a MAC, it befuddles me until I use it long enough for basic navigation. Same with iOS. Neither is "better" until climbing the first hump on the learning curve common to all user interfaces.

And then there's Apple's business model. UHG. Maddeningly difficult & costly for app development and "certification". But hey, with the market share they own, they can demand such things. Sometimes, it's less about quality and more about $.

I use an 64GB Gen2 iPod Touch as a file server. Other than the occasional change of content, it spends it's life snug in the RL's cubby, hidden from view and totally untouched. When it dies, I'm going away from the iTunes GUI to a new file management system. That is... when after I find a bulk ALAC conversion tool. Then, I'll be Apple-less.

Another thread gone down a rabbit trail, huh?

Sorry Heli! Looking forward to seeing your new set up. And impressions of sound and usability.

Finally completed the install of my Kenwood DNX893S Head Unit The install is physically the same as the DNX9990HD I had in my RTS. I had to shave about 1mm off the bottom of the Metra trim kit so the screen would flip down for access to the DVD and SD card slots.

Added the Sirius XM tuner, Boss CE200M amp to power the stock sub behind the seat and the Kenwood Cmos-320 camera in place of the stock one in the tailgate handle. Installed the PAC SWI-RC steering wheel control but wished I had used the Axxess one as the PAC is difficult to program, and when I got it to work it lost some of its memory. I have read multiple similar stories online.
I like this HU a lot. I waited for it to come out as I believe it meets all my needs. Android Auto is cool and Garmin NAV is tops. HD radio and dual AV outs were also a big motivator as I have headrest monitors in the back. While running the rear camera cable I removed the rear seat back and put 1/4" Dynaliner on the inside and Ballistic sound deadner on the outside of the back wall.

The similarity between the stock camera and the Kenwood surprised me, with the Kenwood being a little longer in size but has more features. I was able to use the stock mounting hardware to install the Kenwood rear camera.

I used Velcro to stick the Boss amp under the dash. Put the GPS antenna next to the stock one under the dash and put the XM radio antenna near the third brake light. I moved it to one side away from the brake light and the stock antenna.

I had disconnected the stock antenna some time ago and replaced it with a roof mounted one which increased signal considerably.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DNX...09265283443&awdv=c&awkw=dnx893s&awmt=p&awnw=g

Yes put the stock sound deadener back in. I did the doors with Extreme Dynamat last year when I upgraded to JBL GT-6 speakers. May do the roof in the future but am nervous of dropping the headliner and how easy it will go back up without damage.

The Boss CE200M amp is behind the HU and to the left of the sunlight sensor that sits on the dash. I put a couple of drops of super glue on the sticky side of the Velcro so it won't peel off with heat. Its an ideal location as its light is visible and fuse accessible when the HU is pulled out. Also the amp harness isn't that long and I didn't want to extend it to the location you suggested.

This HU has two USB cables for Android Auto and Car Play. One is in the glove box and the other in the center console with a 3.5mm aux jack. I split the stock Aux jack so the one in the passenger cubby still works.

Here is the cable routing for the rear view cam. The yellow on the bottom left corner of the rear wall. The hole was already there and the camera came with a grommet that fit nicely in that hole. The hole above that one is the wires for my DIY tailgate lock. The larger cable roll on top is for the rear lights etc.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/...142777-g1-keeping-aux-input-new-radio-hu.html