I am a stereo installer. Have been installing in high end cars for over 25 years. I am building an Escalade right now that I am molding an iPad into the dash. The caddy is also getting a FLIR camera, Kenwood 9990, and a ton of other crap too. The iPad idea sounds cool, but in reality every one I've done for a customer turns out to be a waste of their money over time. The idea is cool. The usefulness of it sucks. It is a glorified iPod. Nothing more. The picture sucks. The whole thing that makes an iPad cool is wasted when installed into a car.

IDK. I install them. Then when customers come in for system check ups and such down the road they say they wind up not using them. Haha.

Nothing beats a true vehicle specific source, like the above mentioned Kenwood. iPads????? Whatever. Get a good HU with an updatable platform and maps. Buy a cheap used 160g iPod and throw it in the glove box.

As far as iPad ONLY? It would suck. The preamp section, if you can even call it a preamp section, sucks. Very low voltage out. Less than 1 volt. It makes for such a low output that you have to add a line driver or turn the gains too high on the amps which induces noise and raises the noise floor.

iPads are for homework and angry birds.

High voltage source units are for "systems". Lol

 

I am removing my entire built system and going with a True Navigation GPS system with weather. I am finding the more offroading I do the less important Mall Crawling stuff I can use. I am replacing my amp for a nice inverter!!!

 

Copied this info from a head unit that I'm interested in. It's a little expensive. But it appears that once you plug in your I-device, you have all its functionality controlled directly from the head unit interface. Apps, music and everything. It desplayed your album art. and you could scroll thru just like you were using the pad itself. So I say again. Why complicate your operators interface with mounts and multiple control devices.

 

When your off road in the mountains and you have no cell signal you loose everything. No GPS with the iPad or iPhone. This is why I bought a Mygig RHB

And the only only reason why I spent the money on the mygig is because I ordered the connectivity package with my JKU otherwise I would have instantly bought a high end aftermarket HU

Not mention when the iPad is turned landscape mode all the time some apps and Internet sites can become a real PITA to navigate on.

And trust me I am more and apple fan than most. 2 MBP IPad 3 iPhone 5 two 27's one at home and one at office.

I think if anything the iPad mini might be worse adding to a HU as an added device.

 

I agree but mygig took a crap me as well so I warrantied it and sold it. Getting a Magellan Navagation with Weather.

 

The HU that I'm looking at is expensive. But a lot less expensive than MyGig. It has everything built in that the I device doesn't. So, when combined together via Bluetooth or cable. You have everything you need and more. Nav and sat radio via HU plus all te I-device stuff too.

 

Yeah I want to edit my last post

I'm looking at a Lowrance HDS-7mGen2 system not a Magellan

 

And only 2 sets of RCA preouts... I need 3. I have been looking At appradio for awhile, the iPhone integration is cool.. But as a regular stereo the thing is so weak. And extremely limited on apps. And is getting horrible reviews.. And is ugly as f*ck. there is a reason it is being sold for half of the retail price everywhere.... And nav and sat radio are controlled by the iPhone not the hu...

Everything built in huh? Like a CD player? Uh no. An amp? Yes. But I don't need that. A radio? Ya. Who listens to am/fm? Certainly not me. Could I browse jk-forum app on it? No.

Could I browse whatever I want and not be limited on what I can or cannot use with an iPad. Yes


Info on dash kit for iPad mini, and how to convert to 3 sets of RCAs, and a remote amp turn on would be very helpful

Thanks

 

Checkout the lowrance sonic hub!!!

Add that to the baja GPS with integrated weather
That's the real deal!!!

 

The HU I was looking at said it had Garmin Nav.

Well except when you loose service.