Pioneer AppRadio Headend
 

So I've been looking at a bunch of options to keep my 430N headend and improve the sound and have it all dialed in, but today I found the Pioneer AppRadio headend that looks amazing and provides app-level support fro iPhone or Android phones. This would eliminate my need for the AudioControl LC7i module to convert the digital amp signal to line level, and there is an adapter to maintain steering wheel controls, so it looks awesome. Has anyone used or installed one of these? I love the fact that it uses your iPhone app for navigation, and it additionally gives me the capability for a back-up camera, so bonus.

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Pioneer makes great head units. Stick with the PAC units for the integration and they work pretty good.

I just purchased a used SPH Da100 Appradio off eBay today for $100.

Forgive my lack of familiarity with the acronyms...what do you mean by PACs?

PAC is a company that makes the audio and steering wheel integration units.

Perfect...great advice -- thank you! Still curious about the Pioneer AppRadio specifically, though...

Wow...those are $400 new exclusively on Curtchfield. The Da200 is pretty readily available for $500 and the only difference is that it has a CD/DVD player, which is questionable with regard to its usefulness. I'd love to hear what you think of it once you get it up and running!!

I just installed the AVH-X3500BHS today that I purchased from Crutchfield, $375 shipped with the PAC adapter to keep steering wheel controls.
I did lots of research before purchasing this unit and everything I read said that the appradio works great if you have an iPhone, but it doesnt seem to work very well if you have an android based phone.

I have and android phone so I can't comment on the appradio portion specifically, but everything else about this HU is absolutely amazing, and it REALLY bring the speakers to life.
DVD, Bluetooth audio and calling, Pandora control from the HU, backup camera capable.
For $300 you will be hard pressed to find anything better.

http://www.namtaru.com/uploads/2013/X3500BHS.jpg

I would love to do this...

But i am afraid it will get ripped out when the doors are off.

They would have to go through a lot of trouble to rip one out. They are bolted in behind the face panel which is also bolted in. Or screwed rather