Thank you very much for the video, I've been looking at so many models and finally came across this one, fell in love instantly. Watched your video and I'm basically sold
Thank you for this review! I am having to replace my original jeep 730N RER from 2008 and this video was very helpful regarding considering this alpine model as a replacement. I live in CO and spend a lot of time in the mountains with my jeep and you are spot on with having independent GPS (girl from ME originally so...still a factor there for sure too). Cell service can be non existent up here, few have understood why it is an important feature to me. Thank you for making the review thorough, calling out both pros and cons succinctly.
There aren’t very many options for that! From name brands your options are pretty much this Alpine or Kenwood DNX997XR. Or maybe a DNX577s. CD players are on their way out.
What is the best USB extender cable that you would recommend for these Alpine Nav units? I bought a generic one years ago for my crappy Kenwood DNX690HD in order to connect via USB and it never worked, but I can't say for certain if it was the cable's fault or my useless Kenwood unit's fault...
If you want to flush mount it we use the PAC Audio USB-DMA1 or USB-DMA3. You just need a good high speed USB C compatible. If you just want an extension cable I've had good luck with Anker or Ugreen, but the shorter the better. The longer you go, the quirkier it gets. With the Kenwood, that was not one of their best operating systems. Definitely dated in terms of features so it could have been a compatibility issue. I think that model required both a USB and AUX connection PLUS a 30-pin cable for iPod/iPhone connection. I don't think it was ever designed to play audio through USB connected directly to a newer iPhone with lightning or anything Android.
Hello Annie..I had ordered a Alpine INE-970HD unit in first week of Dec and the niddle of March I gave up on Alpine and went with the Stinger Heigh10...Do you know about Stinger???
Do I know about the Stinger? Oh yeah, we have one in our 2019 Wrangler and have two videos posted on it: Part 1 (pre-amp testing) - th-cam.com/video/5iH2G3nyw9A/w-d-xo.html Part 2 (more of a full unit review) - th-cam.com/video/_fa67y9THV8/w-d-xo.html Did you install it yet? What do you think of it?
Actually $849.99 and wired which is still considerably less than the wireless DNX997XR for comparison, but you are getting more than wired with that model as well like full maestro compatibility and more EQ control.
I have a 21 tundra what features would I be losing from not have maestro connectivity? It’s a sr5 trim so pretty basic. MPG display seems about the only thing I would be missing which isn’t a big concern.
Great question - I'm not sure without going through the settings on your radio in person, but I suspect its similar to the basic Tacoma radio we upgraded a few weeks ago. Did you happen to see the iLX-F411 video we did? th-cam.com/video/VujnC5chom4/w-d-xo.html In the beginning I go through the factory radio options which include things like changing settings in the vehicle keyless entry, lighting, etc. If you have JBL - the Maestro retains digital fader and gain controls, without a Maestro compatible radio, the JBL amp is retained, but there is no gain adjustment and you lose fader. The other features lost would be "Access and Modify Vehicle Settings" and then perks like gauges and the ability to read TPMS, read/reset basic error code.
November 2021 here. Just recently started looking into getting a head unit, backup camera, and front and rear cameras for my car. As an example for cost expectations, the Alpine iLX-W650, which I bought for my wife's car in December 2020 at Car Toys for $199.96 (unit only) is now priced at Car Toys for $399.99 (unit only). The Alpine INE-W970HD, as noted, currently goes for $849.95 at numerous places. The brick & mortar store I visited yesterday has it priced at around $1300 (unit only). No idea how much it was 11 - 12 months ago. Can you say worldwide SUPPLY CHAIN issues?!?!?!?
@@jeffphakenewz8556 it’s ridiculous and largely related to the massive increase in global shipping costs. A container from overseas used to cost a manufacturer around $4k and over the summer we were seeing costs of $20k or higher. Some manufacturers like Alpine have resorted to air freight instead (which is generally more costly but also more reliable and bypasses the delays at the ports). The iLX-650 you bought must have been on sale, last year they sold for $299 and now $399. The INE-W970 still retails for $849.99 but there are many shops selling way over retail due to the supply chain issues. I don’t think it will ease up until late next year or 2023 at this point. It’s a mess!!!
Sadly, for 2021 and I fear 2022 that is a good price for a unit with all these features. We have seen ridiculous price increases across the board due to a variety of factors. Chip shortage is one. The chips they can source are costing way more money than usual due to simply supply/demand issues. The other issue is global shipping cost increases. It used to cost a manufacturer $3k - $5k to ship a container from overseas to California loaded with products. Now that same container can cost anywhere from $15k - $30k. In some cases manufacturers are air freighting in products at an additional cost (which is passed on to all of us) because the ports are so backed up in Long Beach. All of this is contributing to higher prices across the board for consumer electronics. Sadly, I don't see the global supply chain issues getting resolved any time soon. As long as we have these kind of availability issues, prices will remain elevated compared to where they were a few years ago. Now - some places are charging over MSRP, but the retail price on this unit is currently $849.99. Compared to a unit without GPS navigation, without HD radio, without CD player, without HDMI input, with only 1 USB port instead of 2, then you're in the $400 range. So for the extra $450, you are at least getting a lot of features for the added cost IMO.
I keep trying to connect Sirius xm and it says check tuner can you help me out please . I Also lost a red sd card that i can't find and don't know what's for ??
It sounds like you’re missing the optional SXV300v1 tuner? - amzn.to/2VuFnCH If you have the tuner and antenna installed, it's possible it's not getting a clear view of the sky or perhaps you have a faulty tuner or antenna. Not sure about the SD card I will find out. Didn’t see anything in the install guide about it.
Thank you very much for the video, I've been looking at so many models and finally came across this one, fell in love instantly. Watched your video and I'm basically sold
I just want to say Annie is awesome. I called her shop. She answered the phone. she helped me out. She’s great!!!
Hey Jake, thank you so much for the kind words! I really appreciate it, but I was bummed the reset didn't fix your radio :(
I picked the 970 because I was in an area once that didn't have cell service. I love it so far.
Nice choice. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it!
Thank you for this review! I am having to replace my original jeep 730N RER from 2008 and this video was very helpful regarding considering this alpine model as a replacement. I live in CO and spend a lot of time in the mountains with my jeep and you are spot on with having independent GPS (girl from ME originally so...still a factor there for sure too). Cell service can be non existent up here, few have understood why it is an important feature to me. Thank you for making the review thorough, calling out both pros and cons succinctly.
Thank you - I hope you're enjoying the new stereo in your Jeep!
Excellent content.
im looking to install a double din ,gps ,cd player and have no clue what to buy help ?
There aren’t very many options for that! From name brands your options are pretty much this Alpine or Kenwood DNX997XR. Or maybe a DNX577s. CD players are on their way out.
What is the best USB extender cable that you would recommend for these Alpine Nav units? I bought a generic one years ago for my crappy Kenwood DNX690HD in order to connect via USB and it never worked, but I can't say for certain if it was the cable's fault or my useless Kenwood unit's fault...
If you want to flush mount it we use the PAC Audio USB-DMA1 or USB-DMA3. You just need a good high speed USB C compatible. If you just want an extension cable I've had good luck with Anker or Ugreen, but the shorter the better. The longer you go, the quirkier it gets. With the Kenwood, that was not one of their best operating systems. Definitely dated in terms of features so it could have been a compatibility issue. I think that model required both a USB and AUX connection PLUS a 30-pin cable for iPod/iPhone connection. I don't think it was ever designed to play audio through USB connected directly to a newer iPhone with lightning or anything Android.
My 970 touch screen stopped working. How do I reset it????
Hello Annie..I had ordered a Alpine INE-970HD unit in first week of Dec and the niddle of March I gave up on Alpine and went with the Stinger Heigh10...Do you know about Stinger???
Do I know about the Stinger? Oh yeah, we have one in our 2019 Wrangler and have two videos posted on it:
Part 1 (pre-amp testing) - th-cam.com/video/5iH2G3nyw9A/w-d-xo.html
Part 2 (more of a full unit review) - th-cam.com/video/_fa67y9THV8/w-d-xo.html
Did you install it yet? What do you think of it?
who makes the maps for the GPS?
Naviextras
800 bucks and its wired?
Actually $849.99 and wired which is still considerably less than the wireless DNX997XR for comparison, but you are getting more than wired with that model as well like full maestro compatibility and more EQ control.
I have a 21 tundra what features would I be losing from not have maestro connectivity? It’s a sr5 trim so pretty basic. MPG display seems about the only thing I would be missing which isn’t a big concern.
Great question - I'm not sure without going through the settings on your radio in person, but I suspect its similar to the basic Tacoma radio we upgraded a few weeks ago. Did you happen to see the iLX-F411 video we did? th-cam.com/video/VujnC5chom4/w-d-xo.html
In the beginning I go through the factory radio options which include things like changing settings in the vehicle keyless entry, lighting, etc. If you have JBL - the Maestro retains digital fader and gain controls, without a Maestro compatible radio, the JBL amp is retained, but there is no gain adjustment and you lose fader. The other features lost would be "Access and Modify Vehicle Settings" and then perks like gauges and the ability to read TPMS, read/reset basic error code.
November 2021 here. Just recently started looking into getting a head unit, backup camera, and front and rear cameras for my car. As an example for cost expectations, the Alpine iLX-W650, which I bought for my wife's car in December 2020 at Car Toys for $199.96 (unit only) is now priced at Car Toys for $399.99 (unit only).
The Alpine INE-W970HD, as noted, currently goes for $849.95 at numerous places. The brick & mortar store I visited yesterday has it priced at around $1300 (unit only). No idea how much it was 11 - 12 months ago.
Can you say worldwide SUPPLY CHAIN issues?!?!?!?
@@jeffphakenewz8556 it’s ridiculous and largely related to the massive increase in global shipping costs. A container from overseas used to cost a manufacturer around $4k and over the summer we were seeing costs of $20k or higher. Some manufacturers like Alpine have resorted to air freight instead (which is generally more costly but also more reliable and bypasses the delays at the ports). The iLX-650 you bought must have been on sale, last year they sold for $299 and now $399. The INE-W970 still retails for $849.99 but there are many shops selling way over retail due to the supply chain issues. I don’t think it will ease up until late next year or 2023 at this point. It’s a mess!!!
I thought you said something about a good price
Sadly, for 2021 and I fear 2022 that is a good price for a unit with all these features. We have seen ridiculous price increases across the board due to a variety of factors. Chip shortage is one. The chips they can source are costing way more money than usual due to simply supply/demand issues. The other issue is global shipping cost increases. It used to cost a manufacturer $3k - $5k to ship a container from overseas to California loaded with products. Now that same container can cost anywhere from $15k - $30k. In some cases manufacturers are air freighting in products at an additional cost (which is passed on to all of us) because the ports are so backed up in Long Beach. All of this is contributing to higher prices across the board for consumer electronics. Sadly, I don't see the global supply chain issues getting resolved any time soon. As long as we have these kind of availability issues, prices will remain elevated compared to where they were a few years ago.
Now - some places are charging over MSRP, but the retail price on this unit is currently $849.99. Compared to a unit without GPS navigation, without HD radio, without CD player, without HDMI input, with only 1 USB port instead of 2, then you're in the $400 range. So for the extra $450, you are at least getting a lot of features for the added cost IMO.
Feel like this unit is a lot behind the times
I keep trying to connect Sirius xm and it says check tuner can you help me out please . I Also lost a red sd card that i can't find and don't know what's for ??
It sounds like you’re missing the optional SXV300v1 tuner? - amzn.to/2VuFnCH If you have the tuner and antenna installed, it's possible it's not getting a clear view of the sky or perhaps you have a faulty tuner or antenna.
Not sure about the SD card I will find out. Didn’t see anything in the install guide about it.
There is no volume knob omg!
You'd be surprised how many clients specifically ask for that :)