[nashide]

I'm looking at a Kenwood DMX1057XR and the Maestro RR2 to make sure it keeps all the functionality, navigation isn't something I need to keep since I use my smartphone. Has anyone done this install? Or have any experience with this unit?

 

[nashide]

All of the below just arrived, I'll be working on this today and tomorrow but it looks straight forward. I intended to keep every feature and function of my existing Pacifica while adding Apple Carplay and Android Audio.

iDatalink Maestro RR2 Interface Module
iDatalink KIT-PAC1 Factory System Adapter
Maestro HRN-ANT-SAT1 FAKRA to Aftermarket SMB Satellite Radio Antenna Adaptor
SiriusXM SXV300V1 Satellite Radio Vehicle Tuner
Kenwood Excelon Reference 10.1 HD DMX1057XR

 

[nashide]

It works but not all of it, I forgot the part where you literally need to carve up the inside of the dash to install anything. Your gonna need an oscillating tool with a cutting blade, your gonna be taking out the plastic around the vents and inside the top. The space is pretty small at the back and it's going be packed, there's a ledge in the back that cables get stuck under when putting in the deck and you have to make sure they are not caught under the radio.

Why is it not all of it? Because it's all Fakra and I need to convert fakra to whatever plugs in which is the following.

1. GPS
2. Video 1/2/3/4
3. Satellite

I have the parts on order, I'm really enjoying the system so far but it's a tight fit in the dash and I hate that there's little to no room for anything else. The kit has all kinds of problems as well, the brackets are backwards, literally, the manual says they are labeled wrong. The media connector (usb and headphone jack) are wrong as well. the PCB has the usb connector in the wrong slot making it useless. Crutchfield will replace with the correct part but still a pain.

 

[nashide]

Alright, it's done and everything works as it should and updated. Yay! But not without issues.

1. I contacted Crutchfield and all parts have the different side USB. It's not the end of the world. I had to Dremel the edge of the connector for the media ports for aux/usb to work properly. It's keyed and will only fit one way, it's only a small amount of plastic to remove. I just made it look like the other side and it still locks into place. Might be because I have an early model without start/stop, which is what I wanted because I do not want start/stop.

2. I used a blade to cut a small hole in the steering wheel cover to feed the microphone connector for the head unit through it. You can mount it anywhere, I choose the back of the wheel.

3. The surround video comes from the vehicle, it's not separate video, the wheel lines move and you keep surround video.

4. All features are available, I had to update both the head unit and and the RR2. It keeps EVERYTHING after the update.

I'm super happy even if the install wasn't great, Crutchfield helped but ultimately modifications had to be made. I let them know about the issues in hope they resolve them.

Outside of Antenna and Sirius you cannot use any other farka for satellite. I tried to use the 3G antenna but it wasn't happening. What I did was mount the satellite antenna that came in the box on top of the head unit and slipped it into the dash. Completely invisible and works great for wireless carplay.

I was not about to buy, trade, find, an OEM apple carplay unit for my 2017. It's not worth the effort when aftermarket has it all covered.