Alpine and Sony are both adding new combination CarPlay and Android Auto decks to their lineups.
Alpine is shipping two new 9-inch Restyle radios that are its first Jeep-specific models to include CarPlay and Android Auto. They are also the first in the line to be weather resistant.
The models i209-WRA and X209-WRA work with the 2011-2017 Jeep Wrangler. Their touchscreens and bezels are rated at iP53 for protection against dust and water spray. They have capacitive touchscreens with 4-way swipe control. The X209-WRA includes a CD/DVD player with built-in navigation. The i209-WRA lacks the CD/DVD and navigation.
The X209-WRA and i209-WRA can control other Wrangler accessories such as a light bar, winch, headlights, etc. when used with the optional KAC-001 External Accessory Control Module. The decks are shipping now at $4,000 suggested retail price for the X209-WRA and $2,200 for the i209-WRA.
Sony officially announced it will ship by the end of the year the XAV-AX200, its first Android Auto/CarPlay deck to include a DVD player. It joins Sony’s first Android Auto deck, the mechless (CD/DVD-less) XAV-AX100.
The XAV-AX200 also includes SiriusXM capability with 3 external camera inputs, Bluetooth and 4V preouts plus FLAC file capability.
Sony’s new MEX-GS820BT adds to its high-powered radios that don’t require an external amplifier. It’s built-in Class D amplifier delivers 100 x4 watts Max or 45 x4 watts RMS. IT also has a dual Bluetooth connection with one-touch NFC pairing, voice control on Android phones and Siri Eyes Free. The MEX-GS820BT is also SiriusXM ready.
