AAMP Global is launching new vehicle-specific, plug-n-play kits for its Stinger 10-inch, HEIGH10 radio. The new kits may help establish Stinger, which entered the head-unit market two years ago, as a serious player in the large-screen radio market.
The kits allow a 10-inch capacitive touchscreen to replace the factory radio in Jeeps and other popular trucks without modifying the dash, while adding Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and in some cases, retaining features such as HVAC and truck accessory controls.
The new kits come at a time when 10-inch radios are gaining in popularity. Some say the segment is benefiting from shortages in more traditional radio screen sizes. “Dealers are learning how to sell it and are becoming more comfortable selling it. I think this is the first organic growth seen with in-dash radios in a while. Everything until now has been in new features—delivering integration with the iPod in 2007-2009; then making navigation more cost effective, then CarPlay and Android Auto,” said AAMP Vice President Of Product Development Kevin Kuenzie. “Now, this is driving a whole new category, which is 10-inch and beyond or oversized screens.”
AAMP says its HEIGH10 model is performing above expectations.
Shipping in the second quarter are kits for the Dodge RAM, the Jeep Wrangler JK and General Motors Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra. These join the first Stinger HEIGH10 kit for the Jeep JL. Two additional kits will be released in the third quarter of this year.
The Wrangler JK and GM truck kits are plug-n-play and retain steering wheel controls. They are available for 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK (SR-JK11H) and for the 2014-2018 Silverado and Sierra (SR-GM14H) at $399.95 MSRP each.
The RAM kit offers deeper integration, controlling HVAC and detailed performance specs. “It retains everything the factory radio would retain,” said Kuenzie. It retains the RAM’s OEM audio system, HVAC and performance controls as well as the OEM trailer brake interface (when equipped) so users can see their trailer brake controller on the radio screen. Called the SRK-RAM13H, the kit is available for RAM trucks, 2013 -2018 and 2019 Classic body style, at an MSRP of $599.95.
