Thread: Aftermarket HU upgrade - Alpine Halo9 iLX-F309E installation

Originally Posted by twr7cx

I just purchased a CarPlay2Air adapter for my Halo9 < CarPLay2Air - adapter for wired Apple CarPlay to wireless >. Will report back on how it goes when it arrives.

I can happily say that this arrived and has successfully worked to convert my Alpine Halo9 iLX-F309E from USB only Apple CarPlay to wireless Apple CarPlay.

My only complaint is the loading time is rather long - around 34 seconds from turning on to playing content via wireless Apple CarPlay. About 20 seconds of this seems to be the boot time for the CPLAY2air unit then 14 seconds connecting up to the Apple iPhone. In comparison my Apple iPhone via Lightning USB connection for wired Apple CarPlay takes around 9 seconds, my old Apple iPod Nano connected via USB 30-pin takes 8 seconds and the radio takes only 2 seconds. Based on a discussion thread I had read on another forum, I didn't think it would take so long as other users of the device with various car brand OEM systems had reported loading time reducing from 30 seconds to 15 seconds with some of the updates. I've updated my device and double checked that it is on the latest update. 34 seconds actually is longer than it sounds.
We had our MY12 D4 TDV6 headunit upgraded to a Pioneer DMH-Z6350BT < DMH-Z6350BT - Pioneer > which has inbuilt wireless Apple CarPlay - testing this today I've found it takes 15 seconds if I press and acknowledge the start up warning or 19 seconds if I don't and let it time off. So comparatively this adapter is slow.

A bonus feature that I didn't realise prior to this is that it has a USB connection on it so that a wired connection can be used through the device instead which prevents you having to uplug it from the headunits USB.

Originally Posted by rick130

I've decided I really, really like the voice activated dialing, seamless Bluetooth,

One of the biggest practical things I notice about my Halo9 is the quality of the bluetooth for handsfree phone calls. I no longer get the 'call me back when your not driving' or 'I can't hear you over the car' etc., I'm still driving the same old rattly rig, but the new units microphone and what not just seem to be so much higher quality that the phone conversations are now functional and not negatively effected by driving in the car.

Then with the Apple CarPlay this is extended further as it reads out your text messages you receive and you can dictate replies to it.