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

I've got a Clarion VZ402A in my MY03 D2a which has been there since around 2011. It's had a few software glitches that I've tolerated for far too long, the LCD screen quality is below average current standards and not always responsive, and Smartphone connectivity through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto really seems to have recently stepped up, so it's time for an upgrade.

So far I've settled on the Alpine Halo9 iLX-F309E < iLX-F309E Halo9 9-inch Floating Display Alpine Electronics of Australia >. It ticks my main requirements of:

• high quality LCD screen of reasonable size that can handle a bit of sun glare etc
• Monitor display angle adjustment - as I've found with my current unit it's most visible when cranked all the way back.
• reverse camera compatible - to connect to my current reverse camera that's installed
• At least 2 RCA preouts - for connecting to the factory HSE amplifier
• Preouts of at least 4V - for connecting to the factory HSE amplifier
• Steering wheel control compatible - my current PAC SWI is tuned for the Clarion unit but should be able to change the settings to suit Alpine
• Apple CarPlay through Wireless connection - most units are still USB cable connection only which is cumbersome for every time you get in and out of the car

But the biggest selling point on this unit for installation in the D2 dash are the single DIN sizing and the monitor adjustability.
Single DIN size means can be installed in the factory position without any modifications or custom double DIN dash work. There's a very very limited range of single DIN units - Pioneer also has an offering but it's not as feature rich and the Apple CarPlay looks to be USB cable connection still.
The monitor adjustment is not just the display angle which is usual, but also the display height is adjustable:

Adjustable Display Height
The display height can be adjusted +/- 3cm from the center position, allowing for standing and hanging display configurations. You can also adjust the distance of the display to your dash with a 20mm range.

I figure that this should mean, on near the lowest setting, that it covers up that funny little panel gap that sits below the headunit (as the OEM headunit faces were bigger than single DIN). For me personally, I've got a Mudpod mounted on the top of the dash above which might mean less overlap of my switches on that.

Anyways, off to see if I can find one at any of the local stores. Further updates to come in due course.

Originally Posted by Cambo@oldjaguar

They look good in a D2

Thanks for the pictures. That's confirmed it for me.
Is that your setup? If so, any chance of a picture straight on - I'm interested to see how far above the top of the dash it sits and how far over the air vents either side it covers? Is the monitor adjusted to the lowest height setting? Happy with the performance of it?

Originally Posted by 4runnernomore

Shop around you can get them for much less than that😉

Agreed. One of the first Google search results has them at 2/3rds of the retail price.
Either way, quality costs. I've had my D2a for almost 10 years now and I haven't found a worthy replacement yet (incoming new model Jeep Wranger Unlimited Rubicon might be a future contender?) so might as well set it up to continue to enjoy.