[JOSHSKORN]

EDIT: I've since purchased a Kenwood Excelon DMX907S head unit and have had it installed. I have fixed the brightness and viewing angle settings, and in direct sunlight, the colors are still washed out, even after applying an Anti-Glare screen protector. Prior to applying the screen protector, fingerprints would collect, BADLY. I have ordered another screen protector, called DayVue which I will be trying, once it comes in. I connect to the head unit using Android Auto and my Galaxy Note 9. It does randomly disconnect, but it also causes my phone to run hot, which may be a correlation. I've read that newer phones, which more natively support Android Auto, do not have this issue. The Galaxy Note 9 is no longer supported past Android 10. Wireless Android Auto is a feature of Android 11. Samsung did update the Galaxy Note 9 just enough for Wireless Android Auto.

I'd been using my tape deck to connect my phone to my stereo (tape deck to Aux, Aux to Bluetooth) but unfortunately, my tape deck has busted. I also was looking to mount my phone on the window for directions, but I can't seem to be happy with a mounting location, particularly with new restrictions/laws. So, I'm less convinced that's going to help anyways.

So, I need a new head unit. I had two major questions that I want to get out of this thread:

1. Has anyone purchased a Wireless Android Auto compatible Head Unit for their Sienna minivans? I want to know your experience with Wireless Android Auto and the model head unit you are using.
2. If you are using a "floating screen" type head unit, in otherwords, one where the screen is larger (I think they're anywhere from 7" to 11", quite a few at 10.1") and pops out, I would like to know the model number and would like to see pictures. I want to know basically what is being covered up by the larger screen and if it's a problem at all. One floating screen model that I'm looking into is the JVC KW-Z1000W.

 

[BillG]

I'd been using my tape deck to connect my phone to my stereo (tape deck to Aux, Aux to Bluetooth) but unfortunately, my tape deck has busted. I also was looking to mount my phone on the window for directions, but I can't seem to be happy with a mounting location, particularly with new restrictions/laws. So, I'm less convinced that's going to help anyways.

So, I need a new head unit. I had two major questions that I want to get out of this thread:

1. Has anyone purchased a Wireless Android Auto compatible Head Unit for their Sienna minivans? I want to know your experience with Wireless Android Auto and the model head unit you are using.
2. If you are using a "floating screen" type head unit, in otherwords, one where the screen is larger (I think they're anywhere from 7" to 11", quite a few at 10.1") and pops out, I would like to know the model number and would like to see pictures. I want to know basically what is being covered up by the larger screen and if it's a problem at all. One floating screen model that I'm looking into is the JVC KW-Z1000W.

I don't have a tape deck, but have considered this many times for my '06. The AUX input jack is flaky and detects a disconnect and switches to the CD player randomly when I hit a bump. It would be nice to have built-in bluetooth, backup camera and maybe an option for a rear entertainment system that my van never had.

It LOOKS like your selected option shouldn't cover much, but if it covers anything, it would be the center vents, which might be a deal breaker. I see some fixed screen units installed in Gen2 Siennas which look really clean, but I know there are slight differences between the early, mid and late Gen2 center dash area, and google photos are rarely labeled properly. You should be able to mock up a reasonable approximation of the screen with a piece of cardboard to see exactly what it will block. Android Auto works pretty seamlessly, in general. That said, if you are considering re-sale value, I would opt for one with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Most that have one also have the other, but I would just verify.

For a simple quick-fix option for screen mounting, I always used to put my phone sideways in front of the speedometer. If I need directions, I'm probably going highway speed, which means I just need to drive the speed of traffic and then it doesn't matter how fast I'm going. A quick glance down when it starts talking was the safest option I could conceive of. However, if I take an offramp or other sharp turn slightly too fast, the phone would go flying. As an alternative, I got a cup holder phone mount with a flexible arm. It puts the phone down lower, which is sub-optimal, but it's secure and far superior to keeping it on my lap or the center console.

 

[ericreyn]

I put a kenwood unit in my 2009 , it has navigation, backup cam, Bluetooth etc.
It was 600 or so. Running the wire for the backup cam was the hardest part. When you buy these there is a another thing that I bought with it ( cant recall the name of it ) that integrates with your wiring harness and even makes the volume control in the steering wheel work.
It was not super hard to do and its miles better than the stock unit. Keep in mind this is an LE
Trim level so not anything special to begin with. The package included a plastic trim piece to integrate with the contours of the dash and looks good.

 

[SilverMachine]

Looks good! Where did you buy it?

 

[JOSHSKORN]

I put a kenwood unit in my 2009 , it has navigation, backup cam, Bluetooth etc.
It was 600 or so. Running the wire for the backup cam was the hardest part. When you buy these there is a another thing that I bought with it ( cant recall the name of it ) that integrates with your wiring harness and even makes the volume control in the steering wheel work.
It was not super hard to do and its miles better than the stock unit. Keep in mind this is an LE
Trim level so not anything special to begin with. The package included a plastic trim piece to integrate with the contours of the dash and looks good.

I actually late Monday Night/Early Tuesday morning, found a head unit on eBay from a reputable source, it looks like this seller has a few big shops in Colorado. I posted over on the reddit specific to my phone. One person replied and said they got this specific Kenwood model and it works for them. Unfortunately, I have a Galaxy Note 9. It has Wireless Android Auto enabled, but not Android 11, which is said to support Wireless Android Auto out of the box. He said that his S21 phone connects in about 10 seconds, whereas his Note 9 takes 20-30 seconds. So, I ended up finding a RFRB of the model, which is a Kenwood DMX907S, for $400. MSRP is $700. I figure with the chip shortage, eBay was my only bet. Plus, I saved myself $900+ from buying the JVC model which has a 10.1" floating screen, that I was looking at, which has an MSRP of $1,200 or somewhere around there. With it, I also bought:

• Wiring Harness for stering wheel controls - CRUX SWRTY-61S - I bet you meant this or something similar to it, found out about it via Crutchfield
• 2 Ports Dual USB 3.0 Male to USB 3.0 Female AUX Flush Mount Car Mount
• Scosche TA2088B (Dash mounting kit) - I heard it looks better and is more durable
• NATIKA Backup/Front View Camera,IP69K - This one actually had a positive review from a 2004 Sienna owner.

Can you tell me which Kenwood model you purchased? I'd like to know your impressions of it. Also, did you get the same dash mount as I ordered or did you get a Metra or something else?

 

[ericreyn]

I got it from Crutchfield. It you zoom in enough on the picture, its on the bottom right. Dnx574s
I don't recall all of the specifics, Metra does ring a bell.
It gets the job done, I wasn't super focused on all the bells and whistles, but I did want a usb and navigation, its a Bluetooth to my phone. Thats a bit quirky to say the least. It need reacquainted from time to time.

 

[ericreyn]

And on the top left is a microphone. I cut a hole through the plastic and used a grommet to hold it.
It does look a tad bush league but not awful at least in my opinion.

 

[Screen ProTech]

Prior to applying the screen protector, fingerprints would collect, BADLY. I have ordered another screen protector, called DayVue which I will be trying, once it comes in.

How did it work out?

 

[JOSHSKORN]

How did it work out?

I liked the DayVue best, I only removed it to try something else, would always have a hard time not being able to see when backing out of my driveway because the sun would just hit me at the right angle, the worst angle for the head unit. I think I also tried CearTouch and Tuff. NuShield DayVue was the best.