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So, I've got this android head unit from InsaneAudio that I'm installing, and I wanted to know how crucial it is to use a factory system adapter, given that it takes up way, way too much space behind the unit.
Aside from the steering wheel controls (which I can manage), is there really any use for the adapter?
Last edited by PeachGeek; Mar 5, 2020 at 05:45 PM.
It depends what functionality you want. I threw in an iDatalink Maestro when I installed mine as it kept the use of factory everything to make it simple (as well as a few other benefits). I also rewired the entire audio system so..
Most of these new digital headunits are a total pain to use without the steering wheel controls. It's so nice to have physical buttons that you don't have to guess where they are to use.
It depends what functionality you want. I threw in an iDatalink Maestro when I installed mine as it kept the use of factory everything to make it simple (as well as a few other benefits). I also rewired the entire audio system so..
Most of these new digital headunits are a total pain to use without the steering wheel controls. It's so nice to have physical buttons that you don't have to guess where they are to use.
Hi Drizzoh, thanks for the reply!
I wasn't clear about it initially, but I can still wire the steering wheel controls without the maestro.
Aside from the swc, what exactly does the maestro integrate that I should care about?
You can still use them with the Axxess and PAC steering wheel control integrations but they are awful to set up, have a delay before they actually do what you tell them and don't last long in my experience.
With my headunit and the Maestro I am able to display engine codes, tire psi and monitor many gauges that the tC doesn't natively support (such as water temp, voltage, afr, etc). Plus aside from the backup cam, everything that came with the kit was pnp that I can remember.
I'm a sucker for gauges so that functionality alone was worth the extra $100 from a normal steering wheel controller kit.
You can still use them with the Axxess and PAC steering wheel control integrations but they are awful to set up, have a delay before they actually do what you tell them and don't last long in my experience. With my Headunit and the Maestro I am able to display engine codes, tire PSI and monitor many gauges that the tC doesn't natively support (such as water temp, voltage, AFR, etc). Plus aside from the backup cam, everything that came with the kit was PnP that I can remember. I'm a sucker for gauges so that functionality alone was worth the extra $100 from a normal steering wheel controller kit.
Well then, I don't actually think I need it. I can use my Bluetooth OBDII adapter to display all of that and more (and the Android unit can't utilize the Maestro's OBD connection anyway), and I have no OEM backup cam.
Plus, the Android unit has two SWC wires I can plug into a connector repurposed from the Maestro, and the unit itself allows direct programming for the SWC input.
Normally I wouldn't care but the Maestro really does take up too much space and is giving my Head Unit trouble anyway.
New head unit & factory system adapters
No issues here, but I'm pretty good with systems lol.