Alpine iLX-007/iLX-700 Apple CarPlay Stereo Unboxing/Review - installed in a Lotus Evora 1080p

With the introduction of Apple CarPlay, an industry leading business started to venture into in-car electronics and automotive assistance. Apple created a homogenous interface for your smartphone and the systems integrated into your vehicle.
CarPlay renders the image - I’m assuming always at 800x480 resolution - on the smartphone itself and sends an H.264 video stream to the display unit via the USB Lightning cable. There’s also a command backlink providing either touchscreen functionality or control by hard buttons and knobs.
Car manufacturers have started to integrate CarPlay into their systems, but only few of them have released it to their new customers so far. So for most users, the only way of getting Apple CarPlay into your vehicle is by installing an aftermarket solution. Pioneer and Alpine both now offer a series of models with the CarPlay compatibility.
The Alpine iLX-007/iLX-700 is equipped with a 7“ 800x480 capacitive touch screen, comparable with your iPhone/iPad/…, but barely any additional features. For example, it features no integrated DAB or DVD/CD slot - but for most users this is perfectly fine as their music will be streamed through online services or derive directly from their iPhones itself.
The installation was straight forward. I’ve reused the old Alpine connector that was installed in my vehicle (Lotus Evora MY09), swapped a single pin (old: audio interrupt input - new: reverse signal) and after that it was a plug&play. You’d be best off purchasing an Alpine adapter for your specific car to ensure best compatibility. But you may of course use the supplied cable or craft your own adapter cable from it.
A few notes on the head unit:
The Alpine iLX-007/iLX-700 is a very high quality car stereo head unit. It provides very high sound quality, has a solid feature foundation and a very elegant and Apple-like design to it. The hard Siri button is worth gold! The only thing I’m missing are hard volume buttons as the touch screen sensors are harder to find while driving.
A few notes on CarPlay:
CarPlay is an amazing technology to help you on the road rather than distracting you. Dictating messages through Siri is one of the main reasons I decided to upgrade to a CarPlay unit myself, though Siri tends to think I’m done dictating that message, while I’m still talking. I am assuming it’s only German related. Furthermore, I hope Apple will soon contribute more apps that are CarPlay-compatible or supply the developers the tools to create them. There are excellent gas station finder apps for your phone and I can’t think of a single reason why it shouldn’t fit into Apple’s „less distracting“ mission amongst apps like iHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, etc.
Check out the following offer:
Alpine iLX-700 for Apple CarPlay - Amazon Germany - amzn.to/1xbZADw
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The title of the song is called Revival.

[@Cougar2ei4]

I would have to agree, this video is by far the best i have seen. Thank you for keeping all content on topic.

[@florianuhlemann]

Glad I could provide the content you were expecting. 😊

[@florianuhlemann]

Trevor, I actually reused the Alpine camera that came with the car. Other than that you'd probably be best off using the recommended Alpine camera. Though I'm sure you could try a good Chinese model off eBay or so. Pay attention to great weather proofing and a relatively corrected lens (no fish eye)

[@Cyber_Okie]

Thank you for the very informative video, it's the best one that I've seen. I've just purchased the same unit. I'm wondering what backup camera you purchased for yours? Thanks!

[@ZambonieDude]

I was that close to leaving the video, but the he changed it to english. Good call liked.

[@florianuhlemann]

Thanks for the positive comment. :)

[@florianuhlemann]

Check out this great in-detail video of the Apple CarPlay headunit by Alpine - the iLX-007 / iLX-700! #apple #carplay #alpine

[@TotoGuy-Original]

does it work with parking sensors only? i dont have a backup camera

[@LM-kc6kn]

Hey buddy - thanks for posting this. Super informative. Quick question, (I have an Evora too!) just wondering exactly what cable I need, and do I need a new microphone in the car or can I utilise the existing one? (I have the Alpine IVA-W505R currently). Thank you in advance :)

[@florianuhlemann]

Az R Thanks for the feedback! Sweet car, isn't it? I've actually got a few photos that I would like to share. if you can hit me up on google plus or via eMail (you'll find it if you google... or just use my first name, last name and add the at me dot com at the end.) I'll provide you some excellent information on that topic.

[@AtkinReviews]

Doe carplay use the iphone microphone or the microphone provided? Thanks!

[@florianuhlemann]

+I AcK I it uses the microphone you attach to the head unit. Not the one in the iPhone.

[@fimmyk]

what about iPod? does it display the full album art like when connecting with iPhone? an also does this have onboard memory that you can store music on the stereo itself?

[@florianuhlemann]

Thanks for you comment. No internal memory. The iPod touch is supported according to apple, though it would probably lack a few features such as phone. Connecting a USB memory stick is according to the manual only for updates and data file transfers. No audio, video or photo browsing. An older iPod wouldn't work I think, though I haven't found any answer.

[@fimmyk]

Florian Uhlemann Cheers :) Just that I hate using my iPhone for music, it looks like a good stereo, i definitely like it more over the pioneer system as it looks clean and neat.

[@allenkeefer]

With a radio of this quality, why is BlueTooth NOT inculded? Is there a way to add it?

[@florianuhlemann]

+Allen Keefer It is. I agree. (Especially considering the price point) In my opinion, it would technically be possible to upgrade for BlueTooth (and thus Wireless Carplay (read somewhere that it's supposed to be through bluetooth? - though this sounds weird since an h.264 stream via bluetooth might be tough to do)). They would have to upgrade the firmware and supply a bluetooth dongle through USB. But actually that's not going to happen and I'm pretty sure about it. (99.9% 😉 )

[@jamesrothwell8693]

Is there a way to store the maps so you can navigate without a cellular connection?

[@florianuhlemann]

+James Rothwell unfortunately you can only load the route when departing, but not the map data. And in case you deviate from the route it would need new cellular or wifi data to recalculate the route. Unless we get a CarPlay approved navigational app, you cannot use it without a network connection.

[@jamesrothwell8693]

Thank you for the information.

[@LendellLendell]

Hello I need help, I want to buy this for my 2004 Honda Accord Ex ( Europe ) and I have already touchscreen and navigation but I really like this one. My question is, I'm fan of USB and Can i put USB stick in USB plug ( I need to buy one I guess ) and just listen to music via USB or it's not possible ?

[@florianuhlemann]

As far as I know and remember correctly, the USB can only be used for CarPlay connection to your iPhone. No USB-Stick for audio.

[@LendellLendell]

So basiclly you're paying 600 Euro for what ? To listen music via your phone ? and cant even put USB in to listen music from USB like in 100 Euro radio ?

[@florianuhlemann]

Don't put it like that. You're paying for a very high quality user interface for Apple CarPlay. And for that part, it works wonderful, looks beautiful and is a joy to use. Radio is also provided on the side 😉

[@LendellLendell]

Well you're right but on other side there is people who want to use USB for music and not their phones because when you plug phone in you automaticlly charge it and thats not good for phone to be always on charge. Do you know nay radio like this Alpine iLX-007 but have android auto too ? I mean both options or maybe CarPlay and USB ? Thank for you help mate.

[@florianuhlemann]

That's true. The iLX is missing the CarPlay over Bluetooth functionality, unfortunately. JBL came out with a similar head unit that supports USB audio 😉

[@LuckyKas_90]

Danke shön. Does it work with iPod?

[@florianuhlemann]

+Brandon Kasper Very excellent question. Unfortunately, I have not tested it myself, but I would assume it's either not possible or with limited functionality. Back in iOS 7 it was written that it brings CarPlay functionality to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, which I however doubt a little.

[@ducati-redsideoflife9197]

Has anyone tried to connect a simple usb flash drive on it? I connected it with my iPhone and it works but with a simple usb drive for audio it does not seem to connect. It say unable to recognize. Does it support simple usb connection????

[@florianuhlemann]

This feature is not supported, unfortunately. :( It's mainly an Apple CarPlay screen.

[@jusfive1]

My 2013 Kia Sorento has an Oem camera already installed. Would any factory camera work?

[@florianuhlemann]

That is a difficult question to answer. You should contact Alpine directly or ask a car electrician to give it a try.

[@bryanw8651]

You can use your factory camera but it gets its power from the factory radio. It however is not like aftermarket cameras that uses typical 12v power but 6v instead. You can pickup a voltage regulator from radioshack for under $5 n is super simple to install. It will step down the voltage from 12v to 5v. Had to do this on my impreza and found out all auto makers use the 6v camera systems now. If you have any trouble youtube n the web have tons of how tos on regulators n to find the wires in your kia you will need to connect to. Good luck

[@menidara1]

there is no remote control?

[@florianuhlemann]

+giorgos papadopoulos Unfortunately not. But I don't miss it. But i've also never been a fan or user of remotes for car radios either.

[@pawg206]

it makes sense to buy this for my acura ILX?

[@florianuhlemann]

+Brandon Sunthivong I'd say so. It's a great head unit, but keep in mind that without your iPhone this won't do anything besides rear-camera and radio tuner. no USB-audio, Sat nav, etc.

[@pawg206]

+Florian Uhlemann no Bluetooth?

[@florianuhlemann]

+Brandon Sunthivong Correct. If you are interested in a full-grade head unit with built-in sat nav, USB audio, bluetooth, etc, you are going to have to take a look at the Pioneer top-tier models for CarPlay. The Alpine is really just a CarPlay-display 😉

[@larrymazza9840]

Airplay iOS 12

[@Adamserush]

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