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This is going to be a very long and geeky post. Thus I'm only posting the first few paragraphs here, with the full post (all 4 pages!) available as a PDF attachment. If you’ve arrived here looking for a simple way to replace the factory OEM radio, with or without the OEM navigation option, using a name-brand head unit (Alpine, Pioneer, Kenwood, etc.) and commonly available aftermarket harnesses and parts, all while retaining most steering wheel controls and the right-side LaneWatch camera, just read the first 4 paragraphs. I purchased a Kenwood DDX9905S, but I would guess a Kenwood DDX9904S (if you can still find one) would also work, as should future successors to this head unit. This is a rather expensive head unit, but worth it (the built-in speakers sound much better with the Kenwood), and of course, we know it works in the HR-V. Simple, remember? Download the full PDF and take it to your installer, who will be grateful for saving him or her lots of time. Plan on spending up to $600 on additional parts and labor beyond the head unit, which is typical for any car with steering wheel controls, extra cameras, and myriad other functions.
This is the car and aftermarket equipment I have that is working nearly perfectly:
Might you have success with a different Kenwood head unit? Probably. Other brands? Also likely, but note that Maestro support told me that of all brands, Kenwood is best about taking their suggestions for updating signaling and interface protocols. Since the HR-V (and Fit) are problem cars in getting the LaneWatch camera and steering wheel controls to work correctly, I’d stick with Kenwood. That said, any head unit that works with Maestro and has a second camera input with signaling should (ahem) work. If you want to purchase a different (or cheaper) head unit, look at “Before you buy ANY head unit” in the PDF attachment. Good luck!
From here, the post gets geeky. If you want the simple solution installed by a professional, just skim. Near the end I point out 2 steering wheel buttons that still don’t work quite right. However, there are other buttons easily take their place. My tech-averse wife is quite happy with this setup after driving with the OEM head unit for 2 years. If she is happy, then that is success in my view. If you are ready to dive into geeky detail, its all in the attached PDF.
Many thanks to Peter at Mobile West in Portland, OR. and Dara DeGrand at Maestro customer support for going above and beyond. Mobile West and Maestro both deserve your business.
Note: PDF has been zipped due to the forum's antiquated file size limits.
This is the car and aftermarket equipment I have that is working nearly perfectly:
- Honda 2016 HR-V EX-L (OEM factory nav with 7” screen)
- Kenwood DDX9905S
- iDatalink Maestro Rr replacement radio interface
- iDatalink Maestro HO2 installation harness for Honda
Might you have success with a different Kenwood head unit? Probably. Other brands? Also likely, but note that Maestro support told me that of all brands, Kenwood is best about taking their suggestions for updating signaling and interface protocols. Since the HR-V (and Fit) are problem cars in getting the LaneWatch camera and steering wheel controls to work correctly, I’d stick with Kenwood. That said, any head unit that works with Maestro and has a second camera input with signaling should (ahem) work. If you want to purchase a different (or cheaper) head unit, look at “Before you buy ANY head unit” in the PDF attachment. Good luck!
From here, the post gets geeky. If you want the simple solution installed by a professional, just skim. Near the end I point out 2 steering wheel buttons that still don’t work quite right. However, there are other buttons easily take their place. My tech-averse wife is quite happy with this setup after driving with the OEM head unit for 2 years. If she is happy, then that is success in my view. If you are ready to dive into geeky detail, its all in the attached PDF.
Many thanks to Peter at Mobile West in Portland, OR. and Dara DeGrand at Maestro customer support for going above and beyond. Mobile West and Maestro both deserve your business.
Note: PDF has been zipped due to the forum's antiquated file size limits.
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