Tesla style replacement radio

[Brett Bazaar]

I recently just ran into this;

 

https://phoenixandroidradios.com/collections/ford/products/12-1-tesla-style-android-navigation-radio-for-ford-edge-2011-2014

 

I was just curious if anyone had seen these are used them. I think it would give a super clean look to my 2014 Limited. I am really sick of the Sync 2 System and was thinking about doing a Sync 3 retrofit, but this is actually a lot cheaper and seems to have pretty good reviews...

 

Any thoughts?

 

[cv27]

Sure looks impressive and the price as well. I'm surprised it can (apparently) support all the car's inputs (door ajar, backup camera, GPS, steering column buttons, etc.)

 

The demo though is in a Honda. I would have been more impressed if it had been in an Edge. And then there's the fact that it's a China product with no review yet. What about long term reliability? Also wonder how it would behave in -40°C and +30°C

 

Let's say I wouldn't personally buy this until some other guinea pigs did.

 

BUT, if this thing is real, then that's exactly what I consider Ford should have come up with.

[akirby]

Caveat Emptor!

[Nick Halstead]

Many fusions are running this kit. They all love it. Even if its not exactly flowing with dash

[Brett Bazaar]

So I was about to buy it, but they said it doesn't work with the Sony system. Anyone have any idea on why that would be and a possible workaround?

[akirby]

Because the Sony system has more speakers and separate amps?

[MaX83_ZA]

Looks fantastic. Pitty about the fitment though, would kill my OCD. I think a dual screen like Infiniti will work better for our cars.

[Brett Bazaar]

So I talked to an car audio shop and they are gonna install it and make it work for a couple hundred dollars. I'll let everyone know how it goes after I get it...I ordered it a few days ago...

[carman.spb]

So I talked to an car audio shop and they are gonna install it and make it work for a couple hundred dollars. I'll let everyone know how it goes after I get it...I ordered it a few days ago...

 

Brett,

Have you installed it? Does everything work?

[Cellbine]

This is awesome. I sent an email about the Sony compatibility to the maker and also asked about heated seat control. I havent seen anything about heated seat functions. Im hoping to save and buy this at the first of the year.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Hi there, Cellbine!!! Hope they have positive answers for you!

[Cellbine]

So I called them today and they said that it allows control functions for the heated seats. Also, they have had a user report that it did not work with Sony but no one has contacted the company back saying it has worked. So they only have the negative feedback from it. They said that if it doesnt work, then only the front speakers will work or no sound will work. If that happens, then they will contact the manufacturer and have them send a harness to try to restore the Sony sound system functionality. It would take about 2 weeks to get the part they said.

[Cellbine]

I ordered this unit.  It should be arriving sometime this weekend, I hope.

 

I'll post when it arrives and pics after the install.

[Nick Halstead]

some fusion owners bought this and most of them got rid of them.

[Cellbine]

Hey everyone,

 

So I have had the Tesla style radio in my Edge since Thanksgiving now and I have really grown to like it.  However, there are some quirks with it.  I attached some pics of it in my Edge.

 

Quirks:

 

1. Navigation is slow to engage with satellites.  Sometimes it takes 10 mins or so for the navigation to kick in....frustrating, but I know my way around and I can wait.

2. The infotainment LCD in the cluster panel is now useless.  The only one that displays information is the climate screen.  You cannot control anything with it, but it will tell you what everything is set at.

3. No more sync functions.  You can no longer talk to your car.

4. Climate control takes some getting used to.  For some reason, the recycled air is not working.

 

Honestly, this huge screen and its capabilities are good enough for me to not go back to OEM.  I can connect to the internet with it, through my phone, and pretty much run any app I want.  I have Waze, google maps, youtube, iheart radio, etc.  It runs off android so I have access to the Google Play store.

 

I have loaded a skin over the operating system because the stock UI is terrible.  All controls for your climate are now digital and it works pretty well. As a bonus, there is a push button for your hazards.

 

All-in-all, I am very happy with the purchase.  I think I paid $520 for it and installed it myself.  Even had to take out the instrument cluster so I can plug a cable into the back of it.

 

Cheers!

_Cell

[drjoe]

That looks really nice . How long is the boot up time ? Also , did you require the extra harness for the Sony system as you mentioned would take an additional 2 weeks ? 

[Nick Halstead]

looks way better in the 1.5 gen then it does in the 2nd gen

[Lincoln81]

bringing this back up. How has it been for the past 2 years? anybody else install one?

 

I have a 2015 with the 4" screen and looking to add this.

 

Please advise if it is worth it or not

[Cellbine]

Is it worth it?  There is about a 40-second bootup.  For me, I don't mind because I need to drive out of my neighborhood anyway.   I have had it installed Since Nov 2018.

 

There are a few things I don't like:

1.  Navigation can take a few minutes to activate in mine.  However, I don't really have an issue with this anymore.

2.  No more ambient lights.

3.  The user interface for the phone is not user-friendly, but I don't use it that much.

4.  Seems like my recycle air and heated mirrors don't work anymore.

 

Things I do like:

1.  Massive screen!  It looks great.

2.  Google Play store.  I have installed the apps I wanted in my car (Waze, YouTube, GoogleMaps, iHeart Radio, and more).  This brings so much functionality to the car that wasn't there before. 

3.   The home screen displays your speed and there are several layout options.

4.  Since I am using apps like Waze for navigation, I get the latest updates.  I don't think there has been a map update for my Gen 2 for years.  And since returning to the States, it never really worked right.

 

Besides what other people think about this system, I would not go back to stock.  It just brings a modernization that I believe the Edge needs.  I do wish there was a more powerful version out there.  Maybe 2gb of ram and faster bootup.  However, what this system brings to my Edge far outweighs the dislikes IMO.

 

Since I paid $520 for this radio, it was a risk I was willing to take.  If I didn't like it, I could reinstall the OEM components and most likely sell it locally.   I wonder if there is a newer version.  I am also considering putting it in my other car, but we might be moving soon and I will sell the car.  So I am going to hold off.

 

Hope this helps a little more.

 

[Lincoln81]

So when your booting up does it have radio? Or just nothing?

Does your steering wheel controls still work?

When you toggle between screens is it laggy?

Any issues with Waze? Even with the nav being slow?

 

What year is your vehicle?

[bshullaw]

I purchased this radio and ended up returning it. If you have the Sony sound system, they haven't figured out all the bugs yet. I went through 4 different wiring harnesses and was unable to get all the dash warning lights to go away. I had pretty much the same complaints as Cellbine. The main issue for me was a warning light for the airbag deployment system. The radio worked fine and was pretty awesome, a little laggy but much better than the Sync2 the came in my 2011 Sport. I ended up finding a Sync3 conversion for $150 more than what Phoenix wants for there radio, and installed that instead.

[Unlimited]

I'm thinking about getting this. I like this tesla type radio a lot.