I know there are a few threads around here with various random questions surrounding this topic or some aspect of it. I have been scouring sites like Crutchfield, BestBuy, CarToys, and "Metra". The information I find every time I plug in my vehicle specifics is disappointing. I either get some kind of message that essentially says NO AFTERMARKET OPTIONS AVAILABLE or I end up getting "Results" auto-selected for the non-Nav non-Bose version of my car, it seems. Below are some screenshots.

My question is really, truly, what are our options, if any at all? I am not interested in a giant Tesla-sized screen from some Chinese or eBay company that takes up the entire dash. I'm also not thrilled about the idea of having a more-or-less useless factory Nav screen for the remainder of the time I own this vehicle. It really doesn't matter if you have a BMW, Infiniti, Audi, Mercedes, etc - IMHO every single vehicle manufacturer has historically failed time and time again by trying to implement their proprietary navigation system(s). Obviously, manufacturers have somewhat caught up to realizing this as it seems more and more are shipping cars with standard/factory Android Auto / Apple Car Play systems. This makes it easy for just about anyone to hook up their phone and be good to go. No more screwing around with adapters and Bluetooth streaming audio and clipping your phone to some suction cup mount for your daily Google Maps usage.

So although I realize the car audio scene of 2021 isn't the car audio scene I remember of the early 2000s with tons of aftermarket receivers, amps, subs, and speakers galore, I have a difficult time believing there isn't a simple aftermarket solution to just add an Apple CarPlay or Android Auto receiver (single or double DIN?) for our G cars. Here are the deets on my car which apparently has next to nothing available for it "officially": 2010 Infiniti G37x AWD Sedan (non-sport), Bose speakers, and factory Nav.

Does anyone have any cool pictures of their system setups?? If you were able to get an aftermarket receiver installed and working, that is! lol

 

Welcome to the modern world of factory engineered audio and entertainment systems. This isn't just true of the G37, but (as you say) many luxury marques. There are no simple or easy aftermarket solutions to replacing the factory system. Can it be done? Yes, but at astronomical cost by a specialist shop with time, expertise and money to make it happen. Good luck.

 

https://www.myg37.com/forums/audio-v...riod-auto.html

 

Is there a "LOVE" button anywhere? You, sir, are one dedicated genius! lol, I can't applaud your hard work and attention to detail enough for that thread! I personally am going to opt-out of all that, but I'm thrilled to read about it and see your photos! Great job!

 

Back in 2010 when my 2008 G37S was new to me, I had the same questions, albeit with far less options. It breaks down to the following

1. Integrate aftermarket options along side the OEM head unit so as to preserve factory operations and controls
2. Bring in an aftermarket head unit replacement screen (i.e. Tesla screen)
3. Puchase an aftermarket side unit (Grom Vline)
4. Engineer a solution like iCrap did.

Of the four, I think option 4 is the most pleasing but technically the most challenging to get right. Dredging through troubleshooting CANBUS signals and the rest of the menusha that Nissan saddles its infotainment system with is not my idea of Plug and Play; and although iCrap has proven to be very helpful with others who have chosen that route, none of these systems happened overnight instead taking weeks (months) to come to fruition with the expected level of frustration.

I tried option 3 and beta tested a VLine unit but found them quirky, cheesy looking and not a robust solution. Plus the graphics clearly looked cartoonish along side the Infiniti graphics.

Like you, Im also not a fan of the Tesla style screens visually. If I wanted to drive a video game, I would have bought a Tesla...nuf said.

Over a period of several months, realizing that replacing the factory head unit wasn't really an option for me, option 1 emerged as the solution I ended up with. The 2008 already had Bluetooth capabilities with the phone so by adding a power adapter and Bovee1000 module, I was able to get Bluetooth streaming into the stock head unit relatively easily (and cheaply). I'm not a fan of carplay, but there are wireless dongles that can be cobbled into the late model Infinities without too much agony. This may be a stumbling block if you really want that option and your lacking the technical skills to make it work

As for whats past the stock head unit, I opted to go with an aftermarket DSP integration unit (Then a Rockford 3Sixty.2 DSP, now replaced with a Rockford DSR1) and three Rockford amplifiers, all new aftermarket speakers and a custom active/passive crossover network. Again, this option is not for the faint of heart due to the amount of custom fabrication and wiring necessary to make everything play nice.

In the end, if you lack fabrication, electrical and install skills, you are left with taking your cash to a trusted install house and giving them your wish-list I encourage you to create that wish-list giving specific though to the features you want to add, the level of performance you demand from the finished system and be honest with the budget. I do not know of any options that are straight forward, simple and inexpensive"

 

Would you mind telling me how you added Bluetooth streaming to a 2008 with the tools mentioned above? I have an 09 FX that I’m trying to upgrade and get streaming audio

 

Keep in mind I did this back in 2010 and the bits available at the time may not be available any longer. The Bovee 1000 is a bluetooth streaming dongle that will accept the 30 pin connector from the Infiniti. The catch is the power pins from the infinity cable are for the older models of the iPod and will not power the Bovee correctly. You will also need a power injector which takes DC from a separate source (Cigarette lighter in the center console) and injects them into the 30 pin connector for the Bovee. The rub is the product I used, the seems to be ridiculously expensive these days. I think I paid a whooping $10 for it back in 2010, now I see there in the $50-$60 range.





This also worked when I used a hard connected iPod with the lightening connector and the associated charging issues. A simple 30 pin to lightening converter does not work as it does not provide power to the correct pins; hence the power injector. This is also why the Bovee doesn't power up when you just connect it to the end of the Infiniti iPhone cable. Searching around, I ran across this from Coolstream which might be a better "all in one" solution

Coolstream Bluetooth Kit

Its $85 but might be worth it given not having to source the bits individually.

I've read posts where some users claim this does not work so there may be wiring differences between years or models of car, but its worked for me flawlessly for over a decade. It maintains phone availability and still pauses the music when a phone call is received. The most irritating issue is that the iPhone will start playing where it left off as soon as the Bovee connects with it, often blasting your passengers. This is an Apple issue and not something you can easily change