Pinnacle Autosound

Cars and Audio are Our Passions

Apple CarPlay

Apple CarPlay Enhances Safety for Lake City Honda Civic Owner

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Honda Civic CarPlayRecently we were contacted via email by a mother looking to upgrade the radio in her daughter’s Honda Civic.  In our email we outlined different radio options for the Civic.  To enhance the safety of the daughter’s driving we suggested a Sony radio with Apple CarPlay for the Honda Civic.  The mother liked the idea of the handsfree control of the radio so we set up an appointment for the installation.

Honda Civic CarPlay Radio

Many different audio apps can be streamed to the radio now.
Apple Maps, Google Maps or Waze can be used with Apple CarPlay.
Safe use of the smartphone while driving is now available in this Honda.

The generation of Honda Civic the client owns requires a fairly large dash kit for installation.  We have used a number of different kits over the years and now use the one pictured in the photos.  It offers the best paint match and positioning of the radio.  Our technicians installed the radio using the kit and mounted the handsfree microphone and routed the USB cable to the lower console.  The Sony radio works great with Apple CarPlay.  The client’s daughter can now use navigation, audio streaming and handsfree texting, all from her phone and all without taking her hands off the steering wheel.

Infinity Speaker Upgrade

Honda Civic CarPlay
The foam surround on the front speakers was falling apart.

As with any radio installation after the radio is mounted and wired up we go through and setup all of the radio adjustments.  We typically set the clock, save local radio presets and turn off any demo mode settings.  While we were checking the sound of the radio and speakers we noticed that the front door speakers sounded like they were in bad shape.  We let the client know and she requested we upgrade them while we were working on the car.  After removing the door panels we found that the foam surrounds that support the speaker cone were disintegrating.  We replaced both front speakers with new Infinity speakers.  The Infinity speakers made a big improvement in sound for the front of the Civic.

Backup Camera

One of the options we presented the mother with was a backup camera.  The Sony radio can accept a backup camera and will automatically display the output of the camera on the screen when the car is put into reverse.  The mother declined the camera for the initial installation but is interested in one for a future upgrade.  For more information on Apple CarPlay and how to get it in your vehicle, call or contact us here.

Toyota Corolla Audio System Upgrade for Lake City Client

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Corolla AudioA client recently brought her Toyota to us here at Pinnacle Autosound for a Corolla audio and technology upgrade.  She wanted a safer way to interact with her phone while driving and also needed new speakers.  We put together a plan for her car and started to work.

Apple CarPlay Radio Upgrade

Apple CarPlay was the star of this Corolla audio upgrade.
The USB port gives the client easy access for plugging in her phone.
The microphone makes sure the client’s conversation are easily heard.

To assist with the client’s driving safety a Sony touch screen radio with Apple CarPlay was installed.  This will allow the client to have handsfree control over many functions of her phone.  Some of the new features she will gain are: on-screen navigation,  speech-to-text messaging, and numerous audio streaming sources.  The Sony radio is Bluetooth enabled, so the client can make and receive handsfree calls while driving.  Our technicians mounted the microphone for the radio at the top corner of the windshield, for maximum performance.  Plugging in her phone to the radio was made easier by a remote USB port that was installed in her console.

Corolla Audio Upgrade by JL Audio

Toyota Corolla
The JL Audio speakers easily fit behind the factory grilles.

To address the problem of the anemic sounding front door speakers our techs installed a set of JL Audio C1 coaxial speakers in the factory locations.  The JL Audio speakers, paired with the new Sony radio, give the client much more output, clarity and response.  If she ever decides to add an amplifier to the system, the JL C1 speakers can also handle a bit of power, too!

Backup Camera for Additional Safety

To securely mount the camera the trim panel was removed from the car.
The wiring enters the trunk through a hole protected with a plastic grommet.
The camera wiring was neatly secured to the factory wires.
Once we finished our work on the factory loom it looked completely stock.
Backing up is much safer thanks to the addition of the backup camera.

The final step in the upgrades on this Toyota Corolla was the addition of a backup camera.  The camera was mounted just above the license plate on a plastic trim panel.  The camera was secured to the plastic with stainless steel bolts to ensure a lifetime of use.  The wiring for the camera was neatly routed with the factory wiring.  To maintain a factory look in the trunk, the tape on the OEM wire loom was cut and our wires were inserted.  Then the OEM wire loom was re-taped, leaving it looking like we were never there.  The backup safety system also includes guidelines to help the client judge when she is getting too close to an object.

Audio & Technology from Pinnacle Autosound

If you have a car, truck, boat, golf cart or side-by-side that needs an audio or technology upgrade come see or contact us at Pinnacle Autosound.  We offer a wide range of products to fit anyone’s budget.  Topped with our award-winning installations, our solutions can’t be beat!

Smartphone Integration at its Best with Apple CarPlay

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Apple CarPlayIt seems our lives are getting busier and busier.  Thankfully, there is a tool that can help make your time on the road a little more productive.  Apple CarPlay can help you knock-out some of your workload while you drive. Is it after hours and time to relax on the drive home?  Apple CarPlay has you covered for that as well!

What is Apple CarPlay?

Apple CarPlayApple CarPlay is a software developed by Apple in March of 2014.  The goal of the project was to integrate popular smartphone apps with the car radio and have them be voice-controlled.  Using the powerful Siri voice engine, CarPlay can automate sending text messages, making phone calls, music listening and more.

SAFE Texting While Driving

Apple CarPlayAlmost everyone has been in the situation where they have received potentially important text while driving.  Maybe it was a change of plans for a dinner date, or possibly a few more things that need to be picked up from the market.  Before CarPlay, your only safe choice was to wait until you got to your destination to read it, or pull over.  Thanks to Apple CarPlay, texting while driving is now safe.  If you receive a text while you are driving, you will be alerted on the radio screen and have the option of having the text read to you over the car audio system.  Want to reply?  No problem, you can verbally reply, using Siri as your personal assistant.  Siri even reads the text back to you before it is sent, to make sure it is correct.

Integrated Navigation

Apple CarPlayOne of the great things about CarPlay is being able to use the navigation from your phone on your car radio.  Now, instead of a little 5″ screen that is unsafe to look at while driving, you have the option for a 6″, 7″ or even 8″ on which to see the maps.  Thanks again to the Siri engine, you don’t even have to look at the screen if you don’t want to.  Voice controls allow you to input a destination, and audible prompts are given for route guidance.  CarPlay seamlessly handles muting your audio sources to let you know of an upcoming turn or lane change.

Numerous Audio Sources

It seems like almost everyone uses their smartphones for listening to music.  Whether it is iTunes, Pandora, Spotify, or iHeartRadio, Apple CarPlay has you covered.  Just recently, Tidal and SiriusXM were also added to the Apple CarPlay library of sources.  We look forward to more and more audio source becoming available on CarPlay as time goes on.

Expert Integration

Apple CarPlay does a great job integrating your phone with your car.  Let Pinnacle Autosound do a great job integrating a new Apple CarPlay radio into your car.  We sell radios with CarPlay capability from Kenwood and Sony.  Stop by today to see Apple CarPlay first hand.  If you have other questions or need to make an appointment, feel free to use our online contact form.