Review on 🔊 Enhance Your Jeep Wrangler's Audio Experience with STINGER-STH10JK 10-Inch Touchscreen Radio featuring Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, GPS, dual USB - Complete with Dash Kit & Interface (2007-2018) by Jason Ingram

Overall I am very happy with the Stinger system. Performance is much better than the stock solution (as you might hope for $1000), but there are a few things not documented - or hidden in the fine print - that may influence your decision to use this solution. My goal for this radio was to add CarPlay, keep the steering function, improve the sound and add some external cameras to my jeep. I installed this system on a 2016 JKU with a factory Alpine upgrade system. The system I worked with was the STH10JK version of the kit, which includes the PAC RP4-CH11 tuner interface, mounting brackets, USB connector replacement kit, antenna extension and wire harness. This is NOT the SR-JK11H kit. That simplifies installation for 2011-18 JK models and includes a custom screen bezel and pre-wired plug-n-play harnesses (and probably the first installation video you'll see online). That means you have to make the wiring harness yourself. Not that big of a problem for those willing to install their own stereo. But that would be the first thing it would be nice to know. The kit is VERY EXCELLENT documented. Just read ALL the instructions. The second important thing to know is that if you're installing into an upgraded factory system with an amp like I did, you won't be able to use the full range of tonal balance and EQ of the amp. Main unit UN1810. (It took a call to tech support to find out.) Because the OEM radio works with an OEM (CANBus) amplifier, some crossover features are not supported. And due to the same limitation, attenuation between front and rear speakers is not supported. So as long as you leave the fader in the middle you'll get a good sound but not fully customizable. [The car's imbalance reduces the output power of all speakers.] You can install an additional amplifier to restore this functionality, but it requires rewiring (and additional investment). ** I want to emphasize that this is not a limitation for others - the factory amplifier is installed by the jeep owner. **Third, installing this system will completely disable the center console data port. You may be able to redirect the USB port with an extension cable (there are two USB ports on the head unit), but this will render one of the two 'new' USB ports on the dash unusable. Next weekend's project will be to find a way to restore the center console's USB port to a USB charging port. but it would be nice to know that beforehand. Fourth, only one of the two ports is compatible with Android Auto/CarPlay. Not that important either, but it would be nice to know. Some of the less documented features: HDMI input (if you want to power a Raspberry Pi/XBox/DVD player or whatever). for external players Laserdisk/DAT/whatever). A metric ton (well, at least four) of VIDEO inputs for external cameras. Updating the system is a fairly painless process. 4GB USB flash drive containing the zipped update image downloaded from the Stinger website. While the UI is pretty well featured, there are some things I'd like to make more customizable (like hiding the tabs/icons you don't use (look at, navigation, and favorites)), but I hope they do keep updating the product. The operating system of the UN1810 is based on the Android operating system, I hope so. As mentioned, the CarPlay colors on the screen appear a bit washed out. I think there is a setting that fixes this. Final Words: This version of the kit is fairly easy to install for people with some experience installing aftermarket consumer electronics. The performance is reliable. The display is very beautiful. It meets my goals of 1) adding CarPlay to my Jeep, 2) keeping the steering, 3) adding external cameras, and 4) improving the sound system (mostly), so I'm happy. Not sure if it's worth the suggested retail price but there are limited options in this one. an arena that gets the job done (Insane Audio and the Alpine WRA series) and offers the best value for money in a very limited field of competition.