I decided to update my Jeep’s head unit with an aftermarket solution. I know of Planet Audio because of their amps, but when I was given the opportunity to try out this product, I decided to jump on the offer. The Jeep 430N with Uconnect was my old head unit and to be honest it had more features. It could play DVDs ( audio only when driving) and had Navigation and SiriusXM built in. Actually, the Planet Audio PCP9800 seems like a step down based solely on those specs.
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The difference is that the Planet Audio system has CarPlay built in. This means that I can plug in my iPhone and have several apps from my iPhone show up on the screen and I can use Siri directly on the unit. For my typical needs, this is just a more useful feature that makes it worth leaving some seldom used features behind.
Note: I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products in this post.
The difference is that the Planet Audio system has CarPlay built in. This means that I can plug in my iPhone and have several apps from my iPhone show up on the screen and I can use Siri directly on the unit. For my typical needs, this is just a more useful feature that makes it worth leaving some seldom used features behind.
The Install
I did not install this myself. I wanted a Brand Motion backup camera put in and I wanted it done by a pro. My 2017 Jeep Unlimited Sahara did have one issue during the install and that was the fact that this unit required the dash to be shaved back a little because this screen was larger (vertically) than the original opening. It should be noted that my installer said that none of the units they sell have this issue (the screen is slightly larger than the stock unit, but it also has a much higher resolution of 800x480 that makes it worth the effort.). I had them connect the USB that was already in my center console to the unit, attach my AM/FM antenna, and run the second USB into the glove compartment along with the aux cable.
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The backup camera is mounted in the spokes of my Wrangler’s 5th tire and it works like a charm. When you put the vehicle in reverse it comes on automatically. Then it automatically switches to the normal screen when you are back in drive. This unit gives you access to that camera at any time, so you can see what is happening back there while driving, if you desire. If you use it with a Jeep for off road excursions, it could help keep up with what is going on with the Jeep behind you.
Note: I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products in this post.
The backup camera is mounted in the spokes of my Wrangler’s 5th tire and it works like a charm. When you put the vehicle in reverse it comes on automatically. Then it automatically switches to the normal screen when you are back in drive. This unit gives you access to that camera at any time, so you can see what is happening back there while driving, if you desire. If you use it with a Jeep for off road excursions, it could help keep up with what is going on with the Jeep behind you.
Since I often travel with the top off, I didn’t have them mount the mic in the rear view mirror location, as the manual suggested. I had it mounted on the steering column which should be a better location given my situation. That being said, the sound quality of the microphone is not as clear for callers as the original Jeep microphone.
The unit has some steering wheel controls, as well. I was able to use 5 of my steering wheel buttons. The unit allows you to set which control works with each button. I have volume up, volume down, Siri, skip forward, skip back setup on my steering wheel. I can change these later, but I am happy with having these specific controls available without taking my hands off the wheel.
I tested Siri with the top off and the front doors off and it still picked up my voice without any problems. Since I have an Apple Music subscription, I can just tell Siri what I want to hear and it will play on the head unit. CarPlay also works with Pandora, Google Music, Messages, Phone calls, and several more applications, but you lose most of Siri’s great features with third party apps. Personally, I would recommend an Apple Music subscription for CarPlay users that subscribe to streaming. I also tested using Siri to send a message and it worked like a charm,. The audio was great (on my end) during phone calls….it should be mentioned that the sound quality on my end is better in every way over the stock system.
Below are a few of the Apple Music pages:
The unit has some steering wheel controls, as well. I was able to use 5 of my steering wheel buttons. The unit allows you to set which control works with each button. I have volume up, volume down, Siri, skip forward, skip back setup on my steering wheel. I can change these later, but I am happy with having these specific controls available without taking my hands off the wheel.
I tested Siri with the top off and the front doors off and it still picked up my voice without any problems. Since I have an Apple Music subscription, I can just tell Siri what I want to hear and it will play on the head unit. CarPlay also works with Pandora, Google Music, Messages, Phone calls, and several more applications, but you lose most of Siri’s great features with third party apps. Personally, I would recommend an Apple Music subscription for CarPlay users that subscribe to streaming. I also tested using Siri to send a message and it worked like a charm,. The audio was great (on my end) during phone calls….it should be mentioned that the sound quality on my end is better in every way over the stock system.
Below are a few of the Apple Music pages:
The unit has many settings. You can change the screen brightness for day and night independently. You can change the colors of the buttons on the front or have it automatically change colors. The volume can be set for different devices. There are a lot of settings that let you adjust the EQ and adjust how much volume goes to each speaker (front and back).
Bluetooth and the iPod
I also tested Bluetooth and it works with audio and making phone calls. The reason you might want to use Bluetooth rather than CarPlay is that you might not want to plug your iPhone into the car every time you drive. If you go this route, you can actually use the CarPlay USB input with an old school iPod. I tried it out with my 160GB classic and it worked great. If you are outside of cellular range, like I have been in the Smokies or out on the open road, it is nice to still have access to music that isn’t stored on the iPhone. Also, you may want to use the iPhone for photos or video and might not want to have it plugged in during certain excursions. I should mention that sound quality of Apple Music was noticeably better with CarPlay vs Bluetooth Audio.
Below is the Bluetooth Screen from Apple Music:
Below is the Bluetooth Screen from Apple Music:
Below is one of the screens for the iPod 160GB Classic (the background is one of my photos):
Some Downsides
The main downside to CarPlay, in general, is that it is limited to certain compatible apps, so Google Maps isn’t an option. I have had decent results with Apple Maps in this location, but I wonder if my luck will hold up while I am out on the road? Also, I lost the SiriusXM built into my stock system, which means that if I want to use it on my iPhone, it needs a cellular signal. For traveling, it could be frustrating having it cut in and out. Also, SiriusXM isn’t built into CarPlay, so you have to start it on your phone before it will play on the unit. I knew all of this going in, so I was willing to make these trade offs, but worth mentioning for those making a similar change.
Below is a screen that shows up when you are plugged into CarPlay and manually choose SiriusXM from the iPhone (since it is not in the CarPlay Menu:
Below is a screen that shows up when you are plugged into CarPlay and manually choose SiriusXM from the iPhone (since it is not in the CarPlay Menu:
More Features
The AM/FM works great, too. It allows you to hit a star icon on the screen to set any channel as a favorite. You can then pull up a list of your favorites in the menu. The Aux input works well, too, I had the Aux and the second USB routed to my glove compartment, so they will be out of the way when I am not using them. I tested the second USB with a thumb drive and I was able to play my 24/96 FLAC files and see jpg photos. I did not test video, but I would rarely use video since the screen will only show photos or video when the parking brake is up.
Below is a 24/96 FLAC file playing over the second USB:
Below is a 24/96 FLAC file playing over the second USB:
Below is the aux input screen:
Below is a jpeg photo, but it is only accessible when the vehicle has the parking brake up:
The Wrap Up
The CarPlay and Siri are awesome. Bluetooth Audio works great as my secondary option and I love the ability to assign steering wheel controls, button colors (I chose red because it matches my neoprene seat covers), and the ability to set AM/FM favorites. The sound quality on CarPlay is awesome and makes my speakers sound much better than my old head unit.
I would recommend this unit for those that want CarPlay and are on a budget. For a Jeep Wrangler driver, being able to put in a backup camera helps with visibility especially when you have an oversized tire blocking most of the back window. All in all, I am very happy with the Planet Audio PCP9800!
Note: I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products in this post.
I would recommend this unit for those that want CarPlay and are on a budget. For a Jeep Wrangler driver, being able to put in a backup camera helps with visibility especially when you have an oversized tire blocking most of the back window. All in all, I am very happy with the Planet Audio PCP9800!
Note: I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products in this post.
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