As every aftermarket maker announces their own 2019 Apple CarPlay receivers during CES 2019, Alpine has chimed in with their latest offerings.
Two new Apple CarPlay receivers were announced during CES 2019 from Alpine:
- iLX-W650
- iLX-F259 HALO9
iLX-W650
The iLX-W650 boasts a new interface and 400-watts of DPP power. The receiver features a 7-inch mech-less 2-DIN design, meaning it has a very shallow chassis that measures only 2.4-inches deep. This allows the system to be fitted into vehicles that have not much depth behind the dashboard – a common issue with newer vehicles packing a lot of tech.
The Alpine KTA-450 Power Pack Amplifier (sold separately) can be plugged conveniently into the back of the receiver, and still fit into a size that is less than the depth of a standard 2-DIN receiver.
The iLX-W650 will be available in March for $500. It has a capacitive 7-inch display screen, with touch sensitive front facing function buttons, and bluetooth wireless technology. It is worth pointing out that this unit is not Wireless Apple CarPlay compatible. You will still have to use a wired connection for Apple CarPlay, or stream your audio wirelessly over Bluetooth.
iLX-F259 HALO9
Alpine’s second Apple CarPlay receiver is a second HALO9 9-inch system with the same hovering display format.
The iLX-F259 is an AM/FM/Digital Media Receiver with a 9-inch WVGA touch screen and mech-less design (no CD/DVD slot). It uses a 1-DIN chassis for installation and its screen “hovers” over the vehicle’s dashboard, allowing the oversize screen to be added to a variety of vehicles without the need for custom installation.
A new feature being introduced with the iLX-F259 is a customizable user interface that uses swipe and drag-and-drop motions. Widgets for clocks, Bluetooth functions and audio sources can be easily dragged-and-dropped to make up to three customizable home screens. Users can personalize the backgrounds using their own photos or choose from several pre-loaded patterns.
The iLX-F259 takes advantage of smartphone compatibility through Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ with the Google Assistant. It features Bluetooth® wireless technology with audio streaming and is SiriusXM-Ready™ (requires a SiriusXM® tuner and subscription, sold separately). External sources can be connected via the USB port or AUX input. The iLX-F259 has one universal rear camera input, or additional cameras can be added with the KCX-C2600B Multi-Camera Selector (cameras and selector sold separately).
The iLX-F309 has the same features as the iLX-F259 (except for the customizable interface) and includes HD Radio, an HDMI input and the ability to retain select factory features through the iDatalink® Maestro® module (sold separately).
The iLX-F259 will ship in March for $800 SRI, and the iLX-F309 is still currently available now for $1,100 SRI.
It’s sad to see Alpine not announce any wireless Apple CarPlay receivers during CES 2019. Alpine fans will have to look head to towards the mid/end of the year for any new wireless receiver announcements.
