Alpine x903d-du2 Head Unit (11 Viewers)

[Rick@62]

Hi all, this is my first post so I hope it’s in the right place. I’ve recently purchased my first MH after owning two VW campers. It’s a Swift Escape Compact C205. I’m upgrading the head unit from the factory fitted unit to the Alpine x903d-du2. Apparently this unit is purposely designed for the Ducato MH, swivels slightly left or right so you can angle direct to the driver, you can enter your vehicle specific dimensions and has built in TomTom maps too.
Has anyone fitted one of these and if so, what are your thoughts on performance etc. It’s not a cheap piece of kit but quality is worth paying for.
Cheers all.
Rick

 

[sueandjohn]

Sorry no one’s replied yet . If your vehicle is as Fiat , it’s my understanding that you can’t “proxy align” any other headset to the vehicle . It throws faults such ans flashing odometer. You will have to put back the fiat headset if you need to check fault codes if there is an issue such as air bag fault . Weird but I spoke to 3 fiat professional garages and was told the same . Ps the alpine we have is great

 

[sueandjohn]

And

 

[Rick@62]

Hi there and thanks for the reply. I’m having it fitted by a company in Poole called Motorhome Retrofits. They have a fix for the flashing odometer etc. having a door speaker upgrade and sound deadening done too at the same time.
The units seem to have a good write up so all going well it will transform the factory standard.

 

[sueandjohn]

Hi again . If they gave the odometer fix, perhaps share the info with me? Good luck

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[Rick@62]

Thanks. Will do

 

[TC3]

Hi we got Motorhome Retrofits to fit the newer Alpine Halo 11 on our van. Swivels a bit left and right, up and down. Been very happy with it so far and just use Magic Earth app for navigation. This was my van

 

[OxfordMorgan]

We have a Pioneer AVIC DAB (aftermarket) fitted and no issues with Odometer etc.
The speakers/ deadening will make a much bigger difference than the Head unit - although watch the weight..those deadening pads are VERY heavy.
Alpine do some 'bookshelf' type speakers which sit ON the dash rather than in it and this will help with the sound - (SPC-R100-DU). Add a subwoofer as well.

However.. remember you're basically driving glorified Van with load road noise, crash, bang, wallops from the back, so I think sinking probably £1800 on a 'motorhome' head unit is a massive waste of money.
SatNav built in maps are not great, expensive to update etc. etc. - Most folks use a spare phone/ tablet and CarPlay or Andoid auto for Nav & Audio - and I have needed to 'tilt' the headunit

I think you could spend £300 and get something half decent or £500 and get something really good - as long as they support CarPlay and Android Auto, have a DAB radio (Get a decent aerial), and have a decent amplifier (this is the difference between something like an Alpine and the cheap Chinese import) then you are unikley to notice much difference in real terms

 

[daveclare]

You will just need the appropriate adaptors for the steering wheel controls. We've had Pioneer and now Kenwood. No problem with any warnings or speedo on 2020 ducato. Just need to make sure the adaptors are coded correctly.

 

[Rick@62]

You will just need the appropriate adaptors for the steering wheel controls. We've had Pioneer and now Kenwood. No problem with any warnings or speedo on 2020 ducato. Just need to make sure the adaptors are coded correctly.

Hi all and thanks for the feedback.

TC3, yes I saw your video on the Motorhome Retrofits YouTube channel. Thats a nice van with a lovely set up!

OxfordMorgan, yes, youre right, I could get a set up for a lot less money but im a great believer in "you get what you pay for". I could buy a cheaper head unit, add on an amp, a DAB aerial if the existing one isnt up to scratch, get a new, up to date sat nav etc, then get them all fitted but for me, its easier to get the whole bundle done at once and it will be in one unit. It comes with three years free TomTom map updates and two years manufacturers warranty.

Daveclare, mine is a 2019 Ducato and does not have steering wheels controls which was one of the reasons to buy this model head unit as it has them on the facia. Didnt fancy looking at the fascia to find touch control slide buttons for volume etc, especially in the dark. A physical button is so much easier. Its a pretty all singing all dancing head unit, not cheap, but then again you get what you pay for and with a quality install.

The standard of work from Motorhome Retrofits looks top notch judging by the care they take on there installs as shown on their YouTube videos. Has anyone else here and reading this thread had any work done by them?

Cheers all,

Rick.

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[daveclare]

Ours was one of the first 360 camera fittings. It's also on YouTube. They were very conscientious and even when there was a problem they got a garage near to us to sort it. Saving a 600 mile trip. So I would recommend them also.

 

[OxfordMorgan]

Hi all and thanks for the feedback.

TC3, yes I saw your video on the Motorhome Retrofits YouTube channel. Thats a nice van with a lovely set up!

OxfordMorgan, yes, youre right, I could get a set up for a lot less money but im a great believer in "you get what you pay for". I could buy a cheaper head unit, add on an amp, a DAB aerial if the existing one isnt up to scratch, get a new, up to date sat nav etc, then get them all fitted but for me, its easier to get the whole bundle done at once and it will be in one unit. It comes with three years free TomTom map updates and two years manufacturers warranty.

Daveclare, mine is a 2019 Ducato and does not have steering wheels controls which was one of the reasons to buy this model head unit as it has them on the facia. Didnt fancy looking at the fascia to find touch control slide buttons for volume etc, especially in the dark. A physical button is so much easier. Its a pretty all singing all dancing head unit, not cheap, but then again you get what you pay for and with a quality install.

The standard of work from Motorhome Retrofits looks top notch judging by the care they take on there installs as shown on their YouTube videos. Has anyone else here and reading this thread had any work done by them?

Cheers all,

Rick.

I didnt mean for you to get them separate, I meant that those are the main features you need.

I do 100% agree you get what you pay for, but there is also the law of diminishing returns, and based on your environment (noisy Van) then spending <>£1,800 on a a unit vs <>£500 I really don't think you will hear very much difference. Certainly not 2x to 3x better.

A decent unit (i.e. not a cheap chinese unit) could be had for a lot less, and will have exactly the same features (Nav, DAB, Carplay etc.) for example -
Kenwood - https://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/he...h-dab-radio-carplay-android-auto-hdmi-weblink
Pioneer - https://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/he...etooth-navigation-wifi-wireless-apple-carplay
Kenwood - https://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/he...tion-bluetooth-dab-tuner-carplay-android-auto
The last Kenwood one will be one of the best sounding systems you will hear

If you go to a dediated Car ICE showroom they link the headunits up to the same speakers for you to listen to and the difference between £750 and £2K is hard to determine.
Decent speakers and adding a Subwoofer will have a far greater affect than changing a headunit.

If it was me, I'd save a bit of cash on the head unit, 100% get a dedicated Subwoofer (this is the single biggest upgrade you can do), get the best DAB Aerial (not the original one), spend a bit more on the speakers/ Sub and save some cash.

I dont have any personal experience of Motorhome Retrofits, but they seem like a safe pair of hands and anecdotally see good feedback of them on various socials.

 

[OxfordMorgan]

There is also another thread on this Forum that discussed that unit with a few GPS gripes and concerns over the physical size of the unit - I know when I installed my Pioneer there is very little space behind the dash - but I guess that is for Motorhome Retrofits to solve

ALPINE X903D DU NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR FIAT DUCATO

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this unit? https://www.alpine.co.uk/p/Products/SingleView/X903D-DU Thanks Jim

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Camper634]

I have recently took one of those out of my van.If you are interested please send me a message.