AINAVI 9-Inch Linux Car Stereo for Honda CR-V 2007-2011: features and fit

The AINAVI car stereo is a 9-inch touchscreen head unit made for the Honda CR-V built from 2007 to 2011. It replaces the factory radio with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto on a laminated IPS screen, keeps the steering wheel controls, and comes with a backup camera. Here is what its features mean and how to check that it suits your CR-V.

Which CR-Vs it fits

AINAVI lists the unit for the 2007-2011 Honda CR-V. The trim matters as much as the year: AINAVI says it is not compatible with original radios that have built-in navigation or a large screen. The product images mark the lower-configuration factory radio as a fit and the navigation screen as not fitting, so compare your own dash with them before ordering.

Installation and the steering wheel controls

The installation is plug and play, with no wire cutting or dash modifications: the supplied harness connects to the car's existing plugs, and the unit sits in a frame shaped for the dash. The head unit measures about 8.9 by 5.1 inches (roughly 23 by 13 cm).

The factory steering wheel controls are supported, so you can still adjust the volume, skip tracks and answer calls from the wheel. According to the product images, the box holds the head unit and frame, a power cable (with CANbus for some models), an RCA cable, a microphone, two USB cables, the rear view camera, a reversing control cable, a manual and a frame removal tool.

A Linux system rather than Android

Many touchscreen head units run Android, a full app platform. This one runs a Linux system instead, and AINAVI says it starts up quickly, so navigation and music are ready soon after you start the engine. Systems like this typically focus on core functions such as the radio, Bluetooth, CarPlay and Android Auto, so your maps and streaming apps come from your phone.

Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto

CarPlay and Android Auto put a simplified version of your phone's maps, music, calls and messages on the car's screen. Here they connect automatically and wirelessly: the phone pairs over Bluetooth, and picture and sound then travel over Wi-Fi, so the phone can stay in a pocket or bag. Siri and Google Assistant voice control are supported.

The screen, calls and radio

The 9-inch IPS touchscreen has a resolution of 1280 x 720 and full lamination, and AINAVI describes it as anti-glare. IPS panels are known for wide viewing angles and steady colour. Full lamination bonds the touch glass directly to the display, removing the air gap that can add reflections.

Bluetooth 5.0 handles hands-free calls and music streaming. The AM/FM tuner also supports RDS, which on FM typically shows the station name and song details.

The backup camera

The included camera is a 1080P AHD unit with a wide viewing angle and IP68 waterproofing. AHD (analogue high definition) is a camera signal format common in vehicles, and IP68 means dust-tight and protected against immersion in water under the maker's conditions. The screen switches to the camera automatically when you shift into reverse. A camera adds a view behind the car, but it doesn't replace checking mirrors and looking around.

Who it suits

It suits owners of a 2007-2011 Honda CR-V with the non-navigation factory radio who want wireless phone apps on a larger screen and a backup camera.

What to check before you buy

• Your model year: confirm that your CR-V is a 2007-2011 model.
• Your factory radio: check that it has no built-in navigation or large screen, and compare your dash with the product images.
• Your sound system: premium factory audio systems can need different wiring, so check which system your car has.
• Your phone: check that it supports wireless CarPlay or wireless Android Auto.
• Installation: decide whether to fit it yourself or use an installer, follow the manual, compare the supplied cables with your car's connectors, and allow time to route the camera cable to the rear.

The short version

• A 9-inch touchscreen stereo for the 2007-2011 Honda CR-V with a plug-and-play installation.
• Not compatible with factory radios that have built-in navigation or a large screen.
• A Linux system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• A 1280 x 720 IPS screen, Bluetooth 5.0 and AM/FM radio with RDS.
• A 1080P AHD backup camera with IP68 waterproofing is included.

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