As a head unit, the Alpine Halo9 ILX-F309 sparks conversations on its own. Why? Because, unlike other standard head units, it’s a double-DIN head unit that you can find into a single-DIN slot. This innovative and useful feature alone makes this touchscreen head unit worth taking a look at.
However, the Alpine Halo9 ILX-F309 is more than just this single feature.
Please scroll down below to learn more about this product in our Alpine Halo9 ILX-F309 touchscreen head unit review.
What Makes the Alpine Halo9 ILX F309 So Good?
Gorgeous 9-Inch WVGA Capacitive Touch Screen
The 9-inch WVGA touchscreen is a stunning display that registers every tap and swipes with ease. In addition, the high degree of accuracy lets you navigate the screen without even looking at it with an angle that’s more favorable for when you’re driving for when you do need to check the screen.
Speaking of the screen, it is adjustable if you’re worried about that. You can tilt the screen towards your passengers to make it easier for them to see the screen and/or navigate it for you.
Innovative and Flexible Installation
Sporting a 1-DIN chassis, the ILX-F309’s 9-inch screen can open up when needed and be hidden when not in use. It also supports numerous mounting positions to make sure that the air vents and radio buttons are not blocked by the screen while making sure that the angle is positioned for optimal viewing.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Support
You don’t need to wonder if the ILX-F309 supports your smartphone. It has both Apple CarPlay and Android Audio. This gives you access to dozens if not hundreds of popular apps, as well as other more obscure opens that you might like to use on your daily drives.
Support for Rear Cameras
Say goodbye to blindspots with the ILX-F309.
Even though it doesn’t come with a rear camera out of the box, it does support a rear camera input. This means that all you need to do is to purchase an aftermarket accessory and install it properly. From there, you can turn on the guidelines to make it easier for you to judge the distance between you and the closest object when backing up.
Even better, it supports multiple camera inputs via a separate accessory sold by Alpine as well.
Customizable and Convenient Shortcuts
There are customizable shortcut keys available on the screen that you can edit and personalize however you want. This makes it easier for you to navigate your favorite apps and things to do on the screen without having to swipe left and right and more all of the time.
As a bonus, all your settings are saved and linked to your smartphone via Bluetooth, so you don’t have to reset the shortcuts whenever someone else uses the car and takes advantage of this beneficial function.
Pros
- HDMI support
- User-friendly
- Huge and responsive screen
- Supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Cons
- The huge screen can obstruct radio buttons and air vents on certain vehicles no matter how hard you try to adjust the angle and placement
Is the Alpine Halo9 ILX F309 Worth the Money?
This is a good question.
On the one hand, the Alpine Halo9 ILX-F309 has many high-end features that will definitely make your daily drives a lot better. But, on the other hand, it’s not cheap. Not to mention, it doesn’t come with a rearview camera out of the box, as well as other additional accessories that would’ve made an already excellent product even more worth the money.
Ultimately, it’s all up to you.
If, for example, you’re looking for a convenient solution that doesn’t sit on your dash all the time, even on newer vehicles, the ILX-F309 is worth it.
It’s easy to install, even easier to set up, and a lot more convenient to use. In addition, it will work for you, regardless of whether you have an iOS or Android device. It also has excellent Bluetooth functionality with support for hands-free calls and texts, so not only is your drive more convenient and enjoyable, but it’s also much safer.
Plus, this is Alpine we’re talking about. So the audio quality doesn’t need to be discussed anymore. That’s already a given.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a no-fuss head unit from a known manufacturer that’s easy to use and you’ve got money to spare, the Alpine Halo9 ILX F309 is more than worth it.
Is it perfect? Not at all. The huge screen will block part of the aircon vents, especially in older vehicles. However, that’s a small price to pay for convenience. In addition to that, Alpine has what they call the “Alpine TuneIt app,” where you can customize the sound blasting on your car’s stereo system via your smartphone for that extra oomph.
Speaking of oomph, the ILX-F309 also supports accessories that will let you keep your steering wheel controls of other functions while giving you updates on how your vehicle is currently doing. This includes useful information such as battery voltage, tire pressure, speed, fuel, and so much more.
