Aftermarket Headunit Options that do it all?

[M20105]

Has anyone installed an aftermarket touch screen head unit that supports carplay, radio, heater and A/C controls and a backup camera? Aside from the original navigation unit which is dated and has a small screen, I have not seen any that are big enough to support this.

Any pics of your units would be appreciated. Attached is what my unit looks like and would like the new touch screen to cover this entire area.

2010 Mazda5

 

[dlarkin_dc]

Did my '07 HU upgrade in '09 so hadn't looked into this... but I'm surprised to see iDatalink says it supports all that functionality! I get asking first, not wanting to risk it as it's turn into a $1000 pet project. As the kits usually leave the existing button/wheel A/C controls you'll be in custom territory to remove them... unless there's a kit for that now, but I haven't seen/found one.

You might get more feedback from the 3 forum, more cars = more chances someone has done this type of upgrade.

 

[M20105]

Thanks! Just posted it to the 3 Forum!

M

Thread 'Aftermarket GPS Unit compatible with Mazda3 or 5?'

May 5, 2025

Has anyone installed an aftermarket touch screen head unit that supports carplay, radio, heater and A/C controls and a backup camera for their Mazda3? I have a 2010 Mazda5 and believe the Mazda5 was built on the Mazda3 platform. So I would love to know if anyone has had that experience with the 3 or the 5 and perhaps can share their install insights. Aside from the original navigation (which js dated at this stage), I have not seen any that are big enough to support this.

Any pics of your units would be appreciated. Attached is what my unit looks like and would like the new touch screen...

• M20105
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Mazda3 Infotainment

 

[MarkVII88]

If your Mazda5 has separate controls for HVAC, why would you install a head unit that also does this? That being said, I have both a 2012 Mazda5 and 2015 Mazda5 into which we retrofitted new head units with touchscreens and backup cams, along with Android Auto/Carplay from Crutchfield.com. These kits included all the connectors, wiring adapters, and dash trim kits. Very good installation instructions.
2012 - JVC KW-M560BT (7 inch), Audiovox ACA800 backup cam
2015 - BOSS Audio Elite BE9ACP.XC (9 inch) includes backup cam

 

[M20105]

JVC KW-M560BT (7 inch), Audiovox ACA800 backup cam

You are right. Makes no sense to have it control HVAC. I did see the ones in Crutchfield, but thr template they provide for my 2010 version is silver and the one in my car is black. I think I can just use the one I have and just cut it for the unit to’fit. Do you have pics of your installation?

Thank you very much for your response. Not many Mazda 5 owners out there!

 

[hleboklop]

Hello, I did such installation before, see here.
My reply is not about choice of head unit, it's about mounting it in 1st gen Mazda5.
So, when I did that, I got myself a frame from here, link is dead, but there are plenty of those on aliexpress.
So, if you look closer, those mount holes exactly match the original metal stereo bracket used by original stereo, but you have to flip it upside down and use metal scissors to cut through sides if you're installing a "short" unit. As the saying goes "после сборки обработать напильником", which is "it's gonna fit if you put some effort into it".
As for the possibility to control AC unit via headunit (using CANbus, i.e., pjcan): yes, it's doable, but it's not worth the time spent on it, physical buttons are superior in any way to voice control even. And one less component to fail.

 

[unclecane]

Has anyone installed an aftermarket touch screen head unit that supports carplay, radio, heater and A/C controls and a backup camera? Aside from the original navigation unit which is dated and has a small screen, I have not seen any that are big enough to support this.

Any pics of your units would be appreciated. Attached is what my unit looks like and would like the new touch screen to cover this entire area.

2010 Mazda5

My 2012 aftermarket supports the steering wheel controls and everything else. I even have torque pro installed so I can monitor my car (via Bluetooth odb2 ) internals or read diagnostics codes. It's runs on Android so when I'm waiting somewhere. I can even do some retro gaming or watch YouTube. Xbox controller hooks up via One of the USB ports. I'm not sure the model but I'll take some pics when I go out.

 

[Silentnoise713]

If your Mazda5 has separate controls for HVAC, why would you install a head unit that also does this? That being said, I have both a 2012 Mazda5 and 2015 Mazda5 into which we retrofitted new head units with touchscreens and backup cams, along with Android Auto/Carplay from Crutchfield.com. These kits included all the connectors, wiring adapters, and dash trim kits. Very good installation instructions.
2012 - JVC KW-M560BT (7 inch), Audiovox ACA800 backup cam
2015 - BOSS Audio Elite BE9ACP.XC (9 inch) includes backup cam

I also prefer buttons -most of the time. There is a case for touch HVAC controls IF you truly want to consolidate everything into one screen. You'll need to custom make a dash kit to mount a 'Tesla style' double din android unit. You can then rid of the upper trim display panel, center radio, and lower HVAC knob panel.

I'm still SUEPR happy with the $140 Android unit (includes everything). If I was newer into my ownership, or my next car doesn't pigeon hold me to the OEM setup, I would absolutely go for a higher end android unit + 360 camera setup (~$250). It's amazing to see how far tech has evolved -still advancing! But this setup is not for everyone b/c there is a lot to learn/setup correctly.

 

[unclecane]

My 2012 aftermarket supports the steering wheel controls and everything else. I even have torque pro installed so I can monitor my car (via Bluetooth odb2 ) internals or read diagnostics codes. It's runs on Android so when I'm waiting somewhere. I can even do some retro gaming or watch YouTube. Xbox controller hooks up via One of the USB ports. I'm not sure the model but I'll take some pics when I go out.