Reddit reviews Maestro ADS-MSW Universal Analog Steering Wheel Interface

Any double din will fit, but you will have space on the sides. Im not too sure about other years but I know the 2017 brz has a trapezoidal shaped head unit.


There is one headunit that will fill in the gaps. I cannot remember what its called atm.



Edit: Also you will need to either create a harness or buy one. I have this one and its completely plug n play. If you want your steering wheel controls to work youll need one of these. This is exactly what I have and it is super easy to use, once you figure out the vague instructions.


Edit2: my link to the harness doesnt seem to be going through. www.autoharnesshouse.com/67122.html


Edit3: The stock units are 200mm.

Yes. I have a pioneer w4400nex in my 2018 wrx base model. Great headunit with wireless CarPlay. It’s relatively plug and play with a harness from autoharnesshouse. Here are all the links:

AutoHarnessHouse Aftermarket... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GD8627K?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Direct wire harness for Pioneer... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078GBDRVX?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Maestro ADS-MSW Universal Analog Steering Wheel Interface https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J4W10XG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Jg22Db6PFF6R1

Need this to connect FM radio to new Headunit:
Aftermarket Radio Antenna Adapter by Vehicle Aerial Stereo Converter Cable, DIN (Motorola Type) to Antenna Terminal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QNL9QQ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7l22DbVWFF1K2

Need this if you want to retain factory USB port:
Metra Electronics AX-SUBUSB Multicolored Subaru 2011 & Up 4-Pin USB Adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JYTLW14/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_do22DbN1SNNSH

This is the dash kit to make the headunit fit properly:
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_142SU2031B/Scosche-SU2031B-Dash-Kit-Gloss-Black.html

Those are all the harnesses/wires you’ll need to make it plug and play. The USB adapter might not work if your car has 2 USB ports in the center console. This shouldn’t be a problem anyways since CarPlay is wireless. The USB ports will still charge your phone regardless. If you have the base wrx, it’ll be fine. On YouTube there are plenty of install vids if you ever feel confused.
Edit: the guy from autoharnesshouse (Brian) is also very friendly if you have any questions about the harness, just email him.

The dash kit for your car ALONE is almost $300:

PAC RPK4-HD1101

Bonus points is it comes with the radio harness and SWC is built in.

Metra makes one with rubber buttons that's gross and I hate it because it's terrible and bad but might be found cheaper.

I SUPPOSE you could do the pocket replacement kit:

Metra 95-7862

But it looks ril bad and the factory radio just kinda sits there and looks dumb.

As far as radios for your budget? Alpine iLX-W650

Does what you want, none of what you don't. Add the install parts and a new SXM tuner and you're off.

Wanna do it cheap AND keep SWC: Maestro SW

And still need the wiring harness to the car, I wanna say Metra 1721? Don't quote me.

This is what car installers use to hook up steering wheel controls to the head units.
http://amzn.com/B00J4W10XG

The kit appears to be universal... so if you don't have steering wheel controls built in... with this you should be able to wire switches/knobs in and program them pretty easily.

From memory/Amazon history, here's what I installed:

• Kenwood DDX6704
  
• DKMUS Double Din Radio Stereo Installation Panel
  
• Maestro ADS-MSW Universal Analog Steering Wheel Interface
  
• Metra TYTO-01 JBL Amplifier Interface Harness
  
• Also bought this but I don't think I used it...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GD8627K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 this is the harness i used, has the reverse 6v signal already to go. all you need us usb retention https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DJ4KVQ6/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

then the speaker harness. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002BEQJ8/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and lastly the antenna harness https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VYWSES/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

these were all the things i used to wire in my kenwood. besides the tool to keep steering wheel buttons https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J4W10XG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

the autoharnesshouse harness makes it easy to use the maestro by the way. hope this helped. i have a 2017 wrx by the way so i dont know if there is a difference with 2015 and the new 2018+s

My dealer called and said the car is ready and the factory radio is in the car and there are no issues with remote start. So I’ll run with this for a while to see if I have any issues with remote start again.

I called idatalink support again and asked about the OBD2 port causing this issue. They now say that it is possible that having remote start and the maestro on the ODB2 port both talking to the car can cause issues. But none that would blow a fuse. I asked if I just unplugged that would I eliminate this issue. They said maybe but unplugging the OBD2 plug will not allow the backup camera to work. I definitely need the backup camera to work.

I might buy the harnesses that auto harness house makes for Subaru and use those because they have a harness that gets power for the rear camera from some other pin on the factory harness. I’d then need the maestro SW not the RR for steering wheel controls but at least I’d not be using the maestro OBD2 plug anymore. I don’t care about the data it provides to the screen anyway.

Pioneer to Subaru harness - https://autoharnesshouse.com/AHH-70-1761.html

Subaru 28 pin harness with voltage step down for reverse camera - https://autoharnesshouse.com/49021b.html

Maestro SW - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J4W10XG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Or maybe I just return the pioneer head unit and get a Sony that has steering wheel controls built in and does not need a Maesto at all. They don’t have HD Radio though which I really would miss.

I would use this steering wheel control module. User programmable double function for all buttons and better customer support.

Nex2300


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073BKPWNC/

With this

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J4W10XG/

Parts alone will be like $70 including steering wheel controls, specifically this. Not sure of any new, known brands that are less than 250 for a touchscreen.