I have a Sony XAV-AX100 in my car; it is easy to use with a simple and clear interface, the screen is above average with it's colours and sunlight legibility, the touch-sensitivity is excellent, the sound quality is average (good) with a good range of adjustments, it has Bluetooth with AD2P for audio streaming, camera input, Apple Carplay and Android Auto. I got mine for $550 on special from Supercheap but I have seen they go for around the same price on Ebay.

The only negatives are that it doesn't have DAB, a DVD/CD player or direct app integration to Spotify or Pandora (you have to use Carplay/AAuto or your phone via BT). The surprise positive point is that the volume rotary dial is easy to find and much easier to use without switching your attention to the head unit - very underrated compared to the narrow small button below the screen on my old Kenwood unit.

how did you end up going with this? i have an 08 with no nav and i have the factory sub/amp, want to replace the headunit but am confused on what if any harnesses i am going to need. I know i need the jeep-iso-headunit harness, but is that all, or is there extra... ?

I not long ago bought one of these and installed , came with the canbus and everything you need to install plug and play, damn good unit so far .
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Android-7...72.m2749.l2649

2007 JK wrangler

Also got this from them at the same time to use the Torque app that comes on it.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/High-Qual...72.m2749.l2649

That looks pretty decent. What's your opinion on it now that you've been using it a while

I still like it , works great and had it for a while now.
bluetooth phone through stereo is crystal clear , and the inbuilt mikes are great.
Wont run HEMA maps though , screen res not enough for it apparently , but the mapping with the unit is pretty good anyway , and heaps of other mapping apps work fine with it no worries.

Overall works great , love it.

What is the current thought on replacement speakers to go with the aftermarket head unit?

Are the direct Kicker ones still considered the go?

What preferences & diferences have people found?

I have a Android headunit that looks stock, was literally plug and play, took about 1 hour total to casually install myself. Basically its a android tablet in my dash with Bluetooth connectivity to my phone etc, and ability to hook up aux inputs (reverse cams etc) and extra outputs like aftermarket sub etc.

The 'car stereo' side of it will never compete with decent stuff from Pioneer/Alpine/Sony etc, but is better than stock.

The good part is that it runs Android. Literally everything you can do on your phone or tablet you can do on the headunit (google maps, HEMA maps, Waze, Youtube, facebook, emails, etc etc), not that I would recommend you do half of that while driving... I use the plex app while driving and stream music (can stream movies as well) from my server at home.