Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. has added a third model to the popular Halo category. The new iLX-F411 Alpine Halo Mech-Less (no CD/DVD) Audio/Video Receiver features the same “hovering” screen platform as its predecessors while boasting a larger, 11-inch touchscreen – 49 percent more surface area than the 9-inch.

January 7, 2020 -- “The impact that the Alpine Halo9 has had in the industry cannot be understated,” said Mike Anderson, Vice President and General Manager, Brand Business Unit, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. “The introduction of the new 11-inch display solidifies Alpine as an industry leader with the biggest display on the market.”

The iLX-F411 debuted during the 2020 International CES, taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Jan. 7-10.

Customizable User Interface

The iLX-F411 has the same features as its predecessor, the iLX-F259, including a customizable user interface, with three home screens and 22 available widgets that can be customized through swipe and drag-and-drop motions. Users can personalize the background using their own photos or several pre-loaded patterns.

Through extensive industry research, the iLX-F411 includes all the features needed to command an exciting drive and is an ideal upgrade for the active weekender or everyday commuter. The increased screen size allows for safe navigation and easy control of music, text messages, and phone calls through Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™.

Features and System Expansion

The large, 11-inch screen has a WVGA display, Capacitive Touch, and Swipe Graphical User Interface (GUI) that’s optimized for in-vehicle smartphone use so drivers can access Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto with the Google Assistantfor media or navigation while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. It features built-in Bluetooth® for hands-free calling and audio streaming and is SiriusXM-Ready® (requires a SiriusXM® tuner and subscription, sold separately).

External sources can be connected via the USB port, AUX input, or HDMI input. One universal rear camera input or additional cameras can be added when used with the KCX-C2600B Universal Front and Rear Camera Selector (cameras and selector sold separately). Drivers can retain select factory features like vehicle information and parking assist display on compatible vehicles with the iDatalink® Maestro® module (sold separately).*

*iDatalink® connectivity available via software update Fall 2020

Installation Fitment

The iLX-F411 follows the same flexible installation fitment as its 9-inch predecessor with an adjustable mount and four screen angle adjustments, five screen height adjustments, and two screen depth adjustments for optimized viewing.

The 1-DIN chassis and adjustable installation options make it easy to add the iLX-F411 to a variety of applications without blocking factory buttons or features on the dash and avoiding the need for custom installation.

The iLX-F411 will ship in June for $1,200 SRI and will be for sale at Alpine Authorized retailers or online at www.alpine-usa.com through Crutchfield. Installation options can be found on the Alpine-USA website through the store locator.

The Halo Display Category includes:

NEW iLX-F411 HALO 11-INCH MECH-LESS AUDIO/VIDEO RECEIVER

• 11-inch WVGA display with a capacitive touchscreen and swipe graphical user interface
• Floating style display with adjustable height, depth, and angle mounting bracket
• Customizable user interface (three pages with 22 available widgets)
• Customizable wallpaper (user photos)
• Works with Apple CarPlay®
• The Google Assistant is available on Android Auto™
• SiriusXM-Ready® (requires a SiriusXM® tuner and subscription, sold separately).
• Bluetooth® built-in for hands-free calling and audio streaming
• 1 HDMI input and 1 HDMI output
• iDatalink® connectivity for vehicle information and parking assist display on compatible vehicles*
• FLAC/MP3/WMA/AAC/WAV music playback
• AVI/MP4/MPG/MOV/WMV video playback via USB
• JPG/PNG/BMP USB photo viewer
• 5-band graphic EQ
• 45W x 4 Amp
• 3 Preouts (4V)
• 6-channel time correction
• KCX-C2600B Universal Front and Rear Camera Selector Ready
• 1 Rearview camera input with distance guide display

• Available in June SRI: $1,200

*iDatalink® connectivity for vehicle information and parking assist display on compatible vehicles*

              *Available via software update Fall 2020

iLX-F309 HALO 9-INCH MECH-LESS AUDIO/VIDEO RECEIVER

• 9-inch WVGA display with capacitive touchscreen and swipe graphical user interface
• Floating style display with adjustable height, depth and angle mounting bracket
• Works with Pandora® Music for iPhone® and Android™
• Built-in HD Radio®
• My Favorites Function
• MediaXpander® HD
• Works with Apple CarPlay®
• The Google Assistant is available on Android Auto™
• SiriusXM-Ready® (requires a SiriusXM® tuner and subscription, sold separately).
• Bluetooth® built-in for hands-free calling and audio streaming
• iDatalink® connectivity for vehicle information and parking assist display on compatible vehicles
• FLAC/MP3/WMA/AAC/HE-AAC music playback
• AVI/MPEG4 video playback via USB
• Alpine TuneIt® App for iPhone® and Android
• Bass Engine SQ
• 9-band graphic EQ
• 50W x 4 High Power Amp
• KAC-001 Accessory Controller Ready
• KCX-C2600B Universal Front and Rear Camera Selector Ready
• 1 HDMI input
• 3 Preouts (4V)
• 6-channel time correction
• 1 Rearview camera input with distance guide display
• Available now SRI: $1,200

iLX-F259 HALO 9-INCH MECH-LESS AUDIO/VIDEO RECEIVER

• 9-inch WVGA display with capacitive touchscreen and swipe graphical user interface
• Floating style display with adjustable height, depth and angle mounting bracket
• Customizable User Interface (three pages with 22 available widgets)
• Customizable wallpaper (user photos)
• Works with Apple CarPlay®
• The Google Assistant is available on Android Auto™
• SiriusXM-Ready® (requires a SiriusXM® tuner and subscription, sold separately).
• Bluetooth® built-in for hands-free calling and audio streaming
• FLAC/MP3/WMA/AAC/WAV music playback
• AVI/MP4/MPG/MOV/WMV video playback via USB
• JPG/PNG/BMP USB photo viewer
• 5-band graphic EQ
• 45W x 4 Amp
• 3 Preouts (4V)
• 6-channel time correction
• KCX-C2600B Universal Front and Rear Camera Selector Ready
• 1 Rearview camera input with distance guide display
• Available now SRI: $800

Product information is based upon current information at the time of press but cannot be guaranteed. All designs, features, specifications and delivery dates are subject to change without notice.

CarPlay® is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google, Android, and Android Auto are trademarks of Google LLC. SiriusXM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. All rights reserved. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth® SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Alpine Electronics, Inc. is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.  

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (May 11, 2020) – Just 25 minutes outside of the heart of Dallas sits The Stereo Shop, a mobile electronics retailer and installer that has serviced the Garland, Texas community for 10 years (formerly under the name JM Kuztomz).

Like most 12-volt retailers during the COVID-19 environment, owner Julio Murillo has had to think out-of-the-box in light of the recent “shelter in place” orders. “When COVID-19 happened, I thought, ‘If we’re going to shut down for a few weeks, then I’m finally going to update the store,’” Murillo recalled.

Murillo, an Alpine Authorized Retailer of three years, contacted his Alpine team, including rep Mark Sartain, to begin work on a $12,000 update to the shop. “Alpine is their biggest consumer draw and their highest premium line,” explained Sartain. “They see a big value in the local and national support they are receiving from Alpine.”  

The focus was on the main display board in their lobby, previously occupied by a different brand. In its place, stands a larger-than-life display, spotlighting the Alpine Halo9 9-inch displays, as well as speakers, subwoofers, and amplifiers from Alpine S, R, and X-Series lineup.

The Stereo Shop was able to reopen, as they have a minor mechanical permit that deems them as an essential business (although they are still taking safety precautions by doing most installations through drop-offs and maintain social distancing standards.)

Not shortly after he reopened, Murillo started to see the fruits of his labor, particularly with the main display board. “The first day, we set up a Halo9 display in the showroom with the Alpine branding. The second day, after we opened, we sold three [Alpine Halo9s],” said Murillo. “We were already selling this product fairly well, but three on the first day was crazy!”

In addition to the main display board, The Stereo Shop now has three dedicated Alpine displays in the store that include an OEM Integration Display, a dedicated S-Series display (their highest selling product, according to Sartain) and an R and X-Series display.

“Alpine is a sound quality company, so naturally, having functional displays that can be used to allow their consumers to experience the products helps the consumers make a faster emotional connection,” Sartain explained. “Consumers come to their store to hear, touch and feel the products. The displays empower the salespeople because they can demonstrate the products to the consumer.”

Murillo said the value of a display that can show the customer the head unit and speaker together, claiming it’s a lot easier to sell when they can sell the entire package. “Display the functioning products; not products in a showcase or a box,” said Murillo. “When the product is on a display, where people can touch it, feel it, and know how it works – that’s half the sale!”

However, Murillo’s sales efforts didn’t stop at the shop door. The Stereo Shop is also active on their social media platforms, like Facebook, often posting installation jobs up to 10 times per day. Murillo attributes Facebook as the root of 50 percent of their walk-ins. Recently, he’s noticed his clientele are coming from 1 – 2 hours away, as Facebook is helping them reach customers that are looking for a shop that sells Alpine and speaks Spanish (the Alpine brand is well-known to Hispanic customers, according to Murillo.).

Murillo also adopted a new way to share the products in his store. Instead of posting a product, or taking a picture of the box, Murillo has started to show pictures of completed installation jobs, highlighting the features of each product.

This more personalized approach to “selling” Alpine products has boosted The Stereo Shops engagement rate, as they receive more inquiries from their Facebook page.

“We’re not trying to sell the product through Facebook. We show the product installed in a car and talk about the features,” Murillo said.  “When the customer can see the head unit and speakers installed in the car, they can relate to the product because they might have the same car.”

Murillo’s advice to fellow mobile electronics retailers would be to stay safe and offer drop-off services for customers, making sure that every car is cleaned before returned. If possible, he suggested investing in loaner cars to provide to customers. “Our shop has three loaner cars for customers to use during installation,” said Murillo. “That way, there is no pressure for the customer waiting to get their car back.” He also urges others to increase up their social media presence, explaining that people are on social media more than ever before.

While adhering to the CDC guidelines, Sartain recommends getting more attention to your store through social media. “On social media, promote a no-touch transaction with your customers to show that the store cares about both your consumers and your employees,” Sartain advised. “Focus on keeping the purchase process easy and fast.”

Even now, as more shops are beginning to reopen, it is essential to have a plan of attack when returning to work, including new marketing strategies, adhering to CDC guidelines, and establishing better communication with the consumer. Alpine encourages its Authorized Dealers to reach out if they need assistance before or during the process of reopening.