The Stinger Horizon 10 and 12 series is a wildly popular model at our shop, especially amongst Jeep Wrangler owners. It’s certainly a massive upgrade over the previous HEIGH10 model. In this Stinger Horizon 10 review I will cover our experience with this model both in our person vehicle, a 2019 Wrangler, as well as our experience installing this series in our clients vehicles. Let’s get into it!
Our audio system has evolved in the 7 years we’ve owned our Jeep. We started out with the 8.4″ Uconnect with GPS navigation using the PAC AP4-CH41R2 digital pre-amp adapter with the JL Audio VXI series amps running through toslink. Then we tried the Alpine X409-WRA-JL. That head unit had a very nice factory fit and finish, but no toslink. Then we tried the Stinger HEIGH10. For more in depth coverage, you can check out my Stinger Horizon 10 review video below.
We loved the toslink out on the HEIGH10, but there was definitely room for improvement on the display – especially with the top down. And this model only featured a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Let’s face it. The HEIGH10 was also quirky AF and not even close to its rated 4 volts on the pre-amp, but we put it up with it because it was better than the 8.4″ Uconnect and we had limited options at the time for the JL/JT in terms of head unit upgrades.
Enter the Horizon 10 and 12
The Horizon 10 was introduced in October 2024 and shortly after its release John installed it in our 2019 Jeep Wrangler. I waited over a year to do this Stinger Horizon 10 review because I really wanted to see how it operated in the real world over an extended period of time. On paper, this head unit addressed all of the shortcomings of the HEIGH10 series. Featuring:
- 4 sets of 4.5 volt pre-amp outputs (Front 1, Front 2, Rear and Sub)
- 15 band EQ
- Digital time alignment
- 10.1″ HD display with IP65 rating
- Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- HDMI input
- 4 Camera inputs (HD compatible using Echomaster PHD5N1 or PHDCAM10U)
- Optional GPS navigation
- SiriusXM compatible
- Toslink
Shortly after installing it, Stinger announced the Horizon 12 which features a 12.8″ display, but lacks a volume knob unless you’re installing it in a JK Wrangler, then you get the volume knob (why?? I wish this was included in all Horizon 12 models). Note – if you are installing the Horizon 12 in a JL/JT, if equipped, your factory volume knob is still functional.
Right off the bat we noticed a huge improvement in sound quality which was surprising because with toslink, we didn’t think there should be any difference. The other thing we noticed is unlike the HEIGH10, we still have EQ control even though we’re using toslink. Usually this is disabled with toslink since you’re using an outboard DAC.
When I asked Stinger about this they told me this is actually a relic of earlier firmware. Even though we’re using a Helix V Eight DSP to power our speakers, we love having access to the built in EQ for quick on the fly adjustments. Just keep in mind this feature may not be available if you do an update or have a later firmware version.
Feature retention Horizon 10 review
In the Jeep Wrangler JL/JT specifically, Stinger does a great job at retaining features and access to vehicle settings. One thing you will lose by replacing the head unit is the Uconnect app. If you have remote start on your fob, that will still be functional.
If you’re upgrading from the the 8.4″ Uconnect, you will also lose the compass, clock, caller ID and turn by turn directions in cluster/speedometer area. Additionally the SOS function of the mirror if equipped will no longer be applicable. Lastly, no more speed controlled volume – but does anyone even use that feature really?
Stinger does a decent job retaining the factory reverse camera. The OEM camera is an LVDS style camera, it is HD. Unlike other products on the market, Stinger keeps it digital and pipes it in through their HDMI interface. This is a much better solution than some other manufacturers which actually step it down from digital to an analog composite connection.
Camera Retention vs Camera Replacement
The reality is our camera is 7 years old at this point and looking pretty beat and worn out. It definitely looked sharper when we 1st installed it. We plan to eventually upgrade it to one of the Echomaster HD cameras. We’ll use either the PHD5N1 or PHDCAM10U which is what we usually install with this head unit in other vehicles. You can see the PHD5N1 installed in the factory camera location below in a 2024 RAM 2500 with the Stinger Horizon 10.
One of the great things about the Echomaster PHD5N1 is the multiple camera housings and attachments that it comes with. I love this sku because I know there’s always going to be at least one attachment that will allow us to make this camera look clean in whatever vehicle or application we’re using it in.
You can see how much higher quality the PHD5N1 looks in this RAM 2500 compared to our factory camera in our 2019 Wrangler JLU.
And if you’re installing this in a Jeep, Echomaster offers their PHD-MOUNT which makes for a nice clean install right in the middle of the spare tire.
One complaint I do have about this camera is the guidance lines. For most applications, they don’t make sense, so we usually turn them off. This is done through a wire loop on the camera itself. BUT unfortunately there are no guidance lines on the head unit. It would make a lot more sense to have adjustable guidance lines built into the stereo. This way if you DO want guidance lines, you can actually line them up so they make sense based on your vehicle and where the camera is mounted. Perhaps this is something Stinger will add with a future firmware update??
Audio Control Tools
Aside from the 15 band EQ, the Horizon 10 and 12 both feature built in crossovers and digital time alignment. I really like how they give you 4 pre-amp outputs. These are also on a pigtail which can make installation a little easier.
If you’re running your front components actively, you actually have full control over those from the head unit in the time alignment and crossover menu.
What I dislike about the audio control tools is in the crossover menu. For some bizarre reason, they skip 80 Hz! Your options for the crossover frequency points are:
- Bypass
- 25 Hz
- 40 Hz
- 63 Hz
- 100 Hz
- 250 Hz
- 500 Hz
- 1 kHz
- 3.5 kHz
- 5 kHz
If you’re building your audio system in phases, you might start with the head unit and a simple amp and sub. In that case, for most vehicles with 6.5″ speakers, we would normally turn the high pass filter on at 80 Hz. In some applications, 63 Hz might work well, but it might be too low. You might get some unwanted resonance in an untreated factory door panel. And 100 Hz is definitely too high for a set of 6.5″ stock speakers.
It drives me nuts that 80 Hz is missing. It’s another thing I hope they might possibly one day address through a firmware update. One thing that I was pleasantly surprised with is the accurate rating on the pre-amp. Unlike the previous HEIGH10, The Horizon 10 is certainly 4.5 volts. Playing around with some settings and my oscilloscope, I actually got 7 volts clean! You can check out my pre-amp testing video for more details (coming soon).
Flexible Installation
The Horizon 10 and 12 are technically floating screens. They feature a single DIN chassis with a display that can be adjusted prior to mounting. This enables you to adjust the height and angle of the display allowing you to mount it in the most aesthetically pleasing fashion.
I’m also a fan of the removable wiring harnesses. Not using a camera? Holding off an aftermarket amp for now? Keep the detachable pigtails in the box for future expansion. In the mean time there’s no need to crowd the space behind the dash with excess unused cabling.
For a more polished and built in appearance, Stinger has a full line of vehicle specific install kits that eliminate the floating screen look. Currently they cover:
- 2018 – 2023 Jeep Wrangler JL/JT
- 2011 – 2018 Jeep Wrangler JK
- 2016 – 2023 Toyota Tacoma
- 2014 – 2021 Toyota Tundra
- 2014 – 2023 Toyota 4Runner
- 2013 – 2022 RAM (classic)
- 2014 – 2019 Sierra/Silverado (classic)
- 2015 – 2021 Dodge Charger/Challenger + Chrysler 300
BUT you need to read the fine print on each kit. For example, in our 2019 Wrangler we retained access to vehicle settings. In the Toyota Tacoma kit, you lose access to vehicle personalization settings.
Satellite based GPS Navigation
Another really awesome selling point is the optional iGo GPS navigation accessory. This is satellite based GPS which is key if you plan on traveling in areas without cell service. For a large part of the country, the idea of driving without cell service is hard to imagine.
John and I live in Litchfield county, CT. There are many areas in the quant hills of our town with zero bars. The town I grew up in is still a complete dead zone and that’s kind of how we like it sometimes. It’s fun to get lost on the beautiful backroads throughout Kent, Warren, Washington and Litchfield. But eventually we want to go home and it’s nice to be able to use the built in GPS to find our way back.
Fewer and fewer manufacturers offer GPS Navigation. Kenwood recently severed ties with Garmin and is sunsetting their GPS navigation models. Alpine offers their optional KTX-NS01 for select models, but that particular navigation accessory will not operate at the same time as Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Stinger gets this right. Both can operate at the same time without interference.
SiriusXM
Speaking of satellite, the Stinger Horizon 10 and 12 are SiriusXM compatible. This is one area of weakness as far as graphics go. I like that you have fixed presets vs the scrolling style presets we see on some other manufacturers. However, the appearance is a bit bland lacking channel art which is a feature on the Alpine i509-WRA-JL for comparison.
Despite the lack of channel art, the overall menu and icons on this head unit are well laid out. Clients find it easy to navigate and access settings with an intuitive user interface.
As this Stinger Horizon 10 review shows, it’s not all kittens and rainbows. No head unit is perfect, but the Stinger Horizon 10 and 12 certainly check A LOT of boxes. One quirk that kind of drives me nuts is the auto start/stop enable/disable feature.
It’s cool that it gives you the option to disable that from the head unit. And it’s awesome when it works. But it will randomly not work even when that setting is engaged. I don’t know if that’s the result of a CAN collision? Or just flakey software. It’s definitely a nice touch, but we just wish it worked consistently. All other vehicle settings and information features work reliably for us.
Stinger Horizon 10 Review – Final Verdict
Despite any quirks or limitations, we have been very happy with this head unit and so have our clients. If you’re looking for a large HD display, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, toslink, high voltage pre-amp output, EQ, time alignment with multiple HD camera inputs and satellite based GPS navigation – there really are no other options on the market that even come close. Based on features and bang for your buck, it’s hard to beat the Stinger Horizon 10 and 12.
What has your experience been with the Stinger Horizon 10 and 12? Please let me know in the comments below of this Stinger Horizon 10 review.