Hey guys,

I'm sure this question has been raised a million times before, and answered just as many times. So, please don't crucify me for not searching, I tried but didn't find a solid answer.

Anyways,

So, I'm interested in installing a 7" double din in my 03 max. I've seen some unknown/no brand type units on ebay for under $300. And then we have the known units that go for $700+ for the same specs.

Would you just buy the cheap one? What would I sacrifice going with the cheaper one? Biggest concern is, it not hooking up with the vehicle properly. I know Kenwood/Pioneer, etc. have proper cable support and adapters you can buy.

Any advice would be highly appreciated. Also, if you can from personal experience recommend a double din, please don't hesitate to do so.

Features desired: Built in GPS, Built in Bluetooth (must have iphone 4 support), ability to play DVD/CD in dual zone.

 

Mods: If this is posted in the wrong section, please move it. Thanks

 

Im in the same boat, currently looking at Pioneer AVIC-D3, as it has everything I need: full touchscreen, GPS, bluetooth and ipod integration (much more functions, but those are the crucial ones for me personally). As it was produced in 2007, you might get one for a relatively good price.

As for the cheap knock-offs, I wouldn't bother. I had one noname double-din in my previous car, got it for $400, burnt down after 3 days, got the same replacement one, touchscreen wasn't working 50% of the time - returned it.

For those who have double-dins installed, do we need to get PACS as well (heard that there might be static if we go PACS-less?

 

I have a ebay cheapo unit in my work truck , and its junk sometimes the buttons dont want to work. it will erase the radio stations on it own.

And now the navi stopped working just the other day. But even when the navi did work, its kind of sucked.

Looks good though. But save your money and buy name brand.

 

i just installed the pioneer avh-p4200 in my car, i was deciding between either that or the avic-x920bt. ended up choosing the p4200 because it was alot cheaper and i dont really need navi/bluetooth. pioneer also makes a bunch of addons for this unit too, including navi, bluetooth, hd radio, and back up camera. it really all depends on what your looking to spend. but i totally agree with the guy above me, save your money and get name brand, its worth it in the long run.

 

If you really want to go on the cheap side of things, go with a Dual unit. You can get them for $300-$400, including navi, iPod inputs, aux inputs, video outputs, etc etc.

If you can swing an extra $400 or so, then go with Pioneer or Eclipse.

 

i have a kenwood ddx418. Bluetooth, GPS, iphone/ipod support. Its the best purchased i have ever made. easily installed.

 

You can get a Pioneer for the same $3-400.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...r+4200&x=0&y=0

 

i just installed the pioneer 4300dvd a couple months back.
since u already hv an iphone 4 simply buy the motionX app and use it whenever u need nav.
thats my present and i love it! no need to spend an additional 200 for that nav adapter!
i bought the bt unit for like $50 of craigslist for it.

 

You get what you pay for. I would rather buy a used eclipse/pioneer/kenwood etc... before I would even consider a dual or anything like that. I worked as a supervisor at best buy and I can tell you from experience that the cheap gear is garbage. High failure rate and you will be disappointed that you didn't spend the extra up front.

Some of those decks come with transport screws to lock the cd transport in place. If the transport can't handle being shipped how is it going to hold up in a car environment?

 

these dont have navigation.

 

Thanks fellas!

Any potential issues that you've run into while installing a double din? What accessories would I want to have on-hand for the install to go smoothly?

 

Standard install trio: dash kit, wire harness, radio antenna adapter.

Don't forget to ground the brown/yellow wire in the small harness - this will ensure your trip controls continue working.

 

Don't these things usually come with the unit? Or is the extra that I should buy? What about PAC Switch? Since i've had the car, it hasn't had Bose stereo. The previous owner installed a Sony Xplode single din cd. I think he used the Scotche kit with pocket. Should i just the Scotche double din kit w/out pocket?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-...fAudioQ5fVideo

Deciding between these two units. Never mind the price, links posted as reference:

Pioneer Z130BT
http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-AVIC-Z13...item20ba325d59

Kenwood DNX7160
http://cgi.ebay.com/KENWOOD-DVD-CD-B...item336955ee12

Have always used Garmin Nuvi and Kennwood carries that. But i'm not **** about it. I could try TeleAtlas, if the unit has preferred edge...

 

If you already have an aftermarket HU then you can reuse the radio antenna adapter. You should also be able to reuse the wire harness, assuming the previous installer didn't do a complete hack job.

That dash kit looks fine. As for radio selection - both are fine quality-wise, it's just a matter of what fills your requirement within your budget.

 

To tell you the truth I wouldn't even bother with the navi, the Navi apps that are available on today's smartphones are incredibly superior to in-dash Navi systems. If data is your concern you can purchase a navi app that carries on-board maps anywhere between $7 and $60. They will be more up to date and if you do want to use data you'll have live traffic updates for your route.

Just trying to keep you from spending $200-400 more than you have to.

In the audio section I put together a short FAQ on how to install a double-DIN in a 5th gen Max. http://forums.maxima.org/audio-elect...oting-faq.html


Not sure if you are looking for wired or wireless iPhone integration but if you are looking for wireless look for a head unit that has A2DP Bluetooth. A lot of units have Bluetooth but it's only set to work with a phone. Also consider a headunit that accepts SD cards. One 32Gig card carries days of music or about 6 hours of video (Being conservative).

BTW this is the unit I have in my car:



Pioneer AVH-3200BT I think it's discontinued now but so far it's been awesome.

 

I really don't know what kinda work that guy did on the unit. It works fine, but my Steering controls have never worked. I'm guessing he never used a switch to retain OEM controls.



Wow that looks real neat and clean cut. Was it a straight fwd install for you, or did u have to modify anything?

Yeah I have Navi on my phone. I suppose I could do without the navi, but would really like it.

How is the bluetooth quality on your unit? Price on this one is real decent. Very tempting.

 

If this is the case, then you probably don't have a steering wheel control module installed. Purchase the Axxess ASWC module - it will help you to regain that functionality with your new head unit.

 

Best buy has a Sony double din DVD with basics for under 300 bucks, I'm thinking about picking one up tonight.

 

Stay away from Sony.

 

Install isn't too bad, my only difficulty was getting wired up properly. Turned out the ground in the factory harness is a bit flaky so just ground everything to the dash bracket. Once I got that figured out I was able to get the HU to work as well as get the Axxess ASWC. Basically everything that gave me a bit of an issue ended up being a Q in the FAQ I put together.

It's not A2DP Bluetooth but it works perfectly with my phone for calls. No matter how noisy my car is the person calling me can always hear me and since the call goes through the car's front speakers I can always hear the caller. I thought A2DP was going to be important to me but after I tried it I really didn't enjoy it. It sounded muddy compared to songs I had on the SD card. I currently have a 32 Gig SD card I play music from which satisfies all my music needs. If I really do want to listen to something from my phone I just break out one of these gizmos:



But if you have an iPhone Pioneer sells a special cable that interfaces with anything 5 gen and up. Don't cheap out and buy the generic I've already made that mistake.

+9635645

There is a reason why their car audio line is called Xplode.