For anyone considering getting the avic-z1 installed, I am posting pics on how mine turned out. Navi is great, works better than most OEM navi I have seen. I had the mic installed in the driver's door pillar and voice recognition for navi and audio seems to work well so far. The 10 GB music library tends to rip songs at low quality, and causes skips and annoying sounds during the songs. Definitely will be using the Ipod for music. I have IPOD integrated with song/artist text (no pics of that yet). I decided I didn't care about keeping the steering wheel controls and also opted to not install bluetooth or rearview cam. I did have my Dual hvac button soldered onto the new unit and it functions and lights up the same as before. There is a module made by a guy on avic411.com forum to allow DVD video and navi operation while car is in motion, but I did not want to wait for availability/shipping. My installer rigged a toggle switch below the steering column that bypasses the headlights that I can flick on and off 3 times while the system boots. This allows all operations while car is in motion. It seems ghetto, but it was better than turning the hid lights on and off 3 times every time and damaging the ballasts. The unit is pretty flush against the surface, holes had to be redrilled in my original 05 OEM bracket to get it to sit right. I'll try to answer questions about the install/unit to the best of my ablility for those interested and can also recommend a place for install in Nor Cal if needed. Pics aren't the best, will try to get better ones on later.

Patrick

 

nice, looks real clean

 

sweet! looks like my car! :-P FYI, you don't have to flick that switch three times. turn the switch on, then turn on your car on and wait for the "start up" screen to show up, then flick the switch off and leave it off. It worked for me.

 

I just noticed that when I was playing with it today...you got a switch installed too?

 

nice

 

SWEET... **** came out clean !!!

 

Just a thought, my installer flush mounted the mic in the card holder above the driver's side door. Looks alot cleaner. You can keep the steering wheel controls with the Avic Z1 if you want them.

 

looks perfectly nice and flush

 

yeah, you're right, that's probably a better place for the mic, my installer did it without consulting me..but overall i'm satisfied. Also, my installer didn't have the PAC SWI-PS in stock, and I really didn't want to wait any longer to get my deck installed.

 

If you get a PAC in the future have your installer relocate the mic. I find it convenient to use the steering wheel for volume control. If you are like me you are going to want to keep adding to the system. I'm having the bluetooth unit, backup camera, and Ducatiboy's (avic411.com) dimmer switch installed this week.

 

Very nice Patrick...
FWIW...
Another option is to replace the toggle with a timed puse relay to automate the start up.

 

no i don't have a switch installed. i've had the unit in for almost two weeks now and already i'm tired of turning on and off my Parking lights (yes parking lights, you don't have to turn on the headlights for this trick to work). i order the flasher from ducatiboy on avic411.com and will install it when it gets in.

 

You make a good point, there is no doubt that I'm gonna eventually add every option this thing has as well as the steering wheel control...but I was also on somewhat of a budget with this install and got what I absolutely wanted for now. Btw, I paid about $2,250 for everything including the deck from an authorized dealer, soldering work, ipod adapter, finisher, ac controller, and labor. Not bad considering the unit itself retails for about that much.

 

LOOKS SICK!!!! SO CLEAN! I love it. Nice Job.

 

Guys, let me know how your Ducatiboy switch installs go. I will definitely be picking one of those up soon.