Yes, I know, search and you’ll find … I am in process as we speak
Perhaps someone would like to make it easier on me my weeding out units that do not work well or do not fit ….
I am looking to purchase an IN-dash GPS-DVD unit for my ’06 G35X non Premium sedan …. The double DIN w/AC controls I am trying to get off ebay and planning to do work myself…but the unit itself has me stomped, too much info I guess.
The futures that are MUST have for me are:
GPS; DVD; MP3; integrated Bluetooth; ability to use OEM steering wheel control; straight forward install; ability to keep OEM speakers
Nice to have:
Ability to connect and control iPod
Ability to easily work around the DVD lock out switch (as far as that parking brake interface)
Not much more than 1k for the unit
At this point I like an idea of Alpine W205 +blackbird II … may be w505 but I do not see any advantages in it (can someone point them out). The reason why I like it is that I always had good experience with alpine in all my cars and I do like the fact that GPS is removable and could be used on another car as stand-alone GPS unit (correct?) It also seems like the I would be able to retain steering control w/o PAC-Jack (correct?) … other than that I am very much open to all other brands
I really appreciate the suggestions since this is fairly expensive thing to learn by your own mistakes on ... and thanks to all who posted DIY on din/HU install!

 

The new Kenwood DNX series are the best route imo. Parrot and Garmin what more could you ask for.

 

I like the new Kenwooeds too.

I'm not sure what you mean by "straightforward install." None are going to be a piece of cake to install.

 

I got an IVA-W505 installed recently and I love it. The blackbird (PMD-B200) also works really well (I can drive at 80mph, and people at the other end of the call can hear me clearly). The only real differences with the W505 and the W205 is that the W505 has an updated GUI, shows album cover art (in conjunction with the iPod). Apparently it is a bit faster in general operation than the W205 as well. IMHO spending the extra $100 is worth it.

The Blackbird II was a big selling point for me as well. The device plays nice with my Blackberry, and it is portable, just eject it from the deck, and you can use it wherever you want.

My installer was able to set up a parking brake bypass as well.

 

I pretty much mean no super special tools and no parts of the car removed that are not meant to be removed....

 

Thanks for your responses so far guys

 

I just ordered the Jensen VM9022. It has many of the features of the higher units without requiring any extras unless you want the NAV-101 or the XM Tuner, which I did. It should be here tuesday barring the hurricanes raising all holy hell here in SFL. Shipping, Dash Install Kit, Harness, XM Tuner yada yada all shipped for under 7.. link below.... and to me the GUI looks better than the Kenwood Units. Includes the cord for Ipod.... link is below...

Good luck in your search. I'll let you know how I like it once I install it...

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...en+VM9022.html

 

doesn't the 505 also have a USB port so you can hook up memory sticks? I've inquired about this deck with a couple stereo installers in san diego,but not many have any information in terms of software compatability with external portable hard drives that are USB powered. u guys have any insight or information?

 

did you try to chat with one of the Crutchfield representatives ... once in a while you get a pretty knowledgeble person


Please let me know how you like it

 

Will do...waiting for UPS to get here....

 

Thank you for responses so far .... but I just thought of another issue.
For all that have HU with slide away screens and auto trans .... is there any clearance issues between the screen and the shifter when car is in park?

 

Just an update mainly for search purposes since now I know the answer to some questions that I had:
-I had Kenwood DNX-8120 installed for about a month, so far LOVE IT (although not w/o some small gripes)
- the installation was done by : http://www.projectxcustoms.com/?page_id=2
Highly recommended! The install was quick, extremely well done and priced very fair. Couldn’t ask for more. It’s pretty involved installation when you consider all of the wires that need to be soldered together and all of the adapters that need to be installed/programmed. Also, GPS antenna and traffic receiver were hidden inside the dash and work perfectly.
-for the install I used:
- JDM faceplate and A/C controls from these guys:
http://stores.ebay.com/Riverside-INF...dZ2QQpZ5QQtZkm
- Nissan antenna adapter, BOSE harness, Nissan factory harness that I got from Crutchfield
- FM traffic receiver
- PESWIAKJ adapter for steering controls
- KCA-iP300V for iPod integration
- the fit is perfect, the A/C controlls cannot be distinguished from the factory ones
- I did retain all of the steering controls, although there is a bit of lag between the input and unit’s response comparing to the factory stereo. After two days it’s not an issue, you just get used to it
- the iPOD integrates perfectly (120Gb classic) – music, video, and album covers all work fine just like it does on iPOD itself
- The extra USB port is very useful if you’re trying to use flash/usb drive instead of ipod. As long as you diligent about organizing your music, you will not have any problems surfing through your music. It will not play videos stored on those drives.
- Bluetooth: Pairing to Moto Q9h was quick and painless. The phonebook syncs, but it seems like some entries are missing (I just discovered it yesterday so have to play around to say for sure). The unit also syncs call logs, which is nice. The SMS function doesn’t work with my phone. The integrated speed dial is great, and very useful to me. The quality of the calls varies day to day, I hear everything fine, but some people on the other end complain once in a while. I still use it all of the time, and will play with the microphone location at later time to see if it will improve (I am not super mobile after achilles surgery three weeks ago).
- Garage opener integration didn’t work, I’ll play with it later as well to see if I can be fixed.
- GPS works and looks great, no problems with routing or precision. The FM traffic receiver is useful, as long as you’re traveling on large roads in populated areas AND routing is on. If the GPS is not routing to some spot, it will warn you of traffic when you’re about .5 miles away which does you no good on the freeway.
- The DNX8120 has almost too many settings, it’s pretty hard to figure everything out w/o a manual (not the basic functions but more customizing and advanced settings) so be prepared to have the manual handy for the first few days. Thankfully the unit itself is very user friendly, so after the first couple of days, you can pretty much start figuring stuff out on your own.
All in all, I am satisfied with the purchase and would highly recommend it.

 

oh, and it will not clear the shifter, but the unit has a "auto-stop" when the face hits it ... still probably a good ideo to have the shifter out of the way when loading DVD/CD

 

Thanks for your thoughts, I am looking to get this model and it seems like you are happy overall with it. I dont like that it hits the shifter when in park but I never use CDs anyways....anything you dont like about it? You talked of the GPS but are you totaly happy with it? I really need GPS that is easy to use and accurate or should I go with a stand alone?

 

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