Are you sure? This seems to be one of the most popular hacks on the Toyota OEM navi, probably second only to "can I play DVDs on my OEM screen".

If you want it all in one head unit, I'd go with the Eclipse. The Kenwood isn't "one unit" because the navigation is a separate module, but IMHO it's the best out of the three (it's built by Garmin). All three will play video while in motion, but the Pioneer is more complicated than the Eclipse and Kenwood.

Downsides of the Eclipse: Smaller screen, pricey, no traffic support on the navi, no Bluetooth support, limited iPod integration.

 

Have you guys ever seen this before?

http://www.streetdeck.com/features.php

It might just about do everything!! They even have a special G35 section!! I may be slow to the punch on this, but it seems to be perfect!

 

Check out this video on it as well.

http://www.demo.com/demonstrators/demo2006/63009.html

 

Looks pretty cool... features are very nice and the price is not too bad.

IMHO I'd wait for the software bugs (if any) to be ironed out, maybe a year down the road. It looks like they are preparing to sell the software also, so anyone who goes this route could probably build the hardware themselves for much less.

One other thing, the ITX case size won't fit in our gloveboxes (9.3"x6.3"x1.2") so you may have to mount this in the trunk. That could make playing DVDs a hassle unless they are pre-ripped to the hard drive.

 

I think they do make a kit for it to fit in the extra glove box. Take a look here.

http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_...roducts_id=135

 

I think that's just a kit they sell that will let you fit a single DIN sized "thing" in the space such as a second HU or a DVD drive. The actual streetdeck box is in an ITX box, which is too big to fit in there. If it did fit though, that would be sweet.

 

EDIT: You were right Wosh.. Damn; Pioneer really does make you have the parking brake on before inputting. Guess you could just ground that wire as well.

I don't think any aftermarket nav does not allow you to input destinations while moving. My Eclipse allows it, and I am pretty sure Pioneer does as well.

 

That's main reason Eclipse and Kenwood were high on my list. I think on the Z1, if your parking brake is always grounded, the system will warn you when you boot the unit and use the speed pulse line to determine that you're moving and lock out the video anyway, which is a PITA.

Of course, you could get a PAC module (or build your own, it's not hard) to pulse the illumi wire and bypass the video/nav lock but again, it's just a PITA.

Alpine, AFAIK, employs something similar... I think on the D300 it was tap your brake, pull up on the parking brake three times and clap your hands and it would bypass the lock.

 

Looks like the Kenwood might be the way to go for me.

Where's the best place to buy one? Don't have any good local places where I live, internet is usually the best if it comes with a warranty. Any suggestions?

 

I'd suggest places like Crutchfield or CarDomain (CarDomain has a great 110% pricematch, so shop around). Generally warranty is no problem with large, reputable places like Crutchfield or CarDomain.

Some other tips...
Use a credit card that doubles your warranty, if you have one. If you are afraid you won't like a head unit, Crutchfield has the best return policy hands down, basically it's a 30-day trial and they pay the return shipping.

If you have a Circuit City around you, stop by and take a look, IMHO they are the best out of the "big box" stores. Usually will have an older Eclipse and the Pioneer D2 on display that you can play with.

 

I'm selling my 5435...unit is like new. I have a siruis unit and remote for it aswell.

$1400 shipped with insurance....

 

Just wanted to let everyone know I ended up going with the Eclipse AVN 5500. Now that I finally pulled the trigger, and have that stress off my chest, just 3 more questions I'm having a tough time finding the answer to.

1) I remember reading somewhere about installing the new A/C controller and it not blowing colder than 72*. What exactly do I have to tell my installer to make sure this doesn't happen to me?

2) To get DVD's to play in drive, I only need to ground the parking brake with this Eclipse unit, correct?

3) Anything else I need to let my installer know? He's not very experienced with these G35's, and any info I can give him to help out with the install would be very helpful.

I LOVE THIS SITE!!!

 

1. If your AC is "stuck" and you can't control it, then recheck your connections on the JDM AC controller. It will be stuck at 70-something degrees in "safe" mode.

2. Yep

3. Make sure he knows where to remove the 5th screw so the main bracket can be pulled out, other than that, nothing really special. Follow the directions when installing the PAC SWI-ECL. Anything else he can't figure out, ask here or just install it yourself

 

1) I thought I saw somewhere you had to turn it on before connecting it to get it to work properly???

2) Great!!

3) Oh boy, what the heck is the PAC SWI-ECL? Is that to keep the steering wheel controls? Got a link for purchase? 5th screw?? Oh man, where's the DIY print out on here so I can give it to him!! It's for a 2004 Sedan.

 

1. Nope, plug and play!

3. Check out CarDomain or Crutchfield. Yes, it's the module that allows you to keep your steering wheel controls. IMO it's not all that useful, but you can judge if the $50 is worth it. The 5th screw is the only thing that might screw up your installer (no pun intended) if he's eyeballing the disassembly. I'm not familiar with the 03-04's, but it's underneath the clock. Search on the forums for docron's 03-04 guide.