Guinnessman
Member
How difficult was wiring?
How difficult was the installation?
How difficult was the installation?
Aftermarket GPS navigation (Pioneer AVIC-N1) with pics
- Thread starter djltoronto
- Start date
djltoronto
Member
- :
- Mazda 3 Sport
Surprisingly simple.Guinnessman said:
Same wires as any other aftermarket head unit, with the addition of a parking brake wire. The standalone computer and GPS antenna fit nicely without any modification to the dash.
The "extra accessories" could add some complexity to the installation.
Rear view camera
Voice command
Rear screen
Additional inputs
Traffic module
etc...
Guinnessman
Member
More questions 
Why did you have to wire the parking brake light? You know I was thinking about getting some kind of an aftermarket unit in my mazda, so I looked up some photos of different HU and just hated the way they looked but your Pioneer looks flawless. So I am looking for a similar unit, now I understand that there is a new one out on the market AVIC-2N. What are the differences between the two, and do you know if the dementions are the same? Finally did you need any other accessories other than a standard harness and the dash adapter?
........alright, I think that's it Thanks for all the info!!! (cheers)
djltoronto said:
Why did you have to wire the parking brake light? You know I was thinking about getting some kind of an aftermarket unit in my mazda, so I looked up some photos of different HU and just hated the way they looked but your Pioneer looks flawless. So I am looking for a similar unit, now I understand that there is a new one out on the market AVIC-2N. What are the differences between the two, and do you know if the dementions are the same? Finally did you need any other accessories other than a standard harness and the dash adapter?
........alright, I think that's it
Thanks for all the info!!! (cheers)- :
- Titanium MazdaSpeed Protege
Very nice.
I have 2 $80.000 GPS systems I use at work.
I have 2 $80.000 GPS systems I use at work.
djltoronto
Member
- :
- Mazda 3 Sport
Guinnessman said:Why did you have to wire the parking brake light? You know I was thinking about getting some kind of an aftermarket unit in my mazda, so I looked up some photos of different HU and just hated the way they looked but your Pioneer looks flawless. So I am looking for a similar unit, now I understand that there is a new one out on the market AVIC-2N. What are the differences between the two, and do you know if the dementions are the same? Finally did you need any other accessories other than a standard harness and the dash adapter?
........alright, I think that's it
The parking brake wire is a safety so that the unit can not display movies on the front screen while driving. (This can easily be bypassed by connecting this wire to ground so it thinks youre always parked). It also prevents you from entering navigation info while driving. (screwy)
The AVIC-N2 is 100% identical to the N1 in all physical aspects. The N2 uses updated firmware. There are a few minor differences, and a few MAJOR differences.
The Minor differences are slightly larger touch screen buttons on the N2, and the clock is always in the same place on all screens (N2). On the N1, the clock is on one side during navigation, and the other side when on the music screens.
AVIC-N1's can be upgraded to the N2 with the N2 software dvds, but there is one HUGE, poorly documented drawback. (there are forums full of AVIC-N1 owners that upgraded to N2 and are PISSED cause you can't revert back without sending the unit to Pioneer to have it "reset" (firmware stripped).
I considered buying the N2 software so I could have 2005 maps (instead of 2004), but the MAJOR difference is that the N2 does not rely on the parking brake wire as a safety. instead, it uses the GPS and gyroscopes to determine motion and goes into safe mode if the vehicle is moving more than a 5 mph. The reason this feature bothers me so much is because in this "safe mode", inputs to the navigation can not be made. basically, to be safe, Pioneer recommends that you stop the vehicle, plan your route, and then drive.
For me, I almost always have a passenger who is capable of mapping out a route while I'm driving.
Because of this "safety enhancement I prefer the N1 software over the N2, not cause I like to watch movies while driving, but cause I do like to enter new destinations and search for points of interest while driving. (the rear display optional accessory is always enabled on both models). These decks are pretty powerful You can be navigating on the front screen while listening to XM radio on the front while playing a DVD on an external rear screen all simultaneously.
Both units have 100% identical features.
In fact, if you go to www.avic-n1.com, you will see that all the features and specs are the same as www.avic-n2.com.
And no, no additional accessories were required other than the harness and dash kit.
- :
- 2003 Subaru WRX Wagon, 2000 Miata
djltoronto said:
I agree, what's the point of navigation if you can't navigate while driving?! I've googled for a solution to the lockout, and found a forum where people have found bypass solutions to overcome this. it involves some soldering for the avic-n2 and only a wire tap for the avic-d1. however, the avic-n2 solution will probably result in voided warranty. apparently the avic-d1 wire tap can be reversible.
ssinstaller
Member
- :
- 2006 MazdaSpeed 6
Too bypass the video lockout, flip the screen over and remove the silver sticker. You'll see two contacts marked R197, just connect them with a drop of solder and your done. .
djltoronto
Member
- :
- Mazda 3 Sport
ssinstaller said:
That sounds too easy...
Is this confirmed?
I saw I guy selling "Instruction to unlock AVIC-N2" on ebay...
Maybe this is what he was selling!!
Honestly, I really like the stock look to the 3 interior. I even like the lcd display. I was wondering if you can use this kind of setup when installing aftermarket gps/dvd:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MAZD...3646QQitemZ8005402133QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD10V
?
I like that setup also because I still get to keep all my controls as they are.
Also, where can I go to look at/buy the mazda gps? I like the way the stock one looks with the screen tucked into the dash, but I couldnt find it as an accessory on the site.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MAZD...3646QQitemZ8005402133QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD10V
?
I like that setup also because I still get to keep all my controls as they are.
Also, where can I go to look at/buy the mazda gps? I like the way the stock one looks with the screen tucked into the dash, but I couldnt find it as an accessory on the site.
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Guinnessman
Member
I can't find stock GPS anywhere
Before I got the idea from djltorontoof for getting the pioneer unit. I thougth about getting the stock GPS since I didn't want to replace the stock radio or mount some aftermarket GPS. The aftermarket GPS doesn't look right with all the wires hanging around, so I looked for mazda's orignal stock GPS...can't find it anywhere! I even called the dealer to find out if I could buy one from them, the guy I talked to said he doesn't even have any and MAYBE he could order one from mazda but it would cost me a lot. they didn't even have mazda 3 with navigation in stock!!! This is a huge 5 star dealership we're talking about and they don't have a car with navigation installed already!!! Well, anyways if you find one somewhere, let me know. I think i'm gonna go with the pioneer anyways. It sound like jltorontods knows what he's talking about and he's got pictures to prove it! Pioneer GPS unit is a winner.
MaZDuH 3 said:
Before I got the idea from djltorontoof for getting the pioneer unit. I thougth about getting the stock GPS since I didn't want to replace the stock radio or mount some aftermarket GPS. The aftermarket GPS doesn't look right with all the wires hanging around, so I looked for mazda's orignal stock GPS...can't find it anywhere! I even called the dealer to find out if I could buy one from them, the guy I talked to said he doesn't even have any and MAYBE he could order one from mazda but it would cost me a lot. they didn't even have mazda 3 with navigation in stock!!! This is a huge 5 star dealership we're talking about and they don't have a car with navigation installed already!!! Well, anyways if you find one somewhere, let me know. I think i'm gonna go with the pioneer anyways. It sound like jltorontods knows what he's talking about and he's got pictures to prove it! Pioneer GPS unit is a winner.
Before I started caring about GPS I read somewhere that the stock was hard to get and even harder to install...
But I do have 2 other questions:
1) Is it possible to just get the piece that the monitor fits into for the stock GPS and mount another monitor? Cause I was thinking of maybe setting up a carputer, and just mount my own monitor.
2) Would it be possible to set up everything using that piece from ebay and still being able to use stock controls?
But I do have 2 other questions:
1) Is it possible to just get the piece that the monitor fits into for the stock GPS and mount another monitor? Cause I was thinking of maybe setting up a carputer, and just mount my own monitor.
2) Would it be possible to set up everything using that piece from ebay and still being able to use stock controls?
ssinstaller
Member
- :
- 2006 MazdaSpeed 6
djltoronto said:
I've done it twice already. It's very simple, but it is a little tricky as the contacts are very small.
MaZDuH 3 said:
I don't have the answers to your questions (although I'd call the dealership to see if you can get the part you need), but I tend to be leary about putting something like a computer screen right under a dark panel that is in direct sunlight. I know the stock GPS display goes there, but I still don't like it. Does the stock setup have some sort of heat shield or something?
After doing some research, I am thinking that I am going to go with the Pioneer AVIC-N2. I was contemplating building a carputer but then I thought about all the time and effort and realized that for $1250 the pioneer isnt bad at all, and it doesnt rely on my skill (or lack there of) to build. My plans were just to use it for gps, dvd, and possibly upload my itunes anyway, but the pioneer does it all in one(minus itunes, but has an ipod adapter), and would probably consume less power, which was a concern of mine. I also think that if I went the carputer way I would have spent alot more also. Im not downing the carputer, I just think for what I am looking for, the carputer isnt the way to go.
I still have 2 questions:
Can I set up the AVIC-N2 using this piece while still keeping my stock controls? Cause Im not going to use it for music really, unless I connect my ipod to it possibly.
Also, in djltoronto's pic i saw him put the main chassis where I want to put the Monitor (under the dash piece). Would it fit in the glove box?
Dimensions (Main Chassis) 7" x 2" x 6-1/2". I dont know the specs of the glove box
I still have 2 questions:
Can I set up the AVIC-N2 using this piece while still keeping my stock controls? Cause Im not going to use it for music really, unless I connect my ipod to it possibly.
Also, in djltoronto's pic i saw him put the main chassis where I want to put the Monitor (under the dash piece). Would it fit in the glove box?
Dimensions (Main Chassis) 7" x 2" x 6-1/2". I dont know the specs of the glove box
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djltoronto
Member
- :
- Mazda 3 Sport
MaZDuH 3 said:After doing some research, I am thinking that I am going to go with the Pioneer AVIC-N2. I was contemplating building a carputer but then I thought about all the time and effort and realized that for $1250 the pioneer isnt bad at all, and it doesnt rely on my skill (or lack there of) to build. My plans were just to use it for gps, dvd, and possibly upload my itunes anyway, but the pioneer does it all in one(minus itunes, but has an ipod adapter), and would probably consume less power, which was a concern of mine. I also think that if I went the carputer way I would have spent alot more also. Im not downing the carputer, I just think for what I am looking for, the carputer isnt the way to go.
I still have 2 questions:
Can I set up the AVIC-N2 using this piece while still keeping my stock controls? Cause Im not going to use it for music really, unless I connect my ipod to it possibly.
Also, in djltoronto's pic i saw him put the main chassis where I want to put the Monitor (under the dash piece). Would it fit in the glove box?
Dimensions (Main Chassis) 7" x 2" x 6-1/2". I dont know the specs of the glove box
Our glove box is HUGE, so it should be easy to mount the hide away computer there with a little creativity from the installer (custom brackets).
Using the stock audio system for radio and CD's, and then the pioneer unit for navigation and DVD's might be quite a challenge. I'm assuming you would want to use the same speakers for both? You would need to figure out a way to have an aux input into the stock deck, and switch to that mode whenever you want to use any audio features of the pioneer unit.
You'd be sacrificing the guidance voicovers which are softly spken in a female voice.
Perhaps a high quality RF modulator would make it all work. I'm not a fan of RF modulators though.
