AVIC-D3 Review!

[Fraimr8]

Does the stock radio brackets fit the avic-d3(or other double din for that matter) so it can be slid and locked in place? I know i read on crutchfield the back mounting bracket has to be removed/modified. I guess this is due to the mounting depth.

 

[BradleyJ]

Does the stock radio brackets fit the avic-d3(or other double din for that matter) so it can be slid and locked in place? I know i read on crutchfield the back mounting bracket has to be removed/modified. I guess this is due to the mounting depth.

I mounted my D3 with the double-din metra kit. The D3 is smaller than the stock radio. No mod needed with the kit.

 

[tunersteve]

I've got a few questions as I just installed one of these in my buddy's Saab, but now I plan on getting one shortly.

1 - what is the part # for the Metra dash kit?

2 - is anything done for security (IE special mounting, brackets, etc.)?

3 - where are the vehicle speed sensor wire and reverse gear input wires that are on the harness?

Looks good, it's a damn nice radio. I'm able to get one at cost (about $640) so I don't think I can pass that up.

 

[clever_name]

Hey Thug541,

I have my AVIC-D3 being installed tomorrow! I was just wondering how you upload the different background images as well as the different boot image? Is it in the instruction manual???

Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[Fraimr8]

Hey thug how about some updates on your impression of the unit again since youve had it for a month.Did the nav do well on the florida trip? Im looking at this unit myself. the feature/price point looks very nice.

 

[clever_name]

Well, to answer my own question it is super easy to change the pictures. I too put the mazda logo on mine! (I have the Mazda 3). As far as the system itself, i LOVE it!!!! I bypassed the system so that I could still use the nav options as well as watch video while driving (it is super easy). The ipod controls are very responsive (almost no lag at all) and the xm radio works great also. Used the nav a little bit so far and it seems very accurate and easy to use. I definitely think it is worth the money (especially since I get it at an employee discount of $650 (boom05) ) but even at $999 it is well worth the money!

 

[tunersteve]

Well, to answer my own question it is super easy to change the pictures. I too put the mazda logo on mine! (I have the Mazda 3). As far as the system itself, i LOVE it!!!! I bypassed the system so that I could still use the nav options as well as watch video while driving (it is super easy). The ipod controls are very responsive (almost no lag at all) and the xm radio works great also. Used the nav a little bit so far and it seems very accurate and easy to use. I definitely think it is worth the money (especially since I get it at an employee discount of $650 (boom05) ) but even at $999 it is well worth the money!

Got any installed pics in the 3?

 

[clever_name]

Got any installed pics in the 3?

Here ya go!!
<p>
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d84/schmitty511/car2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>
<p>
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d84/schmitty511/car1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

 

[Fraimr8]

Here ya go!!
<p>
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d84/schmitty511/car2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>
<p>
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d84/schmitty511/car1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

Looks excellent dude,nice and clean. I love the way you can change the color to match. looks like it coulda been factory upgrade option hehe.My alpine unit has this feature but Im wanting to change to double din monitor(wish i could afford the azentec in dash source/pc unit hehe) and Im seriously considering the d3. Oh and i was wondering how the nav memory works.I mean i know its small area that it can record into memory kinda home area if you will.in this homearea can you see the basic stuff like crosstreet names,etc. without disc? or is this memory just a navigate to type memory?If that makes enough since hehe. I deliver in this car at night and i rely on being able to see the crosstreet names not so much on the nav igate to feature. Any more info will be great thxs.

 

[tunersteve]

That's gorgeous. Is that a part, or did they custom fab that in your dash. I've not seen one come out that clean yet.

Here ya go!!

 

[whitemp5seattle]

great review!

I definitely need to get this! I was planning on spending $400 on a separate GPS system and prolly $200 getting my ipod integrated, so just a few hundred more bucks and I get a nicely integrated system that looks awesome. Now I just need to find one on sale...

 

[bogez]

Sup thug... nice writeup and video review of the d3.. I had actually purchased this before I came across your review, but it was definitely nice to watch since I'm still waiting to get the deck installed.

Question for you.. did you have to get the pioneer ADT-VA133 double din mounting bracket? If no, how does the unit mount in the mp5..

 

[clever_name]

Looks excellent dude,nice and clean. I love the way you can change the color to match. looks like it coulda been factory upgrade option hehe.My alpine unit has this feature but Im wanting to change to double din monitor(wish i could afford the azentec in dash source/pc unit hehe) and Im seriously considering the d3. Oh and i was wondering how the nav memory works.I mean i know its small area that it can record into memory kinda home area if you will.in this homearea can you see the basic stuff like crosstreet names,etc. without disc? or is this memory just a navigate to type memory?If that makes enough since hehe. I deliver in this car at night and i rely on being able to see the crosstreet names not so much on the nav igate to feature. Any more info will be great thxs.

It will show all cross-streets as long as you are zoomed in enough to see them. So far it has had no problem saving the entire route. The farthest I have drove with it is about 40 miles and it worked great.

And no it was not a custom fab job. I actually bought the part on ebay for only $9.99!!! Here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/2004-UP-MAZDA-3...ryZ32812QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Hit me up with any other questions!

 

[whitemp5seattle]

anybody know the number for the metra kit to fit the protege/protege5?

Is it this one?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Metr...sem/rpsm/oid/147891/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

 

[shaggyhair]

anybody know the number for the metra kit to fit the protege/protege5?

Is it this one?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Metr...sem/rpsm/oid/147891/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

ya. thats the right one.

 

[whitemp5seattle]

(cool) thanks!

one more question: does the navigation on the D3 say the street names ("Turn left on Prescott Street") or just when to turn ("Turn left at the next street" or whatever)

 

[clever_name]

(cool) thanks!

one more question: does the navigation on the D3 say the street names ("Turn left on Prescott Street") or just when to turn ("Turn left at the next street" or whatever)

I haven't really paid attention to that, i know for sure it says the freeway names, but i'll have to check it out tomorrow when i go to work to see if it says the street names too.

 

[Thug541]

(cool) thanks!

one more question: does the navigation on the D3 say the street names ("Turn left on Prescott Street") or just when to turn ("Turn left at the next street" or whatever)

No street names, but the say highway exit numbers and interstate numbers.


Sorry I haven't posted any further reviews in a bit, just got a new job and place so i've been rather busy. I'll get back with my 2 month impression soon.

 

[Fraimr8]

I've got a few questions as I just installed one of these in my buddy's Saab, but now I plan on getting one shortly.

1 - what is the part # for the Metra dash kit?

2 - is anything done for security (IE special mounting, brackets, etc.)?

3 - where are the vehicle speed sensor wire and reverse gear input wires that are on the harness?

Looks good, it's a damn nice radio. I'm able to get one at cost (about $640) so I don't think I can pass that up.

anyone know where speedsensor and reverse gear wires are? Since my favorite shop doesnt carry this unit im thinking about a self install.

 

[Fraimr8]

Well I found the two wires. Is the best spot to tap into the vss near the pcm? also is there somewhere near the front of the car to tap the reverse wires or should I tap into them near the reverse lights? I bought the D3 today now im gonna do alittle more research on the install before I do it. Other then the 2 wires(vss,reverse signal) it seems pretty straight forward.So just a few more questions.

Where is a good spot on p5 to mount the gps antenna?Ive heard that you can mount it under the dash if its not near the radio and still get plenty of signal on many cars.In p5?I dont know.My other thought to this was my amp board attached to the top maybe with a thin metel L bracket.would this interfer with the amps(a couple of inches above heatsinks)?

all i need to mount this is the metra 99-7505 kit?Does it use the side pieces off the stock radio toslide and lock into place?or does the metra kit lock it into place?

Last i want to make sure i got the mod right. I move the yellow and black(mute)wire from its location to the empty slot directly above it on the radio plug then ground the yellow/blk(mute) and light green(parking brake) wires maybe to the stock ground wire on the harness(radio will be directly to chassie) so this means the yellow/blk wire really has nothing to do with the mute circuit anyways because its actually hitting a different pin on the radio?

well thanks for hearing me out any input will be greatly apreciated.