Hey 09speed3. Thanks for the pics - it looks great. I am using the Kanatechs kit also. Did you use bullet connectors with their supplied harness? I was wondering if they are the usual .156 versions or the Japanese type. It is the only thing that's not clear on the excellent instructions.
Just installed pioneer avic f90bt with kanatechs kit with pictures
- Thread starter 09speed3
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BillTheCat
Member
- :
- 2009 Mazdaspeed3 Sport
I have browsed a little on the AVIC 411 forums, but haven't looked into the hacks. Just curious- what did you change/add/delete from the unit during the hack process? Also, does hits unit slide out easily so you can get it to a PC to plug in, or is there a front USB connection you can use a laptop with, or is it wise to hack it first, then instal it & leave it alone?
May be trivial, but certainly not stupid. That's a nice touch so you don't end up with a yelo or green-lit stereo in a reb/blue lit vehicle. Looks less pathced together that way.
How awful is MSN direct, really? And is it run off AM/FM radio signals, or do you need WiFi or a cell phone to piggyback on?
And as for the load time, have you tried loading the unit with the iPod interface turned off? I have read that the iPod interface slows the boot time by 10-15 seconds, but I am curious to hear just how big a difference it really is.
How about the Navigation? I have seen a few screen shots, and the maps look OK, but not spectacularly clear. Are the routes sensible? Are the features easy to access & well organized, etc.? Fairly intuitive to operate?
As much as I love the integrated look of the Caradvanced unit, the AVIC series does most of what I want/need it to do, for a lower cost. Sure, I'll need to use a dash kit & make a few hacks, but I can live with that. I just want to be sure I can live with the unit itself.
I had the AVIC D3 and it was spectacular. Based on the reviews I've read, it seems like Pioneer may have taken a Windows Vista step back with this generation. Since I've yet to try the current gen, I won't comment on that either way. I will say that the previous gen can be found on ebay for peanuts. Compared to the portable garmin 755t I have now, the nav in the AVIC was far superior. The voice actually sounded human (and came through the car speakers of course) The interface was super easy to use and the various camera views (my garmin only zooms in and out) were a pretty neat feature. I used a split view which showed not only a headon 3D view but also a top-down view. Definitely miss that unit...
Bill, as for going this route for cost savings... I've thought about this as well. Realize that this dash kit costs $120. Also, unless you're techinically inclined... expect to pay at least another $200 for installation. (these things are a lot more complicated than typical HUs) The caradvanced one, on the other hand, looks simple enough for anyone to install since it's more or less plug and play.
So for $900 shipped (GB) you're pretty much all set with the CA unit. I've heard you can even buy it for less off some alibaba website.... but i'm not quite sure what that's all about.
Going the AVIC route will most likely give you better sound quality and perhaps a better interface... but it won't have the intergrated look or retain the LCD screen. So... you can probably find the top of the line unit for about $600 add the cost of install plus dash kit and you're basically right around the same pricepoint. All things being equal... as much as I loved my old Pioneer unit (and most likely would love the new version) I think the integrated look of the Car Advanced unit gives it the edge. But like you... I'm on the fence so this may change.
Bill, as for going this route for cost savings... I've thought about this as well. Realize that this dash kit costs $120. Also, unless you're techinically inclined... expect to pay at least another $200 for installation. (these things are a lot more complicated than typical HUs) The caradvanced one, on the other hand, looks simple enough for anyone to install since it's more or less plug and play.
So for $900 shipped (GB) you're pretty much all set with the CA unit. I've heard you can even buy it for less off some alibaba website.... but i'm not quite sure what that's all about.
Going the AVIC route will most likely give you better sound quality and perhaps a better interface... but it won't have the intergrated look or retain the LCD screen. So... you can probably find the top of the line unit for about $600 add the cost of install plus dash kit and you're basically right around the same pricepoint. All things being equal... as much as I loved my old Pioneer unit (and most likely would love the new version) I think the integrated look of the Car Advanced unit gives it the edge. But like you... I'm on the fence so this may change.
I have browsed a little on the AVIC 411 forums, but haven't looked into the hacks. Just curious- what did you change/add/delete from the unit during the hack process? Also, does hits unit slide out easily so you can get it to a PC to plug in, or is there a front USB connection you can use a laptop with, or is it wise to hack it first, then instal it & leave it alone?
All you have to do is put files on a sd card and plug it in the front of the unit.
How awful is MSN direct, really? And is it run off AM/FM radio signals, or do you need WiFi or a cell phone to piggyback on?
Its is ran off the am/fm signal and now that im using the unit more its really not that bad but i wouldnt pay for a subscription for it.
And as for the load time, have you tried loading the unit with the iPod interface turned off? I have read that the iPod interface slows the boot time by 10-15 seconds, but I am curious to hear just how big a difference it really is.
Its not that much of a difference but people blow the wait time way out of proportion. By the time i start my car up and drive away it is already playing music
How about the Navigation? I have seen a few screen shots, and the maps look OK, but not spectacularly clear. Are the routes sensible? Are the features easy to access & well organized, etc.? Fairly intuitive to operate?
The maps are actually good and the routes are a s*** load better than my iphone 3gs or my mio 710 gps. The features are easy to operate and when you hack the unit it makes it all that much better.
As much as I love the integrated look of the Caradvanced unit, the AVIC series does most of what I want/need it to do, for a lower cost. Sure, I'll need to use a dash kit & make a few hacks, but I can live with that. I just want to be sure I can live with the unit itself.
Thats exactly the same thing i was thinking. The hacks are extremely easy. I just downloaded someones already loaded file,copy it to my sd card, copy it to my unit and youre done. They tell u step by step on the site and if u need help I will gladly guide you through it. I hope this helps.
M
my3needsaname
Nice set up! I didn't know they made the piano black insets for aftermarket stuff....
BillTheCat
Member
- :
- 2009 Mazdaspeed3 Sport
LOL, I am one of those people who doesn't think Vista was a giant step backwards. Then again, I didn't install it on a PII machine with 128 MB of RAM and then complain that it ran slow. LOL
But back on topic... Since I would do the installation myself, I figure total cost of an AVIC F90BT would be about $700. Only a $200 savings over the Caradvanced unit. Even at that, I am balking a little, because I have so many things I am saving for right now, including an overseas trip & down payment on a home- so every dime I spend hurts.
Both systems have advantages. The Caradvanced product is a very nice unit, and having gotten to tinker with it firsthand, I like it a lot. Plus, the nearly OEM look is a huge advantage in many ways.
On the other hand, Pioneer is a brand I know and trust, and I know their warranty services will come thru if needed. And personally, I kind of like the modern, sleek look of the F90BT with the piano black dash kit, even if that would make for a prettier target for thieves. The new AVICs are also apparently very moddable, since their own firmware upgrade program will boot it to its root Windows CE OS where you can install all sorts of goodies of your own choosing. Now, I may rarely take advantage of that, but it could be a fun toy.
So for me, it is a tough decision. If I had the cash to spare and no considerations beyond the specs, etc. of the unit itself, I would probably get the CarAdvanced unit. But $200 is $200, and I can live without my LCD clock (Sport, no trip computer).
Been watching a number of different units on eBay. Lots of F90BT's on there, but half of the "winners" are paying more than the Amazon.com price. Lucky for eBay sellers people are too dumb to price check before they bid. otherwise, I might get one of these for a better price than Amazon.
Most of the complaints about Vista weren't coming from people who installed it on slow PCs. They were coming from people like me who had bought a new PC with it pre-installed. The fact that it's a memory & system resource hog is the least of its problems. It simply doesn't work properly half the time. I had all kinds of problems getting WMCE to work with my Xbox (whereas XP was super easy) and to this day... the damn thing still won't go to sleep! haha I've had a couple computer nerd friends try to fix that (since I had intended on leaving my PC on) but even they were stumped. So yeah... all in all... Vista's just a piece of s***! My IT guy at work (who used to work for MS) told me MS is hoping people forget all about Vista and perceive 7 as the true successor. Based on what I've read about that OS... MS might have finally got it right.
Back on topic though... Be prepared to spend at least a couple hours (if not more) when you install the Pioneer unit. I had my AVIC D3 professionally installed at a shop and it even took them a while. The CA unit appears to be more a plug and play so that could be a factor for some.
On the other hand... the CA unit doesn't support Sirius (the dealbreaker for me) but does keep your steering wheel controls in tact. I hear the Pioeer offers this as well by I'm skeptical as to how well this works since I've heard mixed reviews.
Overall... I think anyone with an 08.5+ is better off with the Pioneer unit. It actually looks pretty damn good with the piano black dash kit. (it's sort of an eyesore in the 07-08 models. Then again, you could always buy some piano black trim pieces.... but that'll further cost you thus further negating any cost advantage the pioneer unit had.
Back on topic though... Be prepared to spend at least a couple hours (if not more) when you install the Pioneer unit. I had my AVIC D3 professionally installed at a shop and it even took them a while. The CA unit appears to be more a plug and play so that could be a factor for some.
On the other hand... the CA unit doesn't support Sirius (the dealbreaker for me) but does keep your steering wheel controls in tact. I hear the Pioeer offers this as well by I'm skeptical as to how well this works since I've heard mixed reviews.
Overall... I think anyone with an 08.5+ is better off with the Pioneer unit. It actually looks pretty damn good with the piano black dash kit. (it's sort of an eyesore in the 07-08 models. Then again, you could always buy some piano black trim pieces.... but that'll further cost you thus further negating any cost advantage the pioneer unit had.
BillTheCat
Member
- :
- 2009 Mazdaspeed3 Sport
Yeah, I have Windows 7 Beta on a separate partition at home, and it is much quicker than Vista. It uses far less resources, and can run on any system that ran XP, which is even better. An IT friend of mine told me they built XP on the Win 2K kernel, then built Vista on top of that, bloating the kernel in the process. Win7 is built on an entirely new kernel, which makes it far more efficient, runs faster, etc.
Anyhow... Pioneer's units do need an adapter in order to work with steering wheel controls, so yes, that is an added expense, and added trouble during install. I see the adapters selling in the $40-80 range, depending on the vendor.
I don't mind spending a few hours on a stereo install, especially if it adds so much functionality, like either the Pioneer or CarAdvanced units.
Still, I have also been looking at standalone GPS units. The problem is, I despise windshield mounts, and I see no place on the dash to mount one without it being an eyesore or blocking controls. And ifI bought one of the thin ones like the new Garmin Nuvi or Navigon 7200t/8100t and then bought the center dash top with the flip-up option, I'd be right back into at least AVIC F-series money, just to get GPS.
Heading to NC in a week for a Dragon trip, and I relaly need functioning GPS to manage the back roads while I'm there. I have my PDA & Bluetooth GPS receiver, but no secure, convenient place to mount them. And even if I order from CA or get a Pioneer from Amazon, etc., I'd only have next weekend to isntall it. Tight timing. And I hate to make a major decision like this based on a deadline.
Anyhow... Pioneer's units do need an adapter in order to work with steering wheel controls, so yes, that is an added expense, and added trouble during install. I see the adapters selling in the $40-80 range, depending on the vendor.
I don't mind spending a few hours on a stereo install, especially if it adds so much functionality, like either the Pioneer or CarAdvanced units.
Still, I have also been looking at standalone GPS units. The problem is, I despise windshield mounts, and I see no place on the dash to mount one without it being an eyesore or blocking controls. And ifI bought one of the thin ones like the new Garmin Nuvi or Navigon 7200t/8100t and then bought the center dash top with the flip-up option, I'd be right back into at least AVIC F-series money, just to get GPS.
Heading to NC in a week for a Dragon trip, and I relaly need functioning GPS to manage the back roads while I'm there. I have my PDA & Bluetooth GPS receiver, but no secure, convenient place to mount them. And even if I order from CA or get a Pioneer from Amazon, etc., I'd only have next weekend to isntall it. Tight timing. And I hate to make a major decision like this based on a deadline.
I'm with you on the dash mounted navs. In addition to obstructing the view... I hate having a wire hanging around. I have a garmin 755T (which sells for $500 at BestBuy but I bought it new for like $200 on ebay) and placed the disc they give you (which is used to suction cup the nav unit to) over the 'passenger seatbelt dummy light' next to the cig lighter. I then put the nav there and routed the wire under the center console and into the armrest (where there's a convenient power outlet). The GPS unit works perfectly down there and... while it's not quite as visible as an in-dash or dash mounted unit, that's not that big of a deal for me since I don't really need to be staring at it the whole time anyway. It's meant to be a guide and help you out when you need it. The only thing that sucks is... I'm often taking it out of it's cradle and placing it into the top level of the armrest (in which it fits perfectly) so that it's not jacked from my car. Obviously you don't have to worry about that (as much) with an indash unit. But overall... this serves its purpose quite well. If you want, I can post a picture.
racerboy777
Member
- :
- Mazda3i Touring
how is it that your ambient temperature display still works? Or is it because your A/C is connected to it? I read on crutchfield that if you replace the stereo then that display is dead weight. Maybe its just the '06 M3...
BTW: Love how you integrated your boost gauge!
BTW: Love how you integrated your boost gauge!
Northstar CX7
Member
Where did you mount the GPS receiver and Mic?
Northstar CX7
Member
I see your clock is still working, how did you set the time?
It's a separate harness and works fine with any aftermarket HU installed.
Gotta set it with the stock HU, then swap HU's without disconnecting battery. Problem is, if you go in for service and they disconnect the battery for any reason, the clock will be gone again, and you then have to go through the removing HU process again. There is also the daylight savings issue, no way to change the time without the stock HU. Since aftermarket HU's almost always come with a clock, this is no big deal.
It is attached to the top of the stock HU via a bracket, but is easily removed and re-installed via attaching it to the top of the aftermarket HU or I've heard some of the aftermarket kits come with a way to mount it in the stock location, not sure about that though. Everything will work fine except clock and trip computer/gas mileage dealy.
How are you guys, who have installed avic units, connected the kanetechs harness? I want to solder bullet connectors on the avic part of the harness, but can't find the right fitting ones. How have others done it? I would rather not use crimp caps or butt connectors.
