avic d3 questions

[dnasty88]

okay just so everyone knows i tried to search and didnt find anything.

i was wondering how the maps work on the d3. i know it comes with 2 map dvds. do you just upload the maps you want to your navigation system? i mean you dont have to keep the disk in there do you?

i noticed doc wrote a how to for this unit so i assume you still have this. i dont plan on doing the installation myself. would an audio shop disable the safety movement thing for me and would they be able to use my steering wheel controls if i purchase the adapter?

anyone else have this unit? reviews? sucks, rocks? thanks guys.

[shortys408]

yes you do have to keep the disc in there. A should should be able to do a bypass, it is not difficult. The steering wheel controls will work with a pac-swi, except for the phone button if you have it.

[dnasty88]

so i cant listen to a cd during navigation?

[rjdmmfl1]

Its Ok, it would take you forever to find this info on here.. its here, but in a thread from about 1 year ago (yeah I know, I'm a nerd for memorizing what was posted in what thread and when it was posted)

In any case, the D3 allows you to find a destination with the disc inserted, then, when you eject the disk, it saves the destination information in its flash memory. This allows you to listen to a cd, watch a movie, etc while navigating. Even if you miss an exit, or make the wrong turn, the disc memoizes about 2 miles around your route also, to allow for you to make mistakes.

HOWEVER, if you want to change routes, you will have to eject your cd, re-insert your nav disc, set the new route, eject your nav disc, and then reinsert you cd/dvd.

To get around this, I (and a few other that jumped on the D3 bandwagon early) opted to install a second cd/dvd player. Some folks installed it in the glove box, I installed mine down where the factory 6 disc changer (in the nav package) would have gone.

If you are up to date and have an ipod or MP3 player, then you can just put all your music on there, and not have to worry about a cd player.. or you could install a thin dvd/cd player underneath your seat, and just run the A/V into the Avic D3, and you're good to go!

But a better option, IMO, would be to go with the Kenwood DNX-5120 (if you're trying to stay in the same price range) It has all of the features of the Avic D3 (including the ability to change the illuminaion colors to match your car's interior). but it uses a flah drive for nav memory, so it doesn't need a disc for the NAV data!

Somewhere on here, I have a nice comparison of the Kenwood DNX-5120 to the Avic D3 as well as the Pioneer Avic Z3 to the Kenwood DNX-8120

Oh yeah, I no longer have the D3, I now have the Kenwood DNX-8120

[dnasty88]

very nice explanation. greatly appreciated. i liked the ability to change colors as well . anyway i might go with the kenwood. are there any other navigation systems in this price range that you guys would recommend? the kenwood sells for around 650-700 on ebay. and the avic d3 sells for around 400-500 on ebay...the kenwood is a little high for what im looking for.

im wanting the oem looking double din kit...anyway i looked on this threadhttp://forums.altimas.org/zerothread?id=318934

and it says that the one im looking for is 68260-JA00A... is this part number 15 on here... with manual climate control? http://www.trademotion.com/par...gid=0
Modified by dnasty88 at 11:55 PM 8/28/2008

[AppleBonker]

and it says that the one im looking for is 68260-JA00A... is this part number 15 on here... with manual climate control? http://www.trademotion.com/par...gid=0

Fairly certain this is the exact part you are looking for. Should give the factory look and texture. I wish for myself they made one for auto climate control as well, but too bad.

Also, as I tell most people that ask me, it's always a good plan to save up for a slightly better unit than to settle for a cheaper one. That Kenwood has a lot of features/functionality, an would definitely be worth saving up for. However, it is your money, so I can't tell you what to do with it.

[dnasty88]

im thinking about going with the avic d3. if i were to add a 2nd dvd drive how does it hook up..? another question is do i have to buy the metra kit for the mounting stuff then buy this oem looking dash piece for the oem look?

[rjdmmfl1]

im thinking about going with the avic d3. if i were to add a 2nd dvd drive how does it hook up..? another question is do i have to buy the metra kit for the mounting stuff then buy this oem looking dash piece for the oem look?

1. If you add a second DVD player, you would just ned to install it somewhere (glove box, under front seat) and then ONLY hook up the power, ground, and parking sensor wires(the parking brake sensor wire can just be grounded i order to watch video while driving). Then, you can use the A/V out RCA's on the second dvd player and run those to the A/V in RCA's on the Avic D3.

Remember to follow my tutorial for the Avic D3 if you want to watch dvd's and navigate while driving, its a little more involved than just grounding the parking brake!

2. If you buy the factory fascia, I believe you can just use the OEM brackets that you used for your factory stereo

[dnasty88]

by factory fascia you do mean number 15 on http://www.trademotion.com/par...gid=0

right?

[rjdmmfl1]