Got My Nav Installed *Picts*

[ZGadson]

I've finally got my navigation system installed. It was a pain in the ***. The screen is installed (but dash surround needs to be painted to match) and I have the control unit just sitting on the floor on the passenger side for now until I can get the stereo that goes with the nav control unit. Some wires are still not connected to anything, but the system seems to be working fine without them. AND I do not have a navigation antenna and the system still works fine.

So there you have it, the 1st posting of adding navigation to a non-navigation I35. If anyone decided to do this, too, and has any questions Id be happy to help.

The one thing I do still need is the MCA5 (chicago region) navigation CD.

[allensteiner]

sweet! is there any monthly subscription fees?

[ZGadson]

No fees. Its only a computer program that can track satellites. The one important thing that you do need aside from the unit itself is the correct navigation disc, and this might cost you a little cash (usually around $50-$70 on ebay.)

Each different colored region on the map represents a different disc. You can usually find them on ebay, but Zenrin (the company who writes the navigation software) also sells the discs from their website for $120/disc with a discount if you buy discs for 1 or more different regions. They have released updated discs, but unfortunately the most recent release was in 2005 - which is why adding OEM navigation is best for those whose focus is keeping the car looking stock. Newer, aftermarket nav systems generally have more map detail and are far more updated, so if that's what you're looking for, OEM nav is not for you.

[allensteiner]

i was just curious. i thought about getting nav but don't really need it - i got mapquest

[MinisterofDOOM]

VERY nice work. Once you get everything fully set up, a detailed write up would be AWESOME. (Any article/writeup contributed to the site will get you a custom title of your choice to go under your username.)

Some cell providers actually charge fees for licensing rights to the software required to use the GPS hardware on their phones. Total BS, though. Outside of phones, you'll never see a fee for GPS. Nothing to subscribe to or pay for.

[D_roc]

looks sweet man howmuch did the whole thing cost?

[G4nismo]

looks nice. that reminds me, i need to get a new head unit....

[ZGadson]

looks sweet man howmuch did the whole thing cost?

It was actually a steal from ebay. The guy said he couldn't test it's condition, so it was a "sold-as-is" deal. It works great and for $250 with shipping I couldn't be more satisfied. The guy I bought it from said that he had the stereo and CD changer, too - said $50 would get me both.

Im not sure how much Im going to have to spend on a map CD for my area, so once that's calculated in, I'd imagine the whole project comes just shy of $350.

[D_roc]

thats a awesome deal i was going to add nav to my 01 but i couldn't find a 5th gen nav unit so i gave up and got a kenwood with nav, btw was it plug and play or did u have to do some modding with the harnesses ect

[ZGadson]

Major modification - had to make my own wire harness. Currently its held together with electrical tape and (Im really not joking) a bandaid because I ran out of tape. When I get it finished I'll do it the right way. I just wanted to make sure it worked before I spent time splicing wires the right way.

Also, I got the dash pieces painted today. I painted it flat black, then barely sprayed some silver over it (for the silver specks) then misted another layer of the flat black over the silver to make it so the silver showed up even less. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. It almost matches perfectly.

Before:

After:


Modified by ZGadson at 5:31 PM 8/5/2008

[D-Maxima]

excellent job

and also good to know about the custom title reward for a write up!

[Only1]

where can i get the wireharness for the navi- please help

[ZGadson]

where can i get the wireharness for the navi- please help

The 1st paragraph from my most recent post with some pictures:

"Major modification - had to make my own wire harness. Currently its held together with electrical tape and (Im really not joking) a bandaid because I ran out of tape. When I get it finished I'll do it the right way. I just wanted to make sure it worked before I spent time splicing wires the right way."

[Presscott707]

thats tight man. i want navi for my max but im going with the pioneer avic d3. good clean install man.