In-Dash GPS/DVD unit options

[Slavik]

Yes, I know, search and you’ll find … I am in process as we speak Perhaps someone would like to make it easier on me my weeding out units that do not work well or do not fit …. :biggthumpup: I am looking to purchase an IN-dash GPS-DVD unit for my ’06 G35X non Premium sedan …. The double DIN w/AC controls I am trying to get off ebay and planning to do work myself…but the unit itself has me stomped, too much info I guess. The futures that are MUST have for me are:GPS; DVD; MP3; integrated Bluetooth; ability to use OEM steering wheel control; straight forward install; ability to keep OEM speakersNice to have:Ability to connect and control iPodAbility to easily work around the DVD lock out switch (as far as that parking brake interface)Not much more than 1k for the unitAt this point I like an idea of Alpine W205 +blackbird II … may be w505 but I do not see any advantages in it (can someone point them out). The reason why I like it is that I always had good experience with alpine in all my cars and I do like the fact that GPS is removable and could be used on another car as stand-alone GPS unit (correct?) It also seems like the I would be able to retain steering control w/o PAC-Jack (correct?) … other than that I am very much open to all other brandsI really appreciate the suggestions since this is fairly expensive thing to learn by your own mistakes on ... and thanks to all who posted DIY on din/HU install!

[adren77]

Hey Savic

I live in Chicago.

Be careful when you buy dash trim kit from ebay since buttons are rubbery. I bought one and never used it because I didn't like how it looked. If you want you can swing by and take a look at it and if you decide you want it I will sell it to you cheap.

I know Kenmore double dins will fit in the G since I know someone who has it installed (I don't know exact model but I don't see why there would be too much difference).

[smockers83]

If you wanted to go with Alpine, I would say the W505 instead of the 205. The 505 is the updated version and looks amazing. You would still have to buy the PAC to have steering wheel controls.

I always recommend Alpine and Pioneer, never been a fan of Kenwood.

Also, the OEM double din kits from Japan aren't available at the moment (and its been that way for some months now) for whatever reason. The knockoff kits you find today, the buttons are rubber and look like crap. If you can find a used OEM kit, that would work well.

[adren77]

smockers what is this PAC to get the steering wheel controls...

can you please post a link ?

[smockers83]

Its a unit that you have to wire up to the existing steering wheel control wires and it plugs into the back of the HU with a 3.5mm jack.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-N...IJACK

There's one for Sony and Pioneer and one for basically everything else (Alpine, Kenwood, Clarion, ...)

[Slavik]

Got the DD kit from Riverside Infiniti through ebay ... now it's time to really take a plunge, it probably will be alpine w505

any one knows any good installers in chicago area? i just want to see if it's going to be worth doing myself or just pay for a clean and correct install

[smockers83]

Was it an OEM one or a knockoff? Do you have pictures of it from the auction? If you guys found an OEM one or an exact copy, please, let me know! My planning of my upgrade project has been put on hold for months because the OEM kit is currently unavailable through retailers due to Japan.

[Slavik]

They sell it as real one ... but I haven't received the DD yet so can't confirm, but they do list themselves as Infiniti dealerBelow is the link to the one I ordered (they have 3 more)http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

They have accepted 270 shipped to IL from me

[Slavik]

Thank you for responses so far .... but I just thought of another issue.For all that have HU with slide away screens and auto trans .... is there any clearance issues between the screen and the shifter when car is in park?

[smockers83]

Oh, nice link Slavik. Those guys are the same guys at everythingg35.com. Back in the day they used to have it on their website and they haven't for quite some time. You can be sure that its JDM. Thanks, you don't know how cool it is that you found this for me!

As for the space issue, that's a good question, but the manufacture usually will state that to be on the safe side, not to have it in park when you need to open it.

If you have any problems with your order, go to everythingg35.com for the number and ask for Joe.

[smockers83]

After looking at another of their item listings of the DD kit, it doesn't seem to include the bracket. For some installs, you need the bracket, sometimes you don't. I've done installs on different cars before and have never had to use any brackets. If you get it and are installing it and you find out you need the bracket, check out this website:http://www.grubbsperformance.c...ERIOR

[smockers83]

Actually, I lied. After looking a tad bit more closely, they aren't everythingg35.com.

[Slavik]

I've recieved it, it looks good .... I think I found OK deal on 8120 ($1239 from Kenwood authorized dealer plus additional 20% off on any addapters/accessories/speakers that I buy with it) ... and will probably pull a triger on it soon. Did any one had any experience with PESWIAKJ from peripheral? I heard the PAC addapter lags a bit, and hope this unit will have less of an issue ... plus it's a bit cheaper as well

Also I have BOSe right now, do I need to replace speakers?

[smockers83]

No, you don't necessarily need to. The difference between the Bose speakers and the rest of the speakers out there is that they're 2 ohms instead of 4. This should allow more power (more than the HU is rated at, theoretically twice as much but a tad less due to inefficiencies) to go to the speakers. The better HU that you find today should be able to cope with it.

[Slavik]

All is ordered ... keeping my fingers crossed

[smockers83]

You've been pre-warned: Pics will be absolutely necessary when you get it installed!

Good luck!

[hada328xi]

good luck - not easy

[Slavik]

Just an update mainly for search purposes since now I know the answer to some questions that I had:-I had Kenwood DNX-8120 installed for about a month, so far LOVE IT (although not w/o some small gripes)- the installation was done by : http://www.projectxcustoms.com/?page_id=2Highly recommended! The install was quick, extremely well done and priced very fair. Couldn’t ask for more. It’s pretty involved installation when you consider all of the wires that need to be soldered together and all of the adapters that need to be installed/programmed. Also, GPS antenna and traffic receiver were hidden inside the dash and work perfectly.-for the install I used: - JDM faceplate and A/C controls from these guys:http://stores.ebay.com/Riversi...QtZkm- Nissan antenna adapter, BOSE harness, Nissan factory harness that I got from Crutchfield- FM traffic receiver- PESWIAKJ adapter for steering controls- KCA-iP300V for iPod integration- the fit is perfect, the A/C controlls cannot be distinguished from the factory ones- I did retain all of the steering controls, although there is a bit of lag between the input and unit’s response comparing to the factory stereo. After two days it’s not an issue, you just get used to it- the iPOD integrates perfectly (120Gb classic) – music, video, and album covers all work fine just like it does on iPOD itself- The extra USB port is very useful if you’re trying to use flash/usb drive instead of ipod. As long as you diligent about organizing your music, you will not have any problems surfing through your music. It will not play videos stored on those drives.- Bluetooth: Pairing to Moto Q9h was quick and painless. The phonebook syncs, but it seems like some entries are missing (I just discovered it yesterday so have to play around to say for sure). The unit also syncs call logs, which is nice. The SMS function doesn’t work with my phone. The integrated speed dial is great, and very useful to me. The quality of the calls varies day to day, I hear everything fine, but some people on the other end complain once in a while. I still use it all of the time, and will play with the microphone location at later time to see if it will improve (I am not super mobile after achilles surgery three weeks ago). - Garage opener integration didn’t work, I’ll play with it later as well to see if I can be fixed.- GPS works and looks great, no problems with routing or precision. The FM traffic receiver is useful, as long as you’re traveling on large roads in populated areas AND routing is on. If the GPS is not routing to some spot, it will warn you of traffic when you’re about .5 miles away which does you no good on the freeway.- The DNX8120 has almost too many settings, it’s pretty hard to figure everything out w/o a manual (not the basic functions but more customizing and advanced settings) so be prepared to have the manual handy for the first few days. Thankfully the unit itself is very user friendly, so after the first couple of days, you can pretty much start figuring stuff out on your own.All in all, I am satisfied with the purchase and would highly recommend it.

[smockers83]

That's good and all, but we need pics. I wanna see it!

[Slavik]

That's good and all, but we need pics. I wanna see it!

Sorry, don't have pics of my car (and no way to post them) but here is the one that looks very similar (minus the factory NAV)

http://i185.photobucket.com/al...1.jpg

http://i185.photobucket.com/al...6.jpg

[joe603]

Congrats on finishing the project!!! Did the shop modify the JDM AC controller to have the "dual" button soldered?

As far as posting pics, you need to have the photo's hosted (I recommend photobucket.com). You download the pics from your PC to the site, and copy the link when posting in forums.

Lets see some pics!!!!