My Pioneer Avic f90bt installation

[garrad]

It's been months since I installed my Pioneer Avic f90bt in to my rogue, so I thought I would post a picture back to the forum of the installation.

It took me 3 hours to install the unit, that includes feeding the mic cable and GPS reciever through the car. I kept the GPS reciever inside the car at the top of the dash.

Great unit, the latest software update makes it real responsive. No complaints.

Don't pay Best Buy/ Car Toys to do the installation, they are a complete rip off, do it yourself. $500 for installation, hahahahaha Buying all the tools and moldings and all that it cost me only $100.

[darkmanx]

Can you post step by step how did you install it by yourself?With photo is the best.I don't even know how to remove the original audio system...Thank you very much.

[Leo2005]

Here's my post about installing avic-d3 pioneer: zerothread/332115 garrad. How do you like your new stereo? Does it sound a lot better than original? Mine was a lot better than original. Looks pretty clean.

[AznJohn22]

The system looks nice, and i want it too. Is there a cover to close it? Don't want someone to break the glass and rip the system out.

[garrad]

Nope no cover. The screen is pretty durable though, but it's not perfect, for instance it is pretty poor in direct sunlight, but up here in the northwest there isn’t much sun, so not so much of an issue for me.It will also take somebody a fair amount to get the system out, it’s screwed in, so can’t just be slid out like older systems. Just get some extra insurance coverage and you’ll be fine.This system is 1000 times better than the old stock system. First of all I have HD radio add on, so the radio is crystal clear. Its real sweet, that and the extra stations you get also with HD radio.There is also the EQ, so you can tweak the sound for your purpose, voice, powerful, extreme bass. Unfortunately the stock speakers don’t have great bass, but better than I was expecting with this unit.

Oh and thanks Leo for the advice and your thread, it really helped me out!

[zengshengliu]

I love the system too. I want to get one, with the backup camera and HD radio, but I don't know how to install it~.~I asked a local autoshop, and they said they going to charge me $2k to do it~.~

[Leo2005]

come over here. I'll help you to install it.

[zengshengliu]

How long does it take to install it?you know, it is about 5 hours of driving so I need to plan ahead of timeand what items should I buy?I wants a backup cam, HD radio, nav,Also, if I install this one, will I be able to use the XM radio, bluetooth, and the control panel on the steeling wheel?

[Leo2005]

It does take a few hours to install. Probably I would say around 3 hours. You have to buy a dash kit, Steering Wheel Control Interface, harness for new aftermarket unit. Then whatever you want to buy extra like: camera, hd tuner, xm tuner etc. Make sure everything is compatible with the unit that you're buying.

[zengshengliu]

I am currently looking at the same one (Pioneer AVIC F900BT)Will the rear view camera work for this one?Also, other than the installation kits that are list there, and backup cam and hd tuner, what else do I need?

[Leo2005]

I believe bluetooth adapter for the pioneer if its not included and a lot of beer

[garrad]

They have bluetooth built in :-)

Just remember the wiring harness, faceplate, antenna adaptor and you should be fine

[zengshengliu]

I think it is better to email you and talk about this than keep on posting something no related.

[Leo2005]

Avic-d3 had external bluetooth adapter, that's why i asked. If you buy the unit from crutchfield they give you all the accessories.

[philipa_240sx]

Garrad,

Please tell me the new v2.0 software updates fixed the horribly slow response/boot-up time of the AVIC F series.

I was about to buy one last year, until I did some research. One of the local electronics stores had 5 units that were returned 'open-boxes' on sale. When I spoke to the salesperson, he admitted he would not buy one himself until Pioneer fixed the issues. I guess the previous owners had given up in frustration and returned them.

[garrad]

Even with the old software it wasn't as bad as people made out.

It was sluggish for sure, but not painfuly sluggish. The only bad thing was really getting to the nav software and playing music back from the ipod. Radio was fine.

Now with v2, it's super sweet. I get HD Radio in around 10-20 seconds. Navigation in about a minute. I personally don't use an iPod but I hear that is under the minute mark now also.

I wouldn't have anything else, it is fantastic.

[AznJohn22]

i want it but the price is too much.

[philipa_240sx]

That's what kills me, why would I pay $800+ for an in-dash nav system that a $200 portable GPS could easily replicate... and in many cases works better?

[takeshi]

That's what kills me, why would I pay $800+ for an in-dash nav system that a $200 portable GPS could easily replicate... and in many cases works better?

Can't say why you would (I can't read minds) but some people are nit-picky about add-on's like portable GPS units and prefer the "built-in look" of an in-dash system.

There's also a $200 instant rebate through the end of the month.

Steering Wheel Control Interface

Which did you go with? Did it retain the same use of all the steering wheel controls?
Modified by takeshi at 7:54 AM 3/18/2009

[AznJohn22]

I would want it for the backup camera and the video function. I already have a motorola bluetooth and GPS.

Wish it had a cover to close it though. Parking in certain area of NYC would not be a good idea with the unit.

[philipa_240sx]

This is starting to get closer...

Eclipse AVN4430 with removable TomTom Nav:

Image courtesy Eclipse

http://www.eclipse-web.com/us/....html

- AM/FM/CD/MP3 playback(cd or USB)- Tom Tom Nav- Bluetooth- DVD Video- IPod control- Optional External Camera- Optional XM or Sirius Sat radio

[garrad]

Yes the Avic is expensive, but most indash units like this. I actually paid $500 for a new unit off ebay.

It's not just a sat nav product.

First of all, it's a good head unit, forget about the satnav for a second, the audio quality is fantastic, the ipod support is fantastic it is a great unit.

It has support for all of pioneer plugins, so HD radio you can get on the unit, you can get Sirius/ XM and a lot more.

It has built in bluetooth also, no need for extra unit and it's fantastic quality.

Now it has sat nav as well. What's better about this than other seperate units, it is on a big fixed screen. It's not in your view. It integrates nicely with the audio. It has voice directions, it is awesome.

It took me a while to get used to the unit coming from tom tom, but I wouldn't go back.

It's all of the above, its not just one thing. If you are only after satnav, why spend $800 on a unit? If you want all of the above then it's a great deal.

[Leo2005]

Takeshi. I didn't buy any adapters since I don't have steering buttons.Garrad. Can't agree more with you. It looks like the car been assembled with that nav unit. I miss my avic-d3 pretty much because of the sound but hopefully my carputer will sound better or I will have to buy something else. The navigation was perfect in that unit except it was asking dvd all the time and to boot it took like a month.

[Goblin]

I believe bluetooth adapter for the pioneer if its not included and a lot of beer

I like your thinking!

[Leo2005]

Well...pitcher of Grey Goose and small can of cranberry juice would be better.