New radio -- Pioneer AVH-P5900DVD

[HB.]

Yesterday I installed my new radio, when I purchased the car, it already had a after market radio, a Sony MEX-BT2500. There was nothing wrong with the Sony unit, and it performed quite well. I had a Pioneer DVD unit in my previous Boxster, which I really enjoyed. The remote and touch screen capabilities makes it easier to navigate through the unit's menu, even though I don't really use the remote, it's more for the passenger if they choose to play DJ when I'm not up to it.

The new DVD players restrict you from viewing any DVDs while the car is in motion, but I bypassed that system, and installed a toggle switch to the left of the player to enable me to view movies while I'm driving (I really only use it while I'm on long trips). As of right now I have the basic setup, I will be adding my hook-ups for my iPod, satellite radio, reverse camera, and navigation in the weeks to come. I think I'll also change up the toggle switch so that it blends in more with the interior.

I spent about an hour last night configuring the setting for the Pioneer unit, there is so much you can do with it, and it sounds really nice even with the factory speakers. I'm planning on adding the rear speaker kit some time in the future, with the extra speakers blasting from behind my ears it should really have a nice sound effect.

On my previous Boxster I had the a similar Pioneer unit (Pioneer AVH-6500DVD) mounted in the din right below the temperature control. This is a good eye level position, but the problems you run into are, with the screen open, it will overlap your AC vents, plus any vehicle behind you can see what you are playing. Also during daylight hours, it can be hard to see the screen if you are playing a movie. Mounting the unit in the lower din, all the controls are much easier reach, you can't see the screen from outside of the car from behind or beside you. I am not sure about viewing the screen during daylight hours with the top down yet since it was too cold outside yesterday.

(Please forgive the crappy pictures, it was too cold to drop the top for me to set the camera on my tri-pod behind the car)

Old Sony head unit


Pioneer box


Pioneer in closed position



Radio


Some options


No video viewing


Press OK, and you can view the video


DeJa Vu

[NickCats]

HB,

Looks good ! Sunset Imports has the rear speaker kits for $130 :

http://www.****************************************************.com/porscheparts.php

Nick

[djomlas]

that looks like a very nice install.
did you have to get the installation stuff for it?

btw, its a great unit for the price, ENjoy

[HB.]

Nick, I was just looking at their special 2 days ago, and I will most likely call them tomorrow for details.

dj, I got it at a fantastic price, about $300.00 off suggested retail. I got it just as it hit the market and I believe the 5700 was being replaced. It would be great if I could remember the website that I purchased it from I didn't have to use any additional parts since the parts were already in place from the Sony head unit.

[Gary in BR]

One of my upcoming mods will be a new head unit, I currently have one of the Premier Pioneer units but I am getting tired of the blue lights.

One of my options is a unit similar to yours, keep us informed on if you can read/see the screen with the top down during the day.

[HB.]

No problem, I can tell you from my previous Boxster, you can see the radio, CD, menu etc etc screens just fine, just viewing any types of videos were the problem. I'm hoping it's not the same in this lower position. What is your current Pioneer model? Most of the newer models have a option to change the lights at least from blue to red. As you can barely see in the pics above the buttons are red. The default was blue. This model the screen can be changed from blue to red, amber, green, violet.

Another issue that I recall was with my first Boxster '99, it had what I believe was a factory amp in the front trunk (didn't have the bose sound system) when you played the radio there was a slight hissing sound when you started to accelerate. I had a local shop add some filters to cut down on the hiss. With my '97 model, it doesn't have the amp, and I have no hissing issues. I don't know if it's caused by the amp, the wiring, or the older model head unit. If you are having someone else install these units, let them know about this concern. They might have to take a quick test run to make sure it doesn't hiss.