Well. I'm sold.

Now to see if that Double Din install kit will work with this one easily. :)

I would not put generic stereo in the same row as brake pads, rotors, motor mounts etc
This is just stereo and it's not gonna affect the car or my safety

And since it's got way more features than name brands units most are installing
Why wouldn't I give it a shot???
Especially at this price
I'm running one generic gps/DVD in my suv for last 5years, no fire yet
I'm sure they share most of the parts anyway(like plasma tv did,there was like 4 manufacturers of the screens itself and hundreds of tv brands
The most important is that somebody just went for it and is giving as preview of what it does and how it does

Btw.
Toaster - that was stupid idea
We do have toaster in the trunk anyway:D:D:D:D:D
Beer cooler sounds better!!!:cheers:

Happy speeding

Do you encounter things that causes electrical fires often, mate? I also think that bit with the toaster as sarcasm?
I think Golonaus, like the rest of us here, are just trying to see if it's a good product because we're all contemplating on buying one without spending another $600 for a Kenwood

Yeah, I'm sold! :D
I'd like to see how well the tv tuner works and what kind of antenna it needs. Is it digital ready? I spend a lot of time in KC and it would be awesome to get news broadcasts and such.

Even without the tuner, though, I'm still buying one. The price is amazing for what it can do. I really hope that I wouldn't need to reinstall a 4 channel amp, though. I have my 4 cabin speakers directly wired to my HU right now and they sound great together. Already have an amp for my sub and would really not want to hassle with 2 amps.

So I'm sold too. Amp crapped out on me a couple of months ago and have been debating what to do. I originally thought about one of these but then changed my mind after reading the poor reviews, i.e. lag etc., but now I see that's not the case. Hats off to Ray for taking the plunge for the rest of us. For the last month, I've been bidding on the Pioneer unit on Ebay, but $400 is my limit and they usually go for more. Went to buy a cheap JVC HU at Frys last week but they were out of stock. Then stumbled on this thread - lucky me.

So my question is, there are several sellers selling this unit. They look identical. The OP's unit is one of the most expensive. If you're going to go cheap, you might as well go cheap. I'm getting this one: GPS Navi with 7" Motorized Car Stereo DVD CD Player PIP Ipod Bluetooth+Camera | eBay. $220 shipped from CA and it includes the camera. Another seller has it for $209 shipped w/o the camera.

I'd be interested in seeing how Ray get's his mounted, and/or will the Ebay kit work this unit?

For all you others taking the plunge - anybody have a Becker BE6600 amp they want to part with?

You will probably find the speakers in the doors are subwoofers, I dont know if this is always the case though. Mine are connected to an alpine amplifier in the front.
Amazed you cant remove the equaliser, will make removing the alternator whine much harder.
The horn toots when you lock the car when the glovebox/armrest storage isn't closed properly.

Just to be clear, if you do not have an Amp there is supposedly a BROWN connector for the radio that goes directly to the speakers.

I could not find mine, but did not dig too hard to try and find it since the yellow connector goes to the speakers via the Amp anyway.

Do buy from a US reseller so you do not have the hassle to deal with extra shipping cost, 4+ weeks delivery time and import taxes.

Also make sure that it comes with Options that you want. ie Backup Camera (w/Night Vision)
TV antenna, GPS Antenna, GPS Software. Steering wheel controller.

As for the mounting rack I think I will be building one aircraft style with a 1/8" thick aluminum front plate and a tray attached to the back with flush rivets. The radio can then be screwed to the tray from the sides or bottom.

Everything will remove from the front as a single unit.

On top of that I will glue/velcro a plastic surround to match the car interior.

Pictures of course when I get that far but I am short on time to finish it up at the moment.

To attach the stereo wires to the existing connectors, since they are all female blade type I simply soldered and tinned the stereo wires, squeezed them flat with pliers and inserted them into the correct slot. There was no need to get any other connectors.

It worked fabulously as they are snug fit and make a solid connection.

Then I taped around the wires with black electrical tape so that they would not pull out when pushing the harness back.

I do want to try and locate a wire for the reverse signal so that the backup camera comes on automatically, but if it does not its no big deal. I'll just switch to it when I need it. If anyone knows where that wire might be give me a hint.

Also be sure to hook up the P_BRAKE wire on the stereo to ground so that the video can come on when you select it, otherwise it will not. (Safety feature so you can not watch Video while in motion)

Its specs say analog tuner and since the US is all digital now, I don't know if it would work. Maybe there are others that have the digital TV spec for a bit more $$.

Hey at 52 Watts per channel (208 Watts total) right from the stereo I doubt you need an Amp unless you like blasting the neighborhood with the top down.

The Porsche factory Amp only does 62 Watts per channel and produced more than enough sound pressure.

Ah, I missed that. Not a big deal at all. :)
Actually, a small 12v digital converter, removed from the plastic housing, is quite small, so I'll probably do something like that eventually, but no rush. I really want the gps function as my phone is small and Google Navigator has been horrid lately. :(

Thanks for the write up and videos! :D

i hate wiring electrical for stereo's, sounds a bit more complicated than I was anticipating. might have to just buy the unit, the install kit and take it somewhere to have them mess with running backup camera wires, speakers, etc.

unless we get a nice, detailed, picture-oriented write up :)

anyone going to tak the plunge and buy the unit and ebay install kit to see if they work together?

.......................

WOW!!!

Just checked the DD install kit link...$165!?!
They must have some good crack there! That is beyond ridiculous for a couple of plastic bits and a cage. They can keep the wiring harnes as mine was already removed for an aftermarket install when I bought the car.

I'll have to do some shopping around because there is no way I would pay nearly that much...not even half that amount for what I need(cage, plastic surrounds). Absolutely outrageous...

Seems like that is the cheapest around. Thieves! Maybe I won't do this install after all.
I mean, I can afford it, but I would feel as though someone were stealing from me.

Going to have to really think this over...Thats almost as much as the darn stereo! :(
Just as an example; I looked up a DD install kit for my Dodge...$15.95.
Attach the Porsche name to it and you can jack up the price 10x...ridiculous.

So without the install kit, you won't have that little plastic surrounding around your screen?

Thats right...I may just make my own. Sheesh!

On the videos, it seems like the unit fits in pretty flush, save that opening up top. Are you sure we even need an install kit?

Like I said before, I've done a lot of research on the double din installation, including following the thread where this kit was developed. It was pretty much a one-of that was fabricated by the brother or brother-in-law of a forum member. Other members asked if they could get one and fast forward - the kit was developed. But not before a lot of design work, tooling, trial and error, improvements, etc., So yes, it seems like a lot of money, but I don't see any other kits out there for less. Plus it's a very limited market. But that said, I'm not getting one either. The only part I'd be interested in is the trim piece. The climate control trim piece can be had from Porsche.

I wonder if they would sell just the trim and cage for any less...?
I may message them and see what they say, but I doubt it.

I'll probably just buy it as is, but I need to get my whining and complaining out of the way first. ;)

I'm also toying with the idea of making my own out of a hard wood, either stained or painted. Not sure yet, but I'd still need some kind of cage, so the kit may be less hassle.

Considering still saving over $400, I'd prolly still just go with the install kit just for convenience. Meh.

When I put the plastic bezel on that the unit comes with there is maybe 1/16" on either side which is visually nothing.

However the top and potentially bottom will need something to cover it.

Thats where my 1/8" thick aluminum aircraft style surround will go and any plastic
will mount on that face.

The stereo will sit on an aluminum shelf inside, attached to the front plate.

The front Plate will have some counter sunk depressions for screws and the screws will be hidden by the plastic glued or velcro'd on top.

I departed from the typical Auto tray idea since there does not seem to be any good attach points.

However the upper Din Slot holes are intact and will make a good attach point and at the bottom the face can key in with the existing plastic and metal there without screws.

I thought I read about another install that used a $25 DD install kit for another car type successfully. Need to do some googling.

I read on another forum that this one works, but it doesn't look right to me.

381323-03-1 Pioneer - Car Accessories - Car Entertainment

Definitely need to find an install kit, or at least a cage, that doesn't cost $150. All the kits I've used in the past were cheap.

I bought the fitting kit, it was rubbish. In the end I bought the trim off a member called trieullionaire on RennTech.org for $50, I got a cage with the Pioneer stereo which the trim I bought fits exactly. There is a photo of my installation of the first page of this thread.

The wiring kit that came with the fitting kit was also rubbish, in the end I removed it and bought a new ISO plug and rewired and added the extra wires to the car loom which got rid of the adaptors & mass of wiring. If I want to upgrade in future, the car loom is now standard ISO so never need a wiring kit.

If anyone wants the wiring diagram for a 2003 car, just ask. By the way, you can pick up a 12v+ switched feed from the aircon controller.

If you have the same size opening or bigger that the $165 kit is made for.

This one is likely different than the Pioneer or Kenwood that the kit is made for.

Give it a try and let us know. I cant find dimensions for that kit's plastic part.

I may get to the aircraft style tray this weekend and see what I can come up with.

If I develop a nice solution I'll post the details here of course.

Have a link to the iso plug that you used? Thx!

Have a look at this item on ebay 110909740111 this is from the UK though

I cant remember which side you need but you get the plug and the socket on this sale.

I'm interested to know how does the audio for the phone sound like for both caller and receiver? Also, when you get done, can you tell us how you connected the wiring (color to color). I hate figuring out where the wiring goes and too lazy to search.

Thanks!

I used a £35 Connects2 fitting kit in my 986.....

It fits very well, with no issues.

I only made one modification to the intended installtion, by fixing it to the dash plastic in the same way that the expensive kit does.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...c/DJB_6650.jpg

David

The Audio from the Phone, reception wise via the BlueTooth phone connection is crystal clear and as loud as you want since its volume is controlled by the radio volume.

I have yet to try using the built in Mic. I guess I should leave a message on my voice mail to see how clear it is on the receiving end of a call from the car.

The Navigators Voice directions are similarly loud and clear.

Another nice thing is that if you are playing music and also have the navigator going, the Music mutes automatically when the Navigator is talking and giving directions....cool.

I imagine similarly when you receive a phone call while music is playing.

Again you have this picture in picture capability when something else is going at the same time as the navigator, but its really not PIP but Application in Application because you can actually click and control the windowed application.


I'll get some video soon.

Audio quality on my kenwwod is good too - I used the dash lockation for the microphone - just mounted the kenwod mike behind the porsche bezel.

The wiring on mine was std ISO, with the exception of the reverse wire (for camera) and handbrake (to prevent viewing of movies while in motion) - of course you can just earth that wire.

Other than that, its phonos for the amp if you have one.


David

What wire did you use for the reverse sensing so that the rear camera comes on automatically?

I fitted rear parking sensors at the same time the bumper was off - a well spent £15 for them - supplied painted a very close colour match too! I just ran a wire from the rear boot - but the reverse signal is available from the ECU under the (UK) passenger seat.

On my kenwood you can set it up to auto switch over to the reverse camera or ignore it.

Also, you can select the camera while traveling forward too should you wish.


See the camera and parking installs below..


http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...c/DJB_6646.jpg


http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...c/DJB_6645.jpg



David

soooo it sounds like wiring should be plug and play (for speakers) with this unit, is that right?

I'll mess with the backup camera when the car's apart, doesn't sound too bad to do once we're able to easily ID (hopefully with pics) something to wire it into for reverse.

So at this point, finding a cage for this $200 unit is the hangup..

Here is the Connects2 cage/facia I used - I expect it will be around in the US too somewhere.

I dont endorse this seller, its only FYI

Facia

Hmmmm, don't really want to mess with the ECU for a reverse signal since a mistake there could be quite expensive.

If that reverse wire on the Radio is simply a ground signal then a simple little microswitch will work for that attached to the shifter mechanics.

I have a short shifter to install anyways so if the microswitch idea is viable then it will be time for the short shifter install as well.

"Change one thing....change everything!" rings true again.

Yes, Plug and play for the speakers, power, Illumination(headlights on signal)

Power + (Yellow),Ground - (Black) , Illumination (Orange), Switched + (Red)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k.../con1_3436.JPG

You cut midway through the middle mounting hole and tray seperator. Don't need to cut the top one.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K...0/CIMG3429.JPG

8.5" (216mm) deep slot for the double DIN radio.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C...0/CIMG3427.JPG

The included plastic faceplate(Not shown) will cover the entire width but the part above needs a cover. More on that to come.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4...0/CIMG3430.JPG

The Yellow connector has the speakers on it if you have a factory Amp, but there is a Brown connector instead (Not in this pic) if you dont have an Amp, with your speaker connections.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y...0/CIMG3419.JPG

The handbrake wire needs grounded to activate (ie, brake on), the reverse wire needs 12V + on it to activate (ie, go into reverse).

David

Here is the face plate I cut out of some 1/8" thick aluminum. The side wings will be bolted to the radio and then the whole thing as a unit fits into the opening.
There is a lip at the bottom that the bottom part keys into and the top will be secured by two screws into the existing two plastic screw holes.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7...0/CIMG3442.JPG


Here it is in the dash before the plastic trim that came with the radio.
A plastic surround will be cut to fit around the radio on top of the aluminum to finish the plastic work.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t...0/CIMG3443.JPG


Here is the radio with the included plastic trim. Still need to select and cut the plastic surround that goes on top of the aluminum. All that shows is a bit at the top and a very little bit at the bottom.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6...6/CIMG3444.JPG

Nice pic's

I also prepped my dash for a Kenwood I have coming this Friday.
T
Attachment 16390
Attachment 16391
Attachment 16392

Nice work.

I didn't know the plastic surround was all one piece like that.

You could literally mount the stereo in its rack and then slip the entire plastic surround back in it looks like.

Makes getting to screws in the back and sides on the stereo much easier.

Also seems like you have different plags in your wiring harness.

Perhaps they do use unique wiring harness for different stereo options from the factory.