I have an 06' MCS coming soon and I'm looking for a motorized display HU to replace the stock stereo!

What's the best system for sub $2,000?

Show us pictures of your install.

Thanks. -m

 

Not yet very but soon. I have been waiting for the Alpine bluetooth module which I just recieved today after a 3 month wait!!! Will be doing a side by side comparison of the iva-d310 (last years carry-over model, larger, better screen but second gen ipod adaptor) and iva-d100 ( brand new with full speed ipod, plays dvd-a but specs do not look as good as the d310.) After the comparison one of these 2 units will replace my Alpine cda7998 which love but ...... no Ipod, no bluetooth, & XM.

Will keep you posted.

 

Thanks. I look forward to seeing your install.

Does anyone know how the Alpine's Navigation solution is compared to others? i.e., AVIC-N3

Suggestions for any other models/brands I should be considering?

Thanks. -m

 

Any update on your install 'bonz'?

 

OK, this is what I decided on ....... I went with the IVA-D100 because of the full speed ipod and because it did not have the second black box ( All of the guts are included except for the amp which I do not need.)

I have to admit there is less control of the audio vs my cda7998 but the sound quality is the same. Movies and videos are amasing as is the pull down DVD-A.

One problem ...... I stated before that I waited 3 months to get the Alpine blue module ......... that is not compatible with the sat units ?????? So no bluetooth.

Some Pix




Rear Back up camera is awesome!

 

Very nice 'bonz'! I love the back up camera.

Why not go with the AVIC-N3? It has more power, plus Navigation. I realize budget may place an issue with this.

For BT intergration, I'm sure there are adapters! I found this ND-BT1 Bluetooth adapter for the AVIC-Z1. The adapter allows you to answer incoming calls. There has to be something that works with the AVIC-N3?

 

Thanks madmike007,

Three reasons
1) I have always been an "Alpine Man"
2) So I thought the screen was better on the Alpine
3) Sirius not available with Pioneer units
4) Greta only driven 5k per yr so Nav not that important 2 me
but if I wanted I could add the new portable Blackbird Unit.

 

Do all these units have speakers with them? Or do they hook up to your car speakers? If so, how do you install them?

The AVIC-N3 IS Sirius Compatiable, and does that hook up to the cars sound system?...plus it has navigation.

 

Fair enough.

 

Does the rear camera come extra? where did you get that?

 

Everything is extra at least with the Alpine units. The Iva-d100 is sat ready, ipod ready, bluetooth ready( but not campatible if a sat unit is installed,)Blackbird ready(alpine's portable nav sys) plus various other options.

I went with the Boyo Vision license plate frame camera because it had pretty good specs.

Later

Ps. 50w amp is included but no speakers & I had mine professionally installed.

 

bonz

I like the chrome trim very much. Where can I get them

 

I purchased my interior trim pieces before the factory items were available from rspeed.com but I just checked the site and ethey do not have much available. I also purchased a few items from Mini Mania

http://new.minimania.com/web/STSearc..._Inventory.cfm

 

Before you take the plunge on the IVA-D310, you might want to try a side-by-side compare with the IVA-D100. If iPod integration is a key item for you, the IVA-D100 will blow the IVA-D310 away. The speed of response of the iPod integration of the IVA-D100 is only to be experienced to be believed. You may want to consider compromising on some of the other areas that the IVA-D100 is not as strong on.

I see where in a later post, you went with the IVA-D100. Good choice in my opinion. I have a IVA-W200 in my Volvo XC90 (with all the goodies - iPod, Nav, BT, and, and, and). My only compalint about Alpine products is that they (Alpine the company) seem to be infected an inability to give realistic availability dates for their new products. The IVA-W200 was quoted as being available end of March, 2006; it didn't show at the installer until mid-June, 2006.

 

The Alpine Navigation System (NVE-872A) is really user-friendly. Alpine publishes a .pdf version of the owners manual at:

http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/product...odel=NVE-N872A (See the .pdf logos at the right side of the page.)

You could check out the functioning of the Alpine Navigation System and then go compare against brands X, Y, and Z. I doubt you will find a more easy navigation app to use.

 

I've got the IVA-D310 in Australia...

it's ok, but I'm not particularly blown away. The iPod connection is slow as a dog...

Plus, alpine australia is slowly going under - their customer service is garbage!

check my gallery for some pics...

 

Hey Bonz, thanks for the information. I have been trying to decide between the d100 and the d310 too. You say that you do not need the amp that came with the d100. Is the because you already have one from your previous install? I noticed in the d100 and d310 docs that both headunits just have pre outs that connect to the amp (d100) or tuner module (d310).

Is that because both Sat radio and BT are using Ai-Net? Couldn't you install a KCA-410C and use both? In the BT manual there is an example install that has both the BT and a CD changer that use the KCA-410C (Versatile Lin k Terminal) that provides an additional Ai-Net port. Just wondering....

For my install I want the display, nav, bt, iPod and maybe a backup camera. I do not really care that much about Sat radio right now, but I wanted to keep my options open.

Thanks -Andrew

 

One more thing... You guys keep mentioning the speed of the Ipod integration. Are you referring to the speed of navigating through the iPod menus (artists, playlists, search, etc)? I had an iPod box (KCA-420i) installed in my previous car, but I never really used the menu navigation stuff since you can pick up where you left off when you plug in the iPod.

Thanks. You guys have been a huge help.

 

You are correct sir..... I am using an already installed amp and at times I want to hear something buried deep inside my ipod. It is much faster with the d-100. You will probally find you will use menues on the d-100 because searching is much quicker.

 

I am also deciding on purchasing the D310, I was wondering about using the MFSW with it as well, most likely for volume over picking tracks. Anybody know if it works?

Also is it noticably slow when choosing tracks? I don't really like the D-100 in terms of aesthetic purposes, performance is important but also I'd hate to have a plain look for it, the D310 seems to be flashier.

 

I had the PAC steering wheel control module installed with my CDA-7998 so I could use my steering wheel controls and it worked like a charm. Still using them with my d-100 but the location of the transmitter had to be relocated and still works like a charm with no delay when searching for tracks/volume/source.

 

Is the steering control module an extra component? This is the first time I've had steering wheel controls on a car so I don't know if theres extra work to install a head unit, logically I'd assume that it would be.

 

Yes, it is an extra component. I understand the newer ones are easier to install and program than the one I have. It has be a couple of years but I think this is the unit I have:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-LoV0rh4....asp?i=127SWIX

Hope it helps

 

If that scenario is how you plan on using the iPod integration, then the D310 should be fine for you. The D100 has a much faster iPod integration (searching artist/title info is as quick as dragging and dropping) than the D310.

 

Thanks everyone for all your help. I think that I am sold on the D100. The other thing I liked about the D100 was that it comes with a AMP instead of a control box (d310). That is one less box to mount if you were to add an AMP to the D310. And it makes it easier if you want to upgrade the AMP later.

Now, the next decision is the NAV. Do I go for the in-car NAV NVE-872A or the Alpine Blackbird? They both interface with the D100. The 872 has the 3D view, much faster processor and voice control. The Blackbird is cool since you can get the new dock and external antenna and mount it out of the way (like the glove compartment or boot). Then I would always have a portable GPS as well as the in-car option. Plus the Blackbird is $1000 less..... If anyone has any opinions I would love to hear them.