Recommend: Want to replace stock radio with DDin GPS/radio, good fit, simple & CHEAP?

k.alexander · 09-12-2011, 10:11 AM

I've searched and found some options, but I'm probably missing something.
I want to replace my base Double-Din radio with a 6-7" GPS unit, which would also serve as my radio.

I dont need anything fancy on the music side, most of the time I listen to audiobooks/podcasts from my iPhone, even just Aux-In would be sufficient. I dont need DVD playback, etc. I basically just want a good GPS in that place and still obviously have some sort of Radio/CD (although even the CD isn't that important).

MUST HAVE: MUST be able to still use the steering wheel audio controls.
WOULD BE NICE: Bluetooth for phone calls.

Any recommendations????

TreeSemdyZee · 09-12-2011, 12:12 PM

I'll pipe up on the steering controls. I'd recommend the Metra Axxess ASWC. I've had that and the PAC unit and IMO the Metra is heads above.

kenchan · 09-12-2011, 12:15 PM

PAC FTW. . metra can't get their schit together on that ASWC.

TreeSemdyZee · 09-12-2011, 12:33 PM

I HATED the PAC. it was slow, flimsy and having to use the resistors was a PIA.

k.alexander · 09-12-2011, 12:57 PM

Been doing research, this unit is coming up high on my list. Reasons: used to cost about $1200, but can be had for just over $600 +steering wheel adapter on Amazon. Does Navi with Traffic, I should have mentioned that. Does BT for phone calls and music streaming. Removable faceplate is a nice bonus.

Is there anything wrong with this unit that I should know about? Any others that you guys can recommend?

TreeSemdyZee · 09-12-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k.alexander

Been doing research, this unit is coming up high on my list. Reasons: used to cost about $1200, but can be had for just over $600 +steering wheel adapter on Amazon. Does Navi with Traffic, I should have mentioned that. Does BT for phone calls and music streaming. Removable faceplate is a nice bonus.

Is there anything wrong with this unit that I should know about? Any others that you guys can recommend?

What is "this" unit?

k.alexander · 09-12-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeSemdyZee

What is "this" unit?

WOW, Giant brain fart on my end today.

"This" unit is JVC KW-NT3HDT.

bigaudiofanat · 09-12-2011, 03:11 PM

Pac steering wheel control system was junk, the metra axes is much better. Kenwood makes a few nice double din units that can do what you want.

kenchan · 09-12-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeSemdyZee

I HATED the PAC. it was slow, flimsy and having to use the resistors was a PIA.

hummm... i have 2 working units right now in my G and Z respectively. ive been using pac for a while and no issue. it was a quick install for me.

kenchan · 09-12-2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

Pac steering wheel control system was junk, the metra axes is much better. Kenwood makes a few nice double din units that can do what you want.

yah, but in your case you flip flop your comments all the time so who knows wat you'll be saying next year.

pac has been easy to install for me and cheap. would do it again next time as needed.

bigaudiofanat · 09-12-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

yah, but in your case you flip flop your comments all the time so who knows wat you'll be saying next year.

pac has been easy to install for me and cheap. would do it again next time as needed.

LOL I highly doubt I flip flop any of my comments, the pac is slow to respond does it work SURE but for immediate response you want the metra.

37Z · 09-12-2011, 08:12 PM

I had the PAC-RC installed with my Kenwood DD HU. It operates as fast as the stock set-up.

bigaudiofanat · 09-12-2011, 09:41 PM

OP get what you want but I have done over 20 370z installs and used both, I highly recommend the metra over the pac any day, even on other cars as well.

As for your head unit question any alpine, kenwood, and against my own opinion, pioneer double din would suffice as long as it has the features you want and in your price range.

k.alexander · 09-13-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

OP get what you want but I have done over 20 370z installs and used both, I highly recommend the metra over the pac any day, even on other cars as well.

As for your head unit question any alpine, kenwood, and against my own opinion, pioneer double din would suffice as long as it has the features you want and in your price range.

Thank you. From all I've read the Metra adapter is definitely the one to go for.
As for the HU unit, are any of them a much better and easier fit than any of the others? That would be kind of an important part in making my decision.

Also for those of you guys thatnhave follow these things more closely: am I going to do much better than about $600-700 for a GPS DD with phonecall BT (almost all the other features are unimportant to me)?

bigaudiofanat · 09-13-2011, 09:59 AM

The pioneers you will want to use the dash kit because they have a slightly bigger gap around the dash than kenwoods or alpines. Alpines are going to be the fastest choice but going to be much more expensive. Kenwoods have a slower interface however have a grear bluetooth setup and garmin gps.

600 is going to be a tight budget to get everything you want here is the cheapest one that I would recommend.

Kenwood DNX5180 Navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com

Or you can get an older kenwood 6140 for cheap.

09-12-2011, 10:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
k.alexander Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia, PA Age: 45 Posts: 240 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z PG M6 Rep Power: 714	Recommend: Want to replace stock radio with DDin GPS/radio, good fit, simple & CHEAP? I've searched and found some options, but I'm probably missing something. I want to replace my base Double-Din radio with a 6-7" GPS unit, which would also serve as my radio. I dont need anything fancy on the music side, most of the time I listen to audiobooks/podcasts from my iPhone, even just Aux-In would be sufficient. I dont need DVD playback, etc. I basically just want a good GPS in that place and still obviously have some sort of Radio/CD (although even the CD isn't that important). MUST HAVE: MUST be able to still use the steering wheel audio controls. WOULD BE NICE: Bluetooth for phone calls. Any recommendations???? __________________ -Are you coming to bed? -I can't. This is important. -What? -Someone is WRONG on the internet.

09-12-2011, 12:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
k.alexander Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia, PA Age: 45 Posts: 240 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z PG M6 Rep Power: 714	Been doing research, this unit is coming up high on my list. Reasons: used to cost about $1200, but can be had for just over $600 +steering wheel adapter on Amazon. Does Navi with Traffic, I should have mentioned that. Does BT for phone calls and music streaming. Removable faceplate is a nice bonus. Is there anything wrong with this unit that I should know about? Any others that you guys can recommend? __________________ -Are you coming to bed? -I can't. This is important. -What? -Someone is WRONG on the internet.

09-12-2011, 03:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	Pac steering wheel control system was junk, the metra axes is much better. Kenwood makes a few nice double din units that can do what you want. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

09-12-2011, 08:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
37Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 476 Drives: 370Z MB 6M -sold Rep Power: 263	Pac-RC I had the PAC-RC installed with my Kenwood DD HU. It operates as fast as the stock set-up.

09-12-2011, 09:41 PM	#13 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	OP get what you want but I have done over 20 370z installs and used both, I highly recommend the metra over the pac any day, even on other cars as well. As for your head unit question any alpine, kenwood, and against my own opinion, pioneer double din would suffice as long as it has the features you want and in your price range. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/ Last edited by bigaudiofanat; 09-12-2011 at 09:44 PM.

09-12-2011, 12:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,885 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27408	I'll pipe up on the steering controls. I'd recommend the Metra Axxess ASWC. I've had that and the PAC unit and IMO the Metra is heads above.

09-12-2011, 12:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	PAC FTW. . metra can't get their schit together on that ASWC.

09-12-2011, 12:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,885 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27408	I HATED the PAC. it was slow, flimsy and having to use the resistors was a PIA.

09-13-2011, 09:59 AM	#15 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	The pioneers you will want to use the dash kit because they have a slightly bigger gap around the dash than kenwoods or alpines. Alpines are going to be the fastest choice but going to be much more expensive. Kenwoods have a slower interface however have a grear bluetooth setup and garmin gps. 600 is going to be a tight budget to get everything you want here is the cheapest one that I would recommend. Kenwood DNX5180 Navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com Or you can get an older kenwood 6140 for cheap. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

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