i had no clue where to post this so i figured id start here.......i have the factory 6 cd changer and want to swap it out for a touch screen flip out monitor...is this a good/bad idea and could i do it?? or should i just have best buy do it???

 

you gonna need to have a kit and harness for it. the kits are expensive and you need to get it if you wanna keep onstar and other things

 

yeah my onstar is up in about 3 months anyway..and ill be in afghanistan most likely by then so no bigger....how much is ur opinion on expensive??? do they sell them at a place like best buy??

 

A double DIN unit where the screen sits flush would be better than a flip out IMO, something like the Pioneer F-series.

 

i agree with with acey, i also like the avic n-3, a double din looks much cleaner, the extra cubby looks tacky!

 

Wont you loose your bluetooth handsfree thingy aswell?

 

i dont think i have that..i got the 08..didnt think it was installed til the 2009

would this work in a 2008 ss/tc??:


http://cgi.ebay.com.my/2005-2006-Che...mZ350151427655

yeah they have some touchscreen ones with nav at best buy i was thinking about.......just seems like overkill i guess...not to mention its about $400 more haha...but i do agree it would look better.....

 

Try to find one open box somewhere. The Eclipse I have retailed at around $1600 new when I bought it. Got it open box for $580 (not bad, for DVD, Navi, etc...). This was at Circuit City, so maybe one in your area has something for pretty cheap, if they are still in business.

 

No that one will not work, you need the expensive harness. Im not sure what it is called but someone on here must. This might be it..... http://www.installer.com/item/displa...it=GMOS-LAN-03

 

Ok... I would suggest looking at the audio forum for more information. I just recently installed a F90-BT head unit and aftermarket speakers in my 08. The F90BT does everything...from bluetooth (it instantly found and integrated my BB Bold), to GPS navigation (works exactly like a TomTom 3rd ed), to DVDs, CDs, even integrated ipod (the controls are even better than the GM PAL), USB and SD card....

The cons... The voice recognition is a bit spotty...I can call people just fine with voice recognition/bluetooth, but it doesn't do too well when it comes to getting it to play a particular track on my ipod...it ends up playing "all artists"

It requires two different harnesses...a LAN 04 and a PAC...the LAN 04 integrates the head unit with the factory amp/speakers while the PAC integrates the steering wheel controls...these harnesses and other components (antenna adapter) are approx 200-250+ total....

The install is a nightmare....this can only be made worse if you decide to replace the factory speakers and if you want to retain your door chimes/blinkers/on star...see the audio section of the forums for more information....Plan on 2-3 days+ depending on what you end up doing...

The cost....The unit will run you ~$600 (on a good day) plus the harnesses (another $200+) plus miscellaneous (broken clip, wire, etc?)...so plan on about $850+ (that does not include swapping out any speakers/adding amps/swapping sub...)

All in all this is a very good long term investment...only seriously consider this option if you plan on keeping your car for a while...if you just want it to have it, then you might want to consider another alternative... the install alone is not for the faint of heart...

On the up side, installing this kind of system will show you just how well built and advanced you car is...it certainly gave me a new appreciation for my vehicle.....the ss/tc is definately the best value on the market....

 

thanks for the info man...i def dont have the time to do that right now then if it takes that long. im leaving for the army soon and probably wont have that many days off in a row in the next couple weeks..appreciate it!! do you think best buy has all these harnesses you speak of?? could they install it in less time??

 

you could probably get the harnesses through best buy and have them install it...I read somewhere that someone got the install done for $250... however, the same thread also mentioned that best buy screwed up the install and they lost their door chimes/blinkers/on star....

Basically could you do it through them...yes...but keep in mind that they may not be knowledgable as to the tricks that this install may require (depending on if you upgrade the speakers/sub, etc...)...they will be looking to do a quick job, which may end up cutting corners and leave you without a properly installed unit....

Some quick things you may want to ask them...Do you know what kind of harness I need?...if they recommend something other than a LAN 04 then there is a flag (keep in mind their are other harnesses out there that will work, but you will lose your door chimes/blinkers/on star)...also see if they ask you about integrating the steering controls...if they do not recommend a PAC or know what one is then I suggest backing out...they do not understand what they are getting into....

If you decide to keep the factory speakers and sub then you could probably do the install yourself over the course of a weekend...the instructions for the LAN are extremely short, but they do outline where things go...also the PAC comes with instructions that are pretty self explanatory (it was the easier component to install for my system)....Also there are several knowledgeable members on here to turn to...EmperorJJ1 comes to mind... I will also help if I can....

Personally I don't trust 'Best Buys', etc.. for audio installs...you can see if there is a car audio specialist in the area....maybe they will know what they are doing (although they will probably not be cheap)...

In the mean time check out the www.avic411.com website and look at the f-series installs...there are some threads with pictures that will give you an idea of what this unit can do so you can determine if it is worth it.....I personally love mine...but then again I put blood, sweat, and tears into the thing so I am biased...One thing is for sure....you will be the envy of the neighborhood....