Stock audio

[f5fstop]

And besides, NAV systems look cool And the Garmin I mount on my dash takes up valuable viewing area from the small windshield.

I have just come from the store and the Happy on wheels tour and learned a lot. I will post my findings in a few hours. Right now, have to go pick up Land Mines left in strategic places by the pup and cut the grass.

[HummerNewbie]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

Right now, have to go pick up Land Mines left in strategic places by the pup and cut the grass.

Oh the joy

[f5fstop]

Went to the store today and viewed the Pioneer Drive Happier tour, no H2 at this store, instead they have an Escalade loaded with speakers.

Anyway, learned some things, and also learned a lot of misinformation on AVIC 411, or possibly hard to weed out what is incorrect and what is not incorrect on AVIC 411.

Questions to Pioneer from some information I viewed on AVIC411:
Can you turn off the music when directions are given? Yes, on both the D2 and the Z1. On the D2 it is either on or off, on the Z1 you have 4-positons ?10, -20, off or On.

Does the clock show on all screens. Yes, it can be programmed to show on all screens or only the video screen. (Discussion on AVIC411 regarding no clock on the XM screen on a D2.)

Can?t copy MP3 to the hard drive. True, due to copyright laws and the ?Sony? software used on the Z1. (SONY???? That?s what the man said.)

There is a large buffer built into the D2 for the NAV screens to allow a seamless flow of NAV data (different MAP sets) between them while the system is tracking. Per the Pioneer rep, who drives this vehicle over 50K miles a year, there is no problem with the D1 accessing the NAV system, and it appears as flawless as the Z1. (The Z1 in the Escalade had a D1 until the Z1 was installed, he stated the D2 operates the same and has the same buffer as the D1.) He stated the only thing the HD gives you is a bit faster access to the screen when the initial setup is performed or loading if starting the vehicle with the NAV screen On. Once a route is loaded, the required MAP sets are loaded and as a MAP set is no longer needed it is deleted from the buffer, a new MAP set is loaded (if required) into the buffer. He said if there were no buffer, the DVD would have to be spinning at all times; too hard on the drive. Possibly, if going faster than the buffer could handle would cause jerkiness to the NAV, but we all know that is not a problem in the H3.

He also recommended the Soundgate adapters versus the Peripheral; didn?t specify why, but stated in all their GM vehicles, they had Soundgate's installed.

Things I learned about ABC appliances for those in the MI area, after talking with the Pioneer guy outside for a few minutes:
Salesperson insisted the D2 had two components. One, the double din receiver; two, a second box that had to be mounted under the seat or in another location. I had him check with his installer and he confirmed there is only one unit.

Installer stated I would void my warranty if I did the install. I actually pulled out my cell phone and gave him Pioneer?s technical help, which confirmed on Friday, the warranty is not void, and cannot be voided for this fact, so long as you connect it correctly.

Installer stated only peripheral devices would keep the chime. Told him to go talk with the Pioneer guy and go on Soundgate?s website to learn the real truth.

Their price for the unit, with Pioneer paying the install (up to $200.00) was $1499.99 (plus 6% MI taxes), and they would not budge on penny.

I walked!

Prices from Amazon.com that I have for the two different units:
AVIC D2 - $995.00
Rear Camera (Pioneer) ? $183.00
XM Module - $94.99
Remote ? $28.96
Faceplate - $17.95
TOTAL $1319.89 (plus shipping?No taxes)

AVIC-Z1 - $1571.00
Rear Camera (Pioneer) - $183.00
XM Module - $94.99
Remote ? $20.00 (this is full retail, could not find this on Amazon)
Faceplate - $17.95
TOTAL: $1886.94 (plus shipping?no taxes)

Prices do not include the Digistar adapter which is $132 from Soundgate?s website, or the GM to Pioneer FM adapter. Not sure why I need this, since I have not listened to FM since I have had the vehicle.

This makes the Z1, $568.05 more expensive. So, I sit here still debating which is the better deal, and if I want the hassle at this time.

Thanks to everyone for all your input.

[marin8703]

hey f5,

will you get the warranty if you buy it new from Amazon, or will pioneer not honor it?

Thanks

[Mark805]

like i said earlier in this post... $500 difference is worth it in the long run. And if you really need to justify it.. go with.. z1 has 1/2 more screen

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by marin8703

hey f5,

will you get the warranty if you buy it new from Amazon, or will pioneer not honor it?

Thanks

As long as it is a US and not gray model, Pioneer has to honor the warranty.

[HummerNewbie]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

Went to the store today and viewed the Pioneer Drive Happier tour, ...

All great info and thinks for sharing. Based on what he said about the D1 and D2 I would consider even going with a D1 for a couple of hundred less. Take a look at Ebay and you can probably find on with full warranty for $800 if not less. That is were I got my XM Traffic tuner for $120 with shipping and it is brand new with full warranty as well.

Originally Posted by Mark805

like i said earlier in this post... $500 difference is worth it in the long run. And if you really need to justify it.. go with.. z1 has 1/2 more screen

For my purposes, I have yet to see anything on the Z1 that would make me spend the extra $500 for it. Actually, it was over $1K more than I spent on my D1. It all comes down to personal preferences.

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

As long as it is a US and not gray model, Pioneer has to honor the warranty.

I have to correct this statement. I have done some more research, and my statement is not totally correct. It has to be an authorized Pioneer online retailer, and not only that, it has to be authorized for the specific type of equipment purchased. In this case, Navigation, not just car audio.
So, back to the drawing boards, and the price just rose. However, I found a reliable place online that sells the unit for less, and will issue a 2-yearr warranty that brings it up about $50.00 more than I would have paid to the other firm.

[marin8703]

f5,

can you post link to this place which offers the 2 year waranty?
thanks

[f5fstop]

Damn, what a process to order this stuff, when not every store carries everything required.
I went with the Z1, don?t ask me why; however, I did prefer the all blue LED buttons, versus the green/blue on the D2. I did not go with the XM traffic monitor, due to further research. I talked with two people who have this feature, and say it is all but worthless when traveling across country. Locally, it sucks due to the fact that if it is an accident, by the time it is reported, the accident is cleared. So, I could not see the extra $$, and the extra $$ per month for something that I would never use locally, and not worth it for long trips.
Final order was (for those interested in purchasing):

AVIC Z1 Ordered from Comp-u-plus.com
$1519.95
$39.00 (Mack, 3-year warranty)
$33.39 Shipping
Total: $1539.19

ND-BC1 Camera/GEX-P920XM Unit Ordered from Etronics via Amazon.com website
$189.99 (Camera)
$89.99 (GEX-P920XM)
$11.35 shipping
Total: $291.33

Scosche GM1595B/Peripheral GMAH24B and GMAHCM Ordered from Cardomain.com
$15.95 (Scosche)
$144.00 (GMAH24B)
$31.95 (GMAHCM)
$4.95 (Antenna Adapter)
$2.00 Shipping
Total: $199.80

Z1-FC Circuit Flasher Ordered from Sminntec
$34.95
$4.00 shipping
Total $38.95

Total (not counting the Captain Morgan?s I have been sipping on for the past week trying to decide what to purchase) $2123.27

(Cannot find the remote anywhere online at this time. So, I?ll have to order it sometime in the future.)

I went with Peripheral due to the really dumb replies I received from Soundgate in regard to their Digistar adapter. Like I told the support people at both Peripheral and Soundgate, I need to understand how this adapter works, before I purchase it, even if everyone says it works. It is my nature to do this, and I can?t change. Inquiring minds have to know. Peripheral was reluctant at first, but later switched me over to engineering. Soundgate may make a great product, but their tech people are really stubborn about switching me over to engineering, so I gave up due to spending way too much time on this subject, and went with the Peripheral adapters.

I promise to take some photos during install, but don?t expect everything to be here by Friday for a weekend install. So, it will be the next weekend.

So, one last question to all you guys who have installed these units. IS THERE ANYTHING I'M FORGETTING (other than more Captain Morgan's)?

[HummerNewbie]

Congrats on taking the leap and ordering. Looks like you did pretty good and got everything you need ordered, make sure to post plenty of pics

[Mark805]

Glad to see you took the leap

Did you get the new install faceplate / bracket / mounting kit thing? (Its late and I cant for the life of me think of what its called)

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by Mark805

Glad to see you took the leap

Did you get the new install faceplate / bracket / mounting kit thing? (Its late and I cant for the life of me think of what its called)

You mean the "Scosche" install kit? Yes.

[BuzzH3]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

So, one last question to all you guys who have installed these units. IS THERE ANYTHING I'M FORGETTING (other than more Captain Morgan's)?

Some Coke for the Captain Morgan!!!

[TooMch]

Sounds like you'll be busy with your install. Anxoiuus to see pics and hear comments. I'm already partial to Sirius. Is there anything similar to what you are installing that I could get Sirius with?

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by TooMch

Sounds like you'll be busy with your install. Anxoiuus to see pics and hear comments. I'm already partial to Sirius. Is there anything similar to what you are installing that I could get Sirius with?

Yes, Pioneer offers a Sirius module that is used in place of an XM module.

[TooMch]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

Yes, Pioneer offers a Sirius module that is used in place of an XM module.

Oh, that's dangerous information!

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by BuzzH3

I actually slid the XM module right in front of the OnStar module. It is between the OnStar module and the front of the center console. There is a metal bracket that the OnStar module sits down into. The bracket just needs to be bent slightly towards the Onstar module for the XM module to fit. I can try to get a picture of it tonight or tomorrow.

Getting ready for the install, but just curious about this mounting location for the XM receiver. How big is that module? I looked today, and it appeared there would not be enough room for the module and the back of the HVAC controls on the panel.
I have decided to place the camera on top of the trailer hitch in the center of the vehicle. I am in the process of designing a bracket to allow the camera to sit here. Just have to be really careful if hooking up a trailer.

[BuzzH3]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

Getting ready for the install, but just curious about this mounting location for the XM receiver. How big is that module? I looked today, and it appeared there would not be enough room for the module and the back of the HVAC controls on the panel.
I have decided to place the camera on top of the trailer hitch in the center of the vehicle. I am in the process of designing a bracket to allow the camera to sit here. Just have to be really careful if hooking up a trailer.

I'm not sure of the dimensions of your XM box, but I have the XM NavTraffic one and I can't believe it would be any smaller. If you just slightly bend the metal bracket holding the onstar box, the XM box will slide all the way down in there so it actually sits lower than the onstar box. There is no interference at all with the HVAC controls.

Yeah, I want to move my camera there too. I just have to get around to doing it.

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by BuzzH3

I'm not sure of the dimensions of your XM box, but I have the XM NavTraffic one and I can't believe it would be any smaller. If you just slightly bend the metal bracket holding the onstar box, the XM box will slide all the way down in there so it actually sits lower than the onstar box. There is no interference at all with the HVAC controls.

Yeah, I want to move my camera there too. I just have to get around to doing it.

Cool. I'll let you know how I have to adapt the bracket for the camera to fit in that location, if it is the final location I choose.
Also did some research on the GPS antenna mounting under the dash. GM installs their NAV GPS antenna, just to the left of the upper heater/ac vents, behind the I/P cluster, immediately under the plastic dash panel. I believe, if the cluster is removed, access to that area is easy (not sure at this time). Cluster removed in about two minutes.
I plan on trying to mount the antenna there, if not, on top of the heater vents as close to the top as I can get it.
This should work for GPS, but would never work for XM or probably Serius due to the locations of the Satellites.