Stock audio

[lax]

Hey, i just bought a new h3 humemr automatic with no other options. Iam anxious to drive it and pick it up monday!

One quick question, how is the stock audio system? is it in need for a upgrade?

thanks

[deserth3]

I wasn't impressed with the stock system that was in the rental I had. Couldn't wait to get mine back with the Monsoon system.

[HummerNewbie]

It really comes down to what you are used to and what you expect out of the system. I have never really paid any attention to the base system when I have a loaner but would guarantee you that it wouldn't stay stock if that is what mine had. The monsoon on the other hand, I was very impressed with. Probably the best stock system I have heard, definitely the best I have owned.

[Hmmm2]

X2

[humma_H3]

monsoon...

matt
cincy

[fourfourto]

I had the base radio ,it was ok.
I didnt want to spend the almost $1,000 extra just for a woofer because I was planing on getting a aftermarket .
I would like a little more base,I will probobly add a woofer at some time?.Were to put it though?

If you get the adventure with base radio,you get a left side compartment extra storage space is great

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

I have lousy hearing, BUT, I will tell you the Monsoon System is SUPER...

RYD

Agreed Monsoon is the only way to go.

S.

[westhillsat]

I like the stock system just fine, but then I'm an old fart too.
And with the stock system you get some storage space where the subwoofer would have been.

I have a tow strap in that space, more useful to me than a subwoofer when you get stuck out in the middle of nowhere

[lax]

Okay, thanks everyone for the input, by the sounds of it I might upgrade it.


I was thinking of a indash video screen for my cd-player thing, how do I know that it would fit?

Thanks

[HummerNewbie]

Originally Posted by lax

I was thinking of a indash video screen for my cd-player thing, how do I know that it would fit?

Any aftermarket double din head unit will fit in the H3. You will need to use an install kit but it will fit just fine. Here are a couple of shots of my D1 in the H3.
Nav Display


XM Display

[Agriv8r]

pioneer has a new one out, fits perfect. Has 30gig hard drive, 20gig for navigation and the other 10 to record your cd's on. Roughly 15,000 songs stored on the hard drive and no cd/cd cases in th e truck. Oh yeah, you can get a bigger hard drive.

[HummerNewbie]

Yeah, the Z1 is pretty cool. Might bump up to it after a while.

[lax]

ill probaly buy a indash video cd player. That pioneer one sounds EXPENSIVE

I know this aint a audio forum, but anyone know of a good combonation for around 500 dollars on a sub/amp/speaker kit without the indash video screen?


Thanks

[usetosellhummer]

the aftermarkets are hot! Base is fine unless your really rock hard, I'm an old DJ and can't hear so it is fine for me.

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by HummerNewbie

Any aftermarket double din head unit will fit in the H3. You will need to use an install kit but it will fit just fine. Here are a couple of shots of my D1 in the H3.
Nav Display


XM Display

How is that D1 in bright sunlight, especially with a sunroof; if you have one? When you hooked it up, did you keep all the Onstar functions via the radio, and did you keep the stock XM module?
Also, I take it the Nav only works with the DVD in the slot.
Looking seriously at the D2, but want to keep XM and Onstar (as well as the Monsoon).

[HummerNewbie]

Originally Posted by f5fstop

How is that D1 in bright sunlight, especially with a sunroof; if you have one? When you hooked it up, did you keep all the Onstar functions via the radio, and did you keep the stock XM module?
Also, I take it the Nav only works with the DVD in the slot.
Looking seriously at the D2, but want to keep XM and Onstar (as well as the Monsoon).

I really like the D1 and went with it because I was able to get it real cheap from a buddy that had only used it about a month or so. So far I really haven't had any issues with sunlight and I do have the sunroof. Yes, there have been a few times were I needed to shade it with my hand to see but that also happened with the stock 6 disc head. I did retain all the OnStar capability and am still getting the benefits of the Monsoon. The one thing my truck did not come with that I wanted was XM so I had to run a new antenna and go with a new tuner. I probably would have done this anyway because I wanted the XM Traffic. I know that you can get the D1s on Ebay pretty cheap these days so you might want to check it out.

[Mark805]

How is that D1 in bright sunlight, especially with a sunroof; if you have one? When you hooked it up, did you keep all the Onstar functions via the radio, and did you keep the stock XM module?
Also, I take it the Nav only works with the DVD in the slot.
Looking seriously at the D2, but want to keep XM and Onstar (as well as the Monsoon).

Direct Sunlight: I've personally never had a problem in direct sunlight since the screen tilts if you need it. But it does wash it out a bit when its directly on the screen. (Yes I have a sunroof)

OnStar via radio: It works through the radio with the proper adaptor.

Nav with DVD in slot: In regards to the Avic-D1 (and i could be wrong on this but i think the D2 is the same), the nav only works with the dvd in the unit but it only uses the dvd unit to read the nav disk (it doesn't play dvd movies) The D1 has a second cd drive that plays music and mp3 cds. Th newer Avic-Z1 can play movies on its DVD player and the nav information is on the hard drive.

Keeping XM: You will not be able to use the factory XM unit. You'll need the Pioneer XM module. I picked up the one with traffic nav. On the plus side, you CAN use the factory xm antenna (shark fin) after pulling off the red/orange end on the antenna cable. (not the end itself... just the snap) This saves you from installing another antenna.

The additional perks to the Z1 over the D1(and D2 i think):

Z1:
adds bluetooth cell phone connection with proper pioneer adaptor
adds a pretty reliable voice control
plays movies without extra DVD controler
DVDs can be played while driving (using the simple by-pass at vehicle start-up... not in manual btw)
Ipod intergration is much better then on the D1. I mean HUGE difference.


Dont get me wrong on this... both systems are great but if you can swing it, I'd spend the extra $500 and go with the Z1, you'll be happy in the long run.

I put the pioneer backup camera on my system as well and LOVE it. This is my first backup camera and the only flaw I can really see is it shows a flare when the sun is on it or if the sun is directly reflected off an object (very rare in Washington so not a problem ) I never realized how much I use it until I got a loaner H3 from the dealership for a few days.

[marin8703]

hey I just wanted to add something to the Z1 description, other than the fact that it is a great system it has one bad feature, well it really is that it doesnt have one good feature, which would be HD radio.
The Z1, and i think all the pioneer systems dont offer HD Radio compatibility. If you care about that. But the XM or Sirius satelite radio takes care of the fact that no HD radio is offered.

I just found this out the other day and i was kinda shocked cauze it had everything imaginable except the HD Radio fature, so i wanted to share.

Im still getting it though!

[f5fstop]

Just checked the XM Traffic and from what I can determine in my area, it is basically worthless, so I would opt for the standard XM tuner. Might also include the wireless remote that attaches to the steering wheel.
Did anyone install the Pioneer backup camera, and if so, where did you mount it? I would assume in the middle, but would it not show the rear tire?