Rear Seat Entertainment-DVD - Diesel Forum

Bassman1 · 07-03-2002, 07:59 AM

I have been looking for a 2002 Excursion with the DVD Package. I have a couple of questions. How is the quality of this system compared to the aftermarket systems? I like the idea of having something factory installed, but wondering if there are better systems out there for the money. I like how they offset the air controls and was wondering if I had it done aftermarket they could do the same? Looking for some advice. My wife really wants this option the problem is I am having trouble finding the color Excursion I want and options with the DVD. We both want Oxford White Limited Ultimate, Trailer Tow, DVD, 6 Disc, and 3.73 LS. We have found some but they have bucket seats in the back.

wavshrdr · 07-03-2002, 02:13 PM

I was in a similar position as you. I decided to go with the factory DVD. I have been VERY happy with it. The picture quality is excellent and I like the fact the controls are integrated with the stock system and I can OVERRIDE it when I want. I also like the fact that I can be listening to something else while my kids watch a DVD. A bigger display might help with the last seat but then it would block the rearview mirror.

I do have plans to add another monitor for the rearmost seat to cure this problem. Another plus with the factory system is they ceiling mount the DVD system and its very accessible. The wireless remote works well. It is a much better system than I thought it would be. The display is quite crisp and clear. I also like the fact that the factory warranty will cover any problems.

I have the center buckets and I am glad I went with them over the bench. I like the fact that you don't have to constantly flip the center seats forward to get to the rear seats. My kids also like the fact that I can put a cooler between the seats too.

It took me a while to find one with the DVD and an acceptable color but I had to get the normal "elephant ears" mirrors. Last night I swapped them out for the TT mirrors instead. Seems like most trucks with the DVDs had the elephant ears.

Good luck,
-Tim

frobozz · 07-03-2002, 02:46 PM

Small clarification needed on one of our parts...

I believe the trailer tow (TT) mirrors are the ones usually referred to as "elephant ears" because they're so huge and ungainly. The stock mirrors on the truck are just called... mirrors! (Don't get me wrong, the TT mirrors are the best ones I've ever used in a truck, and the looks even grow on you after a while!)

Duncan

ExcursionPSD · 07-03-2002, 04:22 PM

The brochures and ads call the standard mirrors Sport or Aero mirrors.

xelerator · 07-03-2002, 04:59 PM

Anybody knows who make a factory correct rear bucket to replace the bench. I have three kids and its a pain to get to the third seat.Two of the kids are still in car seat so if they are strapped to second seat the seat won't move unless the car seats are taken out and if they are in the third seat you have to slide the seat foward to get the kids in , either way its a pain in the a$$.

sorry to get of topic, but i'd buy the x with the four captian chairs if i did it again.

jogiba · 07-03-2002, 06:37 PM

I purchased a 9" Toshiba AC/DC TV/VCR that fits perfect between the armrest's on my Ex. I put a new small shower mat (with 250 small suction cups ) under it on top of the console that keeps it from sliding when braking. The screen is nice and flat and very sharp.

wavshrdr · 07-05-2002, 09:21 AM

I tried a portable DVD set before going with the factory DVD system. Actually I tried 2 portable ones but I was really disappointed with the sound quality and volume. The displays weren't bad though. I forget which models but the one had the speakers on the side and when I had it between the seats, its speakers were blocked. Now I am not going to say that the factory DVD is the best thing since sliced bread but I am very happy with it. I also like the fact that its a little harder to steal and its one less thing I have to lug around.

The integration with the stock speaker system is very nice. The unit doesn't skip over rough pavement either. It looks pretty easy to tie a second monitor into it which I plan to do this week. That should take care of my kids in the 3rd row ok.

As for the mirror discussion, I have heard the stock mirrors (non-TT) often called elephant ears. If I mistakenly called them elephant ears when the others call the TT mirrors the elephant ears, then my apologies. I am sooooo glad I put the TT mirrors on. Now if they only had that nifty turn signal integrated in them I would be really happy. What has amazed me about the TT mirrors is that the are NOT louder than the stock "aero" mirrors even when running at high speeds 90+.

JADFPE · 07-05-2002, 09:48 AM

A few have added the turn signal into the mirror. I might do this one day. The Muth Company makes the mirrors and they have a kit to do the upgreade. Check their web site and search the forum. They is several post on the subject.

Have a great weekend,
John [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

frobozz · 07-05-2002, 09:55 AM

I think the TT mirrors are the ugliest mirrors ever made, and yet the absolute best mirrors ever made. I hadn't even thought about wind noise, but you're right, they don't really make any. One more reason they're the best mirrors ever made. (OK, they could add heat to the little convex portion, that would make them better...) Supposedly they will have turn signals in them starting with the "2003.25" trucks, i.e. when the new engine comes out.

To get back on the original subject - We have a sort of jury-rigged system, but we are all very happy with it. It starts with a Samsung flat panel TV/monitor (about $600):

Syncmaster 150MP

If the kids are in the second row, we lash the monitor to the folded down center portion of the 40/20/40 front seat. (It's very light.) If they're in the third row, with the center seat folded down ("limo mode") then we flip the monitor's base up and wedge it in between the folded-down back and the folded up base of the second seat. The stereo speakers point forward (like, DUH, why do all the combo TVs have them pointing out the side?!) or they can string headphones back with extender cables.

We also bought a Samsung combo VCR/DVD player. That plugs into the inputs in the back of the monitor. It lives under the center seat if they're riding in the center seat, or just out on the folded down section if they're in the third row seat. Finally, the Gamecube plugs into the A/V in jacks on the front of the combo player, and lives next to the player in whichever configuration we're in.

Oh yeah, of course none of this works without the power inverter, that's the key to being this flexible! The flat panel draws almost no current though, so you don't really need that big an inverter.

Disadvantages: we have to set it up before any long trip, and don't usually bother to set it up for short trips. Doesn't look nearly as slick as a built-in unit.

Advantages: cheap. HUGE screen at eye level (instead of tiny screen above their heads) and doesn't get in driver's sight line at all. Flexible, moves wherever they do in the truck. Big bonus: when we get somewhere (oh, say, the inlaws for a week) where there is almost no electronic entertainment, and after a few days when they are getting a little bored, they can just bring all the stuff inside and use it there! (I'm leery of having the kids playing for hours in a parked car, for any number of reasons...) When we're not on the road, the monitor can be used as a nifty flat-panel monitor for a computer too, as it has VGA connectors. It also has a tuner, if you end up somewhere where you can get an over-the air TV signal!

Duncan

Fordasaurus · 07-06-2002, 10:25 PM

For a lot less than the price of an integrated system, i purchased an IBM ThinkPad T20 (800mhz 256ram) with DVD. When we travel, I remove the rear cupholder where the rear volume controls are and insert a platform. I purchased two decent headphone units, a headphone spliter and an inventor for power from Radioshack. Now I have a system with a 15" monitor and multifunctionality. I have had no issues with screen quality, bumps or volume. Plus I can take it out of the car and use it to surf the web, get email...blah blah. Can't say enough good things about it. I have been looking at vehicle mounts specific to mounting computers. This will probably give better viewing height for rear passengers but haven't gotten around to it.

Rover · 07-08-2002, 01:03 PM

All:

Just a little tip if you are using laptops/portable dvd's etc.

I use a cassette adapter that can be purchased for $10 from Best Buy or Radio Shack. It goes from the headphone plug on the dvd and inserts into the tape deck.

With this setup, you can use the stock headphone jacks in the back and use the front/rear source option.

Also, you can listen to it over the stereo if you want to hear it too!

And for the mount.... www.ram-mount.com

Rover