[agdodge4x4]

So i just read through about 6 pages of posts about navigation units, but i didnt see what i wanted to know and im a bit confused.

I want to add GPS navigation to my 05 Lariat. I have the 6 disc changer in it now, factory. I want a unit that doesnt look aftermarket (i.e. red lit buttons vs. ford's stock colors). I am a bit confused as it looks like the pioneer units are a good choice, however, i read that you cannot listen to music AND do navigation at teh same time? I want to be able to fire up the radio, and switch modes to navigation and use that mode to do what i need to do, all the while having the ability to turn up or mute the radio. Is there a unit that makes that possible? Also, do any of these units have 6 disc changers?

 

[Weekend Cowboy]

I would suggest doing what I just did.
I had the new Alpine 505 unit installed. It has NAV, Sirius, AM/FM, backup camera and DVD along with iPod/M3 hokup. Does not have 6 CD changer but you really do not want that do you?! Go with a small iPod and it will store hours of music/movies/podcasts without the need to change out discs.
Anyway, I think you would be happier with something like that than the Pioneer factory NAV system ( I took mine out and replaced it).
Good luck.

 

[TxFireman1972]

I'm running the Pioneer AVIC-D3. You can definitely listen to music or even watch a DVD while the Navigation is active. Probably what you are thinking about is the fact that the NAV on alot of them are DVD based instead of hard drive based. In other words it reads your Navigation info off of the DVD. But once you put your NAV DVD in and plot in your course you can take the DVD out and go on with your CD, DVD whatever. It limits you a little bit because its running in "memory mode" for the NAV. So if you make changes to your trip or whatever you would have to put the NAV DVD back in. Its not a problem for me beacuse I dont use CDs or DVD's. Everything I listen to or watch is on my IPOD or IPhone. I have an 80GB IPod in the glove box which holds about 20,000 songs. Have my entire music collection on there as well as movies. You can run the IPOD and the NAV with the DVD in no problem.

One other option is to get one of the newer DVD/NAV units that are hard drive based. The NAV runs off of the Harddrive and you can play movies, CD's whatever you want at the same time.

 

[agdodge4x4]

Like the newest Z3 from pioneer?

 

[socalgn]

I have the F700Bt (Pioneer) in both rigs in my sig, and, while there have been some issues, they work great. The nav is flash based, and I have both units bypassed so the nav system can be altered while driving.

Movies are either on the SD card, or on my iPod. I can watch movies on the go, as well as use the nav unit.

You could get the F900BT which has a DVD player insteda of a CD.

Check out avic411.com for more info.

 

[agdodge4x4]

What do you mean they are bypassed? What in the nav system is not available when you are moving?

 

[PreservedSwine]

Another vote for the AvicD3. Can't beat the features/price ratio. And you can choose from a plethora of colors, or create your own (for the lights).

However, unless you put in a seperate CD or DVD changer, it's a nuisance t enter a new Destination, because you must have the nav DVD in the deck to do so. Once a destination is entered, it's stored in the HD, so it's no problem to take out the NAV DVD in favor of a CD.

You *could* use the ipod interface to watch movies,or listen to a crapload of music instead of a DVD/CD, and keep the NAV DVD in the unit.

I added a Pioneer 6 disc DVD/CD/mp3 unit in place of the stock 6 CD changer so I can still have movies playing in the back and front for the wife and little ones, while keeping the NAV dvd in the main unit. Everything looks stock.

Aftermarket NAV/DVD systems generally lock out movie watching in the front seats, destination entering, and POI searches while in motion. It's a drag. Virtually ever installer will bypass said "protection" if asked.

 

[Tallavana]

This looks pretty factory doesnt it.

 

[socalgn]

What do you mean they are bypassed? What in the nav system is not available when you are moving?

The Pioneer nav and DVD/video capable units are programmed to require the parking brake to be engaged before you can 1) watche a movie, or 2) program/alter a destination into the nav system.

It's an easy wiring harness change to bypass that feature. Basically swapping a couple of wires so the parking brake wire is seen as being 'on' all the time.

 

[GAZ4x4]

I also have the Pioneer AVIC-D3 and love it!!!

You can easily add a cd changer to it if you want, I use the ipod adapter so I have my entire music collection and alot of movies availiable without having to fuss with cd's.

There is no problem listening to music while using the navigation and one thing I really like is having backup cameras hooked up to it, one on the truck and one on my trailer so I know what's behind it at all times!

 

[socalgn]

Between the iPod and the SD cards, I very rarely carry CDs anymore. Rather than a CD changer, I have upwards of 5k+ songs available in digital format that fits in the glovebox.

 

[agdodge4x4]

Those look very nice. Is the GPS unit built into the unit or is it separate? Where does it go?

 

[socalgn]

Nav is built in; depending on the models, there are modules for

• Sirius/XM
• Bluetooth
• HD radio
• Ipod
• CD changer

I have the F-seriev Avic, and the nav and BT are built in.

 

[socalgn]

Here's my unit:

hidden and in its natural state!

 

[Tallavana]

thats the same factory radio I used to make my fake cover. Mine came out of my wifes mountaineer.

 

[Got_Torque_570]

I have the AVIC-D3 in my Acura and I love it! I just wish I could have gotten one for the truck before they quit making them....

 

[Big Mac]

Here's my unit:

hidden and in its natural state!

That is a great idea I never thought of doing that do you have a pic of the other side to show how it is attached ?

 

[socalgn]

PM sent

 

[Tallavana]

I pulled the face off my old radio. Used my bench sander to flatten it out some. I hollowed out a little on the back so the one knob on a D3 would go inside better. I glued most of the buttons in place. Then I took a blank CD and for the most part, cut it in half. I then glued it to the back of old radiio. So when I put the fake radio plate on, the piece of CD slides into the Avic disk slot enough to hold it there.

 

[02Boathauler]

I pulled the face off my old radio. Used my bench sander to flatten it out some. I hollowed out a little on the back so the one knob on a D3 would go inside better. I glued most of the buttons in place. Then I took a blank CD and for the most part, cut it in half. I then glued it to the back of old radiio. So when I put the fake radio plate on, the piece of CD slides into the Avic disk slot enough to hold it there.

Nice work. I like that. I may find a broke one to make that happen.

Anyone have a broken factory unit they want to sell?