columbus

i've had a TomTom Go 700 for more than a year and it's pretty good. Haven't had a chance to compare with other brands though. The only issue I have with it is map updates - they seem to be far between and that shows from time to time. And POI searches - they're displayed with respect to your current location, not the final destination. That can really suck.

I love the display size of their new line, the 900 & Co.

Searched on the internet and got it for about $200 less than what it listed for at the time... like $699.

Upside is you can take it with you. The suction mount is definitely up to snuff. In my car, I use those Swedish mount kits, forgot the name - they have adapters for any car and nav, also cell phones and PDAs.

linkmustang

how much was your whole setup

Arn560

All I can say is WOW. Wish I had the guts to open up my car like that!

KleanC

Thanks for the step by step...i havent seen anyone put that much effort into anything...

fanito

Thank you guys for the praises... If I have other projects I will post the DIY. I found out that we do need simple instructions to do things to our cars, most of us are "technically challenged" and the more explanatory the better

fanito

Costs:

AVIC Z1: $1450 (new)
Bluetooth: $110
XM Tuner: $149
Harness: $20
Installation Kit: $20
General installation items (ties, butt connectors, etc...) : $10
Installation cost: $0 (if you go to bestbuy add $500... lol)

Jweiss@carlabms

nice writeup, realy helpfull

Cigalert

When I used to do stereo installations (way back when most of you were watching power puff girls) people would come to me after going Circuit Chity and Worstbuy saying "I don't know what the deal is...I paid them $50 to install my pull-out tape deck and it doesn't work". After opening the dash I noticed that their $50 hard earned dollars went to scotch tape or "wire connectors" as some of their employees called it.

I know they have improved their work but I still don't think they are all that great at what they do. I've heard, seen and fixed too many nightmares. However, they are a great place for wiring harness' and dash kits.

Great write up Fanito.

linkmustang

where u buy yours at and is the picture good

yeuchau

wow
not bad not bad, especially you have that faceplate to cover it

jgsx

fanito - great write up. I have a Z1 here on the table, along with the 70-9401 harness. One thing that I'm confused about is your ACC explanation. In two pictures, you say that you connected ACC (the red wire from connector 1) to the cigg lighter. In another picture, it sounds like you didn't wire it to the sig, and just swapped the yellow and red wires between the Z1's connector one and the 70-9401 harness. Which way is correct? Thanks!

rlee02135

did you use an antenna adapter?
how do you know how to connect which wires to the metra harness?
also, after the metra harness is wired to the unit, is the rest plug and play?

thanks

jgsx

I haven't installed mine yet, I just got it today and am preparing. The metra harness is color coded to match the wires from the Pioneer harness. The rest is not plug and play for me since I have the Bose system.

rlee02135

is it color coded to eclipse units?

thanks

jgsx

I think it is standardized

The MBK100C kit is backordered everywhere, so that is holding up my install.

rlee02135

they are availible on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6098&rd=1&rd=1

jgsx

SOLD! Thanks rlee!

cla 1000

I got one as well. Thanks rlee02135.

rlee02135

I got the last one

IllogicalBeetle

This post has sold me on going for the AVIC-Z1 over aftermarket Comand. I-pod integration, Bluetooth, and a GREAT DIY guide for me to follow when the time comes. Now, the question is....

AVIC or BiX? Which to do first?
Thanks Fanito!

jgsx

The bluetooth quality is poor, so don't expect too much.

I'd get BiX first! Frosty lenses make the car look so dated

rlee02135

Go Bi-X.
Steve is running out of them

powa

yes probably go bi-xenon first, the price for the bi-xenon is going up cuz of rareity, while the z1 is going down in price, hopefully i can get a good price on boxing day =)

linkmustang

any one have a wiring guide i do not under stand the pining part

cla 1000

Did you guys get your kits from ebay yet? Unfortunatley my ebay account had my old adress saved on. It has been over a year that I moved from there so the post office stoped forwarding mail to my new adress. The Ebay seller sent the item to my old adress, and now, I think that the post office will return to sender.