Is Anyone Really Happy With Their Aftermarket In Dash Nav System?

CactusJK · 08-13-2006, 02:11 PM

There are a lot of threads on this but I would like some consolidated feedback before removing my FJammer. Originally I was about ready to get an Eclipse AVN 5500 but some have had problems with Eclipse. The Pioneer AVIC D2 deal is really good right now but the purists don't like some of its features. In the past I have stayed away from aftermarket stereos because they never seem to work as advertised. I want a good Nav system with some iPod functionality that works. Any feedback is greatly appreciated! If it is just too hard I will hold out for the Toyota hand held.

Pete · 08-13-2006, 03:28 PM

Installed the Eclipse 5500 w/Sirius in my FJ about 5 weeks ago. I love it. I left the stock speakers alone, and the sound is great. The install is simple, routing the wires for antenna's was the only tough part. If you can get past the initial cost of the unit, you won't be sorry.

CactusJK · 08-13-2006, 04:23 PM

How is the Nav System funtionality? See Helevitia's comment at the end of "My Nav System Has Been Ordered Thread." He cites some problems such as the Nav voice only comes out the left speaker and doesn't mute the other speaker. Also:

1. The navigation system is very confusing. My last nav system was a Chrysler product built by Alpine. It was very simple to use, everything worked how I felt it should work.

2. The Audio/Video in has tons of noise on the line. I have no idea why, but it sounds horrible and when I turn on my MP3 player, the HDD noise is picked up through the wires. It's not that loud, but definitely annoying. Once I turn the music up a little, I can't hear it anymore.

3. The whole system is just layed out weird. It doesn't feel intuitive at all.

4. The rear camera has a ton of red and purple fringing along contrasting lines. The fish eye lens effect is pretty distorted towards the ends.

5. The screen isn't even average in my opinion. It is sub par for a 2006 unit.

6. DVD's are stretched weird. I'm not sure what it is, but it isn't right. There are no controls to change this.

I'm just not feeling the $1700 worth of love I paid for it. On the bright side, I get to tinker with my FJ with a new system

So I think I am going to go balls out and get the Alpine Nav with the new IVA-W200 DVD HU. Everything I read about it makes me drool. But before I pull the trigger, I need to make sure I can install it. I'm sure it's a tad more complex, but since I did this one and I know my FJ a little better, I'm feeling mroe confident

Quote:

Pete previously said:

Installed the Eclipse 5500 w/Sirius in my FJ about 5 weeks ago. I love it. I left the stock speakers alone, and the sound is great. The install is simple, routing the wires for antenna's was the only tough part. If you can get past the initial cost of the unit, you won't be sorry.

Pete · 08-13-2006, 04:46 PM

I haven't hooked up the camera as of yet. Going to replace my rack with the Gobi & install it on the back of the rack. As for picture quality, it looks fine to me. Although I really don't plan to sit in my FJ and watch movies. The GPS works great. Yes it's a little confusing at first, but simple when you get used to it. I'm pretty sure the GPS voice guidance comes out of all of my speakers. I keep it turned down as it can get overwhelming when your in a city and she's giving you directions over & over again. I like the layout of the unit. While driving I don't look at the unit to operate it. And best of all, it looks like it was designed for the dash. I'm sorry, but I can't find anything that really annoys me about the 5500. It's a huge upgrade over that dreaded FJammer. Well there is one thing. The price. But then all of these GPS/DVD/SAT/Radios cost too much in my opinion.

CactusJK · 08-13-2006, 05:01 PM

Thanks for the great feedback. Did you get an iPod interface? I know that many of these decisions are personal.

Quote:

Pete previously said:

I haven't hooked up the camera as of yet. Going to replace my rack with the Gobi & install it on the back of the rack. As for picture quality, it looks fine to me. Although I really don't plan to sit in my FJ and watch movies. The GPS works great. Yes it's a little confusing at first, but simple when you get used to it. I'm pretty sure the GPS voice guidance comes out of all of my speakers. I keep it turned down as it can get overwhelming when your in a city and she's giving you directions over & over again. I like the layout of the unit. While driving I don't look at the unit to operate it. And best of all, it looks like it was designed for the dash. I'm sorry, but I can't find anything that really annoys me about the 5500. It's a huge upgrade over that dreaded FJammer. Well there is one thing. The price. But then all of these GPS/DVD/SAT/Radios cost too much in my opinion.

Helevitia · 08-13-2006, 05:04 PM

That's the other problem I forgot to mention. The nav voice is overwhelming. On my old unit and the new unit I have on order it doesn't talk as much if I don't want it too. I can even bring it down to just "ding" when I am supposed to turn or I reach a milestone. The Eclipse won't shut up!

And Pete, I'd be really suprised if your nav voice comes out of all speakers. Can you vrify that for us?

It seems a lot of people love the Eclipse units. I'm not one of them

I guess I got used to my old OEM Alpine unit, so that is where I am headed again.

Pete · 08-13-2006, 05:18 PM

Just tested it. And yes, Helevitia your right! I didn't even notice. Guidance voice only comes out of the front left side (door) speaker. I'm guessing that Eclipse did this as not to annoy everyone else in the cabin. But it still does anyway. One thing I forgot to mention earlier. I looked at the Alpine units. They look great. But I wanted Sirius and they only offer the XM option if I'm not mistaken.

CactusJK · 08-13-2006, 05:29 PM

Does anyone with a Pioneer or Eclipse 6600 want to weigh in here? What is the cost of the Alpine System and what parts do I need?

Quote:

Pete previously said:

Just tested it. And yes, Helevitia your right! I didn't even notice. Guidance voice only comes out of the front left side (door) speaker. I'm guessing that Eclipse did this as not to annoy everyone else in the cabin. But it still does anyway. One thing I forgot to mention earlier. I looked at the Alpine units. They look great. But I wanted Sirius and they only offer the XM option if I'm not mistaken.

MJSFJ · 08-13-2006, 05:30 PM

I hate the tiny knob that you have to turn to manually tune stations. I wish they had made it the same size as the volume knob. Other than they I'm satisfied. I like the feature allowing me to change colors of the screen. I have mine blue to match my blue FJ

MJSFJ · 08-13-2006, 05:31 PM

I'm speaking about the factory stereo