Navigation without optical drive?

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by ChrisW, Feb 21, 2013.

  1. ChrisW

    ChrisW Member

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    Do they make something like this?

    I dont use CDs, is there a decent touch screen double din unit out there that has bluetooth, built in navigation, and doesnt have an optical drive? What aftermarket nav are you guys running?
     
  2. Matt

    Matt Think before you post
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  3. ChrisW

    ChrisW Member

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    I think something similar to the AppRadio stuff would be best for what I need. I wonder if they make one with its own GPS antenna though, my android devices usually have a hard time keeping signal.
     
  4. Aggregate

    Aggregate Member

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    And you can check out ARliberator for the appradio+android if you want to make the radio into a straight android device. (screen mirror from your phone)
     
  5. wagunz_pwn

    wagunz_pwn Active Member

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    I'm old-school. I still rock a Tom-Tom.
     
  6. CelticPride

    CelticPride Banned

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    My dad's old school he still rocks the Rand McNally Atlas.:rofl:
     
  7. DaveH

    DaveH Member

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    There's another way.

    The best Nav software out there is Google. A Nexus 7 costs $200. Realtime traffic info and up-to-date maps. Bluetooth streaming of Nav directions and Pandora/Spotify to whatever head unit you have.
     
  8. Aggregate

    Aggregate Member

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    I've got the Nexus 7. Since it doesn't have a data connection (unless you wifi from your phone), it acts more like a digital map then a GPS guidance no turn by turn available or destination search. (unless you download a third party GPS service which isnt as good).

    Perhaps this has changed though.
     
  9. ChrisW

    ChrisW Member

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    I thought about a nexus 7, but after I buy all the extra stuff to mount it and wire it correctly, Id be at or above other units.

    Im pretty sure im going to pick up a Pioneer AppRadio 2 today after work, Best Buy will match Amazon now so I can get it for $309 from my local store. Plus I have a MHL adapter so I can try out the ARliberator app and see how it does. I have an Evo Lte and a GS3 so whichever works best will be the one I use. Has anyone here used one before?

    Now, on to my next question, the SVX has 2 antennas, 1 traditional and another one in the rear window. Id like to go antenna-less since the automatic one is broken anyways, do you think running only the window antenna would suffice?
     
  10. Matt

    Matt Think before you post
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    BB price matches, but will they still charge tax? Essentially you're paying more if that's the case.
     
  11. ChrisW

    ChrisW Member

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    I thought about that too Matt, but its 14.92 for shipping or 18.60ish for tax, well worth the $4 difference to have a local place to return it if something goes wrong.
     
  12. CelticPride

    CelticPride Banned

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    Not to mention supporting a local business.
     
  13. Matt

    Matt Think before you post
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    fair enough. I have amazon prime, so it's free 2 day shipping for me. :D
     
  14. Matt

    Matt Think before you post
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    I wouldn't consider a big box chain to be local business...maybe if Chris bought it from a car stereo shop.
     
  15. CelticPride

    CelticPride Banned

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    So there aren't local people that work there?
     
  16. Matt

    Matt Think before you post
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    nah. they're all robots. Or meat popsicles.
     
  17. nicad

    nicad Yes I am a troll

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    and their shitty business practices?
     
  18. wrxin8or

    wrxin8or Mullitt
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    Hah. It is much easier to return stuff to amazon at least for me. All you do is print off the return label, drop it off at a UPS store, and youre done.

    Plus, all your records are kept through amazon and you don't have to track down receipts, etc.


    And I'd consider Amazon to be just as local of a business as Worst Buy
     
  19. CelticPride

    CelticPride Banned

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    No different than Google.
     
  20. Matt

    Matt Think before you post
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    Keep it on topic please
     
  21. Aggregate

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    I am very interested in hearing your feedback on that headunit. It is very appealing.
     
  22. Strayen

    Strayen Active Member

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    Plus with Prime membership, it may just be free. Amazon wins out for me. I consider Microcenter local business. I detest going into BB any more.
     
  23. Matt

    Matt Think before you post
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    I go to Best Buy to handle products and test them out. Then look on amazon for the better pricing.
     
  24. ChrisW

    ChrisW Member

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    I'll make sure to report my findings!

    How much do you guys pay for prime? I need to look into that.
     
  25. sti-mike

    sti-mike Member

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    Best buy will price match amazon now. It's awesome. I have done it several times now.
     
  26. Matt

    Matt Think before you post
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    somewhat. they offered to price match something from amazon for me 2.5 years ago, but when I asked about sales tax, they said there was nothing they could do. I told them I'll order it on amazon.
     
  27. wagunz_pwn

    wagunz_pwn Active Member

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    After your free trial...it is $79 a year.
     
  28. CelticPride

    CelticPride Banned

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    What happened to staying on topic Matt?
     
  29. ChrisW

    ChrisW Member

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    OK, I can't find a wiring harness for an svx so I guess I'll be hard wiring it in tonight. This should be interesting.
     
  30. wagunz_pwn

    wagunz_pwn Active Member

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    Stop trolling. Is it time for another new username?




    ;)
     
  31. ChrisW

    ChrisW Member

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    Well, 5 hours later, I'm done. Huuuuge pain in the ass, but it'll be worth it. I'll take some pics tomorrow.
     
  32. b reel

    b reel Active Member

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    isn't GA going after amazon for not collecting sales tax?
     
  33. wagunz_pwn

    wagunz_pwn Active Member

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    Amazon found loopholes and will fight it just like other states.
     
  34. Aggregate

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    Unexpected problems?
     
  35. b reel

    b reel Active Member

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    cut him some slack, he lost the tip of his right thumb in a tragic bowling accident
     
    #35 b reel, Feb 23, 2013
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2013
  36. ChrisW

    ChrisW Member

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    Between the mhl adapter, USB power supply, wiring harness, and antenna I had a really hard time fitting everything far enough behind the unit so that it would be flush with the dash. Before that, while removing the old cage, a sharp part of it got caught on the vinyl and tore it a little bit. It's the spot beside the radio though, so it's not very noticeable.

    So far I love the unit, it's very responsive and has a rather nice screen for the price. I'll post up some pics tomorrow once I get things configured properly.


    If anyone is thinking about buying one of these, make sure you plug up the additional USB harness so you can update the firmware. It has a Bluetooth update option in the menu but I don't think it does anything on this version of the software.
     
  37. Aggregate

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    #37 Aggregate, Feb 23, 2013
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2013
  38. ChrisW

    ChrisW Member

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    I got the head unit, the mhl adapter, and a 2 foot antenna extender for 325ish out the door, they must have taken that rebate into account. Its working great so far, my only gripe is having to pull it back out to update it, because I didn't connect the iPhone USB stuff on the first go round. It works really well so far, nothing but a positive experience.
     
  39. SVXdc

    SVXdc Member

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    You must not have Googled very hard, or you would have found this...


    So sorry I haven't been checking in here more often, or I would have pointed you to that in time. I might even have been willing to meet to get one to you quicker.

    That also links to my SVX installation guide, here.
     
    #39 SVXdc, May 28, 2013
    Last edited: May 28, 2013

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