Navigation systems?

[FatMan]

I'm sure this has been discuss many times, I just can't find it.
Any advise, recommendation's, ECT. on in-dash Navigation/Radio/Back-up camera?

[Frank Dreano]

Well, its pricey but I went with a Kenwood DNX575S - it wound up being about $739 not counting a backup camera - this was a package from Crutchfield and they do the custom wiring harness so that its pretty much plug and play. All wiring and dash brackets and covers are included.

The unit has backup camera capability, dash camera capability, Apple smartphone Car Play, hands-free Siri/phone calls, Garmin navigation, Sirrus XM, Pandora, Kenwood Weblink, HD Radio, Spotify, and works with the stock T-Bird steering wheel controls and an amazing set of tuneable parameters to match the car environment (speakers, number and size, crossover freqs, listener position and focus, etc.) It also has the DVD/CD-ROM player.

There were only two tricky installation quirks, which would be the same with any system with a backup camera:

1. You will have to add a relay behind a panel in the trunk (which Crutchfield supplies for free) as the backup light stock "signal" from the T-Bird is inverted from most cars, and,

2. You MUST run the wires to the rear of the car exactly along the lines of the stock rear harness bundle or you take the chance of the convertible top mechanism cutting wires - this requires some disassembly of trunk and interior panels.

I worked it out so the two USB connectors for the radio for Car Play and charging come through the original stock cigarette lighter hole in the center dash "waterfall" as seen in the picture.IMG_1590.jpg

The unit can do many more sophisticated things than the "old tech" that our T-Birds use with some accessory attachments such as backup/parking sensor displays, etc. as shown in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKzvGHbEzok

[007Cruiser]

Nice idea on the USB connectors.

[Frank Dreano]

Yeah, it was a bit of a PITA to install those but I wanted things as clean as possible and the USB ports have a flip up cover when they're not in use...
IMG_1591.jpg

For that same reason I put the GPS antenna in this location instead of having it stuck outside somewhere looking forlorn and ugly. It works perfectly top up, top down or with the hardtop on...

Capture.jpg

[doc]

I got a Pioneer 5201NEX. It works well, has a backup camera, navigation system, and radio. I believe it was around 1100 to 1200--sorry, I don't remember. I really like it because the car has a blind spot when trying to back-up.

I debated for a long time, as I didn't want to diminish the sale price of the car if I ever decided to sell it. So I kept all of the original radio parts--in case a potential buyer wants to make the car stock again. Good luck with your search, Terry.

[Sealy]

Way back, I put a Pioneer unit in Merlot. I did get around to adding the back up camera, but haven't found a need for the navigation yet. Meanwhile, my Ranger was vandalized and I put in a more up-to-date Pioneer unit in it, with back up, navigation, and Apple CarPlay. I'd say go with something that has camera and Apple CarPlay. In the truck, I can navigate through the phone. Just push the button and tell Siri to find a place and go. CarPlay is also very nice for music.Radio Screen.jpg

[428PI]

Does anyone think that maybe they'd be more of a target for break in with the fancy stereo?

[Frank Dreano]

Never crosses my mind...

[Sealy]

Does anyone think that maybe they'd be more of a target for break in with the fancy stereo?

In the aforementioned Ranger vandalism, they got a nice Pioneer stereo worth about $50 at the pawn shop. It cost about $4K to put the Ranger back together and repair the damage, most of it covered by insurance. I try not to think about these things.

[EllisonCal]

I like WAZE phone app so much I really don't use or want another OEM in dash navigation system.

[007Cruiser]

I like WAZE phone app so much I really don't use or want another OEM in dash navigation system.

Ditto.

[007Cruiser]

Does anyone think that maybe they'd be more of a target for break in with the fancy stereo?

Touch screens seem to be standard equipment in most cars these days. I don’t see a big market in stealing them.

[Frank Dreano]

Waze and Google maps are fine as long as you have cell phone signal from a tower....
In dash GPS such as Garmin use satellites....

[02-T-Bird]

Waze and Google maps are fine as long as you have cell phone signal from a tower....
In dash GPS such as Garmin use satellites....

And as a Canadian traveler the data usage would break the bank with all the roaming charges.

[007Cruiser]

Good points. I didn’t realize that some people still pay roaming charges. I still have a stand alone Garmin unit that came with free lifetime updates that I could put back in service if needed. Sometimes though I just like to get lost and explore. I spent my entire working career in jobs that had me on the road nearly every day. No easy task for me to get lost around here. Really helps me to get through traffic tie ups as I usually know multiple routes.