in dash double din nav (in place of factory system)?

[rob.e]

Considering a Skoda Octavia vRS as possible next company car - would like proper in-dash nav system but I don't want to pay a massive £1,500+ for the factory system especially as I've found that this won't take a full UK 7 digit post code !

Looking at getting a dealer-fit aftermarket option. Seems you can get something just as good (if not better) for about half that price. ie. bluetooth handsfree phone connectivity, proper ipod stuff etc.

I know nothing about these things, but a few minutes googling has come up with these two:

Kenwood DNX-700
pioneer AVIC-900BT

Does anyone have any experience of these? Which is better? Any other systems I should consider?

Thanks in advance.
Rob

[lambo_xx]

I looked at fitting one of to a car i was getting, but it wouldn't fit. You should definitely check whether it will fit or not. I'm not sure if they can fiddle about with it to make it fit or not.

I haven't used either one, but i had a quick play with the Pioneer one and it seemed very easy to used and found my address very easily.

[rob.e]

I'm thinking the Pioneer is probably the better option for me, as I prefer a rotary volume knob..

I found a pic of it in a sharan - similar dash to the octavia.. looks nice:

[Sods Law]

I used to work in the industry,

Alpine are very good at business navigdation, I still use this now (I have to pay for it,

Pioneer are usually par with Alpine, though have had issues with there all in one units and updates, I haveno more info on this sorry, but I have heard these are solved.

Kenwood until 2003 where as good as the the priors, but have let the game slide in recent years,

For my money, Alpine or Pioneer.

In the VRS I believe its the VAG MK5 golf unit that they use so no install issues,
The facual panels for all thre makes are basically the same made in germany or italy, ask to see one and look at it in the car for colour and texture matching some are better than others.
MES and Celsus are the main brands these days.

If required check into stal and display adapters as well.

Hope that helps.

Im about to DD my E46 with a W202 from Alpine.

[rob.e]

SodsLaw - Thanks! great info.

I'll check out Alpine stuff too.

[lambo_xx]

Sods Law said:

I used to work in the industry,

Hey Sods Law, just wondering if you could help. I am looking at buying a F355 and would like to fit a double din unit to the car, is it possible to do without ripping the dash to bits? It would be a system similar to the pioneer (size wise anyway)

Thanks

It would be a system this sort of size


This is a F355 interior if that helps.

Edited by lambo_xx on Tuesday 7th April 15:06

[rovermorris999]

Wow! That's redder than a red thing.

[Sods Law]

lambo_xx said:

Sods Law said:

I used to work in the industry,

Hey Sods Law, just wondering if you could help. I am looking at buying a F355 and would like to fit a double din unit to the car, is it possible to do without ripping the dash to bits? It would be a system similar to the pioneer (size wise anyway)

Thanks

It would be a system this sort of size


This is a F355 interior if that helps.

Edited by lambo_xx on Tuesday 7th April 15:06

I would suggest a flip out screen in this instance to be honest, the car is not designed to even consider it. however, if you can get matching leather a small piece of fabrication would probably place one in the gap under the current radio location.
There used to be a few companies who would do this work for you. depending on where you are based. Prestige where very good on Lambo and Ferarri modifications to look oem

[lambo_xx]

Sods Law said:

I would suggest a flip out screen in this instance to be honest, the car is not designed to even consider it. however, if you can get matching leather a small piece of fabrication would probably place one in the gap under the current radio location.
There used to be a few companies who would do this work for you. depending on where you are based. Prestige where very good on Lambo and Ferarri modifications to look oem

Ok thanks for the help. Just a few more questions, do you have a link for Prestige company you mentioned. Also, would it be able to fit if it was on brackets at a slight angle, a bit like this:



Thanks again.

Edited by lambo_xx on Thursday 9th April 06:33

[Sods Law]

Prestige have stopped doing in car a bit of a schocker, which county are you in.

Are you just looking for sat nav? or full AV solution? you could use a stand alone screen if thi is the case. I used to use a stand alone screen it was great.

that kenwood unit is tilted for ward and has a full mech in the dash.

[bored-of-coding]

I've had the Kenwood 8220 for a few months now in my MK5 golf (no fitting probs at all), I got it for the sat nav and the IPOD control (which is great) It also has blue tooth, and will even play DVD's - I'm really pleased with it - the only downside, as has been mentioned I think - the on off switch is a tiny button on the front, and the volume is either a similar button or a touchscreen thing, but I think this is mainly to keep the screen as big as possible.

not much change from £1100, though it's probably been superceded by now! but a much better option than factory fitting IMO - you can upgrade it etc, so when it's out of date you don't have to bin the car! (I don't mean the maps, just the whole unit - I fell foul of this with my 147)

[lambo_xx]

Sods Law said:

Prestige have stopped doing in car a bit of a schocker, which county are you in.

Are you just looking for sat nav? or full AV solution? you could use a stand alone screen if thi is the case. I used to use a stand alone screen it was great.

that kenwood unit is tilted for ward and has a full mech in the dash.

I'm in Aberdeen, Scotland. Yes I'm basically just looking for Sat Nav, but i fancied a fitted unit rather than say a TomTom or similar. I like the idea of having a full screen like I have in my other cars. Also being able to play DVDs and my Ipod through it seem like a nice thing to have.
I've thought about a pop up screen and I'm not ruling them out, but would rather have the kenwood type thing.

Ok now I'm going to sound a bit stupid, what is a full AV solution and a stand alone screen?

[Sods Law]

From where you are I would go for Turners in in Sunderland. Speak to Mark Turner, these guys can custom build any thing ask to see his competition car. He represent Pioneer on an international level for Sound Quality.
They specialise in SQ and customisation.
http://www.turners-online.co.uk/uk/index.php?optio...

If he asks who sent you there tall him its Dave Ex alpine, the piss head.

As to the second questiom,
Single din is the size you normally ger, double din is well twice the size both of these normally feature dvd mechanisms radio and all the usual kit, a stand alone screen, often touch screen and work for navigation only, think of a small lcd or plasma screen, these commonly have a "hide away" box that holds the brain. then the navigation is usually hidden away,

[Bernie-the-bolt]

Sods Law said:

From where you are I would go for Turners in in Sunderland. Speak to Mark Turner, these guys can custom build any thing ask to see his competition car. He represent Pioneer on an international level for Sound Quality.
They specialise in SQ and customisation.
http://www.turners-online.co.uk/uk/index.php?optio...

If he asks who sent you there tall him its Dave Ex alpine, the piss head.

As to the second questiom,
Single din is the size you normally ger, double din is well twice the size both of these normally feature dvd mechanisms radio and all the usual kit, a stand alone screen, often touch screen and work for navigation only, think of a small lcd or plasma screen, these commonly have a "hide away" box that holds the brain. then the navigation is usually hidden away,

I'd also vote for Turners, they ave a great reputation. Mate of mine knows the owner very well and has had a number of cars fettled by them with fantastic results.

That said, he's just done a bunk to another part of the world owing Mr J T a bit of money so I won't mention his name