etcts-v

I finally pulled the trigger on just pulling the entire NAV unit out of the car and replacing it with a pioneer unit. Before I had modified the stock unit to accept a single din Clarion Nav Unit which worked ok, but honestly the Clarion was a complete POS. After driving the car I realized I never use the factory NAV unit so it's getting pictched!

I went with the Pioneer AVH-8400BH. In the past I've always been a Kenwood man and steered clear of Pioneer, however after lots of research I found this unit had several features that made it the best option. Most importantly it has "Advanced App Mode" which supports apps from my iphone that can be controlled by the head unit. The three main apps that caught my eye were Pandora, GPS Drive and most importantly Dash Command.

With this unit I can use the GPS Drive Naviation App (fantastic app by the way) which allows me to save several hundred dollars over the built in DVD/Nav units. Plus the app will stay current with maps, traffic, etc without requiring additional map upgrade purchases down the line. The Dash Command is what really got me excited, I bought an iphone wifi OBD-ii dongle which will send signal to my Iphone and then to my NAV Unit. I will be able to pull real time engine info including rpm, mpg, intake temps, etc from the OBD and display it on my head unit. In addition I can pull and clear CEL codes directly from my head unit!

Dash Command: http://www.palmerperformance.com/pro...mand/index.php

Pioneer Head Unit: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...rs/AVH-P8400BH

Now here is my dilemma, the aftermarket dash kit looks like complete sh*t, looks like a sea of plastic on an already plastic dash. I'm pondering ideas on how to dress this up a bit through paint, decals or wrapping it in leather or vinyl. I cannot for the life of me think of what would look good, I think any color other than black would look stupid and straight black wouldn't really solve the issue. I tried wrapping the bottom HVAC in carbon fiber vinyl and it looks cheap IMO. Any thoughts, opinions?

I did just order some of this stuff which may look slightly better than what I tried already: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200787236484...84.m1497.l2649

Also ordered some of this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/320942645341...84.m1497.l2649

Possibly thinking of this which looked great on my valve covers: http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/wrinkleplus/

Here are some pics, first two are my old setup, next three are what I have now.

NeverSatisfied02

iTrader: (12)

I don't think anything looks as good in the dash as the factory unit. Looks naked without the buttons. But... I do like the second idea way better than the first. Keeping stock navi unit and having a flip out is kinda tacky IMO. Flip outs are old news and look like crap IMO unless u have a 94 Chevy truck and the only space u have to work with is the factory single din slot in the middle of that horribly designed dash. Lol dash looks naked to me but I do like that little caddy crest. I'm sure that Alpine head unit is much nicer than stock though!

BudRacing

iTrader: (3)

Could you hydro-dip something on the new Nav surround?

etcts-v

Agreed on all points!!

There is no comparison between the stock and aftermarket unit, completely changes the entire car. Even have the ability to stream netflix in the car and the sound is 1000 times better with this unit even over the clarion.

That said I am sacrificing looks but I think there is a why to clean it up with some creativity. One option is to buy a CTS unit and mod it like the one below, that way I could use the factory DTC screen still, only thing I don't like is it still has useless buttons on the side. I would also have to mod the factory screen to get ride of the orange which isn't a big deal but kind of a PITA

etcts-v

That's a great idea! I wonder what pattern I could go with that would look decent?

BudRacing

iTrader: (3)

Wow, that one pictured above is the best retrofit I've seen yet.

You could always find uses for the "useless" buttons. I know you're one for gadgets. Lights, gauges, nitrous...

BudRacing

iTrader: (3)

Perhaps custom? Do a greyscale collage of caddy and V emblems? Anything but woodgrain LOL

It could be a nice touch to mold a clock (like infiniti) into the spot where your crest emblem currently is.

etcts-v

Haha, true although I have none of those and no need for any gauges. But the asthetic appeal would outweigh the useless buttons!

heavymetals

iTrader: (3)

I would have thought someone would make a clip on for an IPad to take up the whole space and an app to tie it ll together.

Would be nice.

Dmax/04V

Crutchfield sells a dash kit that is perfectly color matched to the rest of the center colum. Just FYI. One more thing sitting on a table waiting to be done...

shadyLS6

would love to see your pioneer in this setup. has any one ever used a stock CTS DIC- do they really have all the info features like Mpg, fuel used,oil, trip ODO..
-

shadyLS6

this one?
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1209920...k.html?tp=3121


looks like etctsv's.. idk

Dmax/04V

Thats the one, doesn't look like it in the pic but i held mine up next to the oem nav and column and it I couldn't tell the difference. That may be the case with the one in the above pics as well.

etcts-v

Yeah that's the one I bought!

Dmax/04V

Ok so the dash kit just shows different in pictures good to know. Glad I caused all that confusion.

etcts-v

Yeah that would be sweet, although I don't think the I-pad is the most suited for audio control, could be wrong though. I've seen a few "carputers" that look good.

Here is a successful I-pad one, bad photo but get the idea:



photo shopped version:




Here is where I think I may head, still have my old unit although it needs to be unlocked to my vin with a tech2.

UnsafeAtAnySpd

I've been casually thinking about the tablet idea. I think you would just have to have a separate amp with an external volume level that you could mount in the dash to give it an OEM look. With a tablet you could have every function you could want and for a lot cheaper.

Just my thought though.

heavymetals

iTrader: (3)

Tablet sounds good also.

Anything big enough to use all the space.

UnsafeAtAnySpd

The only drawback I can think of is the lack of bluetooth phone support. I don't think Android devices can connect and link like that. There are always the OnStar options for that though.

D Block

iTrader: (1)

I have a pioneer unit as well with the big plastic dash kit, which in the light is a slightly different shade of black than the rest of the dash. IMO, even though it is a LOT of empty space, i can still overlook that to have the factory pos out of there.