HELP! Need to decide between two Head Units!!

[Gixxersixxerman]

I have the AVIC 950bh, I got it over the 150 because I had horrible problems with motorized face screens... Now that I've thought about it, I would've went with it, as there is no more changing disks around like back in the day.. So far I love everything about the AVIC line, tho maps and nav could have a bit more info, sometimes I can be driving around and never see a street name.. The bypass is dirt simple and if you can find the connector it will look like factory, no relay or anything.. I have my mic on the windshield next to the headliner closer to where stock is and haven't had any issues with quality yet, though after it being brought up I might move it to the steering column as it's more natural and closer to me.. So I think the AVIC line is great again, sound quality seems to be good, though my friends kenwood seemed to add more punch in his stock speakers, I haven't really messed with the settings on my unit yet.. It's plenty loud, easy to hook up to my iPhone 5 or iPad 3 through the cable or Bluetooth.. I don't use the app radio app..




Great place for mods and stuff

http://avic411.com

[Figo]

Sounds cool.
But Im using a iphone 5.

lol

Originally Posted by peace_noel

Ca-Fi is plug and play. it is Android system base.

[Lverasky]

Originally Posted by Figo

Sounds cool.
But Im using a iphone 5.

lol

I am using iPhone5 too. Way to go bro!

[Figo]

lol
Thanks. I will do some research.

Originally Posted by peace_noel

I am using iPhone5 too. Way to go bro!

[tiz22]

Originally Posted by Muskokan

All users that want to/have done the parking break bypass, keep in mind that your insurance will not cover you if your in an at fault accident, and it's a required check for them as soon as a head unit has media playback.

Something to always keep in mind.

Thanks for the headsup!
It sounds liek it's pretty easy to install/revert back...any reason I couldn't just remove the bypass before insurance company inspects?

[tiz22]

Originally Posted by Gixxersixxerman

I have the AVIC 950bh, I got it over the 150 because I had horrible problems with motorized face screens... Now that I've thought about it, I would've went with it, as there is no more changing disks around like back in the day.. So far I love everything about the AVIC line, tho maps and nav could have a bit more info, sometimes I can be driving around and never see a street name.. The bypass is dirt simple and if you can find the connector it will look like factory, no relay or anything.. I have my mic on the windshield next to the headliner closer to where stock is and haven't had any issues with quality yet, though after it being brought up I might move it to the steering column as it's more natural and closer to me.. So I think the AVIC line is great again, sound quality seems to be good, though my friends kenwood seemed to add more punch in his stock speakers, I haven't really messed with the settings on my unit yet.. It's plenty loud, easy to hook up to my iPhone 5 or iPad 3 through the cable or Bluetooth.. I don't use the app radio app..


Great place for mods and stuff

http://avic411.com

Appreciate the help...Can you elaborate on the connector and relay portion of the bypass? What are my options and how will any of them not look "stock"?

Also, what back up cam r u using?

[Muskokan]

No problem, And yea it's pretty easy to install/take out, but if your banged up in the hospital or in jail or something, you might not get the chance lol

Originally Posted by tiz22

Thanks for the headsup!
It sounds liek it's pretty easy to install/revert back...any reason I couldn't just remove the bypass before insurance company inspects?

EDIT, re reading this Just wanted to clarify..
They'll only check if your in an accident, it's not a check of your signing on with someone new or anything like that, but only if your in an in fault accident.

[Gixxersixxerman]

Originally Posted by tiz22

Appreciate the help...Can you elaborate on the connector and relay portion of the bypass? What are my options and how will any of them not look "stock"?

Also, what back up cam r u using?

http://avic411.com/index.php?showtopic=14761
Step by step how to.. Exactly what I did..

There are/were some options that you can buy relays and stuff and wire them up.. Obviously a big relay wired up to your deck is not stock.. With the rewire like they do, it would be almost impossible that an adjuster would look to check.. It looks like every other wire there.. We had one in the company truck and there was an accident, the driver couldn't stop in time and the insurance agent never looked at that, so it could also be different companies to

And I don't have a back up cam, that's my start up screen

[ean611]

Originally Posted by tiz22

Really looking for some help from some experienced people who have replaced and/or installed an aftermarket head unit in their FR-S/BRZ

I love everything about my current HU (Upgraded pioneer CAN bespoke version) but it is severely lacking in some areas...
- Nav
- Rear cam
- Videos/DVD/etc
- XM (i know its possible with an adapter)

So I'm willing to spend as much $$ as needed to get exactly what I want but it must work perfectly

A few concerns:
- Cant use OEM mic (that's fine) as long as the quality of the new mic is on par/better than OEM
- Cant use stock USB/AUX plugs (that's fine) - I'll buy the adapter to make the USB work and just leave AUX alone, I dont' use it anyway
- Parking break restrictions - I need to have a method to ground this out to use nav or watch video while car is moving

So..With this in mind, I think I have my selection down to 2 units
1. Pioneer App Radio 3 ~$500
2. Pioneer AVIC Z150BH ~$1100

Can't decide if the extra $600 is worth it or not, I have an iPhone5 so the app radio will work well but I'm not keen on letting my phone do all the work unless it works seamlessly...

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS THINK!

The Z150 has MUCH better audio hardware than the AppRadio 3. Mainly, 5V low impedance output vs 2v high impedance.

If you care about sound quality, the AppRadio is a poor choice compared to the X8500BHS or Z150. (Granted, the X8500 does not have multi touch FYI)

[tiz22]

Originally Posted by ean611

The Z150 has MUCH better audio hardware than the AppRadio 3. Mainly, 5V low impedance output vs 2v high impedance.

If you care about sound quality, the AppRadio is a poor choice compared to the X8500BHS or Z150. (Granted, the X8500 does not have multi touch FYI)

Awesome to hear as the Z150 is currently en route
This will be about 1,000$ all said and done so I'm really hoping it blows me away...I just couldn't live with driving a 35k sports car and not having built in nav/rear cam/etc.

Thanks for the headsup!

[tiz22]

Headunit came in and decided to install myself! Check my signature for details if you're interested on pros/cons and how hard the install was (spoiler alert: anyone can do it with a little patience and time)