I'm looking to replace my stock '05 HU with something that can control my iPod. I'm satisfied with the sound quality of the stock system, so as long as the replacement sounds just as good, I'll be happy.

So I went to Best Buy to buy the Alpine CDA-9856
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1134701297638
Well, they told me they can't install in a Scion tC cause they don't have the right parts. This was after looking it up on the computer and asking the installers.

Fine, no biggie, I go across the street to Circuit City to buy the Pioneer DEHP6800mp
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pione...oductDetail.do
Again, told that Circuit City won't install in a tC cause they don't have the proper install kit.

WTF?

Anyway, I decide I'm going to buy online and install myself. So here are the questions:

1) If I buy from a place like Crutchfield, how good are their instructions? I have no idea how to install a car stereo and truth be told, I'm not really a "handy" person. But, I can follow directions and I'm willing to try. I did install my CC short shifter myself with no problems - is installing a new HU easier or more difficult than that?
2) I have no use for an in-car DVD player, but a HU with a nice big touch-screen would be sweet. I came across this Panasonic in-dash DVD:
http://buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=PNCQVD6503U
I buy from buydig.com all the time with no problems. But, of course, I would have to get the installation parts elsewhere, and I wouldn't get instructions. But the price seems good. Anyone using this Panasonic? And can anyone tell me if this would be a good choice compared to the other 2 HU I mentioned? Again, I would rarely, if ever, watch DVDs in my car, but using the touch screen for audio controls just seems so practical, and safe. This same HU on Crutchfield is $999, at Circuit City it's $899, and Cardomain.com's store has it for $799 (including the installation hardware).

Anything under $1000 is within the budget I've allocated for this. I'd like to get the best bang for the buck and won't mind spending for quality, but of course, overbuying for my needs is no good either. Can anyone help me decide, or suggest something else?

Thanks for the help.

 

They cant install it because they dont carry the dash kits in stock. Simply order a dash kit and bring it in with you. They will use that to install the HU.

I had my HU installed at CC. It was free and I watched the guy so I knew what he was doing.

Also they must not want your business at those places because while I watched the installer he told me that a few tC's had come in before and had no dash kits, so he fabbed some up using some of the dash kits they do have in stock. Go figure.

 

do it yourself, save yourself the hassle of some idiot messing up your tc.. just do it yourself.. just because it's BB or CC doesn't mean they know anything.. i will get people defending them, but i think both places are a joke..

do it yourself.. crutchfield is great with their instructions, plus, if you need help call them, they'll walk you through it.. they're great..

 

Yeah man, I'm definitely going to do it myself. I'm kind of looking forward to learning how to do the install and seeing how everything is wired together. I'm thinking of staying away from a DVD unit since I won't be using the DVD function all that much and instead putting some of the $ difference into getting a better HU. Willing to spend up to about $400 to get something that I can expand with should I decide to put together any kind of system in the future. I think it's coming down between the Alpine CDA-9856 or CDA-9857. Not sure if spending $150 on the CDA-9857 is worth it, but I'll consider. Open to any and all recommendations, though.

Thanks for the comments.

 

I just saw this. Since you dont need the DVD could be an option:

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=17115

 

doesnt someone on here have a walkthrough on this! I did it my self and it was my first HU install. the only part i had a hard time was finding out how to take the dash apart. But after a little research on here then it was a breeze!

i bougth this one!
Scion tC Radio Install Kit

and then went to a local walmart to get a wire harness. Took me overall about 30 mins.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I kept wavering between DVD Video, or no video, so to put an end to it, I just went with the Alpine CDA-9857 with the iPod cable from Crutchfield for $395. Bah, who needs video anyway...

Looking forward to getting it and screwing up the installation. (Oh yes, if anyone can screw it up, it's me...)

 

Does crutchfield give that stuff to you for free when you buy an HU?

 

Yes, harness and trim kit FREE!!! Plus all the instructions on how to remove the head unit and speakers...

 

yes crutchfield gives you all that stuff, plus the instructions.. and the tech support for life..

 

yeah nice not to have to worry about the install, since you'll be doing it, and taking your time! no one can baby your tc like yourself.. but not sure about the two headunits.. heck they're alpine they're both good.. lol.. I'll get a chance later i'll see the 9856 and 9857..

 

I checked them both out, the only real advantage the 9857 has is the input for steering wheel controls. It does have the biolite display, but who cares. It has all the same features as the 9856 otherwise. Since your an 05er I'd go with the 9856. I installed that unit in my Bro's 06 Tundra and even with the stock speakers it sounds great. I went with that unit especially for the iPod compatability.

 

I'm looking into getting the Eclipse CD3000 or CD4000. $250 and $350 respectively. I'm pretty much looking for system similar to the OP's, something that will sound a little better than stock. I don't plan on going all out on audio either.

 

I narrowed my choices down to Alpine, Eclipse, and Pioneer, but went with the Alpine because everyone says the iPod controls are top notch. And that was my #1 priority in upgrading.

 

before you replace your HU id recommend reading the car audio cookbook if you know you want to do more than just a HU but dont know where to start. i replaced my HU and wanted to do more, like sub, amp, and speakers but didnt know where to start and that book really helps you plan ahead and a that makes things sooo much easier.

it also helps you pick the methiods of wiring HU, amps, speakers, caps, exc... and how to figure out proper formulas for amps @ what ohm, series or parrelell, what encloseur to use and why.everything.

it will be the best $30 you will ever spend on a book

 

Here is a DIY I did on another Scion site for the Alpine in my tC.

http://forums.scionzone.com/smf/index.php?topic=1296.0

 

You are...DA MAN!!!

Thanks for posting that excellent write up with the pics!

 

Excellent suggestion. I'll definitely check it out. I keep telling myself that I'll probably just do the HU and end there, but you know how these things work out!!

 

if you are going to do it yourself and you are going for sure to buy an alpine i think they make a toyota to alpine harness so you can even do it without crimping the wrong wires together. i found some on ebay but i would look into it first.

 

well i guess im one of those "idiots" that work at BBY. Done about 15 tcs with the kit which we carry in stock. not sure about the best buy in your area.

Check out my website to see my installs that all suck, its a colaboration. Also i did all of them at BBY (where i work)