I've been looking around for a dvd/gps navi system for the tC, and have seen several posts regarding the different brands and models...i'd prefer a double -din over a single one...so here's what i've come up with...

1.GPS system: KENWOOD DDX7015 (cheapest: $1089.99)
DVD screen: KENWOOD DV4100 (cheapest: $ 1195.99)
Crutchfield is selling a package for $2399.99

2. GPS system: ALPINE NVE-N852A (per ALPINE site, $1700)
DVD screen: ALPINE TME-M760 (per ALPINE site, $650)

3. ECLIPSE AVN-2454

These are the systems I am interested in; but since the ECLIPSE is kinda hard to find...im just looking into the KENWOOD and ALPINE ones. If there are other options, I 'd like to know about them.

Now, a couple of questions:
1. has anyone installed the ALPINE screen on a tC or any scion? How does it fit in them?

2. what would be the best place to install the GPS system in the tC?

3. in the LA, has anyone been to the KENWOOD OUTLET down in SANTA FE SPRINGS? I found them in the Kenwood site as one of their dealers, and assume they should have the KENWOOD items I'm looking for at a good price. So if anyone has been there, I'd like to know if they do have these 2 items. And the price maybe.I will be checking out the store this week, since I live 10 mins away.

4. Does anyone know a good store/person that does a good job installing the screen and gps in the LA area that they would recommend?

Sorry for the long post, hopefully these will help others who are also looking into a gps/dvd system for their new car. And if all these questions has been answered before, forgive me for asking again.

Thanks!

 

I would like to know also....I would eventually like to put a screen in my tC. But I want one that fits so I can still close the cover on the radio.

I think the Eclipse fits good in it. Anyone know where to get one?

Anything else fit just as good as the Eclipse? (I saw one on this board in a tC somewhere)

 

I have had several requests to provide review of my AVN2454 in my Silver TC. So here it is. I will include link to pictures later when I upload them. Enjoy.

I got mine at The Good Guys in Sacramento, CA. Paid $2600 for unit, install parts, install labor, tax, and 5 years extended warranty. The hu is great, looks OEM and installed flush inside the dashboard lid. There is a half inch gap on both sides of the hu but it was fixed with some black filler.

The sound quality with the 6 OEM speakers is great on the high and mid frequency but lack in the low end bass. However, that was expected and was easily fixed with an addition of a pair of 10' subwoofers (2 MTX 7000 8 ohm subs with enclosure box and driven by MTX Thunder 2300x 600 watts bridge in mono). You can turn the volume all the way up and hear no distortion at all. I have had many complements on the clearness of the unit.

Feature/functionality layout was very easy to learn. It took me no time to learn how to operate the demo unit at the store's showroom floor. I was debating between this hu and the Pioneer AVIC-N1 and the AVIC is much harder to use (I was completely lost).

Optional video/audio input is great. I have my Xbox connected to it and the picture quality was a lot better in the car than what I saw at the showroom. I guess they split the signal to all the LCD's on the showroom and the color contrast was weak. In the car it was vivid and accurate.

Navigation function is where this unit really shines. When it was first installed, it was completely off (2 miles delay driving at 50 mph or above). I went back to talk to the installer and he had to get in touch with the Eclipse tech support to figure out that the speed sensor cable was not correct. The car was so new that there was no document in any installer's book. Once it was fixed, it was very accurate. The route calculation is quick (less than 5 seconds) and auto re-route calculation was non intrusive (less than 2 seconds).

I guess I can go on and on about this because there are so much good things to like about this unit. However, let me summarize it for you by listing the pros and cons.

Pros.
-It's an Eclipse (professional audio product produced by Fujitsu Ten, a company that makes hu/navigation for Toyota and Lexus)
-Double din, near perfect fit, and no wire harness needed for installation. One unit instead of multiple units where you have to hide them.
-Double drive (CD to play audio CD's and MP3's) & (DVD to play DVD movies and navigation data). You can listen to CD or MP3 while using the navi. No need to take navi DVD in and out every time you want to use it.
-MP3 processing, 9 band EQ, and DSP give user great flexibility and sound quality.
-Navi is hand down one of the best in the market today (Better than my Acura RL OEM navi)

Cons.
-No remote, it has to be purchased separately
-Screen can not tilt down. Only in the upward direction.
-Pricing is a bit high. But if you consider the Alpine, Kenwood or Panasonic product, it would be more expensive than Eclipse.
-I like to play my music loud and when using the Navi, the voice command is not loud enough to compensate for the higher level of music play. My voice command setting is on max @ 7.

 

Wow thanks....I want one more now...damn you ;) THANKS THOUGH...nice review.

 

thanks for the info, definitely comes out cheaper to get the eclipse. well, better start saving up the $$ and start eating ramen 24/7/365..haha...j/k

 

Here are the pixs I have promised. Enjoy.

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sss...bum?.dir=/be3c

 

i think eclipse avn 2454 is the best way to go....

 

Sorry to bump this, but I have a very relavant question regarding the 2454..

I'm having mine installed today at a chain store (American TV), and just recieved a call from them, telling me that the front cover will not close properly now with the unit in place.

He told me there seems to be about a half of an inch gap if you try and close it.

Now, if I can't close this cover, I very much would not like to have the big ol' screen showing itself off to the world.

I've not seen what it looks like, but I gather from the pictures you've posted, that you managed to get it in there properly, with the cover closed just right.

Is this the case?

 

So the eclipse is far better than the other? How much did u get yours? Is it the same price range as the PIONEER and KENWOOD?

Can you hook up a cd changer also from that unit?

 

Well, because I'm a lazy pup, I paid to have it installed at the store.. ($175)

Grand total came out to be around $2,400, with everything installed.

The unit is very easy to navigate. GPS works very quickly (although they hooked something up wrong in regards to direction, makes it move the oppisite way I'm travelling). DVD's play with very sharp video quality, and the stock speakers accomidate it extremely well.

As for the changer, that I'm not sure about..

The unit has two CD slots.. One for DVD/Navigation, the other for CD/MP3. You can play both Nav and CD at the same time (which is just cool!), but you can't do video and Nav at the same time.

The only problem I've experienced so far, is the damn Stereo Door will not close all the way down. It's getting cought up on one of the buttons. It leaves about a half-inch gap. The door will stay closed, but you can tell that it's not closed all the way.

I'd like to know if anyone else has installed this system, and if they experienced the same issue...

 

wow... I really like that Eclipse unit, but I can't pay 2,500 for anything electronic for my car... that is just so much money. I know it's a well integrated unit and all that jazz, but it's just.... SOOO much money! I don't even care about playing xbox or even DVDs really... I just really wish I had a CD player (the stock one functions fine, but I hate it's look) and a good Nav system. The best stand alone nav systems are well shy of 1,000... I really wish there was something cheaper... jeez...

 

Yeah it's kinda over price but to this point the only thing we have to do is wait until the price drops hell . Just like any electronic item, they'll go down so quickly. Who knows someone might throw a sale or such. Hope Fry's sell those stuff. Do they? Or best buy....But I'll try to save money to get this I like it a lot gives more attitude to your car and of course a nice sound system with nav/dvd player feature.

 

I have the Kenwood 7015 and I have the same problem with the cover not closing....

You need some sort of install kit that would recess it back a little.
I do not know what install kit would fit so if anyone knows which one would work it would be greatly appreciated..

Otherwise I love the Kenwood. Only downfall is no visual effects when cd is in

 

PDA - I have an IPAQ 2210
GPS Receiver - I have a Globalsat BT-308 (bluetooth gps)
GPS Software - I have iGuidance 2.0
Mounting bracket - I have a fancy one from Proclip ($75)

PDA cost $400, but you likely have that already.
GPS receiver costs about $150
Software costs about $100

I suggest www.semsons.com as the place to buy.

Works great (better than the GPS in my Mercedes), you can move from car to car, you can input destinations away from the car (this is a big deal), and it's very accurate and easy to use.

 

It makes a lot of sense, you know, but I'd still rather have that hot in-dash unit. But honestly, there is no way I can come up with $2500 on top of car payments and stuff. But I could probably swing the $500 or something for the PDA and GPS combo. I'll work on it.