AVIC-Z2 Checklist

[cheifsfan]

Update:

The touchscreen is 100000x better than the stock navi on the pre 2008 300. Get one if you can, I love it....
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[pimp mobile]

i have mine on order. sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

[goherd90]

Originally Posted by cheifsfan

No, get the z2!! I was not trying to being negative and these are just points that could sway you one direction or another. I have NO regrets getting the Z2. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I was just telling my wife i want to go out for a drive tonight to play with the z2 lol!!!

I was more fustrated with the metra harness than anything else. If you get from crutchfield you shouldn't have an issue (i didn't do this and I do recommend it), or just get the pac harness. The wiring was fun, installation was easy, and the z2 is an awesome head unit.


I will only say it shouldn't be on whether you want a z2 or not is should be if you want a z2 or the kenwood dnx7100 deck. The kenwood deck has much better navigation (it is garmin). The pioneer deck has some misrouting of calculations a lot (I have not noticed it and i like the looks of the navi screens on the pioneer a lot more so I went with it). Go to avic411 website to see more about it. The kenwood also has album art and better ipod control. Again it wasnt that big of a deal to me because I random tracks on my ipod. The kenwood does not have voice recognition (that is the big advantage for the z2). That was the difference for me but have made me get the z2. Anyways I got it and love it.

I would still get the Z2 if i did it again. If not I would get the kenwood deck. I would not hesitate twice about getting one of these units. They look great!! I am an engineer (it is my personality) to look at all the negative side of things before the positive. Just see if those issues are enough for you not to buy a z2. I suggest you get one/

Well I have to go out and drive around and play with my z2.

Later

OK..great...thanks for the clarification. I'll make sure to go with the PAC harness I was told to use.

[drewmin]

hey guys this spring i think i am going to tackle installing this myself as well. i think i've got it sorted out in my mind everything i need to install this, but just want to clarify that you need BOTH the PAC- SWI-CAN and SWI-PS in order to retain steering wheel controls right? The SWI-Can converts the signal and the SWI-PS is what's used to program the functions? also, it seems like the C2R-CHY pac harness is the way to go for ease of install. so, in total, i would need 3 different pac audio wiring harnesses: 2 for the steering wheel controls and 1 for wiring the unit, right?

[cheifsfan]

Originally Posted by drewmin

hey guys this spring i think i am going to tackle installing this myself as well. i think i've got it sorted out in my mind everything i need to install this, but just want to clarify that you need BOTH the PAC- SWI-CAN and SWI-PS in order to retain steering wheel controls right? The SWI-Can converts the signal and the SWI-PS is what's used to program the functions? also, it seems like the C2R-CHY pac harness is the way to go for ease of install. so, in total, i would need 3 different pac audio wiring harnesses: 2 for the steering wheel controls and 1 for wiring the unit, right?

Correct. You need both swi's for steering wheel controls and the c2r for the wiring... If you need rear fade control get the metra harness... Just make sure you get the right one (Crutchfield will give you a good harness the first time lol) it is just a little more wiring...

1

[drewmin]

Originally Posted by cheifsfan

Correct. You need both swi's for steering wheel controls and the c2r for the wiring... If you need rear fade control get the metra harness... Just make sure you get the right one (Crutchfield will give you a good harness the first time lol) it is just a little more wiring...

1

OK good...i honestly could care less about fade control...never touch it to begin with, won't be something i'll miss in the least. thanks for the help!!! if anyone does an install or has some advice/pics from a self install, please please please post it up! i've searched high and low on this and the other forums and have yet to find a detailed how-to write-up on putting in one of these things!


oh and one little side note - z2 has an in-motion hack available for the navigation and dvd playback right?

[cheifsfan]

I may write something up. It is honestly simply connecting wires. Once that is done the actual install in the car is next to nothing. Just need to get the mic routed to where you want it which can be a little bit of work depending on where you want it. The z2 does have an in motion hack to play DVD's and use the full navigation functions when in motion. I have done this hack and it is very simple and is awesome.

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[drewmin]

hey chiefs if you could write something up i think alot of people would be appreciative, especially if they are like myself and never put in a radio before. I swapped out the factory single disc for the factory nav, but thats the extent of my car audio knowledge (not very much lol). i have to say that although the z2 is sweet, i may jump on the d3x deal that crutchfield is offering that runs through the end of this month. i could live without the harddrive since i have an ipod i can just use instead. my only problem with the d3 is the 1 disc slot, but it has changer controls built into it i believe, so you could just hook up a cd changer and be all set. question now is, if i go with the d3, where the hell do i put a cd changer inside the cabin of the car? (really dont want to put it in the trunk)

[cheifsfan]

BIGBMC79:

With you Z2 and bluetooth when you talk on the phone does your speakers cut in and out from front to rear sometimes? I have the metra harness and it seems to cut out all the time from front to rear when I am talking with the bluetooth. Do you have AIM or MSN to talk more?

Thanks,
Pat

[Fetdog]

Hey Chiefs, did you get your bluetooth issue figured out? I've had my Z2 running well for about 6 months now and haven't been on the forum for a while. I used the PAC setup with all 3 pieces and recently had the SWI-CAN fry itself. Not sure why but the volume began turning itself up one day and when I disconnected the steering wheel interface and reconnected it they stopped working altogether. I'm going to move to the SWI-CAN2 since its available. I have read somewhere on the AVIC411 site about your bluetooth issue but can't remember anything about the situation.

Hopefully you got it lined out.

What about everyone else on this thread? Did you get the z2's installed? It really isn't that difficult of an install with the PAC system.

Anyone look at the Z3 yet?

cheers,