Double size head unit?

[idwoodvale]

Has anyone ever fitted a double size head unit in a 944 thus filling the space taken up by the cubby hole? Would this involve permanently damaging the dash? I'd have a look myself but the car is at the bodyshop at the moment.

The reason I ask is I quite fancy a head unit which incorporates a sat nav. There are some single size units but some of the larger ones look rather good too.

 

[graham.webb]

Mine has a Blaupunkt nead unit below a 5 CD changer...a separate unit in each DIN aperture. Was all on the car when I bought it, but there's no signs of major surgery...

 

[sawood12]

I always wondered if you had the depth behind the lower DIN slot as the centre console is angled so the back of the unit might hit the tunnel but from the sounds of it from Grahams set up there is enough room.

I've been toying with the idea of one of these new units that don't have a CD mechanism at all - they work off USB, Flash cars or iPods so are lighter, don't have any moving parts and slimmer units. All a bit pricey for a decent one unfortunately.

In terms of fitting a double DIN unit I think all you'd need to do is to remove the middle separation bar which separates the two DIN slots. A hack saw would make light work of it i'd think.

 

[idwoodvale]

I guess if a head unit can fit in the lower slot then a double unit can be fitted too. I'd be willing to take the hack saw option if the cut part is replaceable. Would't like the idea of irreparably damaging the dash. Figure that whilst I'm having so much work done I might treat myself a little.

 

[Fen]

I don't think double-DIN units are necessarly truly the size of 2 DIN units. I had one that came out of one of my MX5s and IIRC it was only full depth at the top where the CD transport was and the lower part extended much less far back. Thinking logically they don't need to be any bigger than a single DIN unit except to accommodate a bigger fascia so it makes sense that they might not be the full depth/width/height that you might initially expect.

 

[idwoodvale]

ORIGINAL: Fen

......Thinking logically they don't need to be any bigger than a single DIN unit except to accommodate a bigger fascia so it makes sense that they might not be the full depth/width/height that you might initially expect.

Makes sense. I've got lots of time to look around as the car is going to be away for months.

 

[h4x0r7000]

i was considering doing this when i saw a 944 on cardomain.

heres some pics:

 

[A.Wang]

That looks really nice! I currently have a single-DIN Becker Grand Prix head unit that came with the car...apparently these things cost a small fortune when new! I can't stand the interface on the Becker so I've been considering doing something similar - I have a Pioneer D3 double-DIN unit in my TT and can't fault it in any way.

I might go and speak to the people who installed the Pioneer system and see if they reckon it'd fit. Will report back when I have an answer!

 

[idwoodvale]

That's the idea. Looks great. Have looked at some Kenwood units which run Garmin. They don't have a removeable screen panel though. The pioneer units do I think?? The sat nav display looked a bit cluttered on the pics I saw of these though... Wang - can you customise the display?

Does anyone know if you have to buy a separate GPS reciever for these things as well as the head unit?

 

[A.Wang]

ORIGINAL: idwoodvale

That's the idea. Looks great. Have looked at some Kenwood units which run Garmin. They don't have a removeable screen panel though. The pioneer units do I think?? The sat nav display looked a bit cluttered on the pics I saw of these though... Wang - can you customise the display?

Does anyone know if you have to buy a separate GPS reciever for these things as well as the head unit?

The Pioneer D3 doesn't have a removable head unit - I prefer it to the Kenwood ones, as the GPS software is TeleAtlas, which is what TomToms use. I find the user interface to be quite friendly, and looks more professional compared to the Kenwood ones.

Apparently it's in Pioneer's "product archive" now, so there must be newer units out...which means, I can probably pick one up for substantially less than the £1k I paid last year for the TT's! []

EDIT: Here's a link to the D3's marketing blurb: http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/products/archive/AVIC-D3/index.html

 

[idwoodvale]

Current best price on Which for AVIC D3BT is £800

 

[A.Wang]

ORIGINAL: idwoodvale

Current best price on Which for AVIC D3BT is £800

Keep one eye on eBay, there's been some for as long as 400-500 quid - a mate picked one up for around £400 a few months back, brand new too. They're being off-loaded as they are no longer the "latest and greatest" (the new ones are crap in terms of features IMO).

 

[idwoodvale]

Good tip thanks.

I'll keep a look out.

 

[A.Wang]

And another thing - I'm not sure about the 944, but I have to put the GPS receiver exposed on the dash, as the dash is metallic on the TT so I couldn't hide it out of sight.

The good news is, all these units come with a GPS receiver with a sensible length of wiring so you won't have to buy one separately.

EDIT: One example of a D3 going for 500 quid on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pioneer-AVIC-D3-BTi-Car-Sat-Nav-DVD-Bluetooth-system-A1_W0QQitemZ130281692554QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioTVElectronics_GPSSystems_GPSSystems?hash=item130281692554&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1299|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

 

[idwoodvale]

Just had a look at that myself.

Going to wait until the car is ready and hope I can find one then.

 

[poprock]

You're right about the Becker Grand Prix being pricey "¦ I love mine though. The iPod menu system is less than ideal, but it's a price I'm willing to pay for a head unit that looks in keeping with the rest of the car's interior.