I picked up my AVIC-x710BT on Saturday and it's now installed. It's much better than previous unit (AVIC-U310BT). The bigger screen looks good and easier to navigate.

I will post some pictures tomorrow. It was too dark today to take any photos.

 

pics yet?

 

I guess I'm getting little bit lazy. I will do that once I get home today.

 

Here're we go.

I placed the BT mic (Garmin's) on the dash currently. I'm planning to move it to overhead console later. I heard that would have better sound.

 

my mic is up on the upper console, seems to work very good from that location. I like the final look of your unit in there. Seems to match very well. How was the depth once you got the factory one out??? Was there enough room for cables and such???


Im looking at the new clarion piece (nx700) and i might just pulll the trigger on that.

 

Andy your setup looks good. What Garmin Mic did you use? Even though I'm going to run the Alpine Ex-10 for bluetooth I think.

If you're not afraid to extend the harness that goes to that bottom row of switches, heated seats, hazzard etc, then you can fit a 9" crt tv in there depth wise. esp if you tuck what u dont really need behind the ashtray. The pain is straddling the head with that harness. Because there isn't much length after it splits, and one piece goes to the climate control, and the other to that bottom switch panel.

Other than that there's tons of room.

I would do it if I were you Jason, consider yourself lucky that your STR doesn't have factory nav. Do you have the alpine stereo? Or just the base audio?

George

 

I didn't have problem with any depth issue. There were plenty of room when I organized the wires to side and bottom of AVIC unit. I placed the GPS receiver on top of the HVAC with metal sticker and place the excess wires on side. I don't use second harness (for AV in/out), so I had to worry about main speaker&power and antenna harness.

I used Garmin external mic. I read from Avic411 forum that Pioneer mic isn't the best. And my wife complained about the F500's built-in mic. Since it's only $11 USD shipped, I purchased two.
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Externa.../dp/B000F7A832

I haven't had chance to really test it yet. I will let you know if this is actually better than Pioneer mic.

I ran the USB cable to ash tray. Since I don't really need the ash tray I removed the tray.

 

Nice project ndy! Thanks for sharing the details with us.

Have you tried plugging in an external hard drive to that USB? My jvc unit powers and works just great with a 120GB mini drive. Sure beats plugging in thumbdrives with limited space.

 

I don't have 2.5" (or 1.8") USB HDD. I know IT guy who doesn't have USB HDD!? hehe. Right now, I'm using 2GB SD (for my daugther) and 4GB USB (for my wife/me). I decided to use two different media, since I didn't want to listen to children's song when I shuffle-play. I think it's causing the slow boot time. I need to investigate if it is the case. Then I might use faster SD/USB media (I'm using pretty old media that I had for a while).

I will post the list of parts I purchased and where I bought them later this week.

 

Great install job - I'm considering the same install in my S-type (maybe a Kenwood unit rather than Pioneer). Looking forward to your list of parts used and where you purchased them. Did you have any issues/complications with the install (you mentioned putting the GPS unit on top of the HVAC - no issues with signal strength?).

 

Thanks edlaudio,

Here's the list of parts I purchased for my installation.

Metra 99-9501B Dash Kit from Installer.com ($24.95)
http://www.installer.com/item/displa...hp?it=99-9501B
Antenna Adaptor from Installer.com ($12.50)
http://www.installer.com/item/displa...php?it=40-EU10
Parrot Harness from eBay.co.uk (£7.99)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JAGUAR-X-S-Typ...item3ef63ac6da

And all important Pioneer x710BT from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-AVIC-X...9324371&sr=8-1

I replaced Pioneer mic with Garmin's. It's working quite well for me.
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Externa...9324495&sr=1-1

I decided with Pioneer since I can modify easily (information from AVIC411). I updated with latest map and etc.

I have no problem with GPS signal strength. It locks in pretty quickly and stays on spot. It's discrete and easier to install.

Good luck with your upgrade!

 

and Yes, I forgot to thank people on this forum and AVIC411

 

Thanks ndy for the information - that's a great help. Did you use a steering wheel control interface? I'm considering the Axxess ASWC or should I go with the Autoleads PC99-X47?

 

I'm not using a steering wheel control at this point. I was actually thinking about Autolead but I postponed it.

 

Andy, how do you like the X-710?

It's down to 449 on Amazon, and I'm thinking about swapping out the D3 - and selling it locally (I think I can get $300 - $350 for it locally) for the X710. Mostly to add bluetooth, and for the more modern navigation screens.

How is the bluetooth performance? And what's the deal with the Garmin Microphone? Pioneer Mic no good?

George

 

Go with the autoleads box I've heard nothing by but rave reviews about it. Don't do the PAC SWI-PS in a Jag. It won't work with either the headlights on or off depending on how it's programmed.

George

 

I'm pretty happy with the set up. I'm usually on the other side (receiving calls from my wife driving jag). I didn't really tried out the Pioneer Mic. I used Garmin right a way. It's recommended by ppl on AVIC411 forum. I had built-in mic issue with F500 on my Mazda6. My wife complained about the sensitivity (too loud) on F500 mic. I don't have issue with Garmin on F500.

The Map update is quite nice with x-series and f-series. You will need to modify it but it's quite simple to do. Currently I have identical configurations with the interface mod & latest NT map for Canada and TA map for USA.

 

The 710 uses SD cards for map data right?

I'm sure we can get as far as modding the map sw if needed. I currently have the latest "90" series pioneer nav discs in my d3 but the interface just looks meh.. dated. Especially the maps. Do the 710's use the same igo8 software? The one with the 3d buildings and stuff that the Z series uses?

I also almost lost my mind the other day.

I was trying to enter a destination 817 North Main Street. It REFUSED to find the city it was in. On a whim, after much frustration, I entered n main st and it found it fine.

I have a bluetooth ear piece, but it would be nice to have BT built in.

George

 

x710 uses the internal 2GB flash for map data. SD card is used to tranfer the data only and you can use it to play MP3.

 

So you just use the SD card to flash the map data and firmware to it? Then its all internal?

With the D series the map data is DVD based and the firmware updates are installed on first insertion of the dvd into the drive. It does have a "memory" mode... where it caches frequently traveled routes in the memory for when you're playing a cd or movie.

Personally I just keep the nav disc in it and run off the ipod 24/7.

Does the 710 have one or two usb inputs? I know the ipod uses one of them, can you also use a flash drive simultaneously? I know you can do mp3 on sd, is it limited to 2gb or will it read sdhc cards too?

Thanks,

George