Avic F90BT Upgrade - Need The Laundry List

joegr said:
VSS is a white wire with green stripe. You can find it at connector 210 behind the driver's kick panel, low down and behind some other connectors. 210 is a 12 pin connector with only a few wires going to it, and no connector mated to it, if I recall correctly.
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The unit will work without the speed wire.
 
What are your impressions? Is it buggy? I want a good in dash NAV. I don't want to be frustrated, but I would like to stay in the $750 range.
 
04SCTLS said:
I don't know how close the color of the double din silver face is to the nickel silver console.
They just came out with it.
The black one used to be 9.99.
I cut down a factory nav plate and used the side pieces from the kit.
The side pieces are all you need and hold the unit firmly in the factory cradle.
I went a bit nuts with my setup and added new wires, subs, 4 amps (1700 rms watts of Rockford Fosgate) and a din of equalizer and crossover
controls where the ashtray used to be.
This nesessitated making some new pieces to finish it off.
I used Duplicolor Seattle Silver E8800957 from Autozone and it is very close to the factory color.
The 2 red switches are on/off to reboot and a switch on the illumination wire that is hooked to the ashtray light wire.
The screen brightness goes to half when you turn on the lights and I don't want it to dim if it's just getting dark or if it's raining.
My 3.0 update just shipped from Pioneer so I'll have it next week.
The touch screen buttons can lag or freeze up.
The unit also reboots on it's own sometimes.
I'll see how well the new update fixes it up.
If you buy one you should get it with the 3.0 update.
Otherwise it's 70.00 unless you're comfortable hacking the unit.
Though I usually don't buy an extended warranty I paid an extra 100.00 for 3 year replacement in this case.
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Did you do the bypass on your unit?
 
joegr said:
Not on the AVIC. Those who have gotten the USB hard drives to work, have to unplug and reconnect them every so often to keep them working. (Sometimes the AVIC won't see the drive, so it has to be disconnected and reconnected to get it to recognize it again.) Also, the connection to the hard drive comes from the same rear connection on the AVIC as the iPOD would.

If you have DRM'd music on your iPOD, then there is no way to play it from a hard drive, it has to be played from the iPOD.

So, in my opinion, it is not so cut and dry.

BTW, the iPOD is completely controlled from the AVIC (including playlist selection), so there is no more reason to get to it than there would be to get to the HDD.
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Here's some clarification on the HDD issue from avic411.

Re: About My Passport Essential 400gb drive
by ibcr8iv on Sat Aug 08, 2009 2:35 am

You'll need to get an external power source for your USB drive. The USB port only supports 500mA of current draw, and when your 400GB drive is starting to spin it'll pull more than that- which is why the AVIC won't see it. What are you planning on putting on that drive? Unless you're meticulous with your folder / file organization it's going to be a PITA to navigate through the drive. Unfortunately, this is one of those scenarios where an iPod is the best option for portable media storage.ibcr8iv

Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2008 6:09 am

And here is a fix.

krnfrk, if you're not looking to grab an iPod cable and whatnot, you can try what I did, and you can make the cable you need at home if you really need to. The problem is that the USB port coming from the AVIC unit doesn't supply enough power for the drive, as was obviously said. The trick here is to give the USB connection a little bit of a power boost. You'll need to pick up a 12V DC Car Socket to USB converter - you can find them at Wal-Mart in the auto section for pretty cheap. The other thing you'll need is a USB Y cable - this connects the power from two USB cables to your drive, so that it gets the power it needs. You can buy one (I ordered this one for a friend just today), or if you're savvy to making one and have a couple spare USB cable laying around, you can make one for incredibly cheap. I threw a cable together today after picking up a Passport 250GB drive myself and forgetting to consider the power requirements, and I'm happy to say that I have a nice load of movies and music connected to my AVIC now.

Hopefully that made sense. Anyway, if you have any questions, shoot me a PM, I'd be glad to help out.omg1337core

Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2009 6:31 am
Location: Kendall, NY
 
LeaSr77 said:
Did you do the bypass on your unit?
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Yes I did.
I moved the yellow mute wire and grounded it.
I had a small jewelers screwdriver set I got at the flea market or Harbor Freight and used the thin pointed one to help release the wire end from the clip.
Slide the pointed screwdriver into the little notch part of the hole where the wire goes in as far as you can to push down the part of the wire end holding it in the clip, then carefully pull on the wire while firmly holding the screwdriver and it will come out.

Use the same pointed jewelers screwdriver to push the wire end into it's new location between the 2 black wires.
 
Okay, I have narrowed it down to either the F90BT or the X910BT. Both are within $90.00 of each other.

Does anybody know if there is enough of a hardware difference or firmware difference between the two to spend the extra $90 on the unit and have to buy the ipod cable separately?

I read in Avic411.com that their is a fix for a problem the F series had but do not know if it is true.

Down side is X910BT only has 1 year warranty.
 
Here's another thing to think about, and was mentioned by a few others on the board - the F90BT has the 4V pre-outs, while the X910 only has the 2.2V pre-outs. They say the higher the pre-out, the better/cleaner/etc signal you're going to have going to your amps. If you're like me, you won't be doing the amp thing right away. However, I think the F90BT probably has some better options or handling for if or when you actually do want to upgrade your amps/speakers.

I've also heard that the graphics are not as good on the X910 as they are on the F90, but can't confirm that either way.

I think the hard part will be actually trying to find an F90 - especially if you want it new with the 2 year factory warranty. Sonic is backordered on them right now. Ibuydigital.com has the cheapest price right now, which is 650 - no tax and free shipping. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on that and then buying the harness/dash kit/steering wheel cable from Sonic.

But I haven't done anything yet. I also watch Ebay, but don't think I want to go that route.

TRU
 
Tru-Blu said:
Here's another thing to think about, and was mentioned by a few others on the board - the F90BT has the 4V pre-outs, while the X910 only has the 2.2V pre-outs. They say the higher the pre-out, the better/cleaner/etc signal you're going to have going to your amps. If you're like me, you won't be doing the amp thing right away. However, I think the F90BT probably has some better options or handling for if or when you actually do want to upgrade your amps/speakers.

I've also heard that the graphics are not as good on the X910 as they are on the F90, but can't confirm that either way.

I think the hard part will be actually trying to find an F90 - especially if you want it new with the 2 year factory warranty. Sonic is backordered on them right now. Ibuydigital.com has the cheapest price right now, which is 650 - no tax and free shipping. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on that and then buying the harness/dash kit/steering wheel cable from Sonic.

But I haven't done anything yet. I also watch Ebay, but don't think I want to go that route.

TRU
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I just looked at that site. Never heard of it but that's a hell of a deal for a new one. I'll say pull the trigger on that one! That price may be hard to be.
 
Tru-Blu said:
Here's another thing to think about, and was mentioned by a few others on the board - the F90BT has the 4V pre-outs, while the X910 only has the 2.2V pre-outs. They say the higher the pre-out, the better/cleaner/etc signal you're going to have going to your amps. If you're like me, you won't be doing the amp thing right away. However, I think the F90BT probably has some better options or handling for if or when you actually do want to upgrade your amps/speakers.

I've also heard that the graphics are not as good on the X910 as they are on the F90, but can't confirm that either way.

I think the hard part will be actually trying to find an F90 - especially if you want it new with the 2 year factory warranty. Sonic is backordered on them right now. Ibuydigital.com has the cheapest price right now, which is 650 - no tax and free shipping. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on that and then buying the harness/dash kit/steering wheel cable from Sonic.

But I haven't done anything yet. I also watch Ebay, but don't think I want to go that route.

TRU
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I think I am going to go with the F90BT. Cost is a little less and has longer warranty. Hopefully it will ship w/ the 3.0 firmware. Total I am estimating for the Head unit, harness, dash kit & steering controls is about $850.00 w/ tax and shipping.

Does anybody know the part number for the harness since both Sonic and Crutchfield say this unit won't fit in the 2006 LS?
 
Opies_LS said:
I think I am going to go with the F90BT. Cost is a little less and has longer warranty. Hopefully it will ship w/ the 3.0 firmware. Total I am estimating for the Head unit, harness, dash kit & steering controls is about $850.00 w/ tax and shipping.

Does anybody know the part number for the harness since both Sonic and Crutchfield say this unit won't fit in the 2006 LS?
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What year LS? Here's one from sonic.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_7628_Scosche+FDK11B+-+FDK11.html
 
NO problem man, if you need any additional help just let me know. I'll help you out as much as I can. I"m sure others will chime in too.
 
Thanks, Lea - that was the last thing I was looking for myself! I'm probably ordering everything tomorrow. What stinks is that I'll still have to pay for the 3.0 update - I don't think Pioneer cares that someone would just be purchasing the stereo and should have the update free.

We'll get there OP - you might get there before I do anyway.

TRU
 
Tru-Blu said:
Thanks, Lea - that was the last thing I was looking for myself! I'm probably ordering everything tomorrow. What stinks is that I'll still have to pay for the 3.0 update - I don't think Pioneer cares that someone would just be purchasing the stereo and should have the update free.

We'll get there OP - you might get there before I do anyway.

TRU
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You're welcome. I feel you man about the update. I got to order mine too. Right now I'm deployed overseas, but I'll order it right before I leave to come home. That way it'll be there when I get there. Supposely it's suppose to bring the unit up to date and makes it work a lot better than 2.0 and addresses a couple of issues with the unit.
 
Tru-Blu said:
Thanks, Lea - that was the last thing I was looking for myself! I'm probably ordering everything tomorrow. What stinks is that I'll still have to pay for the 3.0 update - I don't think Pioneer cares that someone would just be purchasing the stereo and should have the update free.

We'll get there OP - you might get there before I do anyway.

TRU
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Yeah TRU, it sounds like we are in the same boat. You will probably beat me to the draw though, I have to order gift cards through the points program with our bank so it saves me real $$. Also, my wife wants me to wait until I get my 2000 LS sold first. (Anybody need a 2000 LS w/ 218K miles?)
 
Sorry about your situation, OP but I'm not much better. Just found out some bad news - and a warning to anyone that's thinking about buying something from them.

ibuydigital.com is NOT an authorized Pioneer dealer. If you do buy from them (and if you actually get what you ordered), Pioneer will NOT honor any warranty claims. Once I did a little searching on them, I found TONS of horror stories about people who got screwed trying to buy something from them. That explains the killer price for a new unit.

So, if you want a unit with an OEM warranty, you're gonna have to pay a little more for it AND make absolutely sure wherever you're buying from is listed as an authorized dealer on Pioneer's site. If it's not, you're out of luck (unless you know someone that can fudge a receipt/sales invoice at an authorized dealer).

If you don't care about the manufacturer's warranty, go the Ebay route - can usually get a unit for a little over 500 - but it's a refurbished model.

For me, the hunt continues - with me being a little wiser now. Thankfully I didn't pull the trigger at ibuydigital.com. Had the unit in the cart to checkout and decided I'd better make sure that this would be a legit warranty site.

TRU
 
Tru-Blu said:
Sorry about your situation, OP but I'm not much better. Just found out some bad news - and a warning to anyone that's thinking about buying something from them.

ibuydigital.com is NOT an authorized Pioneer dealer. If you do buy from them (and if you actually get what you ordered), Pioneer will NOT honor any warranty claims. Once I did a little searching on them, I found TONS of horror stories about people who got screwed trying to buy something from them. That explains the killer price for a new unit.

So, if you want a unit with an OEM warranty, you're gonna have to pay a little more for it AND make absolutely sure wherever you're buying from is listed as an authorized dealer on Pioneer's site. If it's not, you're out of luck (unless you know someone that can fudge a receipt/sales invoice at an authorized dealer).

If you don't care about the manufacturer's warranty, go the Ebay route - can usually get a unit for a little over 500 - but it's a refurbished model.

For me, the hunt continues - with me being a little wiser now. Thankfully I didn't pull the trigger at ibuydigital.com. Had the unit in the cart to checkout and decided I'd better make sure that this would be a legit warranty site.

TRU
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Yes be caution of these sites. I've read stories about some of these sites. Another site to stay away from is 86photovideo. You can go the ebay route, but for something like this, I personally wouldn't. I remember some months ago some guys on avic411.com were getting these units for a little over $500 shipped. They were using some type of msn coupons I think it was. That's one thing about Pioneer, if you don't buy from someone licensed to sell their product, they won't honor it.
 
Lea - have you had any issue with fan noise from the F90? Just curious if you can hear it in the cockpit at all - if the radio is on or off

TRU
 
Tru-Blu said:
Lea - have you had any issue with fan noise from the F90? Just curious if you can hear it in the cockpit at all - if the radio is on or off

TRU
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I can't hear it when the radio is on and I don't hear nothing when it's off. I think if it was loud enough I would have heard it by now. I think I hear it when the unit first boots up and for me, that's about it.
 
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Tru-Blu said:
Sorry about your situation, OP but I'm not much better. Just found out some bad news - and a warning to anyone that's thinking about buying something from them.

ibuydigital.com is NOT an authorized Pioneer dealer. If you do buy from them (and if you actually get what you ordered), Pioneer will NOT honor any warranty claims. Once I did a little searching on them, I found TONS of horror stories about people who got screwed trying to buy something from them. That explains the killer price for a new unit.

So, if you want a unit with an OEM warranty, you're gonna have to pay a little more for it AND make absolutely sure wherever you're buying from is listed as an authorized dealer on Pioneer's site. If it's not, you're out of luck (unless you know someone that can fudge a receipt/sales invoice at an authorized dealer).

If you don't care about the manufacturer's warranty, go the Ebay route - can usually get a unit for a little over 500 - but it's a refurbished model.

For me, the hunt continues - with me being a little wiser now. Thankfully I didn't pull the trigger at ibuydigital.com. Had the unit in the cart to checkout and decided I'd better make sure that this would be a legit warranty site.

TRU
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Yeah, that is bad news. My gift cards are through Amazon and none of those sellers are listed. May have to hunt more myself. After buying the car, taxes, ESP warranty and such, the cash flow without those doesn't really allow for the purchase. The warranty on these units does seam pretty important so back to the drawing board for me too.

Thanks for the heads up.
 
Tru-Blu said:
Lea - have you had any issue with fan noise from the F90? Just curious if you can hear it in the cockpit at all - if the radio is on or off

TRU
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Yes you can hear it, but its not quite as loud as the fan for the seats
 
Ordered - Apple iPod Classic 120 Gb for entire music library
Ordered - Metra 95-5000S silver double-din dash kit
Ordered - PAC SWI-PS steering wheel control harness
Ordered - Scoshe FDK11B ford/lincoln/mercury premium audio harness
Hunting - Pioneer F90BT

Once I hook the big fish, I'll be ready for some new mobile entertainment.

TRU
 
Tru-Blu said:
Ordered - Apple iPod Classic 120 Gb for entire music library
Ordered - Metra 95-5000S silver double-din dash kit
Ordered - PAC SWI-PS steering wheel control harness
Ordered - Scoshe FDK11B ford/lincoln/mercury premium audio harness
Hunting - Pioneer F90BT

Once I hook the big fish, I'll be ready for some new mobile entertainment.

TRU
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Congrats man. Make sure to take some pics of that install if you can. Also don't forget to do the bypass on the unit before you install it. If you need the information I can send it to you.
 
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