Audio upgrade time - Avic F90BT or something else?

Tru-Blu

Tru-Blu

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I'm starting to keep a lookout for a NAV h/u to replace the stock audiophile h/u in my new '06. In a previous thread, I mentioned that I would be upgrading in phases - h/u first running stock speakers, then replacing speakers with better aftermarket and running off of amps.

So, is the Pioneer F90BT my best bet, or should I be checking out a few more before making final decision? I would like the unit to look as closely integrated as possible to the rest of the cockpit (so yes, I'd like the buttons to be green).

Is there any NAV head out there that has a changer built-in (like the factory THX unit) or will I be limited to just a single disc tray?

Any and all comments/advice are appreciated,

TRU
 
I put an F90BT in my wife's LS. How she puts up with it, I don't know. I plan to replace it with something better.

Takes way too long to boot.
Bluetooth is awful (sound quality).
Response to button presses is terrible (lags in the seconds).
Voice control is hit an miss (sometimes it won't even respond with the prompt for voice input).
Doesn't always know where the car is pointed.
...

Makes the factory nav in mine look really good.
 
joegr said:
I put an F90BT in my wife's LS. How she puts up with it, I don't know. I plan to replace it with something better.

Takes way too long to boot.
Bluetooth is awful (sound quality).
Response to button presses is terrible (lags in the seconds).
Voice control is hit an miss (sometimes it won't even respond with the prompt for voice input).
Doesn't always know where the car is pointed.
...

Makes the factory nav in mine look really good.
Click to expand...

I got the F900BT and am still checking it out.
My button lag was due to a poor ground.
 
I just installed the f90bt and updated it to the new 3.01 software (thanks to avic411) and I couldn't be happier. I have virtually no button lag and startup times are way better as well. I used it for one whole day on the 2.0~ software and I did have some button lag untill bout 2 minutes after the system started. Also cataloguing from the iPhone is way faster on 3.01 as well. Pandora works great too. I really am glad I went with this unit. I also never knew how well the stock subs sounded untill I put this unit in. :)
 
I've had the F90 for almost a year now and I"m very happy with it. I haven't had too many issues with mine that some have had. The only thing that I've had issues with was my bluetooth pairing with my phone. I'm currently running the 2.0 update and haven't upgraded yet to the 3.0 because I'm currently deployed right now. Overall I haven't had any other issues with my unit. This is just my personal experience though. Other people might have experience other problems that some haven't. Yea at first when it came out, the boot time was a little too long, but for me I have an automatic start on my car so by the time I get in it, it's already booted. I suggest going to www.avic411.com and just do some reading. I haven't seen any reviews yet on the new Avics yet. A lot of things that I see though on the avic411 is people like to hack this unit too much. I think that may be some of the problem right there that some of them have. Just my two cents and hope this helps.
 
Well, I've somewhat narrowed it down between the F90BT and the Kenwood DNX7140. It seems the reviews are a little more positive or favorable for the 7140, but most of that is focusing on the Navigation features of the unit.

So here's a few questions for you guys with the F90BT:

1. If you have the 12 speaker factory system, did the F90BT (connecting only doors and subs) make your factory speakers sound better?

2. Did any of you change the button color to green to match the cockpit's lighting, and if so how does it look? The Kenwood seems to do this too, but I haven't seen the green color yet.

3. Does the navigation pivot the map after you've made a turn (keeping your pointer facing forward) or does the map stay and you have to look at your pointer in going south, east, west, etc?

I know the Navigation and Bluetooth is better on the Kenwood, but don't know about the menus, sound customization/quality, and ipod integration. Not an easy decision, but when you're talking at least 500 for the F90BT, and around 1000 for the 7140, I want to try and get as much information as possible.

Thanks,

TRU
 
1. It sounds good, but I thought the factory headunit sounded good too.
2. Yes, but I never got it to an exact match.
3. With the firmware it comes with, your only options are 2D map with north always up, or 3D map with heading up. The 3.02 firmware update is supposed to give up a 2D heading up option. I've ordered it, but it hasn't arrived yet. (Heading up is what you describe as "keeping your pointer facing forward.")
 
Thanks for the reply, Joe. I may try to get out to a couple car stereo shops to see if they carry either one to try and get an idea of what some things look like (and function if that's possible).

TRU
 
Thanks lseguy. I had read those threads a little while ago, but went through Dacket's again to refresh my memory on all the comments.

I just got back from a Car Stereo One location in Toledo, and they had the F910BT, which is supposed to replace the F90 and F900. I haven't done any research on it, but played with some of the menu options while I was there.

So, I guess I have the following options:

1. Buy an F90BT off of online/ebay for hopefully a reasonable 500-ish
2. Buy an F910BT for around a grand (assuming more research checks out)
3. Buy a Kenwood DNX7140 online for around a grand
4. Wait until the 7140's come down in price or used

The water just got a little muddier for me.

TRU
 
First off, I wouldn't waste the extra money on the x910, considering the 3.0 update upgrades the f90bt to basically the same damn thing (plus you get the 4v preouts which the x910 doesn't have). I ended up installing my F90 for $612 total, that's with harness and dash kit and everything.

The f90 did make my stock speakers sound way better, and resurrected my door speakers from the dead lol (my stock radio wouldn't play them).

Also, I got the unit's button color to match pretty damn close. You can change the colors from 0 - 32 points in each red, green, and blue. Though I don't think it can ever match EXACTLY because its LED in the unit and filament in the dash... I think I have mine set at R0 G29 B0 right now and its really close... Setting the green at 32 makes it to bright and stand out to much.
 
Thanks for the reply, Dacket. Can I ask where you purchased everything? I'll go that route as well if it's still available (unless they were one-time Ebay purchases).

Thanks,

TRU
 
Last edited:
Whoa, did you feel that? Something just bumped me!

<shameful bump>

Dacket, send me a PM if you don't mind on where you got your audio stuff from. It would be mucho appreciated!

TRU
 
All of the big audio manufacturers have double din setups that have all of the features that you are looking for. I myself am leary of buying a headunit of that caliber second hand. If you are looking at buying one new, have you considered Alpine? The have a few double din receivers that do every =thing that you are looking for. I have an Alpine in-dash flip out, and I went that way because the screen was just a little bit bigger (7 inches vs 6.5 inches). Plus since the Alpine's are all touch screen, there isn't any color matching you have to worry about because there is just a small blue led on the bottom middle section of the units.
 
Hey sorry, was at work all day :) I got the head unit HERE (2nd one from bottom) Its reconditioned by the manufacturer and it works perfectly fine. I got it shipped to me in 3 business days. I got the dash kit on Amazon and the harness on ebay. It was the cheapest solution for me. Probably can find the dash kit on ebay too for really cheap.
 
The new X910 is just a regular Pioneer model. It's smart to get the F90 because it comes with the ipod cable and microphone included. The only differences are is that x910 has 2 volts and F90 has 4 volts, x910 has 1 year warranty, F90 has 2 year. From what I've researched the menus looks the same and I think I saw something about being able to drag icons but that's not nothing major to make me want to buy it. Keep checking sonicelectronix to see if they lower they prices. After I bought mine last September, they dropped the price on the F90 to $629. So I imagine with the new Avic out, they might do that again to move the old stock. Check ebay for the PAC steering module too. I got mine for $40 bucks when I bought it. If you have gen 1 LS, get the install kit from sonicelectronix, they ususally have it for like ten bucks. At least they did when I purchased my unit from them at the time. If you have the silver dash try this place, http://www.lskoncepts.com/store/lincoln-ls-metra-navigation-bezel-double-din-p-302.php. They sell it in black and silver. I hope this helps you out. I've had the unit for almost a year and if you have any questions just feel free to ask. Also visit www.avic411.com. If you want to bypass the unit, let me know and I'll email you the information. Very easy to do.
 
Thanks LeaSR77,

I've been checking Sonicelectronix and Ebay consistently, and thinking I can probably get this for around 6 benjies - at least that's what I'm hoping for.

I know I need the PAC SW1-PS (unless the Gen II 2006 uses the CAN bus) for the steering wheel control.

I don't know where to go for the wiring harness, though - since it's a Gen II. All the threads I've seen so far for the Avic installations have been on older LS'. So, any help there could be appreciated.

Also, I think sonic has the dash kit for a LOT cheaper than LSKoncepts (sorry, don't want to diss a sponsor). They have it for $14.95, and it looks to be the same part number as what is on LSKoncepts site. I'll need to double-check it to be sure.

Once I get the harness nailed down on what to get and where to get it, as well as finalizing the dash kit I think I'm ready to starting ordering stuff.

TRU
 
I wouldn't think I could handle the start up time on this unit. can anyone comment on if it's a major PITA. I am about to pull the trigger on another eclipse but the cost is a tad more. How are they as far as map update too?
 
tonyd said:
I wouldn't think I could handle the start up time on this unit. can anyone comment on if it's a major PITA. I am about to pull the trigger on another eclipse but the cost is a tad more. How are they as far as map update too?
Click to expand...

I can't tolerate it either. My factory NAV startup is instant. The AVIC is minutes before it is fully functional.

I have heard that some Eclipses are instant too. I am considering replacing the AVIC with one.

AVIC map updates appear to be $120 normally, and come out about every two years.
 
Map updates are going for $80 right now, comes on 2 sd cards. My unit is fully functional in ~one minute. Music from the radio starts playing in ~15seconds anything USB is slower. I can see how this unit would be annoying to those who are used to "instant" functionality. Its bearable to me.
 
My Alpine starts up as soon as the key is turned. By the time the car is turned on, the add on navigation has started, and so has the add on hdd. I have had my h/u for going on five years now and not a single problem.
Tru, as far as a wire harness for the LS you can get one from crutchfield.com starting at 12.95 for the basic factory stereo. That's where I got mine from. Even with standard shipping I had it in less than 5 days.
 
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