Avic D3

[masterballer]

Hey guys, i am looking at setting up a serious sound system in my 04 GT and the only thing thats holding me back (other than the cash :complain) is the stock head unit. I love how the center of the car looks and dont want to mess with it, i have been looking online for a while now but i cant seem to find a pic of a Mazda 3 with a head unit installed where the ashtray/cig lighter is...I would love to fit a Avic D3 in there, or any aftermarket deck for that matter.

I was wondering if anyone here has or knows someone who has done this, is it even possible? I am going to rip it apart and take a look tomorrow but wanted to get some input on this first.

[S.F.W.]

Hey guys, i am looking at setting up a serious sound system in my 04 GT and the only thing thats holding me back (other than the cash :complain) is the stock head unit. I love how the center of the car looks and dont want to mess with it, i have been looking online for a while now but i cant seem to find a pic of a Mazda 3 with a head unit installed where the ashtray/cig lighter is...I would love to fit a Avic D3 in there, or any aftermarket deck for that matter.

I was wondering if anyone here has or knows someone who has done this, is it even possible? I am going to rip it apart and take a look tomorrow but wanted to get some input on this first.

I run an Avic-Z1 in my car. You should check out avic411.com, it's a great forum dedicated to the pioneer decks. Lot's of great install advice.

[mit-gee-mui]

i have been looking online for a while now but i cant seem to find a pic of a Mazda 3 with a head unit installed where the ashtray/cig lighter is...
This and/or a similar question has been asked several times before without being answered.

Let me try:

http://raptor.golden.net/~barnes123/Picture%2033760.jpg
Source: http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=237464&postcount=2
??? Not sure if this is what you are looking for.


If it's not that, how about this?
http://www.geocities.com/markhammazda3/2.jpg
Source: http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=26270&postcount=1

[b]

The new pioneer line that replaced the avic d3 came out this week. Go to pioneer.com and check it out. You no longer need to use the dvd map disks on the new units. Cheaper too!

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/Navigation

http://blog.sounddomain.com/photos/pioneer/avicf900bt_left_300dpi_5in.jpg

http://blog.sounddomain.com/photos/pioneer/avicf90bt_orange_300dpi_5in.jpg

[McGuyver_3]

futureshop has the new f series already but they are a tad more expensive
AVIC F700BT (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10106929&catid=12038)

AVIC 900BT (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10106930&catid=12038)

they are just throwing out the d3 now so friggen cheap lol

AVIC D3 (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10085466&catid=12038)

I am thinking of upgrading to the F900BT but i have had the d3 and it is amazing unit

I dont thnk i have ever seen any double dins down where the ash tray goes but that would be a cool mod

[EvilEric]

futureshop has the new f series already but they are a tad more expensive
AVIC F700BT (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10106929&catid=12038)

AVIC 900BT (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10106930&catid=12038)

they are just throwing out the d3 now so friggen cheap lol

AVIC D3 (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10085466&catid=12038)

I am thinking of upgrading to the F900BT but i have had the d3 and it is amazing unit

I dont thnk i have ever seen any double dins down where the ash tray goes but that would be a cool mod

Well you would only need the bracket down there and a way to make everything flush. How deep is the D3?

[dentinger]

wow. not a bad price for the D3.

how good of a unit is it? im guessing its cd/dvd/mp3/nav/ipod/satelite radio/everything??

[McGuyver_3]

yup thats right does everything and it has a full EQ which is nice but honestly spend the xtra $$ if you can and get the AVIC 900BT. i was going to buy it today and the guy at the store said they have not arrived yet :( He hopes to have some by next week :D

the only difference between the 700 and the 900 is that the 900 can play dvds and the 700 cannot :(

[masterballer]

I am really not that crazy about the 700 series...why give it a DVD drive and not let it play DVD's? :AH

Also no MP3-DVD's? :bang

I think im just going to stick with the D3, it does more of what i want.

Now to find a few shops and get some quotes on the install.

[silvermist99]

those that have a D3/ plan on getting a D3. What speakers are you getting for it? I'm planning on getting front components

[masterballer]

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1109

Very good comps if you have the $$ ... i am getting those + the D3

[silvermist99]

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1109

Very good comps if you have the $$ ... i am getting those + the D3

whoa so expensive!!! my price range was more like $100 or so, I only drive the car less then 10000km / year, not willing to spend that much on it lol. Have any other suggestion? I'm just usng the D3's internal amp.

[bbell1984]

suscribed cuz i wanna know if anyone has info on the new unit fitting where the ashtray goes, THAT'd BE SICK!!

[3GFX]

You've got options, Double din or single DIN there are kits, it all depends on your budget and the look you want.

[Greg_r]

For install, I really recommend the Metra dash kits - I'm running one with my AVIC-D3, and it looks really clean, almost stock-like. It also came with the pocket that replaces the clock/digital display from the stock HU (most kits do though).

The D3 fits into the stock location, you just have to be really clean with the wiring, since it can get really cramped back there when time comes to fit the D3 in. I've re-done my wiring and now I have less problems (before I used to have to muscle my D3 in).

This is the best shot I have so far with the Metra kit (sorry for bad lighting).

http://i26.tinypic.com/2h8a1x1.jpg

[Greg_r]

wow. not a bad price for the D3.

how good of a unit is it? im guessing its cd/dvd/mp3/nav/ipod/satelite radio/everything??

It does all that, but if you want to have iPod, the cable's extra (about 40 bucks from bestbuy, cheaper on eBay), and for bluetooth and satellite radio, each require a separate module that plugs into the D3. I got the bluetooth unit for about $120 off ebay, and it's pretty sweet.

The D3's pretty good as a system, and I'm happy with it (esp. with iPod and BT). But there are some features that I wish it had. My cousin is running the AVIC Z2, and THAT is a really sweet unit (no changing the illumination color tho) - but, hard-drive-based = no DVD switching, more map display modes, and more map searchability (IMO)

[bbell1984]

If you dont mind me asking Greg R, what was the final tally after the install and the extra gizmo's?
And where did you get that Metra Dash Kit and how much was that?
thanks
bri

[M3Nick]

http://blog.sounddomain.com/photos/pioneer/avicf90bt_orange_300dpi_5in.jpg

Omg, it's beautiful. Put it in one of these!

http://japanparts.com/db/partslist.php?dealer=&car=&middlesmall=&maker=&volkey=143-110-003

[M3Nick]

Omg, it's beautiful. Put it in one of these!

http://japanparts.com/db/partslist.php?dealer=&car=&middlesmall=&maker=&volkey=143-110-003

Ahh wait, its probably a "deep" unit since it has DVD and such .. would need to be mounted where the head unit is, or ashtray. Dang!

[Greg_r]

If you dont mind me asking Greg R, what was the final tally after the install and the extra gizmo's?
And where did you get that Metra Dash Kit and how much was that?
thanks
bri

Ya no problem...

So the AVIC-D3 itself cost me $700 (got it from a kind of sketchy local shop - really don't recommend going there, like I said, he was sketch... but like others have said, the prices for those are dropping now that the new line is out).

Then the iPod cable cost me about $40 from Bestbuy (but you can probably find cheaper on eBay, I was just impatient)

CD-BTB200 (bluetooth adaptor) was about $150 (plus about $40 shipping) from a seller on eBay.

PAC SWI-PS (steering wheel control adaptor) was about $50 fom a seller on eBay (forgot how much shipping was)

Metra dash kit with Mazda3 harness $40 (plus about $20 shipping) (again from eBay).

Reverse camera was $35 ($50 incl. shipping) - seller on eBay (it's a 28mm waterproof NTSC camera with nightvision - search that on ebay, and you'll find sellers)

Installing it myself... priceless.
(j/k... it was easy, got everyting installed within a day/weekend, but I still have to tap my VSS wire)

So about a grand when it was all said and done.

And tallying that up now depresses me... slightly. That will quickly go away once I sit in my car again.

BUT... here's the thing, goto www.crutchfield.com. They sell the Pioneer AVIC-D3 WITH iPod cable and bluetooth and remote for $999, and they go on sale (when I was looking, it was $799...). The only problem is that they won't ship to Canada, but will ship it to any US location. So if you know anyone in the US...

Other shops will probably also be selling that package (called the AVIC-D3X), for cheap now that the new units are out.

[bbell1984]

cool, thanks for the insight.

Do you like the D3 though?
does it have voice recognition or touch screen? how do you find the usability?

[silvermist99]

cool, thanks for the insight.

Do you like the D3 though?
does it have voice recognition or touch screen? how do you find the usability?

I like my D3, it uses touch sceen no voice reg. the GPS part of it is somewhat dated/crappy, the keys are keys are hard to enter, no quewty keyboard. But I have my places saved as favorite so its ok. The 3d bird eyes view is ugly and don't show street names, looks like something from windows 3.1 days. The ipod part is awesome on this device, I love having control to so many songs without changing anything.

I still don't have this on my ms3 yet... have to rip my blows system out and install new speakers, any recommendation to audio shops ?

[Greg_r]

cool, thanks for the insight.

Do you like the D3 though?
does it have voice recognition or touch screen? how do you find the usability?

Ya I love it. Like silvermist99 said - there's a full touchscreen, but no voice recognition (if you want that, get the new line Pioneer just put out, or get the older AVIC Z1 or Z2). I don't have that many problems with the touchscreen - the keyboard's not in qwerty, but you get used to it (again, if you want that feature too, get the Z2). The map I use only when I don't know where I'm going, or if I want to find a way around a traffic jam (wish I could afford XM navtraffic). But ya, the navigation functions aren't as good as say, a Garmin Nuvi or something like that... but that's not to say they're bad. The vehicle dynamics function is fun when I'm on twisty roads tho.

The main reason I wanted this system was for the ipod interface, which is awesome. The sound through the stock 6-speaker setup is waaay better than with the stock HU, but some songs still beg for a subwoofer (which I may put in later). Another plus is I can have 2 other AV devices plugged in (I have the cables running to the glove box), and the reverse camera comes in handy.

So ya, I love my system.

[halloween1978]

I have this system myself and I absolutely love it. I have added the sirius satellite radio module, bluetooth and the iPod adapter. Also, i got the pac-wips steeing wheel module to keep the steering wheel controls for volume and such. Great product. http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm124/theciscokid2004/DSC00005.jpg

[halloween1978]

also, this is the website i used for some install tips and how to keep the fuel computer on the lcd screen working.