Pioneer AVIC-N1 Nav system

kenlacy · August 26, 2004

I put up some new pics of my Nav system and flip down screen installed in an 04 Suburban - man are they making it harder to install aftermarket audio/video without losing funtionality.

http://z71tahoe-suburban.com/iboard/index....e&CODE=12&CID=1

Frank S · August 26, 2004

That's one helluva set up you've got there.

tmf6902 · August 26, 2004

I got the same thing.....well I used to....it's on a UPS truck right now on it's way to CA to get fixed........when they return it, it'll be the third one. I do love it though.

kenlacy · August 27, 2004

Frank - Thanks!

TMF - if you don't mind me asking, what is the problem you are having with yours?

tmf6902 · August 27, 2004

Well....first I had it installed by a "authorized installer"....and afterwards he was showing me the basics....it broke down and wouldn't spit out discs, it would just throw up an error....so they went and got a new one off the shelf, and that one worked fine......then about two weeks ago...I was showing a buddy how it worked.....everything worked fine....stopped my truck...shut it down....got back in about and hour later...and the screen was all F'd up...I reset the system...nothing....tried to reload the software...nothing....the XM and radio still worked..but it wouldn't play CD's, and thel screen was stuck on a garbled pioneer splash screen.

So I called Pioneer, and explained the problem...they were sort of pissed because they wanted a reciept, but I just recently moved, and it disappeared....being the idiots customer service reps usually are, they asked me how they were supposed to know that the warranty was still good (they told me it was only good for a year)....I "Kindly" explained to them it was just released in April....so they gave me a return authorization code, and I UPS'ed it to they a couple of days ago.

They told me it should take a week or so to figure out what was wrong with it, and they'll either fix it or send me a new unit. It's kind of disappointing because it's really cool, and I really think it works well. I got the voice and remote package and the rear view camera with it, and they both worked flawlessly when it worked. With the problems a lot of people have had with it, I almost think they released it a little too early without getting all the bugs out. I think my problem was software related?? But anyway sorry for writing a book....but you asked.

Here is a good website where there is a lot of good info and Q/A on the unti

AVIC-N1

How does your GPS work...I have read a lot of people have been having problems with locations not being in it....It worked very well for me...I mean it was never perfect, but it worked as well as any other GPS I have ever used.

Also...sorry because I keepwriting, but the installer did something cool for me...I was concerned about not being able to play DVD's when I was driving...(before anyone jumps on me, I wanted my wife to be able to watch a movie on long trips...not because Iwanted to watch while Iwas driving)..anyway he wired up a toggle switch on my dash that tricks the unit into thinking the parking brake is on, it's a nice touch.

kenlacy · August 27, 2004

TMF - thanks for the response - no problems here and the GPS seems pretty accurate as of yet.

I just grounded the wire to the parking brake. Same reason as you. My wife watchs one movie up front while the kids watch a different one in back.

Good luck with yours!

Z71 · August 27, 2004

Any pics of the unit in dash with the screen closed? I'm looking at that model myself for my truck.

kenlacy · August 28, 2004

I will get you a pic tommorrow. Just got home and time to hit the sack.

Z71 · August 28, 2004

Thanks. I just want to see how the installation looks since the radio that is going in is half the size of the one that came out.

kenlacy · August 29, 2004

http://z71tahoe-suburban.com/iboard/index...._gallery&id=124

Above is a pic with the AVIC-N1 closed. There is a tray below the deck to take up the added space. Most installers will have no problem filling the space. The tray will hold a few cd's. I wanted the deck in the lower half - so that the screen would not go above the top of the dash. It could have been done, but would have required more customization. Also, I am glad now that it is up higher - it definitely makes it easier to see.

Tobes · September 4, 2004

Kenlacy,

I am guessing that the headunit you have installed on the bottom is a DVD unit for the back of the vehicle? I kind of gather that from your posts. How happy are you with the AVIC-1 as far as the NAV disks are concerned. I have the older AVIC80 that has a separate unit for the navigation and their disks so the disk stays in all the time. Just wondering how the unit works with loading your route and then being able to take the disk out and replace with something else while you are driving.

I too have modified the setup to allow movies while driving, although I find that it bothers my eyes to have a movie playing while not trying to watch it. I ended up just getting the dropdown screen so I don't have to watch it. Interesting that pioneer puts your directions in the bottom left corner of the movie if it is showing while driving if they had not intended for you to be watching it while driving (just a though.....I know its not legal).

TMF:

How does the rear camera work for you? Where did you install it? do you have pictures? I was thinking about putting a camera on my system but wanted to see where others have installed it and how it looks.

kenlacy · September 4, 2004

Tobes, to be honest with you, I have only had the system a few months and haven't really traveled much. But here is my limited experience:

It loads like a 25 mile radius to your home so you do not need the cd - I am not sure about trips, as mine hasn't been out of town yet. I am taking a trip down to the twin cities next weekend for the Cowboys/Vikes game (2 1/2 hours), I am going to load a rout and try it out. The voice activation works pretty well, just has a hard time with my southern accent at times :-)

The head unit at the bottom plays to both my AVIC and my rear screen and my AVIC plays out through itself and the rear screen, both are swap-able.

The rear view camera is mounted just to the left of the license plate - to the right of the license plate is the lock for the spare tire - so they kind of balance each other out.

The nice thing is you can have the rear view camera going split screen while nav is showing as well, in case your towing someting you want to keep an eye on. Also, when you put the vehicle in reverse, it automatically switches to the camera on screen.

This helps me because I have 4 kids and about 15 neighbor kids around all the time, saves from running over bikes but much better, just another step of warning if there is a kid behind my vehicle.

I like to think I always physically check, but sometimes I can get in a rush, and it is a nice backup.

I will get some pics and post them.

Tobes · September 4, 2004

pics of the backup camera would be great. I am thinking about adding the camera but would like to see how others have added it. The local guys have yet to install a camera so they would not mind doing it, but I would like to show them where I want it to go.

I will say that I like the GPS. It has trouble at times keeping you on the road, but for the most part it works as advertised. It does get me where I am going. Along with the XP and the movie playing capability I love taking it on the road with the family.

Z71 · September 5, 2004

I have been considering this deck but been thinking that I don't really need a backup camera... I thought it would be cool to have a "ground Clearance Camera" under the truck.... then again I really don't need that either.

Thx for the pics... really helps.

tmf6902 · September 6, 2004

I love the rear camera....It works great and it's especailly useful backing into parking spots. It's mounted under the tailgate above the bumper. I'll take some pics as soon as I can, but it's an upgrade I would definaltly do again.

TMF:

How does the rear camera work for you? Where did you install it? do you have pictures? I was thinking about putting a camera on my system but wanted to see where others have installed it and how it looks.

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