Somebody PM'd me to ask how I felt about my JVC unit after having lived with it now for awhile and I figured, although this was not my thread, I'd update it anyway.

Sooo... the unit is still awesome! I've learned my way around certain deficiencies and corrected others.

The steering wheel swi-pac unit now works flawlessly and is absolutely customizable. You can progam the steering wheel buttons as YOU desire, they are not preset once the unit is installed. The setup can be tricky and time consuming if done correctly (wasnt done correctly by shop initially b/c they were rushing) so I wound up with a radio that changed sources every time i blew the horn (SOOO ANNOYING LIVING IN NYC!!!). I took my time one day and reprogrammed it after changing my steering wheel and it works great now.

I've also since learned that if you keep the display on navigation, a phone call can be made via bluetooth and you can still enter and change destination information and use full features of navigation. You can also set up multiple phones for pairing of the bluetooth. If only one phone is configured, when the owner of that phone leaves the bluetooth connectivity option in the cell phone on, as soon as you step into the car,
the bluetooth connects without you having to do a thing.

I have the in-dash DVD/CD/MP3/DIVX player as well as the 6 disc DVD/CD/MP3 changer in the trunk that integrates and works well on road trips. Just load up before leaving and you have at least 9 hrs of viewing pleasure. Mine is wired that the navigation and movies can be played with the vehicle in motion.

I think my favorite function of all is my 32GB removable sandisk memory card that I prchased separately. I dont have an ipod nor do I really have the need for one. This eliminates the need to buy one as well as the need for the space to keep one in the X. Just load up on your computer and pop it in.

The system is configurable for use with any backup camera. I forget the brand name (EOS I think) of mine but I know its excellent quality in the day and just ok at night (it was infrared LEDs to illuminate the darkness). The switch from whatever screen you're on to backup camera can take about 2 secs which on paper is nothing but in practice can seem like an eternity.

There are many customizable features that make this radio a standout. Not to mention the large easily viewable touchscreen with minimal sleek buttons gives this unit a very clean and factory look.

Finally with the overall cost of this unit (less than $1500 including install) its great to know that when you park in long term parking at the airport or in some unscrupulous neighborhood in the heart of NYC, you can take the entire face of the radio off and not worry about theft. Granted its like walking around with a 7" flatscreen tv in your pocket, but at least you'll still have it. One of the only drawbacks to this unit is the fact that you cant take it on vacation with you and use it in your rented car or any other vehicle for that matter. I dont know of any unit that has so many comprehensive features and offers a removeable faceplate as well. So yes, two years later, it still comes highly recommended.

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In living life, the balance of responsible effort and dependence upon divine enablement must be maintained vigilantly.

2001 X5 3.0 manual with factory widebody kit