Alternative NAV systems

[MookieNYC]

I have a 2002 X5 that came without the NAV system. I've checked around and it seems to add one would run about $5000 which is way more than it's worth to me. Now I have my eye on the Pioneer AVIC-N2, which has a ton of great features, including iPod support, XM radio, DVD, etc.

Has anyone tried to install one of these in the X5? Any thoughts?

Larry

[pseto]

The AVIC is a very slick system, my brother has it in his Lexus IS. However, you're in the same boat as me. You can add the AVIC, but you won't have a stock look and the steering wheel controls will NOT work. In addition, if you car is still under warranty, aftermarket electronics is a good way for the dealer to blame it/you for any problems.

My suggestion is to get a portable GPS unit, like Garmin StreetPilot. You can use it any car and its actually better IMO than the OEM NAV (its touchscreen) and more intuitive. The best part is that it'll run less than $1K!

[UCrewX5]

You also lose the abilty to control the On Board Computer (OBC) functions if you remove the factory radio unit.

Now if you really want to get serious about this, here is what you do. Someone sent me information a few months ago on a project he was working on to retain his factory radio, factory changer and Sirius while adding Navigation. To do this he moved some components around to make it all happen. First he moved the factory radio down to the ashtray. To do this he build a custom center console cover to accomodate this. He will be building an Alpine monitor into the old radio location. With this setup everything will still work, including all of the cluster information and stalk controls. As a final touch he is painting all of the wood in the X5 to a Piano Black to match the new console.

Check out this handy work:

[rangerfan]

Originally Posted by UCrewX5

You also lose the abilty to control the On Board Computer (OBC) functions if you remove the factory radio unit.

Now if you really want to get serious about this, here is what you do. Someone sent me information a few months ago on a project he was working on to retain his factory radio, factory changer and Sirius while adding Navigation. To do this he moved some components around to make it all happen. First he moved the factory radio down to the ashtray. To do this he build a custom center console cover to accomodate this. He will be building an Alpine monitor into the old radio location. With this setup everything will still work, including all of the cluster information and stalk controls. As a final touch he is painting all of the wood in the X5 to a Piano Black to match the new console.

Check out this handy work:

Holy moly! Got any more info on this Jeff?

[UCrewX5]

Originally Posted by rangerfan

Holy moly! Got any more info on this Jeff?

I traded emails with him last night. He's in the process of changing the color to something other than the Piano Black - he wasn't happy with how that came out. As soon as he is done he indicated he would send me a complete set of pictures.

[rangerfan]

Cool--I look forward to seeing what he has done.

[Sterling's X]

I would really be interested in finding someone who could build a bracket to move my radio to the ashtray like your buddy. Any idea how I would go about finding a person in my area who could fabricate this for me? What kinds of shops does one look around in? Is this kind of work, as in just a bracket, not an entire custom dash, usually very expensive?

Thanks,
Sterling

Originally Posted by UCrewX5

You also lose the abilty to control the On Board Computer (OBC) functions if you remove the factory radio unit.

Now if you really want to get serious about this, here is what you do. Someone sent me information a few months ago on a project he was working on to retain his factory radio, factory changer and Sirius while adding Navigation. To do this he moved some components around to make it all happen. First he moved the factory radio down to the ashtray. To do this he build a custom center console cover to accomodate this. He will be building an Alpine monitor into the old radio location. With this setup everything will still work, including all of the cluster information and stalk controls. As a final touch he is painting all of the wood in the X5 to a Piano Black to match the new console.

Check out this handy work:

[B&DCalgary]

I'm looking at purchasing a portable NAV unit that was just introduced to the market a few months ago, called the RoadMentor. It's the same idea as the Street Pilot but takes it to the next level with a larger, high-res color touch screen (also button operation), with hi-fidelity sound, high speed processor, and a 1 sec refresh rate. It's completely portable between vehicles, with a built in antenna. Best of all is that not only does it perform like a high end, installed unit, but the price is only $499!!!

They just started to sell it at www.bimmian.com, and they have excellent info on their site plus an online demo (huge file though, so make sure you have high speed if you want to download it). Bimmian is selling them for $499 with one map disk included (seven are required to cover the entire U.S. and Canada, and Bimmian sells them for $99 each).

Duo Electronics is also selling them LINK for $499, but all seven disks are included for that price, and they will ship anywhere in the U.S. for free ($10 to Canada via Global Priority Mail, which means a flat $5 Customs handling fee to the receiver from Canada Post rather than the estimated $150 gouging you will get from UPS)

All in all, it looks like an excellent device for the price, from a major overseas manufacturer of GPS equipment (Polstar). They've done their homework well.

[srcstc]

I can do that for you. Email me.



-Rich

Originally Posted by Sterling's X

I would really be interested in finding someone who could build a bracket to move my radio to the ashtray like your buddy. Any idea how I would go about finding a person in my area who could fabricate this for me? What kinds of shops does one look around in? Is this kind of work, as in just a bracket, not an entire custom dash, usually very expensive?

Thanks,
Sterling

[DocMike]

Originally Posted by srcstc

I can do that for you. Email me.



-Rich

What about just a normal Bezel for an alpine monitor Rich?