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DIY - Headrest DVD Players Installation (Sony/eBay ones)
First off, I would like to thank franc x5 for pointing out these dvd headrests to the community. I purchased them myself and with the same color as my interior I decided to create my first ever D.I.Y. for the community that has helped me so much in the past. :high5: So lets get started: I have a 2001 X5 4.4i with Gray interior. NOTE: Please, do not comment negative due to the seat covers I have installed while showing this DIY. I am sorry but i find it very annoying to remove them :rolleyes: Q & A --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Where can I purchase this item? A: eBay: Click here Q: How much does it cost? A: Around $218 USD. Q: How many hours is it to install? A: With all honestly, if you have the correct tools necessary for this job, no more then an hour. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Step 1: Remove the 2 Clips on the bottom right and left side of the seat http://i34.tinypic.com/2d14k1d.jpg --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Step 2: Remove the back seat cover off the seat http://i34.tinypic.com/33cps2a.jpg --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Step 3: Remove plastic off from the newly ordered headrest http://i33.tinypic.com/hx0ldy.jpg --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Step 4: Add the 2 extended [Wide] bars so they can properly fit in our Xs :) NOTE: Yes, It does come included. http://i34.tinypic.com/30hty8k.jpg --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Step 5: Remove center console 6 CD holder thingy? :P NOTE: If you cant figure out how to remove this, please feel free to PM me and I will be more then happy to explain! It is very simply, you simply pull it up/out. Picture 1: http://i38.tinypic.com/35kiopf.jpgPicture 2: http://i36.tinypic.com/102mb6d.jpg Picture 3: http://i33.tinypic.com/ohih5y.jpg Picture 4: http://i38.tinypic.com/qnk8s9.jpg --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Step 6: Open the side carpet wall using a screw driver. [You have no idea how happy I was to find out that the side walls of the center console was held up by clips :D NOTE: Please dont comment about the dirty, I keep my X VERY clean inside and body wise, I honestly NEVER noticed how much dirt i had next to that seat :D Picture 1: http://i38.tinypic.com/264go06.jpgPicture 2: http://i36.tinypic.com/346kpoz.jpg --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Step 7: Now we start to run the wires from the seat through the center console. http://i36.tinypic.com/14sp4rc.jpg --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Step 8: Now we put the seat cover back in its place. MAKE SURE at this point to fit all the wires into the seat. http://i33.tinypic.com/noftpc.jpg --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Step 9: Now run the wires through the center console http://i35.tinypic.com/2vuevxv.jpg --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Step 10: Now comes the power part. What I simply did was used a knife to cut the insulation of the 2 wires that are already going to the cigarette lighter in the center console. There are 2 wires that you need to cut off the insulation off of. The RED and BLACK is the power & the BROWN is ground. Picture 1: - Take the open insulation from the headrest (The ran wire) & attach it to the power source. (Red & Black wire) http://i34.tinypic.com/11kxyee.jpg Picture 2: - Connect the two open insulation cables to one another. Try and make them as tight as you can, as if your connecting speaker wire. Attach both the power wire (RED & BLACK) and the ground wire (BROWN). http://i34.tinypic.com/j75ngw.jpg Picture 3: - At this point it helps to check if you have someone in the back seats to tell you if both headrests are working. Once they are you may start using black tape to tape it all up. http://i33.tinypic.com/n5t0lh.jpg Picture 4: - At this point you can put back the ventilation cardboard. It is a bit tricky to do but believe me when you click it in right, you know you did it right. (Can get annoying though) http://i37.tinypic.com/vem32d.jpg Step 11: - Just about done! Now all you need to do is connect the CD Holder thing back into its place. (Simply push it into place). Just make sure you do not have any wires running underneath the CD holder thing because it will cause it not to fall in place properly. http://i38.tinypic.com/2rxtox3.jpg ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Final Result: :) http://i38.tinypic.com/2z6cegi.jpg For those of you whom want to see the differents in size and the way it looks, i took a few pictures early on before I installed it to comapre the OEM headrest and the DVD Headrest. Here are the results. http://i33.tinypic.com/dqos8x.jpg http://i36.tinypic.com/2ajx2zq.jpg (Right side in the picture [Drivers side] Has the dvd headrest) http://i33.tinypic.com/152i5tu.jpg Left side OEM, Right side DVD Headrest. http://i37.tinypic.com/6f40h5.jpg Good luck everyone! :) |
Thanks for that. To be honest, I'm wondering about the square and cheap design of these headrests, at least on the pictures. Do they look good in reality and does the grey colour matches well with the OEM seat colour?
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Nice write up!
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I've had motorized in-dash monitors in my M5 and F350 and loved it for long roadtrips (I know, I shouldn't be watching TV on 8hr long straight away, yada yada yada). I did a flipdown in the rear of the F350...never again. It blocked all the rearview behind me so I couldn't see cars unless I used only the side mirrors. One cool thing about the flipdown is that it came w/ a pair of wireless headphones. Does your kit have wireless or just plug-in only for regular headphones?
I wanna put dual headrests in the X5, and I've got a set in the 7 now, but I want something w/ intergrated DVD players so each kid can watch their own movie this time. Are the DVD players intergrated into the headrests themselves, and if not, what are you using to feed them signal? I used a PS2 slim in my last 3 cars, but then the kids were forced to watch the same movie, hence why I want something w/ intergrated DVD. I kinda like but don't like the little flap that your headrests have. It's nice to have the option to hide them, but what fun is that ;) |
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I highly doubt there are multiples of companies out there w/ the technology to produce quality LCD screens, hence why I think there are just a few selling them to everyone w/ varying levels of quality (pixel count, backlighting brightness, etc). Just my .02. |
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-monitors.html
Just got all my answers from this thread. Great find, seems like they're good quality. I love the option of dual DVD and wireless headphones. Am I reading this right...it comes w/ games and PS type controllers, or was this an extra option? Have you played the games or are they stupid? They're asking $248 now, so how did you get them for $218 then? EDIT - clicked your link and see them for $218 plus $10 shipping. For that price we can all get hater vision and install a set in the rear seats also :nanana: I like how they can use SD cards also...I have software to cram 4-5 movies on one 8gb SD card. I'm gonna have to get these beasts. Now if I could only get my damn stereo to accept aux, then I can at least hear the movie of my choice while the kids are watching something. Anyone have an 02 or up cd player they wanna trade :thumbup: |
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PS: If you do not like those zipper covers, you can select the ones without them! :) |
Do the screens not operate flipped open, or is that only for loading the DVD players? Based on the pics, they still have an image on them even w/ the screen flipped open. Is there a little disk on the underside of the screen that sandwiches the DVD so it won't come off, other than the wheel where the DVD snaps onto to would hold it in place. I would hope the DVD wouldn't pop off while playing.
I'm 6'4", so I like sitting back nice and comfortably. If not, I guess I could tilt forward the upper half of my seat or maybe see if I can bend the headrest rods a little. I assume the rods are long enough that you can still use the motorized up and down feature? |
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Can these new headrest tilt forward? or are they stuck in the one position? |
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Can the DVD be played w/ the screen flipped up though? I sit pretty far back and it'd be pointless if the screen is pointing at my passengers knees. The DVD pops onto little tabs, but I don't know if that holds them in place enough, or if there is also a little disk on the back of the screen that sandwiches the DVD in place.
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Good write up!
But not to take this the wrong way or negative but are you sure it’s made by Sony. Any of the Sony systems I seen are pricy, in the thousands… Hope it is not counterfeit… At one point I considered these units on ebay because of the cheap price, but when seen in reality, I decided against it... The one I seen was sell for $395 +$95 shipping for the set. I saw these kinds of affordable DVD systems at local car audio/video shops. Than again your dvd headrest system is probably a different one than the one I looked at. These are so many after market ones… Anyways, the vinyl color may slight match??? But you will see the difference right away and even worst, other people/relatives will see the difference in quality. Nothing worst than people thinking nice car/truck but cheap DVD/headrest... IMO I didn't like the screen compare to the more expensive ones (that’s a given). After a lot of research, I ended up getting the Invision rear entertainment system. Been very happy with quality and look so far. Oh’ it can also plays Divx/Xvid/Mpeg1/2/3/4 (bonus!!) and I can hook up the Wii system to one or both screens for gaming or kids educational games. Also the Invision system matched the warranty of my X5 (4year warranty!!!) because it is a BMW OEM part. The saying is true "You get what you pay for". I know this may sound sexist; “We are guys, get the best or you’ll always be think of it”. |
See post #6, that's still my .02 on electronic pieces like this. Hell, my own hi-end BMW speakers in my car are made by Nokia, not BMW. I think all these manufacturers just shop for parts in their exclusive catalogs, assemble them and then charge whatever they think they can justify. I could really care less whats in a name as long as it works and I got it for a good price.
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I never stated BMW OEM parts are made by BMW. BMW OEM part means BMW tested and certified as a standard part for their vehicles regardless of the company that engineered and manufactures them. And BMW does manufacture their parts too. If you know anything you would know that at lease. The BMW OEM part "DVD headrest" I was referring to, is made by Invision as I stated. And if was or not manufactured and assembled in China, it is irrelevant. China has high quality plants as well as lower quality plants. There are different levels of manufacturing and engineering design specs by the companies. I am saying the Invision product is of higher quality than most of the products out there that I seen. If you think you can get a product that is low priced and think it is the same or similar quality as the higher priced one, then you are living in a conspiracy theory!! :stickpoke Look at any Sony product compare to RCA or Insignia. Different engineering and manufacturing, equals different quality products. If you careless in a brand and price means everything, go get yourself a Pontiac G6!! That works just fine too! Different quality in research, engineering and manufacturing for sure! Go for it dude, knock yourself out!!! :thumbup: |
Just because BMW approves something as certified doesn't mean it's the best choice. The government uses the cheapest bidder to build planes, BMW is no different. At no point and time, REGARDLESS of price, does that mean it's the best option. I have used an aftermarket radiator, along w/ a BMW employee here on the forums, because it's cheaper than what we could get from the dealership.
If price determines everything as to what is good and bad w/ your thinking of "you get what you pay for", then you've got another thing coming when owning a BMW. While I love all the BMW's I own, they are simply NOT worth what they were payed for when new, and sometimes not even used. My $65K MSRP'd 98 740il w/ 136K has more problems (replaced motor and diff at 124K) than my $14K MSRP'd 90 S10 Blazer (winter beater, ALL original) w/ 265k...and the Chevy gets better gas mileage. You spend your money your way, I'll spend mine my way. I'm going to go finish watching my Vizio 47" that was half the price of the Sony, but looked EXACTLY the same picture quality wise while watching a BlueRay DVD on the shelf at Costco. Back to the topic. |
I didn’t say just because BMW tested and certified it is a best choice.
BMW does choose high quality products to be in their OEM line and I do think this for the Invision system. Another example for you, BMW has the best designed and quality X5 hitch kit their OEM line. If BMW was going on pricy, they would have picked the Curt hitch. It’s cheaper in price but also in quality. There goes your conspiracy theory… |
However when you are referring to these DVD Headrests, keep in mind that YES they are real SONY laser readers & according to myself and others who have purchased it on these forums, they work wonders. I have put in all types of dvds, driving rough to see if it had any effect on the discs within in them and everything seemed fine. Honestly these headrests seem VERY good for the price. Sure you can go ahead and spend more money on some special BMW E53 Build ones but honestly, both of them do the same thing + the ebay ones come with game controllers so you can play video games in the back, why not....
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As long as you are happy with the quality and the looks of the vinyl in your premium vehicle, that is all that matters. Who cares what other may think...:thumbup: It is like having a million dollar house on water front and having Ikea furnishings. Nothing wrong with Ikea, they work just fine. I am very experience in buying budget electronics and from my experience most of them don't last very long. Usually after warranty period they go... But something you can get luck and it will last long... |
Simon, bro...for the 3rd time! ;) Can the screens be flipped up/open and still have the DVD playing?
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I believe I got the same ones, SONY written on the DVD player and supposed to be SONY screens. Shipped from NJ. On mine, the screens can be flipped up, and turned around so my kids can change the viewing angle. Hope to install this weekend, weather permitting...
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Sorry bro, took me a while to get the chance to read through all these replies lol. ummm this particular version does not play the DVDs while the screen is poped up/opened. I herd there was another version (Older) that does that but I am not sure which it is. OFF topic for a second: m5james is one of the most respectable members on XOutPost. I would not recommend you to continue to insult him in any way or matter. Specially on this post. If you guys wanna pick a bone with him, do ask he asks and PM him... But just for future advice, hes right just about all the time.... ~ Sim0n |
I've removed all of the unnecessary garbage from the thread.
Stay on topic. First and final warning. :police: |
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Folks, I just installed my set and have 2 questions.
1) The metal rod that fits our car ....was teh silver ring with teh slot supposed to go up or down? 2) Do the headrests stay up hen you slide them up? I may have mine wrong but I can't get them to slide up and stay there they just fall back down... Thank you and pics are always welcome |
I'm assuming you took off the back of the seat in order to run the wires. In order for the headrest to move up and down you still need to actuate the motor that controlled the stock ones. If the rods are sliding in the same holes as the stock headlights, then they must be touching the actuator. I don't know if the headrest TV kit has the same little ball at the bottom of the rods or not, but if they don't, there must be some way to connect them so they'll slide up and down via that actuator.
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do the new headrest bend forward and back? thanks looks good :)
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I think mine are manual headrests... the bars have no instructions as to how they go together etc so I'm hoping I have mine in wrong. They are installed but when you pull them up they just fall down. ...more questions for anyone who has these in there X 1) what is the green wire used for (installation manual is horrible... I think this is fo a power antenna maybe?) 2) If you connected the 2 red wires to a ACCY/IGNITION source where did you connect it and what color was the wire? For CONSTANT 12v+ the cigarette lighter wire mentioned before works fine. Thank you |
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2) I cant say since I just connected it directly to the power and ground cables already there for the cigarette lighter. |
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Thanks Simon, so the way I understand is the green wire (one from each DVD headrest) just plugs into the green wire extension to make a 31 inch FM antenna. It does not connect in any way to the x5's wiring. Ignition I found was purple/white on the drivers side of the console, worked fine for me after tsting with a DVM So can someone post pictures on there DVD headrests extended up and a close up photo of the silver bars. Mine do not stay up so I think they are wrong. I'm traveling or I would post my pictures. |
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About the headrest falling down as you pick it up, I believe that is how they were bent to be considering the extender bars do not have those small holes in them for the seats to clamp in. Im sure you can find a solution if you search hard enough for better extender bars to purchase and use but I honestly don't have any issues with that so I cant say where from. |
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:thumbup: thanks mang!
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Has anybody installed these into black interior? I'd sure like to see some pictures!
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I've really been holding back on saying anything but this is ridiculous at this point.
I really have to say something because I deal with Leather and DVD Headrests for a living. :yikes: That is not a lighting trick or effect otherwise your OEM headrest would not look Gray, it would look beige. If you want to disagree that is your decision but at this point and looking at all the pics in this thread it is so obvious it sickens me... I'm going to call BS. Seriously! These are 2 different colors. I have seen these headrests and they look nothing like the OEM color and I'm only saying that because it's true. Look at the pics it's soooo obvious. Your seat and that headrest are obviously two separate colors. Whats the real story morning glory? :dunno: |
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Color Matching
2 Attachment(s)
There is no need to color match when you use a DVD Headrest that actually uses BMW Material. ;)
Attachment 37341 Attachment 37342 |
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Unfortunately, I can't afford the Invision solution, so it's ebay or nothing for me...and those pictures have me leaning towards nothing... |
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I don't know about you but I can't let this go on. I have too much respect for the people on this forum to not be satisfied by the purchase of a product and for someone to be pushing this hard on a knockoff product. It's almost like walking through the streets of NYC and these kids are trying to sell me Bootleg DVD's. It leads me to beleive either they are the ones pushing it out on eBay or importing it at the very least. I know the game. I am a manufacturer of BMW OEM Factory Product so I know what pleases the masses. This solution will get the job done if you are looking for a cheap fix. But then again so will a $100 Velcro Walmart DVD Strap Kit. It's not going to match the interior and its not going to have a warranty. On top of that it is not Crash Tested nor is it FMVSS Certified safe to use inside the vehicle. SO if something happens with the system there is no support network. But hey if you got $400 to spend on the Xmas Trip across the country that great but don't expect the system to give you 4 good years of service or 4 addition Xmas vacations. But whatever you guys want. It's a great attempt but then again so was Hypercolor T-Shirts. Remember those... they were awesome...until you washed them...once. :stickpoke -Law :thumbup: |
What's the matter with my hypercolour shirts??
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The ebay budget ones will look cheaper, very vinyl-ish. I seen them in person and even the pictures posted, they look quite different in color and texture. Maybe with Black color you can get away with but the texture and feel is quite different. |
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Hey Simon, what happened to my pics bro? I can afford them, but why? I got through about 5 different dropdown menu's trying to decide which sets I like the best on Invisions site, and even his highest grade option still doesn't have as many little extra features as those ebay ones....sd card reader, games for the kids, etc. The fact that I can't even find a price on the website speaks volumes...is it "seasonal" like seafood? |
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More options on the eBay unit than INViSiON really? Ok how bout this for an option... Warranty! Does eBay unit provide a Warranty? Nope. Is the eBay kit a Factory OEM BMW System? Nope. Does the eBay unit have LED Backlit screen? Nope. Dvix/Avi/MPG4 support via USB 2.0? Nope! How about an FM Transmitter? How about a crash test safety rating and FMVSS Certification? One more thing is it made out of BMW Material? Nope. Who are you kidding? Damn that seafood is starting to sound good isn't it. How is your Big Mac...or should I say Big Mic. Becuase that product doesn't carry the golden arches...it carries the golden archs. (Coming To America Quote) Let me ask you flat out are you the one importing this product or what? I mean I have no problem admitting that I manufacture the Factory BMW OEM Part. WHat about you? Why are you promoting the heck out of this product? Flat out for the money it does the job. But it belongs in a Kia honestly. M5James you really should do your research. Becuase my product blows that product out of the water feature/benefit wise. Now price-wise sorry but if your driving a BMW you should understand. The reason I have no pricing on my website is because of our corporate allegances and agreement with OE manufacturers like BMW. -LAW :thumbup: |
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Move on bro. Your goose is cooked. It's lunchtime Im getting seafood! _LAW :thumbup: |
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I have a black interior, I won't be sitting on them to feel the texture, so unless my bald head can tell the difference, they should be just fine for black. Besides, how safe is it to drive around daily while laying your head on the headrest anyways...I'd be falling asleep on roadtrips if I did that. |
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What do the TV's in my house have to do w/ anything pertaining to this thread exactly? 47", and it's in the bedroom. The 50" LED is in the living room. Don't start again. |
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M5James,
How you nimbly avoid the direct questions... Is that your eBay store? :bustingup _LAW ;) |
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Does your company approve w/ your disrespectul agreement in regards HHHM3's desire to have potential harm to come me for the sake of backing up your friend's opinion? That may not go over well w/ other potential customers seeing that you agree to wish harm upon others so that you can make an insurance claim, or just your general character as a person. Quote:
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It's only funny because it's true!
:popcorn: |
Yeah, I used to laugh at my own jokes too...then I realized I was the only one.
I'm going to ask you again...stop before Michelle closes the thread completely. |
I said what I had to and proved what I must and rememebr it's a forum.
I'm entitled to my opinion as a member. BUt if I wasn't here to defend my company, well then everything would just be speculation and we all would get nowhere. Seriously I'm not out to insult you, I just take my products very seriously and you trying to come out here and blatantly say things and furninsh ideas that are in fact not true about what my product has feature/benfit wise. Im going to speak up to defend both the members on the site and the product. In the future seriously do your research. It all started with you saying the camera lighting made your headrest look beige when it;s gray. We can all see that. SO I had to speak up. I had to. I'm sure you would do the same if the tables were turned...Unfortunately they are not. If you were in front of me I would shake your hand out of respect and wish your good luck with your Sony/eBay kits. END OF LINE. |
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By all means, defend your company...you have a vested interest. But don't jump on the threatening personal injury band wagon w/ your friend because we disagree. Opinions are like you, everyone has one...threatening is personal. I just did my research, and I've still got an Avant Browser window open on your site and spec sheet along w/ the ebay ones. I've given you your due credit for the fact that it looks like yours in fact tilt, which is something I would want. What am I missing? When you're on here as a representative of the company, it's not your job or place to defend your friend. I never made a single statement about things matching as I don't own a set. LMAO...and no you wouldn't because I completely disagree w/ you and your buddies opinion in regards to these headrests. |
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They are cheap: I seen them at auto tuning shops where they said they are the same ones. They cost a little more than the ones on ebay. And yes, they include those cheap crap game, joysticks and headphones. They will look cheaper: If anyone buys them, they will look cheap, especially compared to the rich BMW quality. This is when I was doing a lot of research on what is the best for the price out there. I actually took the demo model from the shop and did a comparison in my X5. It didn't even come close to matching and I have a black interior too. Black is black but the look and feel is cheap... You don't need to sit on the headrest to feel it. What kind of stupid comment is that? Just the fact that your hands will touch it when loading the DVDs is a noticeable cheapness of the material and the entire assembly. A lot of people rest their heads on the HEADREST when driving, it's adjustable. Mine is... and the screen can be tilted up and/or down, dual tilt, great for tall or short people.... |
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Maybe we should start calling them $$$Invision$$$ just like you call Dinan, $$$Dinan$$$. I know you think Dinan is over priced for what you get and that there are cheaper solutions out there. But, many people (myself included) like the Dinan products. Yes, I may pay a little more, but I know I am getting a quality product with a warranty behind it. It's the same thing with Invision. I purchased my headrests because I knew I was getting a quality product, with an excellent warranty, and excellent customer service. Am I happy with Invision product? Absolutely! I don't care if you drive a 3.0i, 4.4i, 4.6is, or a 4.8is. I don't care if you buy the Invision product or the Sony product. I don't care if you buy Dinan or buy AFe. I don't care if you have a 46'' and a 50'' TV. Hell, I will let everybody know right now, I have a 36'' TV. Whoopie Doooooo! It's your X5, and its your money spend it how you want to spend it. Just don't go through and start bashing a vendor and/or their product just because it cost a little more than what you want to spend. Personally, I trust Law's opinion on these Sony headrests. He has been in the business for a long time, he knows his product and his competitors products inside and out. So, everybody just needs to relax. Spend your money where you want to spend it. I know I won't lose any sleep tonight if you decide to buy the Sony ones and I am sure Law won't either. P.S. Please feel free to go through my post and mark anything in red that you feel is misspelled, improperly punctuated, and so forth. I really don't care. |
:iagree: with jsears.
And with that, this thread is now closed. |
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