Rear Entertainment.. Which one?
 

The more I look at the Factory vs the Acces. RES the more I like the access. dual monitor system.

Anyone have the Factory, center consol mounted one? Comments?

THANKS

I've done some research on this as well. I've decided to go with an aftermarket dual monitor head rest system. I've found a local contractor that will install an audiovox system with matching headrests for $1500 installed.

paging Lawrence... he should be able to help you...

I'm Here
 

What's up somebody need some assistance?

-Law :thumbup:

I manufacture the factory RES Dual System for the BMW X5. If you need me to answer any questions you may have on them please feel free to contact me.

-Law :thumbup:

You may want to watch yourself before using an aftermarket system in your X5. The X5's are now equipped with a safety feature called active headrests. If you remove the factory headrest, essentially you are removing an airbag in the vehicle which will deem your vehicle unsafe to drive. This will fire many codes on your HUD and also possibly void your manufacturer's warranty on the vehicle. I would not want this to happen to you. THe headrests in the X5 should not be taken out at all. If you are going to purchase an aftermarket system make sure that the factory headrests will still remain in the car because if they don't they are going to have to alter the ECU in the car to think that the headrest is still in the vehicle. This is very unsafe. Please do your research or give me a call I will be able to explain further.

-Law :thumbup:

This might be of interest to people regarding the active headrest and rear entertainment systems:

Getting brave.. Comfort/Active headrest Monitors - bimmerfest - BMW Forums

I have the factory rear ent system mounted on the center console. I am 6'3 and the darn thing is a pain and always hits my elbow when folded down. also making it difficult to get into the storage compartment, where I keep my glasses etc. For this reason alone I keep it upright all the time. My little one watches enough TV and we certainly don't need to watch more even in the car. I think we used it twice in the five months I've had the car...

The pics in that thread are of an 08 528 E60. Those headrests are a lot easier to modify not having an airbag in them. ;)

The newest offerings for the BMW X5 09 and up have a plastic backing like this...

Attachment 36570

If they are not active, what is the stuff in the headrest pictured in post #6 for?

I didn't scroll down that far Penguin! I was looking at post 1. That is an active headrest system, do you see the gas cartridge, however that is an E60 5 Series vehicle not an X5. I thought that this was Xoutpost! Either way messing with that is a tremendous feat! Let's just hope his dealer and him have a great relationship. If his car has an issue someplace outside of Alachua county and he goes to a different dealer let's hope they don't bring that up.

But leave it to a Gator to go and do something like that. Next year when Tebow leaves and that program falls apart he may realize that was a mistake, but hey it's not my car! LOL! Let's go Canes!

-Law :thumbup:

Yeah, I know... that's why I said it "might be of interest" to give people a feel of what's involved and what might be possible.

From what I can tell, BMW has a couple of different systems, one using a pyro/mechanical linkage and one using more of a pyro/airbag approach.

Correct?

Correct or a combination of the 2. It really depends upon the vehicle model and whether or not it has comfort seats or not and of course the year. Tweaks are made in new year release and running changes as well.

-LAw

jgf330xi, there are some threads on this before.

I have the BMW Center console one. I went with it over the BMW Accessory one (dual monitor; sold by acedeucy's INViSiON Industries) mainly because I didn't like the look of it. I would have preferred it to be completely black (to match my interior) or black with silver trim. The greyish/beige (not sure what it is) that covers most of the center pieces just don't work for me. Plus, the accessory one cost more money (something like $1000+) and at the time of my car purchse, I would have needed to wait for it. I also thought I was gonna have my kid's car seat in the middle thus the best viewing location for the RSE would have been in the middle.

But after putting the car seat in the middle and realizing that the X5 really isn't as big as I thought. I wish I went the other route. Dual monitor RSE is really a more ideal setup for the X5. Plus (which I knew before), the INViSiON system is technically superior to the one in the center console. In other threads, you'll find out that the center console one can't resume play where it was left off if you shut down the car and it supports less formats as the INViSiON system. I want to say that screen size is slightly smaller on the center console too (but I can't confirm that). And as previously mentioned, the center console mounted one, really gets in the way. (I'm also suspecting that it also prevents the center console compartment from getting cold. Mounting the RSE in the center probably blocks some duct).

Go with the Accessory RSE. You'll be much happier in the long run.

I just wish the Accessory RSE had a better color scheme or even ideally the apperance of other's. The one for the upcoming GT is very nice.

(The pictures I attached are from BMW's Accessory Site and the other from the GT forum here posted by LeMansX5)

Thank you for the information, I didn't know that about the headrests.

Thanks for the kudos but I don't actually sell this part as it is a BMW Factory part and can be purchased at any BMW dealer in the country.

I am just on here to answer questions so that there isn't any speculation with respect to the Dual RSE system.

Again sorry we can't accomodate your color request on the monitors but we keep them all the same color to reduce warranty over load having multiple colors of monitors this is a lot more convenient for you if you ever has the experience of being on vacation and the system not working I can rest assured have you fixed while on vacation and don't have to worry about a dealer not having the correct monitor in stock. I;m sure you can appreciate that. While the system won;t win any beauty pagents anytime soon, as you said and realize now. It is technologically superior!

Thanks for your input.

_Law :thumbup:

The last thing you need is a voided warranty and the hassle of dealing with the cleanup aspect of it. If you remove that headrest you remove and saftey feature of the X5. If that compnay manufactures an active headrest compliant kit and mounts behind the headrest you are golden. If not I would do more research.

Thanks!

Granted I am not rolling in an E70 like you guys, but I do have the Invision DVD system in my E53.

Since comparing the actual E70 RES vs. the E53 RES is like comparing apples and oranges, I will leave that out. But I can speak about what Law and Invision are all about, standing behind their product and making sure they have one of the best, if not the best product out there.

When I purchased the RES for my X5 I wasn't completely satisfied with the setup, Law worked with me until I was completely satisfied with the product. There aren't very many companies or individuals out there that will work with you after you purchased and install their product. Law went above and beyond of what I call customer service and knows his products and the vehicles they are made for inside and out!

Thanks for making me another satisfied customer Law!

Law,

Which model goes into a 2009/10 X5? I see several models available for the X5.

Tim

Not sure I understand the question but here goes.

There is one style of product. Dual DVD RSE System/

It's $1999 to the consumer at every BMW dealer in the US.

There are two types of seats in the X5 comfort and non-comfort seats.

THe system comes in these 2 options but the system itself is identical.

THe surrounding material of the product is built on all the colors the X5/X6 is offered in.
Black, Grey, Savannah Beige, and Tobacco

Hope that helps. I have specific part #'s if you need them.

-LAW:thumbup:

Thanks Jeff!

Yes I think you are satisfied by now!

On your website, when you input X5, you have several choices:

Manual Headrest: Revolution II and IIg
16mm Headrest: Revolution II, IIG, and III
14mm Headrest: Revolutin II, IIG and III

So, my question is, if I order the RSE through my dealer, which will I get?


Thanks,
Tim

Tim,

None of those systems are the RSE system for BMW. Being a factory part we do not put those product offerings on the website. The system that you are looking for is closest to the SL Active system on the products page of our website go here SL Series - Headrest - Rear Seat Entertainment | INViSiON Industries

If you would like to talk about it or ask any questions I am here until 7. BTW there are several thread on this forum with the Factory option. Look at the one I personally installed from hhhm3 just type in disneyworld in the search box and you will see the BMW Factory system. He drove down from Canada so we could install it. Great guy!

-Law :thumbup:

7! Geez you work late!

anything for a satisfied customer! ;)

Will there be a SADDLE brown? Or should I use the Black?

Note: center console mounted factory system does now pick up where you left off when the key is removed. I have an August built 2009. The only complaint that I have is that the sound reverts back to radio when the key is put back in, and I have to manually switch it back to rear aux to get the tv sound back on. The volume needs to be turned up higher on the tv than the radio - thus when I get back in my car (and my stereo reverts back to radio) it's blaring loud. I would also agree that folding it down makes the center armrest useless - so I leave it up unless parked where thieves could see it. The remote is an afterthought; I cannot see what I am selecting with it unless I am in the back seat, and if I am in the back seat then what is the point of a remote? I-drive controls for it would have been nice. Picture quality is great, and more importantly it keeps my 2 year old happy!

HI Lawrence... do you now offer SL series for the X5 ?

I'll be quite honest, regardless what the interior is in the vehicle, most people over 75% just go black when they select the unit.

The only portion of the system that is black is the sides and rear of the unit.

-LAw

Yes I manufacture and offer the SL series for the 5/7/X3/X5/X6. Let me know if you need anything over there across the pond!

HI Lawrence.. still haven't installed the set I got from you this year ... any news on those security covers in Beige ? :D

Shoot me an email at the oofice and I will bring you up to speed! Have a fantastic day!

-Law :thumbup:

I will second this. I am currently in the process of installing my Invision/BMW RES and LAW has been nothing short of gracious and informative in all my issues. I consulted with him from the beginning and he has always directed me to the right source/answer. The product is fantastic, exceeded only by the customer service of LAW.

More on this as I finish the install ...

Thanks!

-LAW :thumbup:

LAW - do any of your systems fit/replace the headrests for the second row (viewable by third row occupants) of a '10 X5 (beige nappa interior)? I have one coming with the factory RES for the second row but need something for the third row as well 9would be nice to have the option to tie to the output of the factory system so same movie is viewable on all screen).
Thank you.:thumbup:

These systems are engineered to accomodate for Active headrests. Unless the second row also Active headrests and are also the exact same seats as the ones in the front row. This cannot be achieved. You would know before me in an '10 vehicle. But you would be the first to have a DVD in the second row built by us. Also just to let you know if you have the factory DVD setup in there are you sure that is not my product already and BTW having 2 dvd systems in there would cause audio bleedover with the wireless headphones and also force the second row watchers/listeners to use wired headphones if all the screens were on.

Let me know about the seating configuration in your X5.

Cheers,

LAW :thumbup:

Thank you for the response. I ordered the standard RES that attaches to the center armrest. The second row seats are the same as the '07-09 and are not the same as the front comfort seats so sounds like you don't offer something that will work. :dunno:
I'll see what else I can find available that will be a generic replacement for the existing headrests for video for the third row.

The only vehicles I have ever done DVD Systems for the 3rd row have been in GM Vehicles like Cadillac Escallade, Yukon Denali, Tahoe, and Suburabans where the seating configuartion are 4 captain's chairs.

-Law :thumbup:

Rear Entertainment, Performance Center install
 

Got the confirmation that the DUAL Monitor, Access. RES will be installed at Perf. Center.. cost $1775, installed..

Also had the Trailer Hitch, $585 +18.29(trim) installed..

Perf Center Delivery 11/20... X5 35d completed production Monday..


also getting the Carpet floor mats $106

Did you pre-negotiate those numbers? Also, are you taking the delivery @ the PDC? My dealer says that unless you take the delivery there the install is @ the dealer...

spacey :D

Yes I am taking Delivery at the Performance Center... 11/20/09

So are there any options for early 07 builds that want a DVD system? Specifically Mar.07, no 3rd row seating.

I believe we spoke earlier Mr. J! Awesome meeting you!

-law :thumbup:

Wow, the best customer service I've ever experienced. You unquestionably know your stuff. Many Thanks!

J

Just doing my job and my part as always!

_Law :thumbup: