Pioneer AVIC N-2 Navigation installed

Products :
-Pioneer AVIC N-2 Navigation/DVD/MP3
-GEX-P10XMT (XM Radio & XM Nav Traffic)
-CDR-5 Remote control
-Metra Kit (Part 99-8213)

Pioneer Technical details here

Metra Kit online

How it all came together...
I have a package 3 which means that I don't have the OEM navigation. And so i purchased this package at closing Good Guys and paid a local shop to install it (3 other shops refused to work on the car because it was "too complicated"). It took about 5 hours to install & test.

The installation was fairly straight. First remove the dash and then remove the OEM radio. The Metra kit 99-8213 is specifically designed for the '04-'05 Prius so it was a flush fit. Now here comes the tricky part; the climate control can not operate without the OEM radio however the Metra kit installation guide points out how to hack this by connecting a 68ohm resistor to the OEM wiring harness (thanks jmisola). Link to hack
The rest was a breeze since all the wires were plug_and_play. The installer placed the GEX-P10XMT (XM radio & NavTraffic) module in a hidden location and placed the antennas (XM & GPS) on the dashboard. The Pioneer AVIC N-2 fit flawlessly and doesn’t have any electrical interference issues with the Prius.

About 4 hours were spent on the installation and the last hour was pure testing to make sure that the gyro was accurate and working properly.

Advantages
-The AVIC N-2 is a wonderful toy with many cool features (see technical link above).
-Navigation/DVD/MP3 capability. Can play mp3s and still have navigation running (the headunit saves the part of the disc to the internal memory, so you can listen to music without having to keep the navigation disc inside).
-XM Radio & Live Traffic Report (fee of ~$17/month)
-Accurate GPS
-Millions of points of interest/gas/restaurants and you can even look up some locations by just typing the telephone number.
-Vastly improved sound quality with my Infinite speakers.
-Additional pocket with the Metra kit
-Remember the OEM wiring harness hack? It got rid of the annoying “beep†that you hear everytime you press any button on the OEM screen. That’s right folks, no more beeping.
-Stops me from staring at the consumption screen because now I’m looking at the Pioneer screen all the time.

Disadvantages
-Doesn’t look as clean as OEM radio
-The Pioneer screen overlaps the OEM screen (which means that I only use one screen at a time. Most of the time I keep the OEM screen off unless I have to turn on the A/C or check the average MPG). One thing about this, you can try to install the unit in the pocket below the OEM radio and this way you can have both screens on simultaneously without overlapping. However, it was way too much work and very costly to have it placed there. (thanks sotagear for the suggestion)
-Did I mention that this will cost you between $1500 - $2000 with installation?

Cost :
Pioneer AVIC N-2: $1082 (got it at 50% off!)
GEX-P10XMT: $162 (also at 50% off)
CDR-5 remote: $35 (strangely doesn’t come with the head unit, buy separately)
Installation: 5 hours for $350
Final cost: a whopping $1629.00 with tax (or for PCers 757 gallons @ $2.15/gal)
(You can also add a rear view camera for ~$170)

I truly enjoy this mod and have no regrets about it

Videos here:
Right click  Save target as
http://www.csupomona.edu/~ajkim/PioneerAVICN2/MVI_6100.AVI

http://www.csupomona.edu/~ajkim/PioneerAVICN2/MVI_6099.AVI

Photos:
[Broken External Image]:http://www.csupomona.edu/~ajkim/PioneerAVICN2/IMG_6095.JPG
[Broken External Image]:http://www.csupomona.edu/~ajkim/PioneerAVICN2/IMG_6096.JPG
[Broken External Image]:http://www.csupomona.edu/~ajkim/PioneerAVICN2/IMG_6097.JPG
[Broken External Image]:http://www.csupomona.edu/~ajkim/PioneerAVICN2/IMG_6098.JPG
[Broken External Image]:http://www.csupomona.edu/~ajkim/PioneerAVICN2/IMG_6101.JPG

 

The OEM radio is a double din / double decker.

 

Actually I didn't. The original unit that i purchased had a blown power amp, so i took it to the headquarters here @ Long Beach and it was repaired within 2 weeks. Maybe i'll grab some courage later on, but the $800(?) fine is not so pretty.

 

I'm aware of the mod, but i'll try it after the 1 year warranty is gone.

 

Sound High Car Stereo
5861 Firestone Blvd
South Gate, CA 90280

(562) 927-7479 ask for Shawn

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NavTraffic needs a lot of improvement IMO. Many times the freeway speeds are inaccurate (it might display 30mph when all lanes are 60mph+) and traffic information is not 100% up to date (it seems to retain old accidents for a few more minutes). Overall, i think it's OKAY since it's only $3.99/month (when you sign up for both XM radio and navtraffic). In reality, this may just be a cool feature to show off rather than being real-life practical.

 

My steering controls do not work, but there is a module called ipac or something that allows this function. I will post a link when i find it again. $35-60~

 

I don't have an OEM mic, but there is a Pioneer voice recognition item which i don't have. Don't feel it's necessary for now.

 

I didnt know anything about the Z1, but i'll check it out after this.

My original plan was to install it in the pocket below the OEM radio, but it was not suggested because the screen wouldnt be able to stand at a 90degree angle. It would be tilted forward...maybe around 45degrees! (looking down)

If you can find someone to custom build a kit to "pull" the pocket forward..that would be great. There's another member that has successfuly done a Xenarc screen and retained his MFG, therefore having two screens at once. I dont recall his nickname though...