Aftermarket CD changer installation.

[kennyosemite]

I'm having an aftermarket Pioneer 12-CD changer installed (CDX FM1287). Any ideas on optimum placement of the remote head unit? (see rectangular unit with digital display, lower left of image below). If anyone has a similar setup with pictures, regardless of brand, please post for viewing. Thx.

[The_Duck]

is a specialty car-audio store installing it?
or just BB or CC or something?

[kodiakz]

Mount it right in front of the shifter either laying flat or make a bracket to angle it up a little.

[kennyosemite]

Originally posted by The_Duck:
is a specialty car-audio store installing it?
or just BB or CC or something?

Audio component specialist is doing the install when the truck arrives (4-5 weeks).

[kennyosemite]

Originally posted by kodiakz:
Mount it right in front of the shifter either laying flat or make a bracket to angle it up a little.

Good suggestions. Thanks, kodiakz.

[kodiakz]

[kennyosemite]

Originally posted by kodiakz:
Mount it right in front of the shifter either laying flat or make a bracket to angle it up a little.

kodiakz: been reading your posts and it's truly apparent you know audio, big time. My H3 arrives in about a month with the NAV system in the dash. The reason for the CD changer is so that I can use the NAV system and have music playing simultaneously. So, a few questions, if I may:

1) Is the setup I described going to work like I envisioned (i.e. both systems running same time)?

2) If so, do you like another brand over Pioneer for the changer? The CDX FM1287 has a 12-disc changer, as opposed to Eclipse's 8-disc (unless Eclipse has a product out there I haven't seen).

3) Where would you mount the changer for easy access? The center console storage compartment? Is there space under the driver's seat? (I haven't looked that closely yet).

Thanks in advance for your professional insight. Looking forward to some good tunes.

[HummerNewbie]

Are you looking to just be able to play CDs while using the NAV or is it that you really want a changer. The factory H3 NAV has two disc slots, one for the NAV DVD and another for CDs. So unless you really want a changer, you could just stick with the NAV unit alone and achieve your goal of listening to a CD while using the NAV.

[kennyosemite]

Originally posted by HummerNewbie:
Are you looking to just be able to play CDs while using the NAV or is it that you really want a changer. The factory H3 NAV has two disc slots, one for the NAV DVD and another for CDs. So unless you really want a changer, you could just stick with the NAV unit alone and achieve your goal of listening to a CD while using the NAV.

Dang. The dealer told me the NAV system has only one slot, not two (he didn't have one in the showroom to look at). Is there more than one factory model of the NAV system? And do you know what brand it is so that I can Google it for more info? Thanks, man.

[DarthKarl]

Originally posted by kennyosemite:
The dealer told me the NAV system has only one slot, not two (he didn't have one in the showroom to look at). Is there more than one factory model of the NAV system? And do you know what brand it is so that I can Google it for more info? Thanks, man.

http://www.delphi.com/pdf/d/int_nav_radio.pdf

and take a look at the photo at: http://elcova.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/2706067735/m/7...061068051#3061068051

[HummerNewbie]

Originally posted by DarthKarl:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by kennyosemite:
The dealer told me the NAV system has only one slot, not two (he didn't have one in the showroom to look at). Is there more than one factory model of the NAV system? And do you know what brand it is so that I can Google it for more info? Thanks, man.

http://www.delphi.com/pdf/d/int_nav_radio.pdf

and take a look at the photo at: http://elcova.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/2706067735/m/7...061068051#3061068051 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Karl's links should answer any of your questions. Your dealer probably hasn't seen any yet and just assumed it was the same as the NAV in the H2. It is amazing how much knowledge I gave my dealer about the H3 that I got from this site. Not all dealers are, but some are completely clueless about the H3 even today.

[kodiakz]

The Pioneer is a good changer and not very expensive. It is a little large so you will have to mount it in the rear cargo area somewhere. There are other smaller changers (less discs) that might give you more mounting flexability. It will work as you want it to.

[kennyosemite]

Hey, guys - thanks to all 3 of you: DarthKarl, HummerNewbie & kodiakz. Great information. Since the Delphi NAV DVD/CD unit performs both functions simultaneously, I'll most likely nix the CD changer install.

kodiakz: your signature sez you have an Eclipse 5495 NAV. I've seen the Eclipse AVN7000 online and it's amazing, but when I talked to the Sales Manager at the dealership again today, he said any modification to the stock components will void the warranty. In other words, I've ordered the Delphi NAV, so I'm stuck with it. He says since production on my truck began last Monday the 27th, I can't even request just the single-disc CD player (so that I can swap it out later for the Eclipse AVN7000). My guess is you've had lots of experience with dealers as a 3rd-party audio retailer. What's your take on all of this? Can I demand the single-disc CD, or am I stuck with the Delphi NAV?

Eclipse AVN7000 NAV

[kennyosemite]

Found out today the VIN number is burned in to almost all audio units made after 2003, including the Delphi NAV, which makes the unit obsolete if taken out of the original vehicle. So I own it, like it or not. Regardless, I'm taking it out and replacing with the Eclipse AVN7000. If or when I trade this H3 in on a newer model in a few years, I'll just put the Delphi unit back and keep the aftermarket unit. Expensive lesson I just learned . . .

[kodiakz]

You absolutely will not void your warranty by removing the radio. The nav radio can be installed in another gm vehicle with the same sound system as the vehicle it came out of and then can relearn the vin when the dealer hooks up their tech II computer to it. How else could there be so many delphi (actually denso now makes them I think) units for sale on Ebay?! If you want the hdd, I would lean towards the 5495 in your vehicle as it will fit and look better with the dash layout.