Alpine double DIN head unit in GS300.
11-20-06, 01:13 AM
#47
The first batch of blackbirds did suffer from in accuracy (Sometimes about 100-150ft off) and slow reroute calcualting. However, from everything I read, the updated software available on Alpine's website has fixed those problems. Those that have done the update say it is now on par as other comparable competing units. Now, I don't know if you have to doanload the update from Alpine for every blackbird or if they are now loaded with new units shipped (That would make sense), or how to tell the difference since I don't have the unit yet.
11-20-06, 05:59 AM
#48
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The Blackbird had tremendous problems when they first came out but with the new software they are working awesome.
All my customer's that bought one when they first came out received an update disc from Alpine. All the new ones are coming with the new software already loaded into the units
All my customer's that bought one when they first came out received an update disc from Alpine. All the new ones are coming with the new software already loaded into the units
11-20-06, 11:59 PM
#49
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Blackbird Portable Navigation System
AFAIK, the new updated Blackbirds that are shipping from Alpine are at $499 retail and have the model number PMD-B100T. The older ones do not have the "T" at the end. I guess the "T" stands for 'traffic.'
The newer Blackbirds calculate routes faster, and they got rid of the annoying "system rerouting" voice. It has a 90 day free trial of NAVTEQ Traffic RDS (yes, a built-in traffic receiver, unlike any other unit on the market except for the Garmin Nuvi 660 @ $999), and has an FM modulator to transmit MP3 and navi instructions to you car stereo.
And, of course, the big unique feature about Blackbird is the ability to connect to Alpine Multimedia Stations so that you can view, listen to, and control via touchscreen the Blackbird when docked. Undock it from your ride and take it into your girlfriends car when you need to go someplace with access to all of your addresses and 6 million other points of interest in your Blackbird. Very cool.
More info here: http://www.blackbirdav.com
mmm
The newer Blackbirds calculate routes faster, and they got rid of the annoying "system rerouting" voice. It has a 90 day free trial of NAVTEQ Traffic RDS (yes, a built-in traffic receiver, unlike any other unit on the market except for the Garmin Nuvi 660 @ $999), and has an FM modulator to transmit MP3 and navi instructions to you car stereo.
And, of course, the big unique feature about Blackbird is the ability to connect to Alpine Multimedia Stations so that you can view, listen to, and control via touchscreen the Blackbird when docked. Undock it from your ride and take it into your girlfriends car when you need to go someplace with access to all of your addresses and 6 million other points of interest in your Blackbird. Very cool.
More info here: http://www.blackbirdav.com
mmm
11-22-06, 12:05 PM
#51
Awesome installs!
Here's my install (local shop did it for me)
I am currnetly running my Ipod with KCA-420i and it works great! but I am thinking of upgrading to the NVE but does anyone know if you if you can run the video portion (Ipod video) through the NVE like the Clarion unit?
Here's my install (local shop did it for me)
I am currnetly running my Ipod with KCA-420i and it works great! but I am thinking of upgrading to the NVE but does anyone know if you if you can run the video portion (Ipod video) through the NVE like the Clarion unit?
11-24-06, 02:59 PM
#52
You find the 2 plugs that come out of the factory amp behind the glove box, and then use a Toyota wiring harness, extend the wires a couple feet and connect them to the harness for the head unit. The only wire that wasn't in those 2 factory amp plugs was a switched +12v, but that can be found in the factory radio harness.
Do you have any pics / details of it?
11-25-06, 03:58 AM
#53
you get it at any car audio store. best buy and circuit city has it for sure. its just a regular toyota harness holmes. just ask for a regular toyota harness and they will know what you are talking about.
01-06-07, 01:19 PM
#55
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So the kit from Bestkits.com makes it fit just like that, there was no custom work done?
Do you know if I can retain the factory amp, speakers, and sub? Are there kits or converters that I need to buy?
Do you know if I can retain the factory amp, speakers, and sub? Are there kits or converters that I need to buy?
01-06-07, 06:02 PM
#56
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Here is a link to Best Kits website that shows a pic of the dash kit that I used: http://www.bestkits.com/SearchResult...998%20-%202006. Click on the link for the pic. The part number for the dash kit is BKLXSK1315. Here's a link to the wiring harness that I used: http://www.bestkits.com/ViewImage.as...=i/BHA1761.jpg. The harness part number is BHA-1761, which is just a standard Toyota harness.
The only custom work I did was dye the dash kit to match the factory plastic, since the dash kit comes black.
Using that harness I posted actually bypasses the factory amp, which unfortunately makes you lose the sub, but the rest of the factory speakers work great. The only extra part you will want is this awesome little module called a PTR7, or PACTR7. This piece sends the signals to the head unit that it needs to see to allow you to watch dvds while driving.
So the kit from Bestkits.com makes it fit just like that, there was no custom work done?
Do you know if I can retain the factory amp, speakers, and sub? Are there kits or converters that I need to buy?
Last edited by treimche; 01-06-07 at 06:09 PM.
01-06-07, 08:20 PM
#57
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Here is a link to Best Kits website that shows a pic of the dash kit that I used: http://www.bestkits.com/SearchResult...998%20-%202006. Click on the link for the pic. The part number for the dash kit is BKLXSK1315. Here's a link to the wiring harness that I used: http://www.bestkits.com/ViewImage.as...=i/BHA1761.jpg. The harness part number is BHA-1761, which is just a standard Toyota harness.
The only custom work I did was dye the dash kit to match the factory plastic, since the dash kit comes black.
Using that harness I posted actually bypasses the factory amp, which unfortunately makes you lose the sub, but the rest of the factory speakers work great. The only extra part you will want is this awesome little module called a PTR7, or PACTR7. This piece sends the signals to the head unit that it needs to see to allow you to watch dvds while driving.
The only custom work I did was dye the dash kit to match the factory plastic, since the dash kit comes black.
Using that harness I posted actually bypasses the factory amp, which unfortunately makes you lose the sub, but the rest of the factory speakers work great. The only extra part you will want is this awesome little module called a PTR7, or PACTR7. This piece sends the signals to the head unit that it needs to see to allow you to watch dvds while driving.
01-06-07, 09:34 PM
#58
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Yes, if you loose the factory amp you could just wire the speakers directly to the new HU or get a separate amp for mid range speakers. I just put in a D1 and used it to power mid range and got a separate amp to push a new 10" sub i put in to replace the stock sub.
01-07-07, 02:00 AM
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I don't remember what the impedance is on the stock sub, but you might be able to use an aftermarket amp to run the stock sub if you were opposed to losing it. It is recommended to run an aftermarket sub.