Hey all - Finally pulled the trigger on a new aftermarket headunit. Went with the Pioneer avh 5500bhs. The total install took me about 5 hours (I have zero electronics/audio experience). The wiring was pretty simple bur the dremeling was a pain in the a$$. I did install the micro bypass but haven't tested it out yet. The auto dimmer works great and the FM radio sounds great. Haven't really tested it out much as it got dark just wanted to be done for the night.
I was not able to get any AM stations, but I'm hoping that is just a setting.
Additional features installed:
Bluetooth mic: fished this through the steering wheel (underneath there is an opening)
USB cord: slipped this from the back of the headunit to the lower compartment
Aux cable: slipped this from the back of the headunit to the lower compartment.
Special thanks to Rageoffury for answering some questions!
One last thing - I used my hands to pry the trim/bezel off. This literally took me 30 seconds.
The only function that I lost was the USB plug in the armrest. Steering wheel controls work the same as before (with PAC adapter).
Note that most headunits will have an AUX input and USB input. I ran both of these into the bottom compartment. So while I lost the USB in the center armrest, I just ran another one, along with the AUX cable.
UPDATE: The microbypass worked as intended. DVD's do work while driving
Steering wheel controls work the same as before.
Question on stereo: Has anyone lost AM radio? I have to imagine the antenna input is for both AM/FM. My FM works fine, but I cannot get AM. I also live in Chicago, so it is not a signal/rural issue.
In the meantime, I have installed a radio app where I can flawlessly stream any station in the US (both FM and AM).
Driving in Chicago traffic and watching a movie while driving would be a death sentence. I just merely tested it out to see if it works. And yes, it is VERY distracting (which is why it was on for only a bit). It will be used for long drives/rural drives and for the passengers. Don't worry!
Question for you. Did you lose anything with using your phone via Bluetooth? For example, is your contact list downloaded to the receiver? Texts? Does the steering wheel controls work with the phone?
The Pioneer avh5500bhs has built in Bluetooth. I had to run a mic (that came with the unit) through the underside of the steering wheel for voice/phone. The calling works flawlessly for this unit. My contacts/missed calls/outgoing calls, etc... are uploaded to the headunit so you can do all call functioning from the headunit itself (no need to touch your phone).
I don't think you can text from the headunit, but I haven't honestly tried (shouldn't be texting and driving!) I have a few apps for radio that stream perfectly over Bluetooth as well. Youtube streams over Bluetooth, but only the audio. Pandora has a built in app (stream via Bluetooth) as well.
Steering wheel controls all work the exact same as before. You have to buy the PAC adapter for this.
Yep, that was instantly uploaded when my phone (Nexus 4) paired with the headunit. Of course, I am only speaking of this specific unit, no idea how the phone/contacts work on another unit.
I assume because you had the base stereo you didn't have the factory backup camera installed? This is the exact same unit I'm looking at, I'm trying to determine if I can tap into the factory camera output with this unit?
Thanks Rage! I did have the crap RES 130, so I wasn't too sure.
After having this unit for a month or so, I really like it. The sound is MUCH better even with the original speakers. Who woulda thought there was base?!
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