I am an old dog when it comes to stereos, simple CD player installs and what not. So, I'm unfamiliar with navigation systems and subscriptions. Do they exist? If so, what kinds of plans do they provide (monthly, yearly, lifetime, etc).

I'm looking at the Pioneer Z1 in particular, but a couple others to boot.

Your help is appreciated,
Chris

Navigation system such as the Z1 is no harder than a regular CD player to install. The only thing extra you have to do is mount the GPS antenna (which I mounted mine right under the clock display), the VSS wire (this hooks up to a wire that runs to your speedometer which only takes about 10 more minutes to do), and the mic (I have the D2 so I don't have a mic but I've heard it's simple). There is no subscription for the navigation since the software comes with the unit. Now map upgrades that usually roll out every year or so are an additional expense ($250 for the last update and there should be a new update come March 07) but if you are fine with the current software then an upgrade isn't necessary. The upgrades update not only the maps but sometimes features of the unit as well.

 

So I understand correctly...

I know that GPS sattelites are used to position your car in relation to where youre trying to go. If you use the sattelites, I figure you would pay for that service to use it, sort of like cell phone fees and what not. Is that not correct, or do you just buy the unit and have free navigation thereafter?

Thanks so far,
Chris

 

do you just buy the unit and have free navigation thereafter?

Yes you do. There is no monthly fee or yearly fee. It is all free except if you want to upgrade the maps as SVT said which really isn't a requirement in my opinion for at least 5 years unless there is a LOT of road construction going on around your area .

 

Cool. I've been reading up on the Z1 and am getting goose bumps from the thought of it. The only hold off was a possible monthly subscription fee to use the service, but since you all say its non existant, my credit card is twitching.

We have a fair amount of construction in our area and would likely need to update it probably every two years. Seems about how often I switch out my map books.

Thanks for the info so quick.

Chris

 

Keep in mind that the navtraffic is extra. It color codes the roads based on average car speed and shows locations of accidents. It is only a few extra bucks a month, but I do fine without it.

 

as a z1 owner, i have to say that overall the experience has been positive. The only charges you may have other than the unit are if you add XM, Sirius, and/or XM NavTraffic. I have XM with NavTraffic which is around 16 sometihng a month. This allows for real time updates of traffic, road conditions, and road speed, depending on where you live. It's awesome if you are in one of the twenty something cities that has the speed pulse hooked up (the road speed monitoring system).

If you just want navigation and the use of a cd, dvd, hard drive, and everything else the z1 comes with, there is no charge.

If you do go with the z1 - check out avic411.com for the bypass on the system. On the new z1's you just have to ground two wires. Check it out cause it's awesome and definitely worth it

 

If you do go with the z1 - check out avic411.com for the bypass on the system. On the new z1's you just have to ground two wires. Check it out cause it's awesome and definitely worth it

I was looking through that site last night and saw you have to I believe ground the e brake and plug in a another ground off of the harness. What exactly does that do? Allow you to watch DVD while in motion? Anything else?

Chris

 

it does allow for the dvd to be viewed while in motion, but I don't particularly use that feature. The part I do use is that it allows you to use the navigation system while in motion. Without the bypass if you want to enter a destination or look up something, you have to stop and pull the ebrake up or it won't allow you access.

 

So then in reality, by grounding your ebrake and pulling up on it, you don't get a light that comes on when done so?

 

So then in reality, by grounding your ebrake and pulling up on it, you don't get a light that comes on when done so?

No, you don't ground your actual ebrake, you ground the wire on the Z1 harness that should be hooked up to the ebrake. But since Pioneer knows it would be way too easy for people to bypass the system by just grounding that one wire they made it harder where you have to ground another wire on the harness.

 

here's a thread that explains the bypass.. Im thinking of getting the Z1 for christmas so i already looked up the bypass. Hope this helps

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67959

 

No, you don't ground your actual ebrake, you ground the wire on the Z1 harness that should be hooked up to the ebrake. But since Pioneer knows it would be way too easy for people to bypass the system by just grounding that one wire they made it harder where you have to ground another wire on the harness.

The lower right empty spot to be filled by a wire. That is very cool. I ordered today am looking forward to putting this together.

Thanks for the help again
Chris

 

GPS is a free service from the government. Companies can not charge you for it. The US government released it to the public when the chinese or korean civilian plane crossed over russia and was blown out of the sky for tresspassing on to their airspace back in the 80's.

Sorry Iam just full of useless info.

Cfar... you can do what I did on my D2 and carefully pull the cell phone mute wire out of the harness and put it in the lower right empty spot, then I grounded it with the e-brake wire.

 

Cool, you spliced them together? Where did you end up grounding them?

 

GPS is a free service from the government. Companies can not charge you for it. The US government released it to the public when the chinese or korean civilian plane crossed over russia and was blown out of the sky for tresspassing on to their airspace back in the 80's.

Sorry Iam just full of useless info.

It was Korean Airlines Flight 007, shot down west of Sakhalin Island on Sep 1, 1983. Sorry, I'm more full of it. :lol: