I believe I found the vss wire. I ended up finding it on the drivers side in underneath the dash (looking up through the pedals, steering column, etc). There's a large group of wires (about an inch in diameter) that disappears into the firewall (next to the computer) and it happened to be sitting on the outer edge of those wires. I hope I found the right one, but I guess we'll see. Hope that helps.

matt

 

Let us know if that was it...

 

Everything seems to be working properly so I guess that was the correct one. I still have yet to hook up the reverse light hookup on it. The gps is still really accurate without it, then again, I ran my antenna through the 3rd brake light up on to the roof so there's no obstructions whatsoever and I get a great signal (which you can check as well).

I'm gonna go burn some images onto a cd and see how they turn out as the background on it.

btw- The N1 just gets better and better as the day goes on, so many things to choose from on it that it's bound to keep not only the driver entertained, but everyone else too!

 

I just finished getting mine installed. It would have been a lot easier if it wasnt raining!!! I Got my VSS wire from the instrument cluster, after I pulled the head unit out I realized the whole dash panel comes out real easy, once thats off I removes the instrument cluster and there was the grey/black wire. I got my reverse wire from the fuse box. Im still playing with it but so far it's cool.

 

Does anybody have a pic of this thing installed in an '05 SD (ideally KR) dash?

One of the first things I am going to want to do when my new truck arrives is upgrade the stereo and this thing looks awesome.

HDCarl

 

I ad the avicn1 in my 04 150, did not like the way it moved at low speeds and did not know vehicle direction when turning in small amounts etc. I believe it only uses the gps information for vehicle direction and therefore it can get confused as to the direction to turn the map etc... until you go a certain distance.

Also, since it is a "all-in-one" type system, i believe it loads the navigation information off the DVD as it needs it. So, if you go beyond a specific route, it does not know where you are and you must re-insert the DVD so it cal load new maps, has low memory capacity I think. Sucks to have to take out a CD you were listening to to load more map data. Went from Apline to this because it was a bargain. Just wasnt impressed at all (I am kind of a nerd when it comes to electronics).

So I went back to Alpine, Yes it is more expensive than the pioneer but, the alpine navigation unit has telemetry systems built in that allow it to detect your vehicle pointing direction and low speed/distance location. This may not seem like a big deal, but on small streets and parking lots it sure is nice to know your direction, plus, it has all of the eastern US on one DVD so you dont even have to touch or think about this system. Also, when you are on a planned route and it tells you your ETA, when you stop for fuel/coffee etc.... and go back to driving, your ETA changes correctly, on the Pioneer it does not reset the ETA time and includes that stop into your average travel time thus affecting your ETA.

Now, I got one of the first of these pioneer units and the software may have improved by now. So in my opinion:

Buy the Pioneer for a great all-in-one type head unit at low cost

Buy the alpine system for advanced and detailed features when low cost is not the mission. I spend $1300 on the Alpine head unit and $1650 on the navigation system (new in box off e-bay) and I have to say I believe it is the best system out there.

Bassnmb

 

Got a question, Is the navigation DVD based. So if you put in a route then put in a DVD movie is it going to: #1 pause the movie and switch the screen with every turn or warning? #2. If you want to make a change in the route or look up something else do you have to stop the movie, loosing your spot in the movie and put the navigation DVD back in?

 

The map datum is on a DVD.

Alpine Navigation system is a seperate unit mounted under the seat etc.... Not intended for use other than by Map DVD.

From what I remember, the Pioneer unit loads data from the DVD player based on the route you select. You can then insert CD, DVD, MP3, etc.... However, if you travel beyond that area you must re-insert the Map DVD for the unit to re-load map info. This must be in the unit at all times while you are just roam around and want the map up at all times (from what I remember).

As for interruption for direction, I never implemented that part of the system on either unit.

bassnmb

 

I got to admit I read most of the replies but the one above mine when I did my first post. I agree with the post above. I know some might use it for just the gps function but it would be a waste. I have the Alpine in dash unit that also has a seperate "brain" box. It has inputs for game, vcr, ext. One input is "Camera" . I have a small color backup camera (installed in the liscence plate) that is hard to notice. I can see my hitch and behind me for a good distance. I can easily line up my two trailers to the "ball" first time without having to get out of the truck and take a look and get back in, sometimes more than once. Yes I'm by myself alot of times when hooking up.

Then I have a portable Garmin touch screen unit that I put on the dash, it can hold the entire U.S. on it and it also speaks too. I like the fact that I can take it to any of my vehicles, my boat at a lake or even my rail for Glamis. One unit for all. If all you want is a gps, its a better way to go.

When watching a movie, witch we do on trips, it doesn't get interrupted when the gps is giving a direction or if I want to look up something.

 

You pay for what you get. If you want to spend $3k+ on a dvd/navi system that has more functionality than the avic-n1, then that's cool. But for what I paid for mine ($1355), it does everything (and more) that I'd expect it to do. There's always going to be better dvd/navi units out there, but it all depends on how much you want to spend.

 

Most Car Audio shops have a vehicle database which will tell you where the wires are, their color and any addational information thereto. Most shops should give you a printout, you may want to offer someting for it though.