Here goes........

Ihave an Octavia Mk1

I've just got myself a Pioneer AVIC-900DVD head unit (double DIN, Sat Nav, DVD, CD, Radio etc) and and AVD-W6000 monitor (6.5" widescreen) combination.

To make it more interesting the units come without the wiring (power lead, 26 pin lead, microphone, monitor lead, & anything else that may be lurking somewhere).

I also want to instal a rear parking camera (hit a post once, 1 of 2 in 400 yd stretch of road when reversing blinded by headlights, expensive) for which there is an input socket on the HU.

To give me greater choice, the previous owners have left 2 holes where the aerial used to be, so I'm looking to fit a radio aerial and a GPS aerial (holes too far apart to put in single aerial).

I'm a confident DIYer, although past difficulies in car electrics suggests a better description would be "deluded".

I've had a quick look at threads to give me an idea of what other people have done. However, noting that I'm indecisive (but can't make my mind up fully about that) and lazy, I'd appreciate some views on the following:

• I want to speak to a company who can give me advice & get the right aerials, leads and amplifiers for the radio and GPS, perhaps even adaptors for connecting to the car, and maybe save money at the same time - anyone any recommendations (I pick up the car in Enfield & live in Redhill, Surrey if it makes any difference)?
  
• For the double DIN conversion, are the Skoda items (not found price yet) or the Connects2 kit (£40) better?
  
• I'm tempted to fit the monitor in permanently (saves keeping hiding it) by making a purpose fit console for it along the lines of the following
  
  • 2002 Infiniti I35-Pioneer Navigation Installation with Custom Fabrication
    
  • or maybe even fit a hinged cover like those on the Lexus IS300[/iS200] I once had.
    
  • or even motorised out the dash like Thunderbirds on Tracey Island (now I'm getting silly).
    

  [*]however, until i get the car and units I don't know whether it would look silly or not - anyone done anything like this?

  [*]There's a range of parking cameras available. I think I'd better rule out wireless due to bluetooth interference concerns (don't want to select camera and phone aunt in Brisbane by mistake), so hard-wired it is. there are loads of sellers all saying 'mine is the best'. Anyone got any recommendations, other than saying "you generally get what you pay for" (I can say that to myself and save time), and hints on fit?

  [*]the car has parking sensors, presumably factory fit,so I'm assuming I can't integrate them with the camera, but I'll do a search later - anyone any experience?

All advice gratefully received and subject to the bribe of a pint, provided we can work out who we are from our site names.

Thanks for any help,

Ian

Edited 9 November, 200916 yr by Ian_D

The 900-DVD is an obsolete single din headunit from 2003, but a top of the range unit.

AVIC-900DVD - Pioneer Product Archive

Manuals

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/archive/AVIC-900DVD/media.html

has the tech specs and manual downloads, but unless you can find all the pinout details for all the electrical connections which is going to be difficult it sounds like you have purchased a good door stop. If you try and work out what they are then you may cause permanent damage to the unit if you use trial and error.

Thanks, mannyo, that's the first pint gone - eek it is single DIN, saved me from silly mistake, must get mey eyes tested :sorry:.

However, without much effort I found an eBay supplier in the States with the appropriate leads who mails international, so i was pretty confident of getting the leads. I also found a supplier of updated maps at reasonable prices and the manuals on the Pioneer site, so I felt up to the challenge (even if I don't by the end of the week).

If it does end up as a door stop, at least I can feel better in that I did some preliminary work and I'll get my money back by writing a book on 101 uses for a dead double din.

Cheers,

Ian

Edited 9 November, 200916 yr by Ian_D