Another Radio thread, but cheap and Easy

[jonheld]

Let me start off by saying I am not an audiophile. My truck is 17 years old with lot’s of rattles, shakes, and shimmies. It is not the ideal listening environment by any means.

Anyway, my original OEM “premium” receiver started loosing the fluorescent display. For a few months I was able to give it a finger flick and it would come back. Went down hill from there and it was off more often than on. I started poking around on Crutchfield to find a cheapo replacement. After thinking about it for a while, I decided it would be nice to have integrated Bluetooth and an ipod connection would be neato too. Found a Pioneer DEH-P7000BT for more than I wanted to spend, but what the heck.

Crutchfield was spot on with the wiring adapters that they sent as well as the plastic pocket that now lives below the new unit. Cut a small hole in the back of the pocket for the USB cable and it’s a good fit or my ipod. The remote mic for the handsfree setup is run up the a-pillar under the inner door weather stripping and is almost invisible. From start to finish was 3 hours, not including making the harness which was another hour the night before.

Took a while to set up properly while reading the manual on my laptop and playing around with the menus, but not too bad at all.
Handsfree phone works great. Doing 70 on the highway with the sunroof open and rear windows cracked, the unit auto mutes the music (from any source) and it rings over the speakers. Had a loud and clear conversation with no echo and no complaints from either party. Ipod control is a little weak but very usable for my needs (shuffle a playlist and drive for a few hours).

Came with a small remote which the kids think is just great. I’m sure that’ll get lost on the first wheeling trip.

Whenever I take my dash apart, I always have 1 screw left over, but there are never any empty holes. Go figure.

Some pics for your enjoyment...

 

[Ebag333]

Clean and looks good.

The handsfree sounds OK to the other party? I've heard lots of complaints with them and the driver's end sounding "tinny" or like a poor radio connection....

 

[Shiftie]

Whenever I take my dash apart, I always have 1 screw left over, but there are never any empty holes. Go figure.

Those are the extra Screws that are taped under the dash from the factory. They fall down as you work. Trust me!

 

[jonheld]

Clean and looks good.

The handsfree sounds OK to the other party? I've heard lots of complaints with them and the driver's end sounding "tinny" or like a poor radio connection....

I spent some time looking at the reviews before I bought it. I was going to go with a Sony (forgot the model) but that had the mic built into the front panel. Lots of complaints on that one. The remote mic makes all the difference IMO. Being able to position it anywhere that works in your vehicle makes more sense. It's not on the grab handle (my first idea) because I use that all the time and would just rip it off or destroy it with muddy gloves. This is up and out of the way and pointed directly at me. The unit also has 3 different levels of echo cancellation that you can play with. I'm sure there's more, but I haven't gotten through the manual yet.

 

[sdnative]

Great timing on this one. I just ordered the double din version of yours: the 8000BT. I also considered the sony, which I really liked except for the built in BT mic. What a joke, why dont they give you a provision for an external mic?

Were you able to use the factory mounting braket? Did you have to trim the dash at all? Any "tricks" with the install?

There are two thing I dont like about the pioneer, and they may not be a big deal. You're pretty much stuck with the blue illumination, I would have prefered another color like green. Also, there aren't any memory buttons. I like to be able to change stations by feel while driving, not trying to fumble through some menus at 70mph.

Other than that, I hear the BT is great, as well as the radio tuner.

I had originally purchased the dual 6425 with the BT module. What a piece of garbage. Stay away from this one!!

Anyway, looks good!

 

[jonheld]

Yea, I looked at that one. Too many sheckles for me.
The illumination doesn't matter. There aren't many things that illuminate. It doesn't even use a dimmer input. Yours might though.

No tricks whatsoever with the install. I spent some time making the harness (cutting to length, soldering and shrink tubing) and verifying the Crutchfield wiring with the pin outs from the FSM and EWD. They were spot on. I re-used the factory radio mounts. Everything was an exact fit, but I had to remove the Pioneer bezel. Non issue.

No memory buttons, but you can scroll through the presets quickly with just an up or down on the "multi function button". It's just a matter of getting used to it, I suppose. You need to hit several buttons to store a preset, but it's just a flick up or down to change it.

I like it. It's the prettiest thing in my truck right now. And the GPS ashtray mount no longer blocks the radio.

 

[jonheld]

Other than that, I hear the BT is great, as well as the radio tuner.

Had a chance to use the handsfree again this morning. I have it set to auto answer right now and it rings over the speakers 1.5 times and you're into the conversation. Loud and clear for both parties. The caller hung up and I was back to my radio. All without removing my hands from the wheel. The incoming number is displayed on the front of the unit. I think it's the bee's knees.

 

[jp_waltz]

how much did this project cost you? I am thinking of going that route soon. how does your phone interface with your receiver? Im a little clueless when it come to this stuff. I suppose I could research on the pineer website. Anyway, very clean install, looks great.
Paul

 

[jonheld]

how much did this project cost you? I am thinking of going that route soon. how does your phone interface with your receiver? Im a little clueless when it come to this stuff. I suppose I could research on the pineer website. Anyway, very clean install, looks great.
Paul

Dude, I just bought a radio. This wasn't what I consider a "project". My old radio was...well...old. 17 years is a long time so I figured I was due for an upgrade.
Many radios today have bluetooth, HD radio, Ipod interface, XM/sirius, bla bla bla.

FWIW, you pay more for the individual product at Crutchfield, but you get some really good service and the stuff works the first time.