Well, I am slowly upgrading the Bose system in my 01 Z06. I have everything to add the sub to the rear on order as well as replacement speakers for the rear (already upgraded the front 3.5" speakers). Next thing to go is the head unit and the 8" speakers in the doors. I know the speakers I am going to use, but need some input on the head unit.
My specs:
I want to have audio & video
I don't want to move the AC controls up and the radio down
I don't want the monitor to block the center AC duct

So far, I have found 1 unit that might do the trick. It is the Sony MEX-R5 receiver and the Sony XVM-F65WL monitor. They have not been released yet, but are scheduled to be released this summer. I am planning on mounting the monitor into the headliner (at an angle, between the sunvisors). Nice thing about this receiver and monitor is they communicate via 2.4Ghz wireless transmitter & receiver built into them. So, the only wire that needs to be run to the monitor is the power wire. That should make installation a lot easier, since I won't have a lot of room to have a bunch of cables up in the headliner.

Any input or suggestions of other solutions I should look at? Thanks in advance.

 

I went and checked it out on the web... looks like a hot setup. I have been a SONY nut for years, but I haven't been as impresed with their car audio line in the past few years. Maybe now they are doing something about it and making better stuff? (I hope so.) I currently have a MEX-1HD in the Vette, and I have a CDX-C910 and the digital 210-EQ to smooth things out in the Suburban, and they have been really good to me so far.

The location you chose for the mounting of the screen has me curious. I looked into that very spot to mount my XM receiver and I found that I just didn't have the room without cutting some things or having it stick out like a sore thumb when the top is out. (Granted, with a Z06 you don't have that problem...) I'm also curious about reception issues or interference from other signals, but my guess is that they worked it out already.

Hell, I say go for it and make it work. The worst that can happen is you end up returning the equipment or selling it here on the forum... to a electronics geek like me... cheep... I know, I know... wishful thinking. Regards.

Mark

 

Thanks for the input Mark. What I have pictured in my head will look awesome. I figure I would pick up a headliner from a FRC to do the work with. I can feel that I have some room between the headliner and the roof in my Z (around an inch or so). I plan on lowering the bottom of the screen 2 inches, to give it a decent angle. After I get the headliner set up, I'll cover the headliner in new material and mount the monitor. Since this monitor is wireless, I only need to run the power wire, which will GREATLY reduce the amount of room I will need between the headliner and roof. I think it will look really slick. I do wish they had more information on the website. I'd like to know if I can hook up a rear camera to the A/V in, or if I should take the A/V 1 out and put that to the A/V in and use the A/V 2 out for the monitor, so I can bypass the whole vehicle in motion lock out they have in most DVD players. I'd also like to know what other stuff they have planned as accessories. I'd love to see a GPS option.
Well, if I can't find another similar option, I may wait until this is released and go with the Sony stuff. I like their home stuff, but hated their car audio stuff in the past (back in 91 I had one of their CD decks and it skipped like crazy!). Hopefully, they have gotten better. When I get this done, I will post picts.

Neil