Please push me or talk me off the ledge

Steve-NC · 02-19-2015, 10:58 AM

Whatever ledge you choose, to jump or not has to be your own choice.

I've taken a similar path in choosing to go aftermarket. I've installed or had someone install systems in previous cars and made decisions based on the fact that I don't replace a vehicle every couple of years. So I spent some time looking into the different components, spent hours on this forum and others to gather opinions, and headed to the local shops for some hands-on in order to make the choices that work for me.

I'm about to finalize the setup with a reputable local shop and, while I'm looking at a more intense system than yours, I'll throw out a few comments...

I had been looking into the DNN991HD and then the CES tosses the DNN992 out for this year. The dealer was pretty annoyed at Kenwood, because he said they were expecting something to get excited about, but they found neither Pioneer nor Kenwood gave them anything to thrill them. But the price on the DNN991HD began to drop and I got him to drop down to online prices. So that's where I'm going.

I'm also going with the Maestro RR. With the Idatalink Serial Cable Connection (not the Wired Remote Input Connection), it lists "Steering Wheel Controls: Two Functions on Each Button; Standard and Expanded Radio Functions" and "Gauges: User Selectable Gauges; Read/Reset Check Engine Codes". Haven't spoken to anyone who can verify any specifics.

I have looked into the Kenwood CMOS-320 camera because it has multiple views that can be directly controlled from the touchscreen on the HU, but for the price, it ought to park the car for me. For now, I plan on one of the e-bay/Amazon license plate light units so I can get the install done and maybe I'll switch it out in the future. I had planned to put a front camera in (another low cost one), since the Z is lower than previous cars I've driven and I thought that seeing obstacles when pulling into a parking space might help, but the install labor cost was too high for something I may not use very often. That's something I'll add myself later if I get the urge.

As far as speakers, I learned a lot from the folks on this forum, in that your front components are probably your most important decision. There are decent choices in every price range. In the end, I've decided to go with Hertz HSK's, but that's just what sounded good to me and what I could afford. Inevitably, that meant finding a decent amp, which goes down another road of opinions and specs...

Also, I never took the original numbers from the shop as written in stone. Business is business, and regardless of how big of a market you're in, if they can't get your money, they can't pay their bills. So whatever estimates you get, it's worth countering with what you think is fair.

Just my two cents. (Well, I guess it turned into about a buck and a half)

(BTW, how much Dynamat did you have installed and at what cost? I've pretty much decided to do my own sound deadening, because the shop gave me a quote that seemed too high for too little.)

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02-19-2015, 10:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Steve-NC Base Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 25 Drives: '15 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 12	Whatever ledge you choose, to jump or not has to be your own choice. I've taken a similar path in choosing to go aftermarket. I've installed or had someone install systems in previous cars and made decisions based on the fact that I don't replace a vehicle every couple of years. So I spent some time looking into the different components, spent hours on this forum and others to gather opinions, and headed to the local shops for some hands-on in order to make the choices that work for me. I'm about to finalize the setup with a reputable local shop and, while I'm looking at a more intense system than yours, I'll throw out a few comments... I had been looking into the DNN991HD and then the CES tosses the DNN992 out for this year. The dealer was pretty annoyed at Kenwood, because he said they were expecting something to get excited about, but they found neither Pioneer nor Kenwood gave them anything to thrill them. But the price on the DNN991HD began to drop and I got him to drop down to online prices. So that's where I'm going. I'm also going with the Maestro RR. With the Idatalink Serial Cable Connection (not the Wired Remote Input Connection), it lists "Steering Wheel Controls: Two Functions on Each Button; Standard and Expanded Radio Functions" and "Gauges: User Selectable Gauges; Read/Reset Check Engine Codes". Haven't spoken to anyone who can verify any specifics. I have looked into the Kenwood CMOS-320 camera because it has multiple views that can be directly controlled from the touchscreen on the HU, but for the price, it ought to park the car for me. For now, I plan on one of the e-bay/Amazon license plate light units so I can get the install done and maybe I'll switch it out in the future. I had planned to put a front camera in (another low cost one), since the Z is lower than previous cars I've driven and I thought that seeing obstacles when pulling into a parking space might help, but the install labor cost was too high for something I may not use very often. That's something I'll add myself later if I get the urge. As far as speakers, I learned a lot from the folks on this forum, in that your front components are probably your most important decision. There are decent choices in every price range. In the end, I've decided to go with Hertz HSK's, but that's just what sounded good to me and what I could afford. Inevitably, that meant finding a decent amp, which goes down another road of opinions and specs... Also, I never took the original numbers from the shop as written in stone. Business is business, and regardless of how big of a market you're in, if they can't get your money, they can't pay their bills. So whatever estimates you get, it's worth countering with what you think is fair. Just my two cents. (Well, I guess it turned into about a buck and a half) (BTW, how much Dynamat did you have installed and at what cost? I've pretty much decided to do my own sound deadening, because the shop gave me a quote that seemed too high for too little.)