[AV8B968]

Installed a new head unit for the car the other night, the car came with a Eclipse CD5000 with all the wires cut behind it so I'm thinking someone tried stealing it. The previous owner had an amp and sub installed, but all that's left of that are the cut wires behind the passenger seat and in the back. Install was pretty easy once I shot all the wires to figure out which wires went where, doing some research on this forum helped a ton (thank you guys very much). The Alpine's IPod control is pretty intuitive and works pretty well. The longest part of the install was trying to find a good place for the bluetooth mic without it looking too ridiculous. I had it attached next to the clock for now and I think it might just stay there. Having bluetooth is a nice modern amenity. The greatest thing about the head unit thus far is the Pandora. Its like having satellite radio minus any commercials. I didn't attach the dimmer wire which I definitely will go back and do since it IS pretty bright at night. Overall I think the aesthetics don't match as well as some other HUs like the Beckers, but the functionality of it has been awesome so far. It does however have this cool retro clock display.



   

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[firefish]

I've got that one too, it is a neat piece indeed. I recommend the KTP-445 (IIRC), it's the little amp that boosts the unit to 4x45W RMS and is totally plug and play.



I used to tun a Blaupunkt New York and it looked sooo fine in the 968. I have yet to fully appreciate the looks of the Alpine but I have bought extra gauges that'll go beneath the deck (brushed alumium bezels and white light/red needle) that I think will go great with the Alpine. I've also ordered aluminum rings for the cluster.



Have you thought about replacing the clock? Not that you need one anymore but this one, http://www.speedhut.com/custom_gauge_des...er-796.htm would look good with the Alpine. You can get it in many different fonts and colors and even a logo of your choice (968?).

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[jaap]

Looks nice. Does the mic work in that location? I tried it as well and on the other side of the center console under the dash and in the center vent but never seemed to work without a lot of noise.





Jaap

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[rhudeboye]

i like Alpines and ipod integration is a must. Good choice.



As for the mic. I ended up routing mine to the center vent.. With the cluster removed access is very easy. I found it easier to route it up and to the left, keeping it all behind the dash. Using the opening behind the gauges, I routed it from there across to the center vent. leaving a little slack in the cable. Before reinstalled the bezel trim, I poked it through the vent from behind. It sits right in the bottom corner below the trip reset. I've made many calls and I'm always heard crystal clear. Even with the windows down and at speed. its a great location.

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[DaveN]

I routed my mic inside the A-pillar and it pops out right at the top buy the edge of the sun visor. It end up quite close to your mouth and you can't see it up there in the dark.

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[rxter]

Those Blaus look the part, but don't let the asthetic fool you. The menus are enough to drive you crazy. Changing the bass setting is a lot more work than it needs to be, and is actually a bit dangerous while driving. In the end I gave up trying to adjust the thing while driving - too many button pushes and not at all intuitive.

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