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How To: Upgrade Head Unit (Kenwood eXcelon DNX6960)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by usbseawolf2000, Feb 22, 2010.

  1. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I am seeing 10 feet accuracy a lot of time. If I go under a highway overpass, it jumps to 15 feet accuracy.

    I made two trips into Manhattan and the GPS reception works ok (50 feet accuracy) in areas without crowded tall buildings. When driving on 42nd St, the accuracy went to around 90 feet. GPS started to think I was on 40th St and it became pretty much unusable.

    I am going to try to mount the sensor near the antenna on the roof.
     
  2. Rocket Man

    Rocket Man Junior Member

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    You aren't likely to get any better satellite reception by moving the antenna. GPS accuracy is driven by the number of satellites being received. That's why its much less accurate in canyons (of the "urban" or "mountain" variety).
     
  3. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Here is a video of the Garmin navigation in action:



    Picture of GPS reception and DVD video quality:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     

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  4. Azimuth

    Azimuth Member

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    I have a bunch of questions about this unit. I hope you don't get annoyed :)
    Does the NAV give spoken directions?
    what kind of parking detection does it have? can you bypass something to allow navigation input by a passenger when you are driving?
    I see maps are updated on a micro SD card, does that mean that the DVD drive is not in use when using navigation? can you use navigation up front and output video to the back (headrest monitors) at the same time?
    - I probably have more questions but this will do for now :)

    EDIT: what about traffic? some places say it's included, others say you need an add-on device.
     
  5. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    No, not at all. I hope there was someone who can answer these kind of questions before I bought mine. I am glad I have this opportunity to answer your questions.

    Yes, it can give spoken direction with text-to-speech. This will pronounce the street names. You can also use the regular voice that doesn't say the street names. I prefer this one because it sounds more human than robot.

    Nav doesn't have parking detection but the DVD movie player does. I grounded my parking wire so I can watch DVD even when I am driving. I have done it only to test so in the future passengers may watch in the future.

    Nav runs off map from the built-in (internal) solid state memory. This enable DVD movie or mp3s full of DVD to play while Navigating. The micro SD card is to upgrade the Nav firmware or to use additional maps.

    Yes, I believe so. The head unit supports dual zone. You can choose a source in the front and another source in the back. Nav is not considered a source because it can interrupt (with direction) and can be configured for the front or all speakers.

    Traffic is optional. It is about $100 and I plan to upgrade it in the future. It is Navtec FM based traffic information without subscription fee but I heard there are some Ads though.

    I also want to get HD radio (subscription free also) as an upgrade in the future.
     
  6. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Here is the video I took when I installed the mic in the stock location (next to the overhead sunglasses / map light compartment).

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-aAvhz_24c]YouTube - DNX6960 Mic install.ts[/ame]
     
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  7. Azimuth

    Azimuth Member

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    Looks good.
    I ended up ordering a Pioneer X910BT which has similar features. The reason I decided to order this unit instead is because I like that it can be modified heavily. I also found it for half the price of the DNX6960.
     
  8. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    That's exciting. Do post (in gen3 section) your experience with it. It looks like DNX6960 is now available for $724 on ebay.
     
  9. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I posted a video overview of the unit. I hope someone find it useful to make the decision.

    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1AcfT-c0gM]YouTube - Kenwood DNX6960 Overview[/ame]
     
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  10. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    These videos are very helpful. Thanks! I haven't bought a Prius yet, and I am trying to decide whether to buy a less expensive one and add this stuff, or just spend the extra money up-front.

    I have a question about the Kenwood -- how is the Bluetooth microphone? I've installed a JVC in my BMW and a Pioneer in my Honda van. The JVC is terrible; people can't understand me at all. The Pioneer is a lot better. How does it work for you?

    Also, I've installed these microphones up to the edge of the sun visor, which is pretty easy. You went the "extra mile" and routed the mic all the way up to the rear view mirror assembly. How did you get the cable up there?
     
  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    In terms of performance you would b e MUCH happier with an aftermarket system but there is always the chance of minor headaches during install.

    The Kenwood bluetooth system works excellent and I have never had any complaints with mine. I don't have the NAV system but the parts are all the same. :)
     
  12. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    People can understand me well. The mic is very sensitive because when I am driving on the highway, they hear the road noise. The head unit has the setting to filter out the background noise and I have yet to play around with it. So far, I have no issue other than talking louder when on noisy highway surface (concrete) or in the rain.

    At slow speed, they can not tell if I am talking from my car bluetooth. I have not tried myself from the receiving end and have my wife talking in the car. DNX6960 comes with the latest Bluetooth chip from Parrot, supporting version 3.0. This means faster transfer speed with lower battery consumption.

    Once I removed the overhead map light unit, the roof fabric create a gap. I use it to route behind A pillar (just pull back the weather strip). From there, the wire goes behind the dash (behind the steering wheel) to the back of head unit. The cable still had probably six inches left.

    This maintains the stock look, exactly how I wanted.
     
  13. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I replaced the OEM steering wheel controls with Bluetooth, Info and Map buttons. Right off the bat, the Info button was able to switch between Consumption and Energy screens.

    [​IMG]

    I made a video showing how I programmed SWI-JACK to work with the steering wheel buttons.

     

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  14. don_chuwish

    don_chuwish Well Seasoned Member

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    Very cool, thanks for sharing!

    - D
     
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  15. ematzen

    ematzen Junior Member

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    Very interesting....Anybody have an opinion on the Pioneer U310BT...I know, not nearly as cool as the kenwood with garman, but super cheap ($250 on Amazon....)
     
  16. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    There is now $100 rebate.

    Kenwood - Navigate A Rebate

    A user posted a sweet deal on kenwoodforums.com.

    1) Go to www.al-eds.com
    2) Add the DNX6960 and the KCA-IP301V to you cart.
    3) Check out using the coupon code dev300.
    4) Pay using paypal or a credit card.
    5) There is a MIR on it. Apply for the MIR and get the Unit plus the IPOD cable for 750.
     
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  17. ematzen

    ematzen Junior Member

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    Ok, so I'm doing the exact thing, but using a Pioneer. I ordered a used navigation steering wheel from Ebay. How hard was it to replace your controls with the navigation controls on your steering wheel? Could you provide me a basic steps outline? Did you have to run wires?

    Thanks!

    -E
     
  18. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I think what you did with your steering wheel is really cool, but now that I have the Kenwood installed, it doesn't seem very necessary. In particular, when somebody calls you, the enormous touch screen display gigantic "pick up" and "hang up" buttons.

    I definitely think the steering wheel mod is cool, I just would prioritize other things, like new speakers. But I think the Seawolfmobile's already pretty tricked out; my 2010 is just starting the Mod process.
     
  19. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    The new control module is plug-n-play. The wire is zip tied so you'll need to cut the zip tie and use a new one. After you swap the controls, the Info button worked right away; switching the Energy and Consumption screens on the MFD.

    1) Disconnect the 12V battery to prevent airbag from accidentally deploying.

    2) You'll need to unscrew two screws. One is located around the base of the cruise control and another one on the other side. The airbag and horn (center unit) will come off. I did not unplug the cables from it. I simply moved it out of the way, sort of dangling. It gave me enough space to work on it.

    3) Cut the zip tie and remove the control. First, practice removing the control from the one you bought from Ebay. You can study how things are snapped in. There is a plastic hook that you'll need to push it out.

    4) Install the new control and put everything together; connect the 12v battery as well.

    I have more pics I took at home that I can post if that's not clear enough.
     
  20. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    The Info button is definitely a plus. I can switch between Energy and Consumption screen from the steering wheel. Before, I had to reach the LCD screen and I change between these screen depending on the speed.

    I also gained 3 more buttons to program. I do not have to use it to pick up the phone. It could be for something else. Once I develop muscle memory, the steering wheel buttons are very useful.

    For $70+, it is expensive but the OEM look along with additional buttons are worth it. It will not give you the best bang for the buck. BOSS BASS600 subwoofer for $100 will give the best bang for the buck.