[Kurtster]

Here's what I've spent so far:

Year 2004
Polk speakers (4)
JL Audio StealthBox subwoofer
JL Audio 450/4 Amp for the mains
JL Audio 250/1 amp for the subwoofer

This week
Apline 9857 head unit
Installation
Wiring harness from newministuff to preserve NAV voice and MFSW controls


What do I have as a result?

1.) A freakin' loud and clean sounding stereo system
2.) No more orange lights that match my dash (only blue now)
3.) No more NAV voice
4.) Really cool new iPod interactivity
5.) Much more balanced sound than with factory head unit
6.) Close to $3k of my money spent on gear and installations

This item 3 I just found out about today from the installer. I have to get hold of MikeTheMini ASAP. The installer tells me that the NAV voice preservation kit only works if you're using the Alpine's built-in amps. I'm using Pre-Outs and it doesn't have a way to interrface with my external amps (Unless mike knows some trick).

Finding my way around Boston without the NAV voice will be VERY hard for me and frankly isn't an option.

Returning all this stuff after going through the hours of time to install it, and going back to having hi-low converters isn't an attractive option to me at all.

The only way it apears I can make this work is to create a separate speaker box somewhere in the dash area to play the NAV voice.

Anyone else go through this nightmare too? If so, how did you solve it?

[GBMINI]

I've seen that sort of limitation before - I'm guessing it's because the Alpine doesn't know how loud the amps are, so can't risk blasting your ears or the speakers.

Mike has a kit which directly drives the cars speakers - basically a relay changeover that switches the drivers door speaker over to the NAV sound when needed. You could probably use that instead; not as elegant, but it would work ...

[GBMINI]

PS: Who did you go to for the install? Where they good or just "ok"?

[Kurtster]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI

Mike has a kit which directly drives the cars speakers - basically a relay changeover that switches the drivers door speaker over to the NAV sound when needed. You could probably use that instead; not as elegant, but it would work ...

Mike's kit is what I'm talking about. It's got a relay in it but it's designed to use the amps in the Alpine head unit, not the amps sitting in the back of the car.

I used BestBuy Cambridge, MA. They've been very good to me and provide a lifetime warranty on the install. They did a fine job as far as I can tell, unless they just didn't get how Mike's kit is supposed to work. The installer I got was highly reccommended by other BB employees who had him do their cars too.

[mikeythemini]

My nav interface will still work if using amps & factory front speaker wires.
If the front speakers have been totally rewired then you can still use it - but it needs splicing into one of your front speaker wires, you can forget wiring the other speakers through it & just use **** mute output to mute the alpine stereo

[mikeythemini]

Why the swear filter cut in???
If you get your installer to call me I will try to talk them through it once I know how your system is wired
Mike

[Kurtster]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini

Why the swear filter cut in???
If you get your installer to call me I will try to talk them through it once I know how your system is wired
Mike

Mike,

I'm so glad you have a way to do it. you're in the UK though correct?
If so, I will need to get my installer's schedle and look for a day he is available in the morning, near the end of your work day. Normally he comes in about 12 noon so I hope he works mornings sometimes.

Please email me or PM a phone number and I'll put him in touch with you ASAP.

Thanks a million!
Kurt

[Kurtster]

Hello? Where did you go?

[GBMINI]

http://www.newministuff.com/new/index.php
01144 8703609599

Mike is constantly busy and apparently lost track of this thread.

[mikeythemini]

I am here
As Ian said +448703609599
So I can prepare a diagram, how are your front speakers wired? new wires from the amp right into the doors or new wires from your amp to the head unit connector

[Kurtster]

FYI this nightmare continues...I got Mike's kit to work, but it's really quiet and the vlume control in the NAV screen and on the vonlume knob have no effect on the voice volume.

Second, Mike is busy. REALLY busy. I've sent an email detailling the volume problem and it's been about two weeks.

Lastly, the 9857 head unit I have changes functions like inputs and stations at random. For example, I'mm listening to a radio station and it will randomly switch to the iPod input. Or it will change stations. Or it will mute itself. It took me two months to order and get alll the stuff to preserve my NAV voice and steering wheel controls and as such i am ineligible for an exchange of my head unit (after 30 days). So at this point it has to be removed and mailed to Alpine for warrantee repair. This blows bigitme. If I change head units, I'll be out about $600 between the Apline and the mike the Mini stuff I bought. If I don't do something, I'f paid a lot of money for something incredibly frustrating.

I'm thinking of giving up on the steering wheel controls and installing a Panasonic DVD player head unit that a friend is giving me. i'll still have to find a way to preserve the NAV voice, as I can't do without it.