TheBri

After rx8guy86's great success (I like) with the Corksport stereo replacement kit I ordered one immediately and picked up an Eclipse AVN5495. I did the initial installation over this past weekend and it was extremely easy and relatively fast. If I had just done the stereo replacement it would have taken less than 90 minutes. The instructions are rather dense but they are easy to follow - by dense I mean there is typically a lot of information on each page.

The only snag/difficulty I had was getting the damn wiring harnesses to cooperate when sliding the HU in. I fought with that for probably close to 30 minutes alone before I figured out a way to get it all in there and happy - and not crush any of the wires.

I'm terribly pleased with the outcome. There was obviously a lot of work done on this thing to make it right. All my climate controls work wonderfully and the display still works.

I ordered the steering wheel controls with mine as well but due to a problem with the instructions (they didn't provide English translated versions) Corksport isn't shipping them out until tomorrow (Tuesday, 5/8).

WikkedOne

SWEET! How do you like that HU? why did you choose that one over any other one?

djkrazy

dang it ... im really considering getting corksport since i see more ppl getting it and having good results

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Wow - that's nice looking - good job on the install. What was the wiring hitting?

TheBri

I love this HU. I wound up with this HU for several reasons:

1. Cost. I scored this as B-stock and only paid $800 for it from a local (well known) car audio shop. They usually sell it for $1700.

2. Every Eclipse product myself or a friend has ever owned has always worked flawlessly and sounded great.

3. It has two drives in it - a DVD and a standard CD. So you can use the navigation and listen to an audio CD at the same time. I know some of the newer navigation units don't use DVDs anymore and this is no longer a problem. Still I also like the fact that I can have a DVD movie in the player and an audio disc at the same time. Rock.

4. Great user interface. It's easy to use and understand.

I'll have to take a picture of where I stuck the GPS antannae and post it. There are warnings all over the installation guide about placing it inside the vehicle and poor reception/accuracy. Whatever. Mine is sitting in the corner of the dash on the passenger side and the navigation is very accurate. I drove around yesterday and watched the GPS to see how well it tracked - tracks great. I used the navigation to get back home and it works wonderfully. I haven't used many navigation systems in the past so I can't really compare it to others. However I do really like the fact that when two turns are coming up that are really close to one another it warns you well ahead of time. Very nice. I like.

The wiring was hitting the dash. There's not a ton of extra room behind the HU and with all the wires coming out of this thing it's a pain in the *** to make room for it all. The wiring harness is actually several small ones as opposed to one huge one - which was extremely nice. 4 sets of RCA cables (3 out, 1 in), the Nav antannae, all the power/control wires, the nav control wires (speed, parking brake, reverse), the radio antannae, etc.... LOTS of cables/wires.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

LOL - I have the OEM NAV unit, does Eclipse offer a unit similar, but w/o the Nav function?

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

Dang, for 800 ? can I get one ? I am even to pay up to a grand

RA-Eight

iTrader: (6)

Nice! What's the illumination color on the buttons?

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

^ Yes, now we need a night shot. Does it have a dimmer function also?

TheBri

Illunination color on the buttons is light blue to match the overall blue theme the unit has going on.

It does indeed have a dimmer function that engages when you turn on the running lights. You can chose to override the dimming function if you so desire.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

For AVN5495, You can only record music in *real time* ? I have couple hundred cds I dont think I have the patience to re-record them all over again without stopping. and I have to listen to every tracks in order to record them ... ? Thats what I saw on the internet about this HU.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

Looks nice - but I really dislike the fact that they made the opening wider than 2DIN. Why was that necessary when the size should be standard is beyond me.

lesper4

iTrader: (3)

looks great and great choice of HU

mcgregor129

does this work with steering wheel buttons, I mean I'm not that lazy, but just curious

TheBri

See this thread acout the steering wheel controls

019ebx

im curious where did you mount the gps antenna?

TheBri

I put the nav antannae over in the corner of the dash on the passenger side.

eHart

very nice work

that's sweet that u got it for less than a G

Aznman101

Does anyone know if the Corksport Stereo Kit is the only double din available for the RX8. 500 Dollars is pretty steep just for a double din kit.

MazdaJeff

Nice install.

Is it possible to get a pic of the whole interior? As if you were sitting in the backseat.

SE3P_HKG

The kit is from Japan, Kanatechs - TBX-T003R. It retails at around JPY37,000.

If you have connnection in Japan, you can purchase this item here.

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/cps-mm/240...chs-tbx-t003r/

BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

That looks perfect TheBri.

I'm glad Corksport finalized this for the U.S. spec 8.

Tokugawa1973

That's nice bro, very clean install!!!

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

I have connections in Japan, but I might travel around Asia in Between July - Aug ... so I might just order it, ship it to my friend in japan, then I go pick it up *on my way* LOL

but I have BOSE as well so I need the adapter ... and thats another 80 bux ...

Tax is included but not shipping ... dunno how much it cost for shipping.

Shipping to his house then ship it back to New York gonna cost 80+ bux .... forget it. Im gonna wait. Go to japan, and pick it up

MazdaJeff

Do you lose the AMB button? I see the temp shown on your display. Also, do you lose the clock?