LV Focus audio replacement

LordFordNZ · 06-07-2011, 12:31 PM

Has anyone had any experience with replacing the factory audio in their Focus? I have been looking on ebay and there seem to some models specially designed for direct replacement with the need to modify any trim parts. They have DVD/Sat Nav/Bluetooth even TV tuners in them....pretty sure the insurance aspect of these..watching TV while driving???...they would run a mile....though aside from this, any one done this? Link is for a system I was wondering about:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...TQ:MOTORS:1123

Thanks

Russ · 06-07-2011, 07:30 PM

Mate I bought a similar aftermarket unit for my MKV Golf and I would advise you to stay clear of them. They look the part and all the features sound good in the ad, but from my experience I wouldn't touch one ever again. I was lucky enough to have a good eBay seller who went out of his way to try and help but in the end after a firmware upgrade and getting the unit running fairly smoothly I decided to sell it and cut my losses. The new owner also had the option of receiving technical support from the original seller as he agreed to help out. The new owner was in touch with me a few months later to tell me he was working with the original seller trying to sort out some issues (which were the same I had been having) and that they working together to try and fix it. I ended up buying a genuine VW unit (used) and it was perfect, I would suggest if possible you look for a decent brand name product even if it means going without some features as these units have a lot of bugs and are very unreliable. Of course the decision is yours but I'm just telling you of my experience with a similar item

BlackLS · 06-07-2011, 07:50 PM

Yea stay away. Get yourself a nice double din unit from a reputable brand and a double din adapter plate.

DJ1979 · 07-07-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordFordNZ

Has anyone had any experience with replacing the factory audio in their Focus? I have been looking on ebay and there seem to some models specially designed for direct replacement with the need to modify any trim parts. They have DVD/Sat Nav/Bluetooth even TV tuners in them....pretty sure the insurance aspect of these..watching TV while driving???...they would run a mile....though aside from this, any one done this? Link is for a system I was wondering about:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...TQ:MOTORS:1123

Thanks

I got one similar to the link you posted. I have a convertible so haven't connected the TV antenna to the rear window (obviously as it moves...).

So, DVD, iPod, Virtual CD, bluetooth, Sat Nav (the focus dash lends itself to easily run the antenna out the glovebox and onto the dash - you barely notice it.

And the result?

I

LOVE

IT.

No issues to speak of. Took all of 5 mins to install, plus some more time for the glovebox. Straight swap, connectors all worked perfectly, works with teh steering wheel controls out of the box, and looks factory. My only niggle is the font that it uses, bit too times new roman for me -but this is minor.

Mine was about $360 incl postage - awesome value for money compared to other aftermarket units.

LordFordNZ · 08-07-2011, 08:03 AM

Thanks - great to hear a good report on this. Would love to see some pictures of this. Couple of questions on it...how do you go about getting updated Sat Nav mapping? - was the first maps provided on an SD card for you? Have you thought about fitting the rear camera too?..does the header unit have input for this? Any chance you still have the ebay link for your purchase so I can compare with what I found? Thanks!

DJ1979 · 11-07-2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordFordNZ

Thanks - great to hear a good report on this. Would love to see some pictures of this. Couple of questions on it...how do you go about getting updated Sat Nav mapping? - was the first maps provided on an SD card for you? Have you thought about fitting the rear camera too?..does the header unit have input for this? Any chance you still have the ebay link for your purchase so I can compare with what I found? Thanks!

It came with latest sat nav maps already loaded, and they say to mail them for one update next year and they will send DVD.

Rear Camera, it supports it, but I can't be bothered installing it to be honest, and my reversing skills seem ok! lol This unit came with/ready for the reverse camera so all good - I had to find the setting for it though coz every time I put it into reverse it was looking for the camera and I just got a blank screen. Will look for the ebay link, and may post some pics too.

Cheers

LordFordNZ · 26-09-2011, 07:10 AM

I have just bought via ebay a replacement audo unit, has Sat Nav, DVD, DVB-T TV all built into it, rear camera and a 7" touch screen...so waiting for it to arrive. Did my homework.....and those running windows CE6 appear to be quicker than the earlier CE5 versions....though will wait to see the results on that. Got it landed here for $172...so thought cant go too wrong for that!..will keep you posted on how the install goes and results if interested.

EUniqe · 27-09-2011, 12:12 AM

Went to my local car audio specialists, Tonkins, they got me a 30 buck facia kit - comes with a single-din sized slot (fits all aftermarket radios) and a slot to hold stuff in underneath - very useful actually.

I use it primarily to run my iPod, see it's an alpine head unit with the "full-speed" compatibility. I can run through the ipod's menu, choose and play songs all from the head unit without ever having to touch the ipod itself. Just leave it in the glovebox. All up, cost me about $600.

It also leaves you with further capability to run multiple amplifiers (given how many pre-outs the head unit has) so you can run subwoofers, speakers etc.

DeKa · 27-09-2011, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EUniqe

Went to my local car audio specialists, Tonkins, they got me a 30 buck facia kit - comes with a single-din sized slot (fits all aftermarket radios) and a slot to hold stuff in underneath - very useful actually.

I use it primarily to run my iPod, see it's an alpine head unit with the "full-speed" compatibility. I can run through the ipod's menu, choose and play songs all from the head unit without ever having to touch the ipod itself. Just leave it in the glovebox. All up, cost me about $600.

It also leaves you with further capability to run multiple amplifiers (given how many pre-outs the head unit has) so you can run subwoofers, speakers etc.

Can you use the remote stalk on the steering column?

Russ · 27-09-2011, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeKa

Can you use the remote stalk on the steering column?

I would think it should work OK with it providing that the unit plugs into the existing harness. That's the one thing I didn't like about the Focus (the dodgy tack on radio controls) I'm used to it now and although it still looks like an after thought from the design dept. but it does work well and is actually fairly well positioned and user friendly