Double DIN Head

[karmavore]

Anyone got pictures of double-din head units installed in an Esprit?

I know "techspy" did it, but he and his site are long gone.

Any snaps are appreciated!!

[Advantage]

Neill (Neill1607 on here) has got a double sized touch screen neatly installed in his car (I say 'his car', but it's actually Dawn's... ) I had a sneaky peak inside his cabin the other week while on our French trip and it looks good. Obviously I was far too unorganised to take a photo, but drop him a PM if he doesn't find this thread.

[cjtpb13]

Lucas,

I have a Kenwood DNX8120 SatNav double DIN installed in my S4.

Once I have my Lotus back from the Lotus dealership I actually have plans to fabricate a better heater control panel. This will allow me to blend in the filler panel you have to fabricate when installing a double DIN system. I took my power/cigar lighter and moved it around on the side of the centre console in the passengers compartment. This still allows me to power up my notebook.

I can tell you that it took all day in order to modify the metal frame for the unit. Shifting down the controls were a bit of hassle due to the fact that behind the console the wire harness was not exactly the neatest job. Lots of care taken in placing in all the necessary harnesses for the Kenwood system. No issues with keeping the system cool during operation. I actually used the empty switch blank ( the one used for rear foglamps in Europe and the UK ) to house the microphone for the telephone Bluetooth.

Word of warning, your heater control plate will be very easily damaged due to age.

Edited July 25, 2010 by GKP
To show picture. :)

[karmavore]

Looks nice. Very nice! What are the things on your new panel? It almost looks like an S/PDIF port???

[cjtpb13]

On the left of that panel is the inputs for an iPod and on the other side you can not see is a USB port for USB memory stick. Listen to majority of my music via this port. Lucas this allows you that extra area for your switches.

I ran the SatNav aerial back into the engine compartment. Sitting on the carpeted shelf behind the quarter window. I also have a reverse camera installed. Utilised a Boyo Ultraslim full frame licence plate frame.

Side note. I installed this unit myself as no custom stereo shop wanted the liability of modifying the centre console.

Edited July 25, 2010 by cjtpb13

[mr.oogieboogie]

i think there is a how to on http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EGuides/EModifications/stereo.html

[karmavore]

Perfect! That's exactly what I was looking for!

[cjtpb13]

Yes that article is great for reference. However I found that reaching a dremel tool where it was needed was virtually impossible. As was the fact that there was not going to be any type of tack welding inside the car. I recall that I spent about half my day just on that portion of the modification. Also quite a bit of time arranging the wire harness behind that area.

[karmavore]

I haven't read through it completely Christopher, is the modification permanent?

I'm not sure I want to permanently go double DIN. So many of these big deck are so gimmicky -- Pandora, iPod, Satellite, MSN, etc -- I can't imagine them working fully for more than 5 years, tops!

[cjtpb13]

Lucas,

In my case the modification is permanent. If need be I could revert back to the original but I would choose to maintain the modification.

As for the workings of the systems. I have had my Kenwood system installed in the Lotus for almost two years. ( granted it has not gotten much use at the dealers for the past 8+ months ). However, I have a similar system in my Land Rover that has been in over 4+ years and no issues.

I found that making the modification to the Esprit was well worth the time and money spent for a quality top of the line system. My issue was I will take my cars on trips that last 1000's of miles. All of my cars I purchased with the intent of never being " Garage Queens ". I have found with the exotics that there is limited room for SatNav systems anywhere to be comfortably placed and not have reachability issues or power cords dangled everywhere ( similar issue with the radar detector ). So having an in dash SatNav made sense to me. At one time, and I am not sure if it is still available, Kenwood made a unit that had a full screen that was in a single DIN unit. The screen came out. I believe someone on here had one or similar, It would just clear the binnacle and the screen was adjusted to how far it stayed extended and the angle of the screen. I however liked the more tidy appearance of the double DIN and also had no use for the storage ( every time I accelerated the mobile phone would fly out and land on the floor ).

[karmavore]

Thanks for the continued replies, Chris.

I really think if I can figure out a stable, uncluttered, and ergonomic mount for my iPhone I'm going to go single DIN (w/ video for my backup camera). Check this out: JVC AVX77

I really don't need a huge monitor. Granted it looks cool, but I rarely listen to music when driving the Esprit (too distracting) let alone videos!!

My overwhelming preference is to control my AV/GPS experience on the iPhone. Its much, much better.

Lucas.

[cjtpb13]

Lucas,

Like the looks of that unit. JVC had a single DIN SatNav system at one time. However all the reviews thrashed the interface and the mapping system. For me and the way I travel SatNav is the primary need. I tried the SatNav on my Verizon/Vodafone Blackberry Storm. I found that with bifocals it is much easier to navigate with 7" of screen...LOL !!!

I have yet to go the route of an iPod or such. I do use the USB port with a mini USB drive. However my youngest brother has use of my motorcars whilst I travel and he utilises his iPod in the systems.

I am actually going to remove the stereo in a few weeks ( suppose to have the Esprit back next week sometime ) and if you want I can take a few detailed photographs.

[karmavore]

Chris:

I was a little skeptical of JVC too, but it gets great reviews. The camera's image will be a little small, but I have good eyes!

Pictures would be great!