Thanks to a terrific price on ebay, I just purchased a Pioneer AVIC F700BT. I ordered the basic prerequisites I could see from TacoBills and other write ups: Metra wiring harness, Metra dash kit, Pioneer Ipod adapter.

My first question is for those who have installed a rear view camera. Is it worth it? It looks like the rear view camera is the most time consuming part of the install, as you have to disassemble a lot of the interior to route it properly. Does it really come in handy, or is it just a novelty? Also, I see a wide range of cameras on the market, any recommendations on make/models?

Second question is to see pics/descriptions of where you guys mounted your bluetooth microphones and GPS antenna. I know most people mounted the antenna somewhere on the dash, but just looking for examples of how people mounted them/routed them to aid in the install.

Thanks for the input

 

I don't have GPS, but for bluetooth I mounted the microphone which had a clip to the headliner where it meets the windshield at the very top left of the drivers side. And ran the wire down the driver's A-pillar and o the head unit.

As far as the backup camera, I tried a bullet camera like Bill did, but mine got wet when I washed it and ruined. I ended up going with a license plate frame camera. Its low in the back and works good. I honeslty don't use it much, but I like that its there. Of course I don't drive the car that much anyway. It's not hard to connect, just find a spot to add for the 12v power.

 

I mounted the GPS antenna under the back decklid carpet.

If you lean in the trunk, and look up, you'll see holes cut in the metal. The hole in the center, closest to the rear window, will fit the GPS antenna perfectly. Slide it right up in that hole (you're under the decklid carpet) and push it towards the back window. There's alittle valley in the metal just past the hole that my GPS is laying in. I have had it in there for 6+ months and have had no issues with noises or signal strength.

As far as running the wire back to the headunit.. I recommend mounting the antenna then working your way back with the wire. Zip tie the wire to the deck lid and run it down the side of the trunk near the rear seat. The rear seat literally pops right off.. no bolts or anything, so running it upto the center console is just a matter of fishing it under a foot or so of carpet. Once you get there it's cake sense you have all the rest already off to install the HU.

 

I double stick taped the GPS antenna for my Power Acoustik dvd/nav system to the dash, next to the a-pillar. It gets a signal with no problems from that location.

 

If you could possibly post a picture of your antenna I know I would appreciate it...

Thanks

 

Picture as in where it's mounted now or as in what the Pioneer Antenna looks like?

 

Here's the 'mounted' antenna.



..and here's what it looks like.

 

where did you get the wiring harness from, and the dash kit? Can you link me?

 

Another question for those who've installed a rear view camera.

The boyo rear camera I bought has a RCA conneciton, and a +VCC red and a black ground. If all I want is for the camera to come on when I go into reverse, should I just connect this to the "Reverse Gear Signal" wire going to the AVIC, which is then tapped into the reverse light wire? This way the camera would only be powered on when you go to reverse, right?

Thanks