Written by Raj Patra
The install of the eclipse is almost identical to installing a Pioneer Z1. I later removed and returned the eclipse and installed a Pioneer AVIC D1 and the only major difference was that the eclipse accepts the factory steering wheel control plug. With any pioneer you will need to use a PAC Audio (or other brand) steering wheel interface to retain use of the factory controls. You can find them at crutchfield, circuit city, etc.... This interface plugs into the pioneer and requires you to cut the wires leading to the Toyota's steering wheel interface harness and connect it to the PAC Audio unit instead. It is very easy to do and only adds about 15 minutes to the install.

Aside from that the two installs are pretty much the same.

As for why I swapped units, it was a personal preference thing coupled with an incredible deal I got on the AVIC D1. I liked the software on both units but the Pioneer was more in line with how I think where the eclipse caused me to fumble around a little more. My new unit does not play DVD movies but I can add a $90 DVD player that fits in the glove box if I feel I need to. (AVIC D1 allows for audio and video in which, with the addition of a DVD player in the glove box, would allow for movies while driving)

< Prev		Next >