okay, i think i've read EVERY SINGLE thread about in-dash NAV systems on here, and now i have a huge headache and i'm just really confused about everything.

here's my attempt at getting some precise feedback for my exact needs.

what i REALLY want is the Pioneer AVIC-D3 (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069681_369264980,00.html), and thanks to THIS THREAD (http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2815), i know all the parts i need and everything i have to do in order to get it up and running.

but before i make my final decision, please tell me if there's a cheaper way of going about this. are there cheaper in-dash NAV systems, or at least other in-dash NAV systems that don't require as many additional parts for installation? tell me EVERYTHING you know!!!

my only requirement is that it is touchscreen (which i guess rules out the REC unit). also, losing my u-connect is NOT an option. 2 other features that i would sort of like as well are the AUX jack and DVD playing capabilities.

THANK YOU!!!

In dash nav is expensive; no two ways about it. That Pioneer is probably about the best of the bunch. I know Eclipse has a unit with a removable Tomtom, but I'm not sure why a person would get that over a standalone GPS.

I tend to like Crutchfield for car audio; you can always call them up and bounce things off of them. Very helpful folks, Crutchfield.

i know that in-dash navs are expensive... and it isn't the price of the pioneer that gets to me... it's the price of having to buy a million and one extra parts just so that i can install it. i really just want to know if there are any others that don't require so much extra baggage to get it up and rolling.

In dash would be nice, but I ended up with a Gramin Nuvi200W. Since we have 2 cars it makes it a lot more versatile and useful. We almost bought the in dash, but after playing with it at the dealership, it was a no brainer to pass on it. Seems to be extremely premature...But the Pioneer you mentioned above is nice. A buddy has it in his A4 and loves it.

i know that in-dash navs are expensive... and it isn't the price of the pioneer that gets to me... it's the price of having to buy a million and one extra parts just so that i can install it. i really just want to know if there are any others that don't require so much extra baggage to get it up and rolling.

When you have all those options on your Jeep, you have to do those add ons with any unit basically. And you'll need a proper bezel kit... most likely you will have to get the REC bezel kit and then buy a harness to fit the AVIC D3 since it wont fit in either bezel perfectly, some people have modified their existing bezel, but it looks hard. I'm sure you know this already.

Thats why i went with the REC unit, too much hassle for the Pioneer, best buy was quoting me $1600 to get the Avic D3 installed, and I still didn't trust them to do it, and its only a $1000 unit... not worth it to me, it may be cheaper for u in the States.. I wasn't willing to screw around with my airbags/security system, which are all tied into the radio.

Good luck! Post pics if you do get it done :)

fortunately i have a friend that is going to install the AVIC-D3 for me, and i found it online for approximately $650. so i guess i'll just have to buy all those additional parts as well. i guess that seems to be the way to go.

i'll definitely take pictures if i manage to do this successfully, haha.

I think Nav would be a good option to include in a car at time of purchase, but to buy it afterwards isn't very practical. Assuming you buy it on ebay, you're still paying $800 for all the equipment necessary to make it work.

For half of that you can buy a great standalone unit that is easily updated, portable, and has many more features. Not to mention the complaints that I've been hearing about reduced sound quality when adding a REC unit to the stock system.

If you have multiple vehicles, standalone with a mount is a good option. Plus you can use it outside of your vehicle for camping/hiking or traveling with friends and family in their vehicle. Very versatile. I picked up a nuvi 650 at costco online for $299, so far I like it alot.

I think Nav would be a good option to include in a car at time of purchase, but to buy it afterwards isn't very practical. Assuming you buy it on ebay, you're still paying $800 for all the equipment necessary to make it work.

For half of that you can buy a great standalone unit that is easily updated, portable, and has many more features. Not to mention the complaints that I've been hearing about reduced sound quality when adding a REC unit to the stock system.

isn't it an additional $1900 or so if you buy the nav at time of purchase? also... i've heard awful things about the unit that comes in the patriot...

I'm planning on installing an AVIC-D3 also in the near future. It seems to be the best fit for my needs and is fairly reasonable priced. There is no way around having to buy all the accessories. As others have said, you will need them for any after market stereo. I am worried about U-Connect though. I don't know if it will work with the new system. From all of the other posts I have read, I don;t think anyone has tested it. If it doesn't work then I'll have to buy the bluetooth add on also which more money.

Can anyone confirm U-Connect working with aftermarket HU?

jettore, i would love an answer to this question as well. i've posted this question in quite a few threads and still have yet to get an answer! however... after reading so much about this... i strongly believe that it does screw up your u-connect. i think the pioneer bluetooth model is required or else soycap in this thread (http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2815) would not have listed it as a necessary part for installation.

I would expect that the U-connect would be adversely affected. Bluetooth systems are usually tied to the radio, if for no other reason than it has to interface with it for the speakerphone capabilities. You would at the very least (I don't know how it is implemented in Jeeps) need an interface between the new stereo and the U-Connect system, which is not likely to exist.

These extra electronic goodies are nifty, but they're pure hell when you want to change out the stereo. Everything is tied together.

I havent purchase my patriot yet, I will get in 09 when I am back from Iraq. I am thinking about Avic z3, but by then there may even be a mygig in patriot or some even better system. I wanted to build a carputer, but I really dont have the time.