replace NC Bose with DIN head unit?

minipete · Postby **minipete** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 11:45 pm

I am looking to replace the erratic Bose system in my 05 NC with single DIN head unit.

I have seen some fascia panels that look like they would do the job but the few photos I can find of installations look to have very poor fit.

Has anyone done this and had good results?

Pete

Gmi · Postby **Gmi** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 2:52 am

Mantra kit from the USA. Should be able to find it on eBay. Good fitment. Haven't done it to my car, but have seen it on someone else's car in real life with a double DIN nav unit.

JayMo · Postby **JayMo** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:54 pm

I have just put a double din in...

problem masda fascia is curved, din radios are flat, so your pick... corners poking or sunk in the middle...

apart from that it is a great fit...

minipete · Postby **minipete** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 12:33 am

Thanks for the replys

I found this Scosche unit in the USA.

http://www.scosche.com/car-audio/vehicl ... MX-5+MIATA

No luck finding a Mantra unit.

I realize a flat unit will look different I am more interested in whether the units fit OK and the finish is a reasonable match to the rest of the Mazda trim.

Another issue is a harness to attach a DIN head unit.

Pete

de Bounce · Postby **de Bounce** » Wed Dec 19, 2012 5:38 am

minipete wrote:Another issue is a harness to attach a DIN head unit.
Pete

Do a search on ebay for "Mazda ISO WIRING HARNESS"

JayMo · Postby **JayMo** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:09 pm

You can pay a little more and get them locally if need be...

http://www.soundmaster.com.au/Aerpro-99 ... it/997506/

they also do adapters etc...

Covenience versus price...

minipete · Postby **minipete** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:43 pm

I searched on ebay for Mazda ISO WIRING HARNESS and none of the harnesses are suitable for the Bose unit. I emailed a couple of suppliers who didn't specify this and they both had the same answer, non Bose.

Soundmaster is a good tip though. I don't mind paying more for the unit if It means I can hold it and look at it beforehand. I will ring them tomorrow.

They might even have a clue about the harness.

Pete

minipete · Postby **minipete** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 12:15 am

Spoke to Soundmaster. They said the only suitable replacement for the Bose would be a high end DVD player as they are the only ones with steering wheel control wiring. I'll have to think on that one. Seems drastic to put a DVD player in just to play mp3's.

I will probably forgo the steering wheel controls and do my own wiring.

They also said the Bose has an external amp. Anyone seen this? Does it have standard RCA inputs?

Pete

JayMo · Postby **JayMo** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:19 am

Hardly high end ... the $399 JVC unit as listed on soundmaster is what I got... i need blue tooth for work and it does that awesomely...

http://www.soundmaster.com.au/JVC-KW-AV60BT-Bluetooth-Multimedia-6.1inch-WVGA-Touchscreen-DVD-Player-/KWAV60BT/

(on catch of the day today 24th - techno catchathon as well has it for $369), and is what I put in... and it will play dvd's and it will do red theme, red buttons and red background... but it is a square block in a curved fascia... I am at peace with it...

Bose is weird, weird line balanced voltages on the feeds, weird impedances on the speakers, weird inside out back to front speakers... even if you get a HU to speak to the Bose amps properly using things like bit10's , you are left with the Bose sound...

So if you start with dropping in a cheap (or expensive) head unit, then you need to replace the amp, then you need to replace the speakers, then you need it all wired up and installed. I spose you can run it off the HU, just get efficient speakers.

I have had a full Bose-ectomy done, but i need to find the time to play with it before I recommend it over do nothing and going the Grom type solution for bluetooth/ipod....

minipete · Postby **minipete** » Tue Dec 25, 2012 7:50 pm

I have a GROM unit, It's hopeless. The original GROM was erratic and was sent back, the replacement is worse, bluetooth doesn't work at all on the new one and the unit only plays about 20% of the time. I'd be interested to hear a report from anyone who has had good results with one of these.

I like the sound of the stereo so am not looking for an upgrade in that area. I just want to be able to go on a trip and not have the music stop on me.

I've had numerous mp3 playing DIN units and never had a problem which is why I like that idea.

Thanks for the info on the Bose.

Pete