Ok so ive been doing some searching talked to crutchfield people and i got a question. I have a 04 rx8 gt i just got Saturday w/ the bose and NAV i got a Kenwood ddx812 ddin and im about to buy the metra kit but it looks like if i install the kenwood im going to loose the factory nav system because it runs off of the stock radio. Just wondering if this is true or not? If so anyone know if theres an adapter or such that will make it able to wire into my deck w/ can be upgraded to have nav?

 

the factory nav will still work fine, I think the only thing you might, and that's a huge might, lose is the nav voice coming through your speakers. I run a Pioneer D3 with the factory nav still in place and sometimes I use both at the same time without issue. I would contact Metra, they could tell you for sure, I can ask them for you on Monday if you like, I know a few people there.

 

wow thats awesome lucky you. I just got my metra kit in the mail yesterday probably goin to do the install today of my kenwood ddx812

 

what ever happened guys? did it work? did you lose anything?

 

If I understand correctly, the factory nav patches the audio through at the amp level (not at the headunit). So replacing the head unit will not affect the voice overlay from the navigation. Now if you go aftermarket on the amp/speakers, you will almost certainly lose the voice overlay (unless you have an amp that can patch the audio in - not many can).

One idea for you if you do go that route (aftermarket amp/speakers): Run a small amp and a 3.5" speaker in the factory center speaker location and (with a decent amount of work) identify the voiceover signal source and patch it to the center speaker, which will be used for nothing other than nav.

 

Yea i did the instal other than this being wicked difficult with cramped space and a rats nest of wires and like no place to put the axess box it turned out good. Now i just dont know what the best positioning of my sub box is to get the best sound. It also doesnt seem to be giving as much bass as im used to, however before i had a scion tc with an open hatch. The nav does still come through the speakers tho. Another weird thing i noticed is when i first turn on the car or if the volume is off theres a static noise that comes through the speakers its pretty loud sounds like an airplane almost

 

do you hear the same static when the volume is set low, but not completely off?

 

uhhhmmmm...im not 100% but i have to say no once the volume is on it goes away

 

Sounds like one of two possibilities to me: 1. a ground loop from the installation of the head unit 2. a fault in the factory Bose amp. If you're feeling adventurous this weekend (or whenever), swap your factory HU back in for a quick test and see if you get the same behavior, if you do, it's the amp, if not, it's probably a ground loop. I would suggest ensuring that you ground the wires from the aftermarket HU installation to a good chassis point to ensure a proper ground for the aftermarket HU.

 

I have a2007 grand touring w/ factory and I have been thinking about this a lot before I spend a tone of money. Here is my idea if I read this right.
Replace the HU and all speakers. Run new wires from new hu to new speakers. Keep the bose amp and the factory center speaker hooked up. If the nav voice is patched in at the boss amp, then you should be able to use the useless center speaker for nav voice only. What do you guys think? Or do I have no clue what I'm talking about?