Irishelvis99

Apologies for asking a dumb question. NooB here

Why all the cutting with a dremel to the shroud? I am really interested in this and if I am looking at the pictures you all have graciously provided, the only cut needed was the back of the P81 housing to cut down on the depth of the unit so that it could fit back into the dash.

Of the dry fit pics I have seen here, it looks like that the whole assembly fits perfectly after you attach the screen so why are you routing the nav shroud you bought?

I am not that skilled with a dremel nor do I have the patience to make it look perfect.

Any clarification would be appreciated

ArtJ

There's a clear lens on the navigation shroud that blocks access to the P81 touch screen...one way or the other you gotta get rid of it.

iCrap

Pulled my stock screen out today.. it's super easy.

Gonna maybe relocate the stock LCD somewhere else and put in an 8" screen in the factory location.

BlackNsexy2010

Icrap do you know which one you are going to get?

iCrap

I am considering several options.... First i need to make the bezel like ArtJ and firebrand did. and @artj, how big is the cutout? enough for 8" screen?

So i will either
- Get that P81 unit
- Install a tablet in the stock location (relocate stock screen for temp settings)
- Install 8" HDMI screen in stock location, connect to either my phone or install carputer (this would give the most functionality) Also, reloacate stock screen so i still have temp settings.

ArtJ

icrap.....got some pics below.....had a lot of glare in the shop tonight for some strange reason....hope the photos are good enough....let me know if you need re-dos

ArtJ

Should mention that the diagonal inside the cut out measures 8 inches and I think the P81 is technically an 8 inch screen.

iCrap

Thanks. That's super helpful. Looks like any 8 inch should fit fine.

ArtJ

No prob......your project sounds intriguing

BlackNsexy2010

I'm making progress got the bezel.. Now to find a p81

iCrap

Where did you get the bezel? I'm still searching for a cheap one.

ArtJ

Try these dudes in CA....I got mine from them on Ebay but it looks like you can buy direct.....I checked them out on Google Earth and they have a gigantic lot with wall to wall Hondas.

http://stores.ebay.com/acurahondapar...p2047675.l2563
http://www.redlineparts.com/

ArtJ

Justin.....got any pics yet?

iCrap

Seems like they don't have any. I'll keep searching eBay.

iCrap

I found a nav bezel assembly but it's $340ish.. how much did you guys pay for yours?

ArtJ

I got mine for $120 including shipping from Redline parts on Ebay but quite honestly I don't know why it was priced so low...maybe they just needed to get rid of some slow selling stock. I was lucky enough to see it about 10 minutes after it was listed and I jumped on it. You can always contact the other overpriced sellers on Ebay and ask them what they would "really" sell it for if you know what I mean.

BlackNsexy2010

No pics.. I got it for like 280 off ebay.. Def feel I overpaid.. I saw it and got excited and it was just so easy with the ebay app lol.. I haven't even opened it yet.. I still need to get a p81.. Hopefully we will see some nice weather this weekend

skathe

so are you replacing the stock screen? also not sure if u answered this yet but do you know which headunit youre going to get?

ArtJ

I received my little Ebay $25 backup camera today.....tested it on the flatscreen and it seems to produce an acceptable image...the infrared LED's work very well in a darkened room....there are 3 target lines as I recall that represent various distances from the camera so at some point I'll figure out what the actual separation is between lines using objects and measured distances.....hope this thing installs as easily as its supposed to

BlackNsexy2010

Skathe.. I'm going to get the p81acrd.. It's plug and play... It will replace the stock screen.. I don't want to go the route you are taking.. I want things to look stock

skathe

i hear ya, i almost did the same but its so far to reach to put a touch screen in the stock location, im sure that unit comes with a remote but i lose that shit all the time haha.

ArtJ

I checked out the cable run situation in the wagon today and decided it would be a HUGE headache to pull all the panels and trim required to run the video cable to the dash....I could be wrong but I believe the sedan would be a heckuvalot easier to work on as half the run is in the trunk. I'm opting for a wireless link....about $20 on Ebay or Amazon.

BlackNsexy2010

Idk.. I figured I don't really need to use the touchscreen all that often.. Plus.. It seems like an install I can handle.. And it has an RCA out if I've read correctly.. Just one though.. Help us with our ms8s to go preamp factory amp.. Even though I saw your going to get rid of yours...

And yeah that trunk run probably won't be easy..def time consuming... Let us know which camera you get

Where has firebrand been.. I wonder if she has any updates on hers

ArtJ

Hey Justin....I wound up getting that little camera from Ebay...it's supposed to be a direct replacement for one of the license plate lights which it appears to be.....one big miss, however, is that it's not supplied with a rubber gasket so either I'll have to transfer the gasket from the OEM light or I'll make my own with RTV. Here's an Ebay link for one of those wireless camera kits:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390557074388?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Haven't heard from firebrand either but if her work week was anything like mine I can understand

ArtJ

Making very slooooow progress but found a home for the Navigation speaker today....it fits pretty well into the space reserved for the extra speaker in the tech package. The GPS antenna is tucked in under the dash to the right of the speaker....I was in a rush and didn't really check my work so I hope the GPS antenna is in a decent spot.

ArtJ

.....and a little more progress.
I was able to snake the main harness from the dashboard to the glovebox....with a section of metal clothing hanger it's actually a really easy job. I removed the cabin filter door at the back of the glovebox (also removed that goofy shelf they give you....should've thrown that away on day 1) and noticed a wide open hole to snake through.......I cut a notch in the cabin filter door to be able to pass the harness through into the glovebox then used velcro to hang the power box from the roof of the glovebox....total time was about 30 minutes.

BlackNsexy2010

I hear you man.. I have no time either... Glad to see the progress... Hopefully tomorrow will be productive...

How much space is in that center .. You think I could fit a 6.5 inch speaker in there? Most likely not..but I'm hopeful lol

ArtJ

6.5 inch maybe a bit large but u can pop the grill off with a small pry tool on the top of the dash and have a quick look.....there's a lot of space in there really....I just wish there was a bit more space in the area behind the shroud.....I cut my knuckles up routing the wires through there yesterday....there's just no room to move and I don't have gorilla hands either. If it gets into the 50's today I may have a go at giving the shroud a couple coats of matte black outside then run the whole thing into the shop fast for a good hard-dry....not hopeful about that though Get ready for snow on Tuesday Justin.

ArtJ

Did some more testing on my little Ebay backup camera....I'm now rating it somewhere between piece of junk and useless....my initial impressions were way off......exploring other options.

firebrand13

hey guys. My new work sent me for training, so last week I was out of town for two days and this week I'm out of town all week! Needless to say, not much getting done on the car. I am almost thinking i'll find a shop I trust to finish my work... but I know I won't be satisfied with what they do...


With the center speaker/space, I would think you could ask the tech owners if they have replaced their center speaker with anything larger than stock. I would be shocked and amazed if a 6.5 fit there, but you never know.


I know how I am going to install and I hope it works: Nav speaker will go on the driver side right behind the plastic that details the dash (I can't think of the name right now, sorry (Income analysis ruins my brain sometimes). GPS antenna will go underneath the speaker grill in the center of the dash. The DVD will go in the glovebox in that useless shelf they have in there, same with the iPod connection and the black box they provide. The Aux/DVD sound wires I am going to route to the Aux plug in the center console so I can plug/unplug at will. This will be the most obvious not-stock item. My rear-view camera is supposedly a sony, but I doubt it. I have no idea how good it is, but it is also supposed to have night vision etc. It fits the same way, in to the license plate light area. On my accord, I had the Power acoustic camera and, while it worked fine, it stuck out like a sore thumb. I don't want an obvious camera on my tsx.


I am doing this under quick reply, so I s'pose I should make it quick ;-)


Oh, that reminds me... I drove around with the unit in the car for a while (I had to buy a new one, my other screen fried) and there are still skulls on the new one. It is no longer in the load up screen, but it still has the same Screensaver and it has little skulls in a few of the other utilities, the iPod screen for example. The skull shows you how far in to the song you are. I wanted to put that out there since I know some people are unhappy with the skulls. I have no intent to sell my car, so I could care less. I like the skulls here and there.

ArtJ

Good to see you back firebrand....I was hoping you hadn't given up on us but sorry to hear about the dead screen....it could have gotten fried from static discharge during handling. The project is slow on my end as well....the weather is playing an especially large part in killing progress....I need a 60 degree day to hit the shroud with matte-black paint...after that I can do my final install but unfortunately we're about 40 degrees away from that in the northeast. I expect to see a new camera and transmitter/receiver set from Amazon when I get home today....I'll post some pics and a test result of the video gear in the next couple of days. In a way I think it's a good thing that we're collectively making slow progress....it gives everyone the chance to digest the details

ArtJ

...and speaking of details.....I filed a notch into the center of the shroud as shown in the pic. A few weeks back when I tested the P81 I noticed there's a small icon in the middle of the screen that lets you rapidly switch between apps....when the unit is installed using the stock Honda dash kit this icon is easily accessible, however, the TSX shroud cuts off a couple of millimeters from the upper portion of the screen making access to the icon hit or miss. I'm hoping the notch will take care of the issue....it's not a big deal as you can switch between apps anyway just by hitting the screen and exiting the current app but it's a nice-to-have kinda thing.

ArtJ

Finally a great day for spray painting.....hit the assembly with a couple coats of matte black to match the dash.....now let's see if I can install this thing.

ArtJ

Ok guys....looks like the job is just about complete....I was able to install the assembly into the dash but it took a while because the cables and trip box were doing their best to undermine my efforts...I prevailed
The only thing left to do is install the camera and wireless link but that will have to wait a bit as another cold snap is headed our way this week. I'm really happy with the results....it looks like it rolled out of the factory with the P81 already installed. I'll get acquainted with the unit over the course of the week and report anything unusual but for now I'm thrilled with the look and resolution of the new screen. Sorry for the dark photos but the gray clouds are already moving in and my flash just bounces off the screen and obliterates everything.

iCrap

looks great!
i'm still on the search for a cheap bezel for my project.

ArtJ

Thanks icrap....it's a serious upgrade to the dull oem screen...so far I'm luv'n it. Take your time hunting for the shroud and don't be afraid to low-ball the ebay sellers. Hoping to get the camera installed sometime this month but it's a pretty big job on the wagon even with a wireless link....gotta drop the liner on the rear door to get to the electric stuff....maybe another 2 hours to go

BlackNsexy2010

Congrats man..awesome work.. Upload a video if you can..

If you did it all over again..how long do you think it would take.. And any tips ?

BlackNsexy2010

It def looks oem.. And that notch is on point

ArtJ

Thanks Justin....I'm really elated with the results...today will be a good cold weather test to see how the screen performs....I'll be in the car shortly
One thing about the notch...it turns out to be pretty mandatory if you want to use the middle icon to switch quickly between apps. I tried the screen with and without the notch and I have to say that 2 mm's makes all the difference....it's actually a really nice way to navigate between screens and its a big part of the functionality of this unit.
One tip for installation that I can offer is to remove any cable from the input-output plug that you won't be using. For example, I'm only using the Nav antenna, Nav speaker, and video input so I removed all the other audio ins/outs. The space situation behind the dash in the TSX is really tight so anything you can do to free up some space will help you fit the thing in there.
I would say be prepared to spend a total of about 6 hours getting the shroud ready for installation....that includes cutting down the P81 box, cutting the shroud, sanding, polishing, painting, etc...in reality my 6 hours spanned 2 1/2 months .....another hour or two to pull the main harness, video cable, etc through the dash and then some extra time to install your camera. I don't think this is unreasonable since it's such a custom job....a professional shop would easily quote you 12 to 16 hours on this job which around here would run you $1200++ !
If I can get a volunteer in my household to handle the camera phone I'll attempt to do a video when things warm up a bit.....back soon!

ArtJ

Some observations from today's drive in no particular order of import:

My 2011 base wagon came with an iPod / USB cable which allows the system to play through the Aux button and displays song info, etc on the stock display.....the P81 faithfully reproduces this functionality only better.

The stock bluetooth icon indicating connectivity to handsfreelink appears on the P81 screen as well.

The P81 Nav function requires you to accept the legal mumbo jumbo every time you call up the app but the beautiful screen kinda trumps that concern once you're in.....most folks these days probably just use their smart phone maps anyway but I like in dash Navs as I drive in semi-familiar areas just in case I start getting lost.....that way I can have the map up as I drive without actually inputting a destination.

The outside temp this morning was 18 degrees F....no apparent effect on screen quality, screen response speed, etc.

The well known HVAC 72 degree issue is a fact....every time you start the car your hvac system will be set to 72F....no big deal for me personally but I know it grates on some folks.

Boot time is a bit lengthy and comes packaged with a short obnoxious sound....maybe someone on the accord forums has figured out a hack to kill the sound

The P81 screen is pretty immune to direct sunlight bleaching....as we all know the stock screen virtually disappears under bright sunlight.
In short, this is an awesome upgrade and my immediate thought after completing the install is why Acura would equip a really nice car with a low-rent, dim-witted display.
Hopefully the P81 keeps chugging