iCrap

Who has installed any of those aftermarket HU's from China (the ones with nav and video in and stuff) and how well do they work?

tsxguy00

I've seen threads about these and apparently they work well except that your climate control information won't display.

iCrap

Yeah i've seen those as well. Not having climate control info is kind of a big deal though... I am still looking for alternate options.

firebrand13

I have a P-81 installed, which is from Power Acoustik and is actually for an 8th Gen accord. It is plug and play, except for the fact that the shroud around it doesn't fit in the stock location (since it is made for an Accord). In other words, all the plugs plug into each other perfectly, no splicing or re-wiring necessary. I have been wanting to take it to a shop or break down and fabricate myself, but time and money have been factors recently.


The only thing that doesn't work properly on this unit is that it doesn't tell you the info when you are playing a CD. Since I don't really do that, I don't really care. A/C info, XM, iPod, everything works like stock. Plus it plays DVDs, navigation etc.


Besides not being able to just install it in my car, apparently the GPS uses Bluetooth and this interferes with the TPMS system, causing errors in the TPMS like after 45 minutes of driving. Again, not a big deal for me.

iCrap

Do you have a link? I can't seem to find it.

firebrand13

http://poweracoustik.com/store/

it is called the p-81acrd. I bought mine from amazon due to the price difference. Amazon has the same thing for half the price.

djhtsx

iTrader: (2)

The ones I've seen displayed climate control. I'll see if I can find the link.

BlackNsexy2010

icrap..any updates? and firebrand did you find a bezel yet? i think the f81 being pretty similarly priced nowadays on amazon would be better.. over p 81..both are the same except they have different backgrounds-- p81 comes with a skull. there are videos on you tube of it

iCrap

No, i've not yet found a good solution.

ArtJ

I'm looking to install one of these in my 2011 wagon...I'm thinking of getting a used bezel/hood off ebay and modifying it with my dremel......does anyone know if this unit actually fits in the slot on the base vehicle....I'm concerned that the main connector on the P81 will interfere....the stock unit's connector points to the side while the P81 points rearward which may possibly prevent the assembly from sliding fully back into the dash.

devitocoke

Thank you for this, i am going to order one. This is just what i have been looking for.

ArtJ

I just purchased one of these from an Ebay car parts operation....it was about $120 with the electronics package...it's supposed to fit 2009 through 2012 model years. My first goal is to see if it physically fits into the info display slot in my 2011 wagon....if it does, I'll remove the electronics package and go to work on the shroud and bezel assembly with my Dremel and jig saw to hopefully fit it to the P-81......if the shroud doesn't fit into the dash everything gets returned and nothing ventured, nothing gained

iCrap

I considered doing that but when it's all done it's going to be like $700+..

ArtJ

I'm hoping to keep total costs under $500 but it'll be 2 or 3 weeks before I even know if I can do this....I'm going to order the P81 from amazon because of their liberal return policy so I don't get stuck with the unit if this doesn't work out. I got a quote from a local car audio place and they wanted $700 just to fabricate a bezel so I figure this is my only option.

BlackNsexy2010

Did you look at the f81? I ask because one thing ppl don't like about the p81 although I heard recently they changed it is that it has this weird skull logo... Both products are the same just the logos are different...drive accord has some great reviews on both

ArtJ

Yes I did....some of the guys on drive accord mentioned that the P81 skull was removed on their late 2012 units so I'm hoping that amazon carries fresh stock.....they also sell the F81 but through a third party whose return policy isn't as care-free as amazon's. I'll give the P81 a chance but I need to see if I can fit it up to the shroud assembly I found on ebay.....I'm hopeful

BlackNsexy2010

Yeah I saw that..I didn't know how u can tell which version you are buying.. Hopefully u get no skulls.. Ebay sells the f81 for about 370.. Idk if this is the same third party ..they have a euro tsx on the box..any way good luck and snap some pics for us.. I'm hoping it works lol

ArtJ

For sure....I'll document the entire effort if it doesn't get scuttled on day 1 due to poor fitment Although I don't have anything in hand yet the rear facing connector on the P81 worries me with respect to proper seating of the entire assembly....I wonder if the accord dash is a bit deeper than the tsx dash affording the connector a bit of room....I tried to take some measurements today inside the dash but my hands almost froze off....I'm thinking this is a good spring project

bagwell

iTrader: (1)

used one for $194 on amazon now


assuming something like would require a different harness?? http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-2014-acura-tsx-complete-navigation-system-/121255591353?hash=item1c3b657db9&vxp=mtr

iCrap

Yeah I'm sure it needs a harness... dosen't look like it comes with any either.

ArtJ

Looks like the dismantler sent my part Priority Mail so I should have it tomorrow instead of next weekend....if its not too cold I can check the fit of the part with my vehicle and order the P81 although I wish I had some measurements for that dang thing ahead of time

BlackNsexy2010

Shoot firebrand a message.. He has one installed already( 4th post above) they are different and you will have a gap with just the p81acrd but idk how much ..and I hear you man ..cold as hell

ArtJ

Yep...high of 19F tomorrow with 10 inches of snow....brrrrrrr.
Ok...I may send him a message....he's actually my inspiration for this project in the first place If the P81 is smaller than the OEM shroud that would be great news because I can fabricate some kind of bezel out of lucite or even light ply to cover up the gaps....if it's larger than the shroud I'm in trouble....abandon ship.

BlackNsexy2010

Yeah I didn't even know about it until I saw his post... I have a feeling it's going to be smaller ...and I hear you man..stupid snow messing up my system build..at least you can be in the car and shut the doors

ArtJ

I received the new shroud today and it fits into my dash perfectly....the oem-navagation shroud has a clear lens to protect the display screen...it detaches easily from the shroud assembly but of course I managed to crack it during the removal...no big deal as I won't be needing it anyway but to make this installation "oem" I'll have to transfer the trim-edge from my old shroud to the "new" one to clean up the edge a bit....you can see what I mean in the photo...the trim edge snaps into the tabs that surround the shroud...next step is to order the P81 and see if I can fit it to the shroud...gulp.

BlackNsexy2010

Nice man.. Take lots of pics .. Will be following this closely

ArtJ

U bet.....just ordered the P81 from Amazon...Friday is expected delivery so won't be much to report till then....If the mounting situation works out, then I can worry about the trim piece for the edge later on otherwise it's a moot point so I can't really sweat the details right now....one thing I did notice about the 2009 shroud is that the finish is a bit glossy vs. mine which is matte but no big deal because its so deep inside the dash and not terribly visible.....a quick spray with a rattle can would take care of that anyway Now I need to throw the 2009 Nav electronics box back on Ebay to recoup some dosh. Stay tuned!

devitocoke

Here is mine, does anyone have the write up to install it (take apart the dashboard, etc).

BlackNsexy2010

http://www.smartauto24.com/docs/inst...e/991-8989.pdf

Here's how to take out the dash.. Supposed to be plug and play .. Haven't seen too much more detail on this.. Are you going to make a custom bezel.?

Either of you guys get a backup camera or DVD player?

U could try drive accord for more info or message firebrand

ArtJ

I didn't buy the camera yet....first I'm gonna see if the P81 fits the dash properly....hopefully this weekend. If not, P81 goes back to Amazon.

devitocoke

Let me know if the P81 connect flush with TSX shroud. The P81 is connected to the accord shroud by 4 screws, it was easy to remove.

ArtJ

Ok guys....not great news today....first off, the P81 did not turn on in my 2011 wagon so I have to assume either some kind of incompatibility or perhaps Amazon shipped me a dud. Second, the mounting situation is a bit dicey....the P81 package as-is won't fit the TSX navigation bezel....it's a perfect fit into the frame in the vertical dimension but is way too wide in the horizontal....the only way around that is to Dremel off the mounting ears of the P81 and then file down the sides to get rid of a couple more millimeters....I never pass up a chance to fit a cutoff wheel onto my Dremel but without this thing even lighting up I'm afraid I've hit a dead end.....maybe you guys will have better luck.....I'm open to ideas

BlackNsexy2010

Art..you've come too far..you must not give up now..we are all counting on you

Lol..alright but walk us through it.. How hard was the install itself? Does your old headunit work still... Is it possible u popped a fuse? Did you run a wire to the parking brake? Or somewhere next to it.. I forget what wire but I know you have to connect something over there.. Then I'm not sure if it's this or the one other one(f81) but there is switch in the back of it... Is it set to the right option

ArtJ

Blacknsexy.....you bring up a good point....all I did to test the unit was to plug in the gray connector....just swapped it from my oem display unit to the P81 and it failed to light up (the old unit still lights up fine so no fuses blown). There is a green "parking" wire on the P81 wire harness (which was not plugged into the P81 at the time) but no description about where to hook this wire up to...do you think this is keeping the unit from turning on? I figured just plugging in the main gray connector would do the trick but maybe I'm wrong?? I also put the little DIP switch in the back of the unit into both positions but that didn't work either.... If I can get the unit to power up I'll give it another go....I'm 90% certain I can get it to fit the TSX bezel with a little cutting and grinding.

ArtJ

Fixed the power problem...turns out there's a critical component supplied with this product to assure power delivery to the unit....it's known as the on-off switch
Goofy mistake on my part but there's a second harness which connects to a small box which houses the power switch and SD card socket for the maps....once I plugged that in all was well....gonna take a day or two off from the project and do some thinking....hopefully better thoughts than I've had the last two days....and BTW, no skulls on my screen.

devitocoke

ArtJ I can't wait, I am trying to find the shroud for a good price.

BlackNsexy2010

You can call me justin.. I really should have put more thought into my username lol.. Okay so tell us the scoop man.. Do ac controls show. Bluetooth still work fine? Steering wheel controls work? Does ac auto set to 72 degrees .. Is tpms coming on? And what about that green wire..did u end up hooking that up.. I know accord ppl also had to do something where they had to tap into the USB wire or so I think.l is the USB still working? And good job man.. Good to see the progress ..

Anyone know if we can add RCA outs to this thing?

ArtJ

Ok...I know I said I wouldn't look at this for a couple of days but now I mean it
Did one more thing earlier today....turns out there's no way in heck to get the P81 unit to slide neatly into the TSX frame....I wish. But.....what I did find is that if you take the bezel off of the P81, the screen then slides into the TSX frame like it was made to do so...check out the photos. My next strategy will be to modify the P81 box so that it fits flush against the screen which will sit inside the TSX frame....that will definitely involve cutting the box down in height with a cutoff wheel....oh man I'm into this thing deep now.
Edit...just saw Justin's post.....steering wheel controls worked fine, oem bluetooth was fine, i.e. both handsfree link and bluetooth to my phone's music app. AC/Heat worked fine, am, fm, xm was fine...didn't try the cd player cause I don't have any.......temp comes up as 72...no big deal I guess.

devitocoke

Is it the same fitment with the non navi housing v navi housing?

ArtJ

Devitocoke....You gotta use the Navi shroud...the non-nav shroud has a very small bezel so you can't fit an 8 inch screen in there.

.............BUT I THINK WE'RE ALMOST DONE!
Too many ideas bringing me back to the workbench.....here's what I did:
I removed the circuit board from the P81 box...easy to do....6 small screws...just back 'em out, pull the power connector from the back and drop the box off. Then I created a cutline all around the box with blue tape....check the photos to see where I placed the line. Using a Dremel cutoff wheel, I slowly worked around the box with a metal straight edge to keep the cut even.....then I screwed the circuit board back down...now the whole assembly fits on the back of the shroud unit like its OEM.....last thing to figure out is how to hold everything to the frame but there are 2 screws on each side of the frame which seem perfect for some "L" brackets and bushings to provide a pressure hold-down type of thing.....the hard part is done but I need everyone's help for the last steps PLEASE!
Ok...that's enough for today...have a good weekend guys.