Car Audio Deck from FF

[MonkeyRPN]

Hi,

I was shopping at FF today, and noticed that they're offering free installations for their car audio decks priced over $149.99. My current audio deck in my car is pretty much close to dying... it keeps eating my discs. So I asked the sales associate what the deal is. He explained to me if I buy a deck priced at least $149.99 (I'm considering this Sony one http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10080433&catid= ), I can get free installation. That's an approximate $50 value. BUT I would have to purchase the mounting kit and harness... which both equal to about $50....

anyway, I know nothing about installing audio decks... what is this mounting kid and harness? Is this overall a deal? or a rip?

Thanks.

[o0vL]

i got my deck installed by FS maybe 2 weeks ago. I spent a total of 232.51. This included the deck (Pioneer DEH-P200MP), after market deck mount...so there wouldnt be a huge hole in my center console, harness, radio adapter and something else. Installation was 30mins, and they will remove the deck out of your car whenever...lets say if you get a new car. i guess its a good deal if you dont know how to install your deck and you dont want to mess up your car.

[onecoolloser]

How hard can it be...replaing your HU? .. i wonder.. Isn't it just, remove, get wiring harness, plug, screw back on, and ta-daa?

[akide]

yup, you either have to use butt-connectors or solder and then heat shrink/ the wires to the new deck,

the hardest part is taking apart your dash and getting your old head unit out.

[cereal83]

the hardest part is if you have a dash that isn't after market deck friendly.

Other then thats it's pretty easy. Just buy a wiring adapter for your car, a faceplate for your car and line up the wires and attach them, then plug the antenna in.

[onecoolloser]

If you're adventurous you can tackle this DIY. If you need to know how to remove your dash/trim, join a forum for your specific car and 90% there is a How-To on removing dash.

What car is it, btw?

& Also, I would stay away from SONY decks. I've been hearing that they're not that great.

You should check out THIS CLARION (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10085974&catid=)and THIS PIONEER (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10079532&catid=).

[MonkeyRPN]

Thank you for all the replies. They're really helpful. I'm totally clueless with car audio stuff, so I think I'm gonna let FS install it for me. By the way, I have a 1998 Suzuki Grand Vitara.

The Clarion seems promising. Cause I'm looking for a deck that has an Aux outlet to plug in my iPod.

[onecoolloser]

Thank you for all the replies. They're really helpful. I'm totally clueless with car audio stuff, so I think I'm gonna let FS install it for me. By the way, I have a 1998 Suzuki Grand Vitara.

The Clarion seems promising. Cause I'm looking for a deck that has an Aux outlet to plug in my iPod.

THIS JVC (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10084255&catid=#) has an Aux input and a remote and it's $50 cheaper.

In the end its your choice. See how they both stack up in your books with terms to menu navigation etc., and choose what you like best. But I'd stay away from Sony.

[ES_Revenge]

THIS JVC (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10084255&catid=#) has an Aux input and a remote and it's $50 cheaper.
Front panel Aux inputs FTL, IMO.

But I'd stay away from Sony.
You might want to be a little more current with that comment. 1999 to ~2004, most Sony car heads were of relatively poor quality, however it's several years after 2004 and they've been making decent gear again for a while. Unfortunately they did drop the Specialty Series line (where they had their better decks for a couple years) but they are making fairly good HUs again these days.

[onecoolloser]

You might want to be a little more current with that comment. 1999 to ~2004, most Sony car heads were of relatively poor quality, however it's several years after 2004 and they've been making decent gear again for a while. Unfortunately they did drop the Specialty Series line (where they had their better decks for a couple years) but they are making fairly good HUs again these days.

Yes, you may be right, but I'm just sharing my experiences with them.