I was going through the japanese site and noticed a third (and fourth) radio configuration.

The first, and highest end controls are for the nav equiped Z's and as far as I can tell are the same across the Pacific.

The second stereo, we are used to seeing as the base stereo here. It looks like a double din stereo shoved into a slot. Some will like this for going aftermarket.

There is a third stereo for the JDM market that uses the full middle section (See attached for third and fourth). It looks much cleaner than the tacked in looking stocker.

The fourth is a delete option.

So here's my issue: why offer us a crappy third option instead of the same stereo or a delete option? I like the Nav system and am on the fence about getting one come January. My problem with the nav system is that it comes with very VERY cheap stereo/ac controls, which I absolutely HATE. Regardless of what I do, Nissan dropped the ball on the US market stereo offerings.

Speaking of which, does anyone know if there is a way to hook up the steering wheel controls to an aftermarket unit?

 

Here's the cheap looking US model.

 

I have been wondering about this as well. I'm a fan of the touring interior in general so I will more than likely get a fully equipped Z with navi. I probably won't mod this one as heavily as my previous 2...just a simple drop and rims should be plenty.

 

Good find, when I fisrt saw the base stereo face plate I was like thats pretty bad. Radio A in that pic has a much better looking face plate and would have been a better choice for the North American market!

 

Does it really matter? It's getting replaced anyway.

 

with this!

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...eries+Features

 

Would it be at all possible to configure an aftermarket unit like this to work with the stero controls on the steering wheel?

 

anythings possible with enough time. but im sure it would be a royal pita to mod.

i woudl just put a alacantara racing steering wheel in it. or the momo that the Evo or gallard uses.

 

Thank god! I felt so uncomfortable not having a constant reminder of the passenger airbag being off but now all is well, i am just hoping that the LED in that huge round reminder is bright enough to shine through daylight.

 

So radio A is not available here in the USA? That's they one that I like of the 3 pics here.

 

Nissan is smart for realizing that if folks in the US want to upgrade, they will 90% go straight to the aftermarket instead of looking for an OEM solution. OEM dealer installed options are a bigger thing in Japan than they are here. Their take is that folks who "only" buy a non-nav car either won't care what the stereo looks like, or will end up swapping it for an aftermarket unit. Thus they offer only the easily swappable Double DIN unit instead of the difficult to replace third option seen in the pictures. Those who want a "clean looking" and integrated OEM unit will have to step up to the Nav package.

Yes I agree that of the non-nav cars, the 3rd option is the much better looking unit of the two, but the Double DIN unit is more mod friendly and I think this is one of the instances where Nissan is actually catering towards modders.

 

Ok, who's gunna be the first MF to photoshop another stereo in?
Ya, to me it makes little difference what stereo they put in it. It can easily be replaced.

 

Good idea! I shall have to PS a Kenwood DDX812 in that area tonight.

What I'd like to figure out is a subwoofer box design that can support 1-2 amplifiers close to the stabilizer bar area (useless area by the strut towers) and fit a 12" sub with roughly 1 cubic ft. volume. The goal is to make it flush so it doesn't stick up past the stabilizer bar, take up the least amount of area, and doesn't get in the way of the spare wheel. [sigh] I'll need to look at the hatch area more.

 

Bose or Blose should be embarased with that system they put in the 350Z. I would never buy any product by them after having that in my car.

 

I think having the part that has a huge chance of being replaced as the cheapest part is not a bad way to go!

 

at least it has an aux in now

 

LOL Steering wheel controls have never been a problem for quite a while.

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/p...ontrol&x=0&y=0

Like the current crap system..This new one also would be super simple to swap out as well.

Every OEM system sucks imo.

 

^I can't agree less. Most newer OEM systems sounds pretty good, expecially because the car just seems soo designed to handle the volume output. The Z's Bose system just SUCKS.. IDK why, but - It does. Otherwise, I like the crisp-ness of OEM, without the screw-losening sound of swaps.

 

..but, I've never been a big sound "boaster." Music's great - Just don't feel like everyone else needs to hear it.

 

Too true man.. Damn if I know how those people still have their hearing.