Got a New Headunit... AVIN 7in

[Ramrod 10+ year member]

Ok I'm on my 3rd Double Din install in my 2010 Charger. My first double din I had a buddy help me because I haven't installed a Radio since high school. (15yrs ago)The double din was a motorized 7in touch screen from BOSS. Well since the screen moved the bezel opening needed opening. So he broke out a belt sander and went to town. It wasn't a super clean cut and looked hacked. Never was too happy with it, but I paid for a basic radio install and it ended up far from a basic install. The BOSS Double Din also stuck out 1/2in. Which wasn't pleasing to the eye. So I started looking for a non-motorized screen and that's when I found the OttaNavi unit. The OttaNavi was overall larger then a normal Double Din. Since the bezel was already hacked up. It went it just fine. Yet again not 100% happy with the turn out.

First Double Din install. Notice how much was cut and how much really didn't need it. Also the distance the radio actually sticks out.

My last OttaNavi unit installed. Notice the Gaps all around the unit and double din kit. Also notice how thin the bezel material is between hazards and radio.

So I started with another new Double Din Radio (Avinusa.com), new bezel and new Double Din Adapter. Figured I would start from scratch and try to do it better.

What I learned from the last installs mistakes and how I addressed them.

Cutting the bezel to fit a larger Screen: I didn't want to fiberglass and repaint anything. Didn't want to tackle such a large project right now. So I wanted a simpler install. First I figured how I wanted to cut it. Last bezel was cut on top and bottom and the full width of the opening. So I had gaps in top and bottom by the adapters. Also the bezel got super thin between the radio and hazard switches. So I went with just cutting on the bottom of the opening and just cutting with width of the radio. Which resulted in a much tighter fit and no gaps.

Not all Double Din Adapters are the same. I didn't know this until I ordered a new one for this install. They all look very much the same. The top names for these installs are Metra and Scosche kits. However they are lacking one big feature. The CLIP Mounts. Without them the bezel won't sit snug against the dash well. The Xscorpion brand has the clip mounts and holes for the pegs that are also on the bezel. The Xscorpion also has a better lip around it. That fills in the gaps for a better looking install. I also think it overall fits the look better. It's more squared off and flat looking compared to the others. So I recommend the Xscorpion kit. They can be found on E-Bay and Amazon pretty cheap. ($10)

First two pictures are the Metra then Scosche Kits.

and now the Xscorpion kit. Noticed square holes/clip mounts on the sides.

Wiring Harness. Metra 70-6522 is what I needed for mine. 2010 SE Model with 4 speakers and no steering wheel controls. ($8)

Ok so my new Double Din was not only Taller and Wider then my previous Double Dins. So I had to finesse it a little. The Xscorpion Kit needed to be narrowed up and the underneath lip needed to be notched to sit flush with the radio. My Metra kit needed that same notch.

Here is the Notch I had to put in the kit. I used a Dremel with a sanding drum.

Click to read more...

 

[Ramrod 10+ year member]

Next step was to narrow up the Xscorpion kit. Since this radio is wider also. I started off my just running it across some sand paper and a file. Was taking to long. So I broke out the hand sander and turned it upside down in a Vise. In a matter of minutes. I had it perfect.

**Just make sure to take a little off at a time and keep checking the fitment. It's always easier to remove then add material**..lol

Next step was cutting the bezel. This is when you need to take your time. I held the radio in by hand and marked the back side of the bezel of what I needed to removed. The only material I removed was from the bottom. I made to make sure it was a snug fit and kept checking the fitment during the process.

Here is a picture of a stock bezel uncut.

Before you start cutting. Make sure to remove the Vents, Hazard switch and Climate controls.

Mark the width you need. Then take some tape to lay down to mark your depth. Again I used my Dremel. For the ends I used a metal cutting bit to get cleaner corner to match the radio. I used the sanding drum to remove the rest. TIP: Don't set your Dremels speed to high to were you are melting the material. Set it lower and sand it off. You will get a much cleaner and smoother cut.

Dremel Attachments

 

[Ramrod 10+ year member]

The cutting of the bezel.........

All Done....

Now it's not 100% perfect, but being on bottom and under the lip of the radio. You can't see it..

Now this is the perfect time to get the Xscorpion adapters bolted to the radio. With the Radio and Adapters is in place. Look on the side of the radio and see if any of the screw holes are accessible. If not you need to mark it and open them up. I again used the Cutting bit for this..

The kit came with bolts for this, but they where to short. So I made a trip to Lowes. I boight 1/2in long bolts and Washers. I used 2 washers per bolt. Has spacers and to secure brackets.

This is as far as I got last night. Test fitted it into the dash. Everything went right in nice and easy. Once fitment is correct. Re-install the vents, Climate controls and hazards. The top will need a small spacer to bring it out flush. But that's no big deal.

I will get the wiring harness attached sometime in the next two days and have this all finished up. My new radio has no CD/DVD slot and just uses USB. Plans are to run a USB Hub to the dash for easy access and a Multi Port device in the glove box. That reads SD, Micro SD and USB's.

 

[Ramrod 10+ year member]

OK 100% finished...

Only been playing with it for a couple of hours. Moves very smooth between screens, touch screen has been working flawlessly, Mirror Link linked up in seconds, The Image Quality is great and best I have had so far, ect.. More to come...

Home Screen and one of the Pages...

 

---------- Post added at 12:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:46 AM ----------

 

2 pictures of Video.. Didn't pause the video either when I snapped these.. Pretty clear.. I haven't removed the protective screen cover tat was on it yet... Figured I'll keep that on there for a while.

Name that TV Show.....

 

[Ramrod 10+ year member]

Just installed an update to the unit via USB from Avin last night. Cleaned up the Home page and made it look even better... I'll snap pictures of it later and post up. Trying to figure a way to take a screen shot from the headunit like you can with a tablet or phone. My camera gets an odd glare and washes the colors out. The unit runs Android pretty well. Every thing scrolls, open and closes like it should.

BT Music Screen

Radio Screen

Music from USB

 

[Ramrod 10+ year member]

I attached this to one of the USB ports from the back of the radio and mounted this under my dash near my ignition for easy quick access..

Then I used this to leave in the glove box for music and Movies, that will stay in the car all the time.