[TopSpeeder]

Update on my HU:

The model I discuss here are Pioneer 2012 range products with bluetooth capability.

I have ordered Pioneer AVH 2400 BT from amazon with expedited shipping(within US) for $ 284 (Around Rs 15,336). I should be getting this items in my hand by end of this month when my sister visits here.

My mind was set for AVH 8400 BH, later I have revisited my requirement with comparison of all three models till AVH 2400 and zeroed on this.

The price difference is $242 when compared with AVH 8400 BH.

The audio component is surprisingly same for all the three models in comparison

Some comparison data



What features I will be getting with this HU in addition to OEM HU
1). 5.8" LCD Touch Screen (QVGA)
2). Bluetooth handsfree
3). USB
4). DVD Player(not much use for me)
5). Remote
6). Connectivity for rear view camera


Additional features in Pioneer AVH 8400 BH
1). Better VGA display when compared to QVGA in AVH 2400 BT
2). SD Card Support
3). Bigger Screen
4). Rear USB(2 Nos)
5). MIXTRAX ( I never heard this)
6). Removable panel

I felt, I'm fine missing the above for extra $242 and order it.

[bala80]

Excellent choice of an HU, I had the earlier model of this very same HU on my swift and have only good things to say about this.

One more thing with respect to 8400 BH is that since its a 7 inch motorized display, it will protrude a little from the center console to enable faceplate removal, whereas the 2400BT will sit flush with the facia adapter in place!

Originally Posted by TopSpeeder

Update on my HU:

I have ordered Pioneer AVH 2400 BT from amazon with expedited shipping(within US) for $ 284 (Around Rs 15,336). I should be getting this items in my hand by end of this month when my sister visits here.

My mind was set for AVH 8400 BH, later I have revisited my requirement with comparison of all three models till AVH 2400 and zeroed on this.

[TopSpeeder]

Originally Posted by bala80

Excellent choice of an HU, I had the earlier model of this very same HU on my swift and have only good things to say about this.

One more thing with respect to 8400 BH is that since its a 7 inch motorized display, it will protrude a little from the center console to enable faceplate removal, whereas the 2400BT will sit flush with the facia adapter in place!

it should fit perfectly, I hope the sound quality also would be better.
It's you tempted me to change my HU to get better performance from my Focal, So my credit card bill is on the way to you ... Also I have saved around 5k for buying it from US

If you look at purpose of the larger screen, we may not get a chance to utilize it more than 5.8" screen. Since view angle is not good from rear seat if we play any video. Only person sitting in front passenger seat could watch the video. This fact pushed me to give importance only for sound, 5.8" screen for rear view and menu selection.

I was looking some better rear view camera with 420 lines display, there are two varieties one to fix in number plate and other on bumper mount.

I wanted wide angle 170 degree one, not sure I will be getting number plate mount in wide angle. I have to search it, please let me know if you have info.

Will post pics from unpacking till installation once I get the items.

[TopSpeeder]

Review on wash mitt

I have been using Mothers Lambswool wash mitt for the past two months,

Pros:
- It clean well
- Handy 'thumb' design gives grip while washing
- Wool seems to be real one not fiber

Cons:
- After few washes the wool started coming out
- Because of thumb design it becomes difficult to use other side of the mitt
- It become pain to clean wool came out from mitt
- Becomes hard after drying it

Now here is the state of wash mitt







To replace mothers mitt, Now I have bought Meguairs wash mitt Rs 460 from Throttle, Blr

Pros:
- Easy to use both side of the mitt, thanks to no thumb design
- Easy to dry and rinse

Cons
- White color easily gets changed after first wash

Some pics on it

[bala80]

Trust me, its worth it. You have made the right decision. Do let me know what you feel post the installation. Sorry, I have never used reverse camera till this while and hence unable to answer your question...

Originally Posted by TopSpeeder

It's you tempted me to change my HU to get better performance from my Focal, So my credit card bill is on the way to you .

Try Cobra microfiber towels next time. Its a little on the expensive side compared to Meguairs, but they are simply the best. You can get 2, one for washing and one for drying. Again, need to be bought from US if possible.

Originally Posted by TopSpeeder

To replace mothers mitt, Now I have bought Meguairs wash mitt Rs 460 from Throttle, Blr

[TopSpeeder]

My second service report

Date : 25-05-2012
Kms : 29,858
Place : VW Palace Cross, Blr

Complaints:
- Clutch hardness
- AC not cooling well
- Enable auto unlock
- Add missing VW wheel cap

Completed jobs:
- Clutch hose replaced
- Polan and air filter changed
- Oil changed
- Brake pads and fluid replaced
- Engine mount replaced
- Car cleaned well

After service:
- Car is back as new now
- Engine noise level drastically reduced, feels like more refined now
- Clutch is soft now
- AC, I couldn't notice big difference, will wait and watch

Overall : PalaceCross did a wonderful job, Thanks to my SA

Amount Spent : Rs 10,630

Invoice



Replaced parts pics

[TopSpeeder]

Here is details on my recent cleaning session.

I wanted to try recently bought Black & Decker KP1200 polisher.

Date : 22-05-2012
The cleaning process started by 07:30 Am and completed by 02:00 Pm which is 06 hrs:30 mins. This includes breakfast and tea break.

I'm going to write mainly on polisher since rest of the process we have already discussed it in earlier posts.

Black & Decker KP1200

Whats inside the pack
This unit comes with polisher along with two applicator for polishing. One could used for any swirlx and other for wax.

Pros:
- Low cost Rs 2,700(In Metro)
- Random orbit
- Bigger polisher makes the work faster
- Branded one and can be relied
- Light weight
- Easy to operate

Cons:
- High RPM with random orbit generates heavy vibration. Sometime I'm not able to hold the unit
- No RPM control
- Shorted wire makes you to use extension cord
- 10" polisher not helping to polish the curves
- Service could be questionable, Need to find one when need comes
- Polishing applicator not available in next door

To control RPM
- I'm planning to replace one of the on/off switch with fan regulator and connecting that to socket. Since the motor is 120W, I hope the variable resister in fan regulator will help controlling the RPM.

I haven't tried this solution, so I don't recommend this to anyone till I try this.

Polishing applicator
I'm planning to make more polishing applicator by buying a towel and ask the cloth tailor to make similar ones. This way I don't need to hunt for more applicator when needed. Please let me know if you have any other suggestion?

Some pics here





















End Results
- The swirls are gone now
- Car looks glassy

[el lobo 6061]

Thanks Manickam for the KP1200 review. Hats off for doing such good detailing and you made my day.

Even my car is due for engine mount replacement, but has it made all the difference? Can you elaborate more, even my car is Mar'11.

Now about KP1200. Did you find it too big to use? Were you able to polish the doors easily with it? Rest of the car i.e. hood, bonnet & roof would be easy since they are flat.

Which wax did you use after SwirlX? Aren't applicator pads available after the ones that came with the machine rendered useless?

Sorry for bombarding you with so many question.

[TopSpeeder]

Originally Posted by el lobo 6061

Thanks Manickam for the KP1200 review. Hats off for doing such good detailing and you made my day.

Even my car is due for engine mount replacement, but has it made all the difference? Can you elaborate more, even my car is Mar'11.

I don't know how to interpret the direct benefit of engine mount change.
The difference I'm noticing is very less clattering, but I'm not sure this is because of engine mount change.

Originally Posted by el lobo 6061

Now about KP1200. Did you find it too big to use? Were you able to polish the doors easily with it? Rest of the car i.e. hood, bonnet & roof would be easy since they are flat.

Which wax did you use after SwirlX? Aren't applicator pads available after the ones that came with the machine rendered useless?

Sorry for bombarding you with so many question.

It's big, but light in hand. So you have keep half in the air and remaining portion in body to polish the curved portion and doors.

I have used amway wax first time which comes with amway car wash, but it's liquid wax. Due to high RPM polisher this wax splashes all over :(

As I mentioned, the applicator pads looks easy to make with help. I didn't check where it's available. But planning to make on my own. The one I have used for swrilx is terry cotton one. So we could buy terry towel and make one with elastic.

[xtremeshock]

Awesome thread, man do you love your car.

With respect to ICE could you guide me between Car Entertainment Systems and 2-DIN AV Receiver KW-AVX746 | AV Receiver | Car Audio | JVC India

Which would be a better brand to produce better sound output?? Any help would be well appreciated.

[TopSpeeder]

Originally Posted by xtremeshock

Awesome thread, man do you love your car.

With respect to ICE could you guide me between Car Entertainment Systems and 2-DIN AV Receiver KW-AVX746 | AV Receiver | Car Audio | JVC India

Which would be a better brand to produce better sound output?? Any help would be well appreciated.

I know it's not easy to decide between two, both are good ones.

Feature wise JVC is better with bigger screen, rear USB which you can bring to glove box and face plate removal etc.

Like you mentioned I give importance to sound quality. In this case I believe pioneer score slightly better. Thats the reason I have decided on pioneer 2490 equivalent.

[bala80]

Topspeeder has shared his opinion and I kind of agree with him. Having used both pioneer and JVC HU's, I still think pioneer has an edge over JVC in terms of overall sound quality. A very brief comparison between these two can be found in my ownership thread below -

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...ml#post2657423

Originally Posted by xtremeshock

With respect to ICE could you guide me between Car Entertainment Systems and 2-DIN AV Receiver KW-AVX746 | AV Receiver | Car Audio | JVC India

Which would be a better brand to produce better sound output?? Any help would be well appreciated.

[vigsom]

My second service report

Date : 25-05-2012
Kms : 29,858

- Engine mount replaced

Like you mentioned I give importance to sound quality. In this case I believe pioneer score slightly better. Thats the reason I have decided on pioneer 2490 equivalent.

It is surprising that the mounts needed repalcement so fast.

I agree with you on the SQ in a Pioneer vs the JVC ; my JVC HU(an old d/din) used to be no match for an older pio 8450 . the JVC is now hooked to an amp and that is why I am tolerating it.

Just to add that the JVC is way more rugged.

[TopSpeeder]

I have received my Pioneer AVH 2400BT HU last week and installed it on saturday.

HU Details:
- 2 DIN with 5.8", anti glare display
- QVGA display
- LED Backlight
- It plays almost all formats
- Built In Amp(MOSFET 50W X 4)
- 3 Preouts
- Bluetooth
- 1 Front USB
- Rear View Camera Input
- Remote Included
- Able to attach navigation unit (Optional)
- AUX-IN
- iPhone Connectivity

Why I choose this HU?
I basically like sounds from Pioneer HU(I used them in my old car also in HT A/V Receiver). Also I wanted a HU with display, bluetooth, USB and ability to connect rear view.

I should say bala80 converted my temptation to buy, saying to explore the focal you need to get change the HU. Thanks, I'm happy now.

How much went from my pocket?
Focal Spakers(A1 & CA1) Rs 13,418 (Sourced from sonicelectronix.com)
Spaker fitting charges including rings Rs 750
Pioneer Head Unit (AVH 2400 BT) Rs 15,867 (Sourced from amazon.com)
OEM HU Wire Harness Rs 300
OEM Antenna Wire Harness Rs 300
Rear View Camera(WordTech) Rs 1,300
Installation Kit(Connects2) Rs 1,800
HU & Camera fitting charges Rs 400
Total Rs 34,135


















Most of the above pics are taken in night.

Whats the difference now?
Now my car has more feature now
- Bluetooth
- Rear view camera installed
- Dashboard looks good
- Great sound inside the car
- USB Connectivity

How is sound quality?
- By changing the speaker itself I could see the difference
- Now the sound is lot more better
- All my high frequency has depth now
- Mid is even more clearer
- Good High Frequency

[nileshch]

Originally Posted by bala80

Topspeeder has shared his opinion and I kind of agree with him. Having used both pioneer and JVC HU's, I still think pioneer has an edge over JVC in terms of overall sound quality.

I agree completely. For my previous car, I had tested both JVC and Pioneer and finally settled for Pioneer because of the extra edge it has in sound quality -- better isolation, crisper bass & mids.

Originally Posted by xtremeshock

Awesome thread, man do you love your car.

Originally Posted by TopSpeeder

I have received my Pioneer AVH 2400BT HU last week and installed it on saturday.

Congratulations!

Whats the difference now?
Now my car has more feature now
- Bluetooth
- Rear view camera installed
- Dashboard looks good
- Great sound inside the car
- USB Connectivity

How is sound quality?
- By changing the speaker itself I could see the difference
- Now the sound is lot more better
- All my high frequency has depth now
- Mid is even more clearer
- Good High Frequency

Did you buy the rear view camera separately? What price? How hard is it to install?

I'd love to test your new system, when we meet again. I too am saving up for a Pioneer system!