Has anyone installed one of these (http://www.jemproelectronics.com/catalog/product_991.html) in their Element? I'm thinking of getting one. If you did the install yourself please elaborate how it went. If you had it installed...how much did it cost? TIA.

Not the Delphi but I had a Kenwood 7" monitor only installed. My headunit doubles as a nav screen and DVD player to send the video signal to the flipdown via RCA cables. The all-in-one units tend to be easier to install since you don't require the addition of AV cables only power and ground. Which in some cases can be tapped into the dome light's wiring. The Delphi seems to be a decent model with a good bit included.


http://img130.echo.cx/img130/5969/flipdown4mc.jpg

http://img129.echo.cx/img129/5817/element55wg.jpg


The only concern I would have is the way the Delphi is designed with the added buttons along the bottom of the monitor that it may hang somewhat low for an 8" screen and might obstruct the rear view mirror. Maybe, maybe not, I'm not sure. My 7" doesn't and I've heard other owners with 9 or even 10inchers without obstruction. It just depends on the model itself. Take a printout to a local car audio/video shop to see what installation for the Delphi would cost and entail.


http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/9725/delphi3uv.jpg

Yeah...I was kinda worried about obstruction too...that's why I'd love to hear from anyone that might have one installed. I've looked at the unit at Fry's and it looks like a nice unit. I would love to have setup with a DDX-7017 or something and an overhead monitor like yours...but I just can't afford it. I just need a backseat babysitter for the little ones.

If you've seen it at a store then try to get a measurement of it fully opened and approximate width. Go home and using paper or cardboard fold a rough facsimile of the unit and hold it or tape it in place over the dome light and test the view. A trim ring at the base may or may not be needed depending on the installer or the base of the unit itself. Mine did not come with a ring but the installer made a custom one and tucked it behind the headliner so the ceiling has a very slight slope at the base where the unit sits. Sometimes the ring or shroud will be installed on the outside overtop of the headliner. Either way it may add an inch or 2 more to the full hanging height from the ceiling.

if you buy it from a Circuit City they dont stock the trim ring for that unit. I know because I am a Roadshop Manager for my local CC. I have installed a few of those units. They are pretty nice. They have a built in wireless FM modulator so it is easier for the installers to put in. It should look nice in your E. It will mount flush with the headliner right where your dome light once was. The new units dome light will get wired into your old circuit so you wont lose that dome light.

If you have any questions on that unit let me know I got all your answers.


also that Kenwood screen looks really nice. I just got my E and I am looking for a new flip down also. Does your double din indash have 5.1 decoding built in?

Do a search on "Panasonic" and you will find the thread for the 9" flip down I had put in my E.

Do a search on "Panasonic" and you will find the thread for the 9" flip down I had put in my E.
Looks very nice in person too. Has a very cool blue lighted ring around the edge of the base.

yeah the panasonic is a really nice unit. Just make sure your installer cuts down the trim ring that comes with it. It is actually very large so it would look like crap otherwise.

There are two small screws that you will see when you flip the screen down. Those things are tightened very well from the factory so they strip out very easy. So if you choose to have that installed make sure you take a look at those after the install is complete.

Looks very nice in person too. Has a very cool blue lighted ring around the edge of the base.


Hey man does your in dash unit have built in 5.1 decoding? Or do you have a serperate processor? I noticed that you have a center channel speaker, do you have any pics of that install?

The Panasonic is nice...but I can get the Delphi for around $350...that's tough to beat. Did I mention I'm cheap? Babies and wives sure do cost a lot :)

Hey man does your in dash unit have built in 5.1 decoding? Or do you have a serperate processor? I noticed that you have a center channel speaker, do you have any pics of that install?
Nope not 5.1 on this model but Kenwood released a newer unit same styling and such but with built in 5 channel 5v preouts. I think it's the DDX8016. Check their site for more info. With mine I just tapped the front speaker wires using a line level converter and connected the center speaker with it's amp that way.
Here's the original thread.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=115925#post115925

what do these things weigh? Just curious because i'm thinking of mounting an amplifier up there where the overhead console ain't.

yeah the panasonic is a really nice unit. Just make sure your installer cuts down the trim ring that comes with it. It is actually very large so it would look like crap otherwise.
You should be able to install out without even using the trim ring...thats how mine worked out.