Can any steer me in the right direction?

I want to get an in-dash Nav system for a 2008 LX. I checked circuit city and best buy and they claim that they have none that can be installed into this model car.

Any help would be appreciated.

The easiest in dash unit I think would be the Pioneer AVIC-D3. I have tis unit and with the adapter for the antenna and the wiring harness you could install this in about 2hrs and that includes hiding the antenna for the GPS under the roof cladding. Do a search for hidden antenna for instructions. Drew:)

I admit that concerns me a bit, because circuit city and best buy both have that model, but both said that they could not install it in a 2008 lx. I am sure it can be done as you say, but since I have no experience with this sort of thing I am concerned that I will screw this up.

So my follow up question - is there any other model that can be professionally installed? Is anyone aware of retail chans other than CC and BB that do this sort of thing? And if I tried this myself - what are the odds that someone with no experience would be able to make this install work properly?

Thanks again.

barkingbug, not to be rude, but there are probably 50 other threads on here talking about in dash navs that can be easily installed in the E...even down to what aftermarket face plates to get to finish off the look.

Try the search feature, and enjoy reading up.

barkingbug, not to be rude, but there are probably 50 other threads on here talking about in dash navs that can be easily installed in the E...even down to what aftermarket face plates to get to finish off the look.

Try the search feature, and enjoy reading up.

Already searched. Please re-read my posts, as your reply doesn't help. My questions are specific and I did not see the answers in any other thread. Yes, there are threads about getting the right faceplate, but that is not really what I asked at all.

Anyone else able to weigh in and answer my specific questions from above? Thanks again.

the pioneer D3 is nice but you have to have the cd in to use the gps, i have the Z2 that has a hard drive so i can still listen to music while messing with the Gps. and as far as the antenna. i have it on my dash right next to the windsheild in the center.

oh the only problem i ran into is the trim piece for it, since i have the sc the radio is shape different, so i just ordered the trim piece for a regular element and put it on. it hasa a rectangle opening the sc has one but with a 35 degree flare going toward the top

This is what I have considered getting..

Kenwood eXcelon DNX8120 (http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=168550&i=113DNX8120&tp=75)

A little pricey but does EVERYTHING!

And plus, I like Garmin Navs and it has built in maps.

To save a couple hundred they also have the DNX7120 (http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=168550&i=113DNX7120&tp=75) Its non eXcelon and doesn't include the bluetooth, the center channel output, or the two year warranty(or he fact that eXcelon hardware is a lot higher end--I personally think that the extra $200 is worth it though.

thanks. with the d3 - you can at least listen to am/fm radio while in navigation right? the single disc sounds painful, without an ipod attached, is there anyway to listen to music?

interesting that cc and bb both had that unit and said it is not compatible. im beginning to get the fealing that there is no way to get a nav professionally installed... i really dont want the antennea to be visible either. ugh.

personally I dont trust BB or CC to install gear in my car. I would find a reputable car stereo shop. We have one here, Quality Car Stereo, they have been installing since the 80s and It is locally owned. They are the only place I go.

1) Any stereo shop can install a double din nav, and just about any town has at least one of them
2) Many of these posts answer those questions, from installing it ones self, to having someone else do it
3) The specifics of eah unit (whether it can play music with the CD in, etc.) can usually be found on the manufacturer website, and are not specific to the E

Why do you think there is no way to have one installed? I am just curious how threads like these dont give you that answer, that is very possible. Sorry I re-read your posts and not quite sure what answers you need that have not been posted at some point previously.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15950&highlight=navigation+installed
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37259&highlight=navigation+installed
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28039&highlight=navigation+installed
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33469&highlight=navigation+installed
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34860&highlight=navigation+installed
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42929&highlight=in-dash

1) Any stereo shop can install a double din nav, and just about any town has at least one of them

thats unfortunately just wrong. we have a CC and BB, and as ive said both flat out said that the 2008 E is not compatible with any of their double din units. hence the point of this thread. i am sure they are wrong, but still they wont install it. I also wanst sure if the 08 is different, most of these installs are on 07 or 06, or earlier.

thanks for the tips admiller. i like those, but trung to be watch the budget - and by that i mean i dont want the wife to kill me.

CC has D3s for $599 now (400 off). Sounds like my best bet is to buy that and then seek out someone to do the install, or if that fails, spend a month trying to figure it out myself. that make sense?

Sorry didnt mean to be "wrong."

It helps to fill out your profile so we know where you are located. I find it hard to believe you have a CC and BB but not a single independent stereo shop. My town is 20K people and we dont even have a Best Buy yet, but at least 4 stereo shops.

A good way to check even a conservative fitment list (because some items will in fact fit, that they say wont) is www.crutchfield.com.

They also have pre-paid install cards you can buy and present to a laundry list of installers who will honor it. But again, cant check w/o a location as reference.

Those should help for a more "official" reference since it apparantly sounds like that is what you are looking for.

Ok I put in my D3, it's very easy ! Fill out your profile if your near by I can give you a hand with it. If not I can put together a list of what you will need. The Element is very easy to change radios in. Your E has a single din unit, but it has the double din brackets. The top part of your bracket holds the radio and the bottom part holds the storage box. If you have a small standard screw driver, a #2 phillips and a 10mm socket and ratchet, you can do this. My D3 had the ipod cable (16.00) ipod hides in the glove box and you work it through the D3. It plays terr. radio while in NAV mode and I have SIRIUS which also plays in NAV mode. PM me if you have any ?? Drew:)

did you bury the antennae as well? and did you use the pilot trim piece, or is there a gap around the edges? thanks for answering those questions though, i appreciate that.

i guess im comfortable with the fact that it can be done, even though im still worried that ill screw it up. i filled out my profile finally. thanks guys.

Yep I hid my antenna it's very easy. One you get the antenna to the back of the E it takes about 10 min. to remove the roof cladding. The antenna has a magnetic base and just sticks to the metal there. Then you just put the cladding back on. and your all set to go. Are you planning on putting in Sat. radio? No I didn't use the Pilot trim there is now a kit for the 07-08 Element that fits. I can gat you the info if you want let me know. Drew:)

Yep I hid my antenna it's very easy. One you get the antenna to the back of the E it takes about 10 min. to remove the roof cladding. The antenna has a magnetic base and just sticks to the metal there. Then you just put the cladding back on. and your all set to go. Are you planning on putting in Sat. radio? No I didn't use the Pilot trim there is now a kit for the 07-08 Element that fits. I can gat you the info if you want let me know. Drew:)

that would be great, i searched around and only saw that people were using the pilot kit. thanks again man. i wonder why the guys at cc and bb couldnt do this if there actually is a kit now.

Use the install kit Hon-k834
From American International. This is the install kit you want to use, and since you don"t have the factory external amp you can use the basic wiring harness adapter, you can get that at BB or CC. I got my install kit on line for like 14.00. drew

i put my gps attenna on my dash between the window and the vent, it works great there. not a good spot for xm radio thou, i had to put that on top of my wing. oh and i love my Z2

Looks like OEM Nav will be available in 2009 models elements.

Looks like OEM Nav will be available in 2009 model Elements.

Looks like OEM Nav will be available in 2009 model Elements.

Do you have a link with the details?

No I don't..........just waiting, same as you.