Everyone,

I wanted to let you know what an excellent experience I had with Garret and his preloaded Z3 drives he sells for $137.00 shipped. Garret always responded to my E-mails, he gave me his phone number, and I got the drive exactly as he promised I would.

The drive is awesome and it works great. No freezing or problems, and the new maps and CDDB CD database are awesome. I really appreciate his hard work, outstanding honor and great value. We basically get a new $1300.00 Z3 for the price of peanuts.

I highly recommend him. I just bought a second drive for my second vehicle, and living in Los Angeles, I need the maps and nav traffic absolutely.

Thank you Garret. - Mark

what type of drive did they send you? a standard laptop drive or an automotive drive?

The drive that most people are using is not an automotive drive.

Toshiba MK6034GAX is the most popular drive for upgrading the Avic Z series.

I agree that the drives are great. I installed mine and also changed the FC hack to the two-wire hack. Everything works great. I started with a Z1 and now it is a Z3. I refer all my Z* friends of this great resource. I would not hesitate buying from Garrett again. I like that I have more HD space for more music.

The Z3 drive from Garrett is definitely awesome. Not only that but he is an awesome guy too. I must have bothered him with PM's about 10 times before I bought it and another 10 times after. He replied quickly each time with concise answers to my question and absolutely no attitude.

Thanks again Garrett!!

Your are right. I purchased one two weeks ago, and his directions and the tool he sent definitely made the install easy, even for a novice like me. Plus he's affordable. Keep up the good work bro, youre definitely an asset to this forum.

I will add to the praise, I got mine installed on Saturday (Talk about fast shipping, I ordered it on Tuesday or Wed of last week and it was here on Friday!) Works like a charm!

PS - He isn't lying when he says the screws are tight in the HDD! I got two out w/o any issue but the other two heads stripped out...I had to take a Dremel tool and cut a slot across them so I could use a flat blade screwdriver to remove them....anybody know if you can get the srews anywhere, I put them back in but would like to have some new ones anyway....

It dosent sound like he is making much money for his pocket on these drives. I would defiantely get one from him if i had a need

You can get the screws here for $0.95 each:

http://parts.pioneerelectronics.com/par ... um=CBA1805

If you need the whole tray, get these two parts as well:

http://parts.pioneerelectronics.com/par ... um=CNM8452

http://parts.pioneerelectronics.com/par ... um=CND3002

Maybe I should start including new screws with my kits

does it really load faster.

does it really load faster.

about 2 seconds faster at boot...whoppeee

Do you Ship to toronto and if so how long does it take shipped?

he does.. i ordered mine monday, (yesterday a holiday)

i got the tracking info.. i can let you know how long total once i get it

btw .... he was great to chat with via email.. very fast to respond and to get the conformation of shipping was next day (also fast).

I haven't received my drive yet but this guy is an absolute pleasure to deal with.

Thanks for all of your help Garrett. I can't wait to get my Z2 and use your Z3 drive. I'm giddy.

Garrett,

If you are listening in on this thread does your Z3 drive need the Bluetooth update?

Thanks,

John

Garrett,

 

If you are listening in on this thread does your Z3 drive need the Bluetooth update?

 

Thanks,

John

There's no such thing as a bluetooth update for the Z2 or Z3.

thanks

Thanks Hyper! You beat me to it

Got my drive today.

Garret is the man. Enough said.

Mine came in yesterday. Can't test it for a few days, but he was a pleasure to deal with, shipped my stuff out instantly, and the little tool totally seals the deal!

I got my really quick..less than 2 days....too bad no one was home to sign so I am picking it up at the post office tomorrow.

He was a pleasure to deal with and responds right away to emails.

Quick question though:

I have the Z1 and I use the "flashing headlights" to bypass the system so I can watch DVDs while driving.

Once I upgrade this to the new Z3 HDD can I do the same thing.

I have the Z1 installed on a Lexus GS 400 and it's a pain in the butt to get the unit out to get to the harness so I wanted to just use the flashing light method to bypass rather than physically doing the 2 wire bypass.

Thanks in advance....

Quick question though:

 

I have the Z1 and I use the "flashing headlights" to bypass the system so I can watch DVDs while driving.

 

Once I upgrade this to the new Z3 HDD can I do the same thing...

Well...the quick answer is NO . The good news is there exists a functional bypass method but it WILL REQUIRE removal of the unit so that you can access the correct grounding points. Get ready to do some work. I have a Z1 and I did the HDD upgrade so I know what you're up against. Good luck.

Cool...thanks for the heads up.

Maybe while I got the unit out for the bypass..I can add the Bluetooth and add back up camera.

Thanks again....

...maybe while I got the unit out for the bypass..I can add the Bluetooth and add back up camera.

....

Very good idea.