Because of the way it's designed, The screen sits off-center in the dash because of the rotary knob on the left side. I didn't really notice it when looking at the pics of the unit itself, but when I first saw it installed in a car it stuck out like a sore thumb. It's kind of a nit-picky thing, but it is something to take note of, because I for one, would be unhappy with an uneven dash.... What do you guys think?

Can you please post a photo of what you are talking about?

My unit still hasn't shipped out...so maybe i'll cancel the order.

Doesn't seem like a real issue to me.

How could you not tell from the pictures?????????

Example:

Yeah, I see what you're saying. I guess the buttons have to go somewhere, though.

BTW...I'm in washington state as well - Lake Stevens to be precise.

Brent

Oooo...I thought you were talking about the lcd screen alignment within the nav unit.

Nevermind then. I think thats smart that they put the button on the left side...otherwise driver have to bend more towards right to access the buttons.

I don't see this as an issue though.

is there no way to get around that?

You mean remove the buttons? lol

The only way around would be to buy AVIC-Z1 which is even on both sides.

is there no way to get around that?

I think they are just used to the D1/D2 units where there was an equal column on both sides of the unit to make the screen centered. If they want an even smaller screen, they could put an equally big column on their D3 and make it a 5'' screen.

Just an observation guys.... I'm not bashing the unit at all...

For me, it wouldn't work, but I'm anal like that

actually... ergenamically, or however you spell it, it would make more sense to put the knob on the right side, radio placement has improved over the years and is much more accessable now adays, but with the knob on the left you have to look over/around your hand and arm to see the screen and what your adjusting with the knob. geometrical appearance is important, and it being 'not the same' on both sides would errk me a bit.

Wow. And I thought i was picky. How did you guys not see this from the pics and videos that have been posted since like november? Anyway, I love it so far

not that i missed it from the videos, just knew that I wouldnt be getting a d3 myself and this is the first its come up for discussion so i thought i would give my .02 1/2 worth of babble

Wow. And I thought i was picky. How did you guys not see this from the pics and videos that have been posted since like november? Anyway, I love it so far

No offense, but I was thinking the same thing.

well I guess it just comes down to taste or(settling for what you just paid 1,000 bucks for!) You can't argue that the unit would look worse if it was symetrical, because you would be wrong. THEREFOR, it safe to say that the unit would look better if it WAS symetrical....

But maybe I'm one of the few that wants everything in his car to look perfect, and clean... not off-center

What does it matter that the D3 is not symmetrical when the entire dash is not symmetrical?

The pic of the car interior you posted has the A/C vent & button pod left shifted so that's also not symmetrical either! The hazard button in the middle doesn't line up with the center of the radio and climate control. The D3 is just one of many asymmetrical things in the car.

just so you know

GnatGoSplat thats not his car, but even if it was, the hazard lights are centered, its the picture that makes it look not so centered. And a bit more info, car manufactures do take this kind of stuff in mind, and weighs heavy on the cockpit layout, and even the body of the vehicle. Most people are comfortable in an equally sided/designed seating arrangement over a non style. but if you dont like it, thats fine, you dont have to, some people just have a different level of perfection then others, some people are anal like that, let them be.

Note the layout of the factory GM navigation unit:

lol yeah gm, that says it all.. oh boy!

Looks like they modeled the D3 after that unit.

Id say the D3 is better by far. At least the left column is smaller than the GM navigation.

lol yeah gm, that says it all.. oh boy!

lol back at ya!

Yea, lets all take design lessons from GM..... then we'd think it looks fucked up when something IS centered! which was EXACTLY my point earlier:

You can't argue that the unit would look worse if it was symetrical, because you would be wrong. THEREFOR, it safe to say that the unit would look better if it WAS symetrical....

Also note the other thread going on where the same topic has arrised

http://avic411.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4660

They clearly outline Tillithz's earlier point of saying that because they made the unit offcenter by putting the rotary knob on left, it also proves to be somewhat disfunctional..

My only complaint so far is that the volume display gets covered up by my hand when I adjust it because it displays on the bottom left corner. I wish it were on a different part of teh screen.

you D3 people should be happy that your have that rotary volume knob. We Z1 users have to repeatedly hit the volume button up or down.