Hello guys, first poster here. Have a 2003 f250 superduty I will be putting an avic-d3 in soon and have one general question. I post on a lot of powerstroke forums and a lot of newbies will ask about how well the powerstroke motor is and what years/models to avoid. That's what my question is for you all except regarding the d3. Obviously most of these threads in this forum have to do with issues people are having and looking for fixes. My question for you regulars is: is the d3 a hit or miss unit? Are problems with these units common? From this first page it looks like there are a lot of issues but I know nothing about the history of the unit and looking for some input from more of you experienced guys/gals. thanks for any input/opinions you all can offer.

I would say installer/user error leads to 90% of the issues if not more, as you can probably see by the number of questions on this board that are answered in the manual that people don't bother to read

A lot of the "issues" that you're reading about on this site are just people trying to do something they don't know how to do. There's not really much that's wrong with the D3, it's just that some of the features are a bit less refined than in more expensive units. Like the nav routing is a bit daft at times compared to a dedicated GPS unit. And if you're going to be using the navigation all the time you're going to want to get an external audio source, like an ipod, XM, or Sirius radio. Other than that, it's perfect for the price IMO.

great. thanks for the replies guys. If any others care to chime in I'd appreciate it. I'm sure I'll be back for more questions in the future once I purchase the d3. lookin' forward to it. I'll probably watch a movie most of the time anyways and I'm a guy so I have too much pride to ask for directions I'll just use the nav when necessary. lol

this site does make it seem like there are a lot of problems with the d3. but of all the units we've installed i only had one that had an actual problem that needed to be repaired. these thing really never come back. alot of people really shouldnt be doing their own installs. and a lot of them just chose the wrong installer

...some of the features are a bit less refined than in more expensive units. Like the nav routing is a bit daft at times compared to a dedicated GPS unit. And if you're going to be using the navigation all the time you're going to want to get an external audio source, like an ipod, XM, or Sirius radio. Other than that, it's perfect for the price IMO.

Hope you don't mind me jumping in on this Q&A session..

The wife & I will be touring the country in our truck and camper, and we'll be relying on the NAV unit quite extensively....so my question is: Just how bad is the NAV unit?? The most frequent complaint I've seem is that the routing selection to a location can get a little bizarre....and lengthy.

Also your recommendation to get an external audio source if the the NAV unit is going to be used extensively....can you elaborate a little more on the reason why?

Thanks........

Because you have to have the nav disk in the drive to use the nav features. You can store the current route in MEMORY NAV but if you choose to edit the route you will need to insert the nav disk. Thats why it is a DVD nav unit. So if your listening to a cd or watching a DVD movie you will need to eject those disk and insert the nav disk. Your best bet is to get a video capable ipod and just use that. Also if your traveling the country I would never rely on just one source for nav routing. You might want to print your various routes through MAP QUEST or GOOGLE MAPS just in case.

^ That's pretty much everything I was gonna say. Thanks for doin' the work for me.

Although there are some issues with routing, the D3 should still get you to where you want to go, right?

Oh, yeah, it's not like it's gonna take you to the completely wrong destination. It's just that on occasion the route it provides you with isn't always the most efficient one to get you where you're going.

more great info guys. thanks so much. really glad I found forums to find the truths on expensive products before I buy them. you guys are great. take care and I'll be sure to post pics when it's all done!

My experience with routeing issues has been in very rual areas. You know, like places that still don't have cable tv or high speed net. In metro areas though and cites it has always been spot on.

Agreed, mine is almost always perfect, but I live near three major cities so I imagine they spent some time/$ on this area

My experience with routeing issues has been in very rual areas. You know, like places that still don't have cable tv or high speed net. In metro areas though and cites it has always been spot on.

I don't know about you guys, but my GPS kept taking me through the local street instead of routing me on a major highway. (No that option is not checked)

I only had it for a couple of days, but GPS in this unit sucks. And who was the genies that put NY and NJ in two different zones. Have they ever heard of Tri-State area? GPS takes you to where you want to go, but does horrible job in providing the most efficient rout.

Everything else works great.

And who was the genies that put NY and NJ in two different zones. Have they ever heard of Tri-State area?

 

Hell yeah! I was trying to type in my wifes job address (she works for Pfizer in Manhatten) and I am wondering why the only 42nd streets coming up were in DC and Va. Then I noticed that NY was in a different zone than Jersey which is idiotic!

if you want a really good DEDICATED Navi unit,

then i would pass on a D3, because as a lot folks point out, it's good for it's price point.

the DVD has to be in to do almost anything.

it's counter intuitive (like REGISTER A LOCATION or something stupid means "save this location")

a Kenwood unit is supposed to have the GARMIN GPS software engine,

maybe double the price, but that sounds like what you would want.

another fellow on the Cummins forum has an external DVD changer for music and movies, and leaves the Nav Disc in the dash.

but i want LESS stuff in my truck, rather than more.

more junk = more problems.

the D3 is a good all around unit at an awesome price (i got mine from Crutchfield with all the adapters and a FREE back up camera for trailer hook ups)

but's it not an awesome Navi unit.

but it is cool

I keep an ipod in my glovebox for music and movies. Seems alot cheaper than the cartoonish Kenwood for more $, although the garmin navi in it is almost as good as the $400 garmins at best buy, and it gives you album covers

Basically it boils down to whether or no you've got money to throw around. If you can afford it, go with something else with memory navigation and better routing. If you're strapped for cash, or just can't see spending that much on a car stereo, go with the D3. It's a pretty simple concept.

if you want a really good DEDICATED Navi unit,

 

then i would pass on a D3, because as a lot folks point out, it's good for it's price point.

 

the DVD has to be in to do almost anything.

it's counter intuitive (like REGISTER A LOCATION or something stupid means "save this location")

 

a Kenwood unit is supposed to have the GARMIN GPS software engine,

maybe double the price, but that sounds like what you would want.

 

another fellow on the Cummins forum has an external DVD changer for music and movies, and leaves the Nav Disc in the dash.

 

but i want LESS stuff in my truck, rather than more.

 

more junk = more problems.

 

the D3 is a good all around unit at an awesome price (i got mine from Crutchfield with all the adapters and a FREE back up camera for trailer hook ups)

 

but's it not an awesome Navi unit.

 

but it is cool

Thank YOU! Finally...im sick of people bashing the D3 because they thought it was going to be this flawless In-dash navigation unit. If you wanted a GPS system, then spend half as much and get a garmin...or spend double and get an in dash system (Z2 or Alpine's w205 and blackbird thing). I LOVE MY D3. Its like, buying a tv from wal-mart and complaining that it only lasts for a year, or buying a used car from dude on the corner for a case of beer and realizing that it doesn't have a transmission in it

check out this link, this program will allow you to copy your dvd disc to ut ipod with video, now u can have all of ur audio and video on ur ipod and just leave ur dvd nav disk in ur d3. HOPE THIS HELPS

http://www.1clickdvdcopy.com

check out this link, this program will allow you to copy your dvd disc to ut ipod with video, now u can have all of ur audio and video on ur ipod and just leave ur dvd nav disk in ur d3. HOPE THIS HELPS

http://www.1clickdvdcopy.com

There's plenty of other programs that will rip DVD's to ipod compatible format FOR FREE.