the new 08 accord -- need ideas please

stapan · 02-06-2008, 10:44 PM

The car: 2008 Accord LX-P.

Done so far: sound quality system retaining the lousy factory HU and Alpine PXE-H650.

Goals: Reliability; GPS and Bluetooth handsfree link; would like to play with advanced sound processing (ambiophonics, Pro Logic upmixing, more EQ bands, etc.)

Sitting in my garage: (been out of this hobby a while) Opus 150, fully built Pentium M/AOpen system, 12" Datalux touchscreen, studio grade sound card, notebook drives

Obstacles: Dash opening for factory screen is only around 3.75" tall. And the curves of the factory stereo slot appears too CURVED to house the CORNERS of a 7" touchscreen housing... and no time for elaborate fabrication (in law school atm) -- so really don't want to relocate the A/C controls; tight budget

So, the dash kit for this car comes out this month. (2nd pic) I'd love to make this work without requiring a lot of fabrication time or money. I was thinking the EBY701 (shortest height it seems?) or a flip-out screen, but apparently they are all poor quality within my budget -- I don't want to spend more than $350ish max on a monitor.

I'd also like to make this look factory. It would look silly with the factory screen disabled and a double din monitor where the stereo is don't you think?

Ideas?

Nexson · 02-08-2008, 11:21 PM

put it in the cubby

mnapoles · 02-18-2008, 08:39 AM

thats what i did in my 03'

mrcanngo · 03-21-2008, 06:25 AM

at metraonline.com aren't they making a double din kit for this car? Is yours dual climate control?

If they make double din, i would suggest fabricating it into there. It would probably be cheapest/fastest/ and easiest imo.

Good luck! Please post more pics of your work!

TonyWare · 03-22-2008, 08:00 PM

I have an 03 and I noticed while I was looking at the 08 at a dealership that the cubby area on the 08 is too small, short actually. I don't think there is enough height for a 7 inch monitor to fit in there. Honda hasn't published a parts list for the 08's yet so I don't know if they make something like a radio-attachment bezel like they made for the 03-07 models to be able to attach a 7 inch behind it. If I tell you I am not buying the new 08 because of that reason you won't believe me!!! I love my 03 setup and don't see me owning a honda again without the potential to put a carputer on it.

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...upe-black.html

kandyman676 · 03-23-2008, 08:16 PM

I actually test drove some of the 08 Accords...its funny cause now when i look at cars, i look to see where i can mount my carPC screen :-P

anyhoo, the easiest method would to replace the dash top with the same model that has the nav unit and its smaller LCD screen. The screen for the nav unit was 7". it is also recessed to block sunlight glare.

TonyWare · 03-25-2008, 01:20 PM

Maybe if there was a gadget that converts VGA to whatever that stock screen is, then we have something. I guess a wireless mouse can take care of the cursor since that screen on the '08 isn't touch screen but controlled by that knob in the middle.

liquid_smoke · 04-17-2008, 08:40 PM

just dropping in here to ask if you've made any progress on your install?
I just picked up an EX-L (nighthawk) last saturday so at some point in the near future ill have to go down the same road your on now.
So far im thinking the best thing would be to use the dask kit you have posted above, but depending on the type of screen there may be an issue as where to put an HU.

There also is the cubby area below that would fit a screen perfectly, then u could even keep the stock radio (which isnt bad).

I wouldnt try to replace the dash with the navi dash though. The screen is too far away to touch and would just be a safety hazard trying to change tracks.

so if you've made any progress, share the details.

thanks.