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Honda Odyssey Accessories & Modifications
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Comments
I posted this on another site, and several other people are having the same problems on different movies.
I bought a 2" Drawtight hitch. Cost $150 and self installed in about an hour. I use a Thule bike rack (4 bikes) and now wonder why I dealt with all the hassel of putting bike on top of the car for so long.
The Thule rack will fold away from the hatch - which is nice. Now I use the roof mostly for a soft cargo carier that fits nicely between the cross bars - $35 at Target.
Thanks for the info. I suppose that if you installed the hitch but not the lighting interface, you are making clear your intentions to only use it with a bike rack, and not to pull a trailer. That should keep you out of trouble with the 'warranty police'!
Steve
The advantage of after-market RES is the lower price= $1K if you are getting the same kind of system---7" widescreen monitor. However, the dvd player will be mounted under the 2nd row seat (usually the left one) so this can be inconvenient. But if you can live with it, you can save $1K. But I would not go to Circuit City or Best Buy as they are pathetic when it comes to installation. They might even scratch your Odyssey! They probably will! Go to a 3rd party professional who will sell you the whole package + installation, which will also costs you the same $1K for a typical 7" widescreen. A friend of mine had the brand "Movie Vision" system installed on his Odyssey. It comes with the dvd player, 7" widescreen ceiling mount monitor, two wireless headphones, and one remote control for $1K installed. He also added a Movie Vision VCR with T.V. Tuner for another $500 (another remote control). Now the VCR is bolted on the floor under the left seat and DVD player is under the right seat. Since he doesn't plan on removing his 2nd row seats at all, I guess that's okay. Talk about maximizing your available space! How does it look and sound?
Just as good as the Honda dealer installed i-VES! The ceiling unit is the same color as the Odyssey's interior color, so it looks great.
But the dvd player doesn't look quite as cool since the dvd player is not mounted on the front dash. But he saved $500 and he got DVD player, VCR, and T.V. Tuner. He's a happy camper.
told me it's NOT possible to switch out the stock
mirror for an auto dim/outside temp model.
But from what I'm reading here, many people are
doing it. Or is it that it isn't possible on an
'03? And can you tell me where to buy the mirror.
My husband is very handy with cars, and would be able to install it himself. Also, I don't like the fact that there is no compass ... and suggestion for that that still look good?
Thanks!
I just completed the installation of a compass temperature autodimming mirror in our 2002 Odyssey EX. Donnelly is the originally equipment manufacturer (OEM) for Honda. I purchased a new Camlock mount Donnelly autodim/compass/temp (electrochromatic) mirror on EBay for under $180 total. Works nicely.
Took me about 3 hours of careful work to install the mirror, temp sensor, and route the wiring from the temp sensor to under the hood, through the firewall, up the A pillar and to the new mirror. Also needed to run the power wire from the mirror over to the A pillar and to a power tap near the fusebox.
The Donnelly mirror is very close to the same size as the OEM Honda. There is a small "black box" attached to the windshield mount of the mirror that contains the compass electronics. This black box is not visible by the driver when looking at the mirror.
A great resource for additional information on the Ody is at www.odyclub.com. There are a few detailed posts at that site discussing this mirror and installation techniques.
BTW, I also installed the Honda fog lights about a year ago just after we purchased the '02 Odyssey. Last fall, I installed suspension air bags in the rear springs of the Ody to help decrease "squatting" when I load the van with our family. They work pretty nicely. This is a bit more involved than the mirror installation.
Go to www.classicsofttrim.com for other locations if live near one of the borders.
Good Luck.
Just my $0.02
Steve
I see some TV-Tuner brands but they all specify designed to work with XXX screen.
Can you share your details with me. Brand name and cost. Do you press on AUX to switch to the VCR?
Honda does not offer a VCR+TV Tuner. So I went with a 3rd party professional installer, who ALSO does installation for the local Honda, Ford, etc. dealers. They specialize in video installation and they have done plenty of installation on Odyssey too. What they did was somehow wire the the DVD player in the front dash to the VCR+TV Tuner under the left 2nd row seat to the 7" Widescreen since the video screen only has ONE video input. So now when I turn on the DVD player, I have to also turn on the VCR. However, if I just want to watch the VCR or TV, I don't have to turn on the DVD player.
Now before you do this, be aware that the TV Tuner does not pick up ALL local stations--just the strong signals. So for me, there are like 2 stations (NBC, ABC) that I cannot get. I can easily get CBS, PBS, FOX, and all the other local channels. When I go to Dallas, I reset the stations for that area.
How can you tell if an Ody has a TV tuner or not just by looking on the outside?
Just look to see if there is a compact antenna on the side of the rear window! I think it makes my Ody looks cooler with the compact TV antenna.
Oh, the brand I picked (recommended by the installer) is Movie Vision. The total cost for the VCR+Tuner was $500.
Man, that's cheaper than the stinking rearview camera!
If you just want a TV tuner, they sell one for $80. Then you just have to get a 3rd party installer to do the installation for you.
They also have VCR+TV Tuner for $150.
Or if you don't want any kind of installation, they have the Audiovox Portable VCR+TV Tuner for $537.45 (includes S/H) that you can just plug into the RCA inpu jacks on the 3rd row seat.
You don't even need a $1,500-$2,000 DVD entertainment system either. You can play dvds on your laptop.
And you don't even need a $2K NAV system since you can buy a $150 GPS system and run that with your laptop when you're not watching DVD.
But of course, you don't even need NAV if you can use paper maps.
The funny things we do and buy in life.
I would really like to get a VCR/Tuner and just plug it into the rear RCA inputs. So far none of the name brands make it, I have to get some Mom and Pop shop name and I'm not too keen on that.
Shipping:
-----------------
$12.50
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Grand Total: $162.45
VCR With Built-In Tv Tuner
* NTSC Color Selection * HI-FI Stereo
* Sp/Ep Mode Auto Detect
* Digital Audio Tracking
* Auto Start Function
* Front-Rear Audio Video Inputs
* Due and heat Sensors for Tape Protection
* Hi-Fi Stereo
* Power Dc Voltage: 12v
* Remote Control (Battery Not Included)
* (2) L shaped Mounting Brackets
Pyle PLTVCP85
All products sold at SavingLots.com are brand new, factory sealed
My only question is, do you need to buy an antenna or what?
• Antenna hook-up RG59, 75? connector
• Wireless remote control with extra remote eye
• On screen display
• Aux A/V input for video games or camcorders
• Digital auto tracking
• Anti-shock & anti-moisture
• Built-in High Quality Picture Control circuitry
• Super alloy diamond recording & playback heads
• Frame-by-frame & slow motion functions
• Tape eject via remote control
• Includes mounting bracket
• Dim: 3.6" x 10.2" x 10.3"
Your Price: $149.95
Shipping:
------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------
$14.50
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Grand Total: $164.45
Thanks,
Roof Rack is standard on Odyssey EX and an option item for LX. Roof rack is two rails on each side of the roof. In order for you to carry stuffs on the roof you need to have Crossbar which is an option item and bolted to roof rack.
Honda's cross bar only can carry 100 lbs of load!
bjk
You can ask him soup to nuts, and he will list out the A to Z for you.
My advice for you for a cheaper GPS, a company named Rand McNally sells these things called Maps.
Sorry I couldn't resist.
The NAV is an Alpine DVD unit.
I've heard other people getting Pioneer DVD NAV units.
I think the Pros is that you can transfer it to another car in the future.
The cons would be the motorized screen. I'm told it takes about 10 seconds to come out of the unit and so it takes longer to start working. The screen may also obstruct the view of some dash displays. The Aftermarket NAV comes in two units: the DVD NAV player and the NAV screen unit.
The factory Ody w/NAV has the DVD NAV player under the passenger seat.
However, if you go this route, I think it will cost you at least as much as the factory installed NAV.
I would not get a CD-ROM based NAV as they are a lot slower in route calculations.
I've tried the Delorme Earthmate software NAV for laptops. It sucks. I think all laptop NAV sucks.
I think the $1,000 Garmin portable units sucks too. But they all work whether it is the $150 laptop units or the $1,000 Garmin portable units. They just dont' work as fast and they lose signals very, very, very easily, which is a pain in the butt.
My Ody NAV still has signal and works well even under garages!!!!
I tried the Hertz NeverLost unit, which is Magellan 750 NAV. It is slower since it's a CD-ROM. And when I was in down town LA, the signal went completely dead! Forget about inside garages! Any kind of obstruction of the sky view will cause a lost of signal.
Get the factory unit.
That's what I think.
I heard the aftermarket Alpine and Pioneer works just as well as the Ody NAV and you won't lose signals either. That's what I've heard.
Glad to still see you hanging around here.
I kind of miss those heated debate days with Ody vs Sienna:-)
Bottom line on NAV: they all work. Even my $150 Delorme Earthmate works, just a lot slower and less convinient. Man, it took forever to get started and sometimes you can't even get a signal!
And that GPS receiver! Lordy. If it loses sight of the sky to any extent, the signal is completely dead and you have to start all over. What a pain.
Calling each other names, who got a better deal, everyone taking hits on each other ruining Steve's vacation in Alaska. Poor guy had to check on us while on vacation.
Ya, miss those days. I still hang around here, check in once in a while. I now spend more time over at the detailing side. Got me really hooked onto making sure the Ody is shiny as a mirror.
BTW, thanks for the link on the VCR/Tuner. Hoping to get one soon.
yeah, now the Ody vs Sienna forum is totally silent and peaceful, not fun and exciting as it once was with the name calling and bashing. The fire is all gone. Can't believe it was #1 site for a time!
Now I'm dreaming about the cute Lexus GX 470. The leather on that baby is 100 times better than the Pilot and MDX.
If you are looking for a GPS only save your $2000 bucks. Don't get a factory GPS. Factory unit is too expensive and not worth the money, just like Honda OEM tires. Check out Garmin Street Pilot III deluxe. You could get it ~$700 online. It was rated the best in Jun CR report for aftermarket GPS. It is portable you could transfer between cars. You could even take it with you when you travel to other city just put on dash of rental car you are set. I heard Garmin also gives you free map update download from website not like HONDA you have to PURCHASE new Map DVD. Some people posts @ circuity website owners review that it is better than BMW X5 factory NAV. If you are looking for something more portable, check out Garmin GPS V ~$400 online price, it's black and white display not like SP III and doesn't come with voice direction less memory only 19MB but it could be mounted on a bike or a motorcycle.
Here is some GPS information site:
http://www.gpsinformation.net/
Also Garmin website has new GPS system coming in Aug SP 2610/2650.
I am debating between to purchase SP III Deluxe now or wait for new SP 2610 out in Aug.
BTW you could check out odyclub website there are quite a bit NAV posts.
Good Luck!
bjk
You will have wires running everywhere or batteries running out. It will take longer to start up. And most importantly, it just looks cheap even though it costs about $900 + tax or shipping from most stores if you want warranty.
If you have a lap top, you might as well buy yourself a Delorme GPS software for $150 or less.
Heck, I'll sell you mine for $50!
Bottom line, you will get exactly what you paid for and the extra money will give you less headaches.
The Honda crossbars will offer less wind resistance and look nicer as well. As for cost, the Tuhle and Yakima offer no break -
After installing the Honda Crossbars I recommend a soft pack set up that will tie down neatly between the bars and side racks - it will tie snug in place, stay low in profile and pack away nicely when not in use: cost at Target is $35.
For bikes, it's a hell of alot easier the install a 2" trailer hitch in the rear and get a Thule or Yakama carier that will tilt back. Putting bikes on top of a minivan or any car for that matter is a pain in the [non-permissible content removed].
Once upon a time, I used a friend's Kanga RoofPouch:
http://www.kangaco.com/
on top of my 4dr sedan for trips to FLA and also NC from ATL-GA. It was great as our trunk was rather small!
So, I had an Ody LX configured minus the cross-bars (ie just the rails - I wonder now about the "wisdom" of that move - thinking I could go aftermarket later for crossbars which I wouldn't want on the vehicle at all times).
I went that route just so I could use one of these pouch products as the family expands and we need to haul more stuff, since I thought all you'd need is the rails.
Its sort of clear now, unless I'm mistaken, the LX rails aren't exactly the same as the std ones that comes on the EX. So I wonder if Honda cross bars for the EX (or aftermarket) will work on the rails installed on the LX.
Now I'm wondering how much loading the roof would take.
The Kanga product optionally has both a rubberized mesh "pad" for putting on the car roof first so there's no movement and possible finish damage, but also an interior set of "floorboards" for cushioning and weight distribution.
Probably neither come with the Target pack.
Please let me know how it works with the Ody and how much loading you've tried, specially if the pack sits directly on the roof surface.
Thanks.
Sam
The soft pack at Target is meant to sit right on top of the car. It does come with some skid pads. It's just the perfect fit for the odyssey roof rack and cross bars. Fully stuffed, I'd say I've put well over 100lbs in it. It's like doubling the space behind the third seat.
FYI; I've never had one scratch from using this. And if I did, well, who cares about a surface scratch on the roof anyway?
Advantages of soft vs. a hard pack is 1.cost 2. storage when your done using it. 3. It's more flexible when stuffing it with odd shapes - 4. you can also throw stuff up on top of it and tie it down to the straps the run accross it. 5. It has a lower profile for less wind resistance.
I once double the weight when I picked up some stranded individuals in the Nevada desert - I just threw two huge duffel bags on top of the soft pack.
re the cross bars: My EXL didn't come with the cross bars so I ordered them from Handa - it was around $110. I thought the rails on the LX are the same as on other models??
you figure 100 lbs directly on the roof? great!
at least with the kanga product, the straps could be configured to tie down exclusively to the outsides (ie the rails in this case), or to the insides (the cross bars) or I guess both.
it's time to go to target and check out what they carry. perhaps a good sporting goods store.
the LX rails (on my vehicle) have a middle groove which holds the cross bars. the EX rails (i thought) had something that went over the top of the rails and nothing in a groove...the handa site's instructions for the EX bars seems to indicate otherwise...
i don't think the rails are the same exactly but i don't know. time for me to look at someone's EX up close. at least the rail end-covers are visually different.
anybody know if it's cosmetic only?
i was concerned about cross bar singing and wind resistance when they weren't being used. i thought i'd just use optional aftermarket cross bars when and if I had to.
for other interested parties: the LX roof rack with rails, and the EX cross bars are visable here:
http://www.handaaccessories.com/odyext02.html
thanks for the info steve.
sam
I'd be surprised if the cross bars on the EX were any different from the LX. Also, there's no wind noise at all as long as you install them in the correct direction. It's marked on the bars which way to point them. If you put them on backwards then you will get wind noise. If you stick with the Honda/Handa cross bars you will have a much cleaner/lower profile than if you went with Thule or Yakima.
good luck at Target - I've notice that Kragen auto supply has a nice cargo pack advertised also.
I want to install Wood-grain interior in my 03 Odyssey (silver color). I want to know what are good places to buy interior (and how much it costs) ? It would be nice to know if someone did this in past and what was there experience with product as well as with vendor.
thanks
MJ