In-Dash GPS Unit

I am in the market for a 2 DIN GPS in-dash display system. It must have an input for a backup camera, and it must fit into my truck without modifications to the unit or the truck. I'm looking for something under $200 but will go up to $300 if I find something that looks like what I need. I'm interested in what others have installed in their 1998 Tacomas and what kind of experience they have had.

I've been searching the internet for several days now and so far the best I have found that meets my needs is a Power Acoustic PDN 626B for $170. The downside for this is that (from what I've read) to access the Main Menu one needs the remote control, but that was only mentioned in one of the many reviews I've read about this model.

 

I have the kenwood dnx5160? I think that's it. It comes with garmin gps. The newer model is not in your price range but I absolutely love it. I bought off a coworker for 100 bucks

 

^^
Do you recall what you had to trim/cut/adjust to get your Pumpkin to fit into your (1998-1999 Tacoma) dash?

 

Skeezix,
I believe the dash is the same inside/ behind the outers if it came with a double DIN radio.

For my Alpine install, there was no cutting.

Here is mine:

 

That looks super clean.
Hummmmm.. what seats are thoes?

Here is mine:

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Wow, for some reason... your interior is exactly like mine, lol.

Seats at that time were Corbeau GTII's. I don't recommend them. If you look closely, you see the DS seat bolster breaking down causing the material to sag.
Now I have Corbeau Baja RS's. Still comfortable and definitely more durable.

OP, did you decide on a head unit yet?

 

>>OP, did you decide on a head unit yet?<<

That's a very clean installation and it looks like it came from the factory that way! I'm impressed!

No, I haven't decided yet. What I need is a good rear view camera. The GPS isn't really a priority. (When I'm off-road I'm 30 to 50 miles from the pavement, and I use my Delorme PN-60 that I mount on my windshield. I use the USGS 7.5 maps when the going gets questionable.)

I never camp at any kind of a developed campground or camp site so there are no guides that I can use to back in. Twice now I've backed into trees that I didn't see. My truck has a shell and darkened windows and that makes it kinda hard to see.

I've looked at a lot of rear view mirror clamp-ons but just don't have the room to mount one. Then I looked a some 2 DIN head units but haven't made a decision yet. There is a company called Germid that makes a rear view mirror that you can mount (with glue and a special fitting) on the windshield that replaces the factory mirror. It has adjustable guide lines and a front-looking camera as well but the front-looking camera is on the passenger side of the mirror so I don't know how useful that will be. The display is 7.3 inches wide. The cost is $350. It is made in China (isn't everything) and I've found nothing on their website (in Canada) that discusses what is warranted, how long, etc. so I'm very leery of blowing $350 for something that won't last. Nobody has written a review that would give me an idea about its durability either.

That leaves me with 2 DIN head units. I've looked a lot of them from $180 to $3,000 (that's thousands!) but have not really decided on what I want yet. The main thing is that the rear view display must be at least 6 inches wide.Units in the $500 to $700 range are appealing but too expensive. I only go out 3 or 4 time a year and can't see spending that money on a rear view camera setup. I still have a few weeks though to decide.

I looked at the Pumpkin brand but was not altogether satisfied with them. Can't recall why just now.

 

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Wow, for some reason... your interior is exactly like mine, lol.

OP, did you decide on a head unit yet?[/QUOTE]

Hahah my bad. Perils of using a phone to quote people. I wish I was able to keep mine as nice.

OP. I read of a guy on expidion portal, who had a camera with a small screen that they mounted to the dash/windshield with good success . Might wanna try a search there pretty sure he had a tacoma also.

 

Thanks for your reply. I don't like stuff that is dash-mounted - too easy to steal. So it's either a mirror replacement, a mirror clip-on that's 10 inches wide, or a 2 DIN head unit.

 

My Alpine did not come with a rear camera but it is possible to add which I plan on doing once I get things sorted with my SAS.

In speaking with the owner of Progressive in San Diego, he says any camera will work... just find one in your price/ quality range.