Pics: Kanatechs Piano Black Dash Kit

[TheRealDefman]

Unboxing pics. Not so great, it's kind of hard to get pictures of a shiny black object *and* I'm a shitty photographer. Installed pic's coming later this week after my Kenwood DNX7120 come in, probably Thursday. *EDIT* Installed pic's below in post 13.

The hole is wider than it needs to be (maybe there's a reason in Japan??) and there are some little parts in the pic between the brackets that fill in the gap on the sides, they are not piano black. Got it from shokits.com, about $143 after shipping.

The kit appears to be much better engineered than the Metra kit, and it damned well better be for what it costs!!!

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo76/TheRealDefman/Dash%20Kit/DSC00752.jpg

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo76/TheRealDefman/Dash%20Kit/DSC00753.jpg

[leadf00t]

Cant see the pics !!

[mountjonas]

looks good

[TheRealDefman]

Cant see the pics !!

Frickin' Picasa!

Fixed....

[Kooldino]

Got any installed pics?

[TheRealDefman]

Later this week, waiting for new DNX7120 to come in.

[240ka]

nice cant wait to see it installed. this will be a much buy. my very next mod

[paylew]

cool, it's the first I've heard of it. Where did you get it from?

[TheRealDefman]

cool, it's the first I've heard of it. Where did you get it from?

http://www.shokits.com/Mazda/Kanatechs-Audio/Nav-Install-Kit-For-2006-2009-Mazda3/flypage.tpl.html

[PCspeed3]

so is this for installing an aftermarket headunit?

[BillTheCat]

so is this for installing an aftermarket headunit?

Yep, double DIN. Other kits are generally flat black, which makes no sense in the 08.5/09 dash.

I'm just glad to see someone has made this kit. Expensive, but since I plan to keep this car for a good long while, I will probably order one when I get my cash reserves back up to where I can buy a new head unit.

Thanks for the link & pics.

[Abilor]

This answers my prayers as far as an eventual carPC installation. I want to take out the GT head unit and install a touchscreen VGA, and have it look stock/OEM. This will really help. My only issue is I don't want to lose trip computer, but I think there are some apps that will display it off the OBDII port. Shit, it will probably be better.

So in the end you still like the unit? Fits well enough?

[TheRealDefman]

So, here's the installed pics as promised.

Metra kit with the loaner DDX512. Two gripes: (1)Note the gap between the radio panel and the AC controls panel, the AC panel easily had 1/4 inch of play. (2) You can't see it but the trip piece that goes in from of the LCD doesn't fit right, the Metra kit places the LCD about 1/4 inch too far out. There's a fix for that in another thread, I just never got around to it.
http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo76/TheRealDefman/Dash%20Kit/DSC00775.jpg



Kanatechs kit with DNX7120, sorry for the white bar... shop light on it trying to get more light. Man, glossy black is an S.O.B. to get pic's of!
http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo76/TheRealDefman/Dash%20Kit/DSC00780.jpg

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo76/TheRealDefman/Dash%20Kit/DSC00781.jpg




The flip down on the deck means it has to stick out, I don't really like that about it but...
http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo76/TheRealDefman/Dash%20Kit/DSC00782.jpg



Better full dash shot... for those of you who happen to notice, that cigarette lighter isn't the stock one. Gutted the lighter area for the Epicenter controller and the stock lighter element just wouldn't work as the knob. Also removed the ashtray and put an ABS bottom on that part, the USB connector is in there.
http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/oo76/TheRealDefman/Dash%20Kit/DSC00785.jpg



So, is the Kanatechs kit really worth $143? Yeah, I think so. Looks better than the Metra. Much better engineered than the Metra. Fits better than the Metra. Rich at Shokits.com makes a good point, why put a $25 kit on a $25K (or more) car?

[Kain]

Worth every penny.

[240ka]

wow, im getting it

[paylew]

I was just waiting to see the pix, I'm adding that to my endless list of things I want.

[Rudeboy3]

I have the silver and the colour is excellent. Just can't believe I paid 139 instead of 106.

[Design]

Great photos. I have seen this kit in person and highly recommend it. If you have the option of picking up a head unit with Piano Black finish, it looks fantastic with the kit and the rest of the car.