2012 Focus - Aftermarket Stereo possibilities. - Page 11

herbz · 01-08-2012, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yanner

Hi all
Brand new member here as I just registered to post what I found online as I have not seen it in this thread:

http://livnloud.com/2011/12/2012-for...ereo-dash-kit/

I'm about to pull the trigger SEL hatch, but I'm weighing my stereo options first.

Looks like Metra has come out with a kit. This will allow you retain control of the little upper screen (ACV kit can't do this) as well as the doorlock/hazard buttons (ACV needs additional part for that, but it works fine).

However, based on their press release, they do not have a solution for the steering wheel controls as of yet. They just ahve the harness and antenna adapter. ACV does (supposedly, if it works on the US model. will find out later this week.) have a solution for the steering wheel controls.

Honestly, I'm not too dissapointed about losing control of the upper display. It's basically a glorified clock. Eventually I want to remove it and replace it with a different LCD, liek a ScanGauage. Also, in my opinion the ACV kit looks a little cleaner than the Metra kit. But for those who would like to keep control of the date and time (redundant with an aftermarket radio), this will be good for them.

Yanner · 01-09-2012, 08:26 AM

Herbz, I look forward to hearing how you make out.

I have a question, hopefully not a dumb one: is the bluetooth phone capabilities automatically lost when you replace the stock stereo or is there a way to have an aftermarket head unit and retain factory phone support (since we get to keep that little screen)?

Another question: what are the sync elements that you get on an SEL which doesn mot have MyFord Touch. The SEL has climate control, so does that make it voice activated climate control like on the MFT equipped car? Or is the only voice activated feater on non-sony, non-MFT cars the phone features?

Thanks.

herbz · 01-09-2012, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yanner

Herbz, I look forward to hearing how you make out.

I have a question, hopefully not a dumb one: is the bluetooth phone capabilities automatically lost when you replace the stock stereo or is there a way to have an aftermarket head unit and retain factory phone support (since we get to keep that little screen)?

Another question: what are the sync elements that you get on an SEL which doesn mot have MyFord Touch. The SEL has climate control, so does that make it voice activated climate control like on the MFT equipped car? Or is the only voice activated feater on non-sony, non-MFT cars the phone features?

Thanks.

Not a dumb question. I can't answer the second, but to the first, yes, you do lose bluetooth/sync capabilities when you replace hte headunit. However the aftermarket does have Sync retention adapters that supposedly work. They are not out for the Focus yet, but are for other Ford models.

If you have Sync, I would recommend not wasting money on a headunit with bluetooth. Just wait for the Sync adapters to come out and that way you won't end up with 2 bluetooth(s).

gootman · 01-09-2012, 06:41 PM

Just wanna let you guys know that the AVC control adapter for the Dutch double din does work with the steering wheel controls, I recently installed the control adapter for my avic-x930bt and the adapter works well, however, I dont really understand what is the purpose of the tiny speaker that comes with the kit.
Just a question though, would anyone know what the wire color for the speed pulse and dimmer are, if any?

herbz · 01-09-2012, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gootman

Just wanna let you guys know that the AVC control adapter for the Dutch double din does work with the steering wheel controls, I recently installed the control adapter for my avic-x930bt and the adapter works well, however, I dont really understand what is the purpose of the tiny speaker that comes with the kit.
Just a question though, would anyone know what the wire color for the speed pulse and dimmer are, if any?

Nice! Do you have any pics?

I was wondering what was up with that little speaker as well.

Speed pulse is the pink wire. I'm not sure what you mean by the dimmer?

gootman · 01-09-2012, 08:49 PM

will post some pics tomorrow of how I connected the AVC adapter to work with the steering wheel controls. As for the dimmer wire, the dimmer allows the Navigation screen to pretty much black out when headlights are turned on, driving at night without the dimmer connected keeps the screen extremely bright and its a bit distracting.

herbz · 01-09-2012, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gootman

will post some pics tomorrow of how I connected the AVC adapter to work with the steering wheel controls. As for the dimmer wire, the dimmer allows the Navigation screen to pretty much black out when headlights are turned on, driving at night without the dimmer connected keeps the screen extremely bright and its a bit distracting.

Pics would be very much appreciated! Did you have to splice/modify any factory wires to get it to work?

As far as the dimmer control, I'm not sure. I'll bring that up to my installer on Thursday and see what he says about it.

Gazookz · 01-09-2012, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gootman

Just wanna let you guys know that the AVC control adapter for the Dutch double din does work with the steering wheel controls, I recently installed the control adapter for my avic-x930bt and the adapter works well, however, I dont really understand what is the purpose of the tiny speaker that comes with the kit.
Just a question though, would anyone know what the wire color for the speed pulse and dimmer are, if any?

The speaker that comes with the kit is most likely for the SYNC. When switching to an aftermarket radio and keeping SYNC a lot of times you have to have a separate speaker to hear the voice of SYNC. At least I know that's how it is with '08-'11, but it should be the same for the 2012's.