M3 with Nav or no Nav

[old///MFanatic]

You can set the backlight color in software-- but on this unit I haven't felt compelled to change it.

I can tell you tonight if the knobs are back lit :P

As in, pic of the OE range rover head unit-- exactly the same as e39 nav, but grey and with beefier knobs.

The screen is certainly not the stock proportions. I don't actually think it is shorter-- just wider. Ultimately, if you want the functionality gain of the bigger screen, the proportion is going to differ from the stock MIKV/avin. Wider is the functional optimal way to go larger, since carplay support split screen these days, width wise-- so I can have nav on the left side and music on the right.

It's a more useful screen, it enables to save 50 lbs from the car without losing functionality, and the looks don't annoy me

1) So it sound like you’re confirming the color is off? But could be changed. Maybe take a photo of it at night showing how it compares to the rest of interior lights.
2) So you don’t known if the knobs are backlit like OEM E46? Yes please inform us, many of us are detailed oriented and that’s a huge detail we’d notice immediately and would bother us.
3)Since you have used a caliper for other measurements. Yes if you wouldn’t mind please quickly get the screen dimensions(H-W), that would help confirm questions that others have said it’s actually shorter too.
4) Since it’s the exact same unit sold for MG and Rover 75 does it still run off the k-bus with steering wheel controls and features like Water temp/ Oil temp/Outside temp?
5)Is there a reason why you’re highlighting this one saves 50 lbs like it’s unique? This weight savings is no different from all the others like Dynavin, and the cheap versions like Avin, Eonon, Xtron “OEM double din” units. No?

[old///MFanatic]

You can set the backlight color in software-- but on this unit I haven't felt compelled to change it.

I can tell you tonight if the knobs are back lit :P

The screen is certainly not the stock proportions. I don't actually think it is shorter-- just wider.

It’s been several days, hoping you had time to answers these and the other questions earlier about this unit you introduced?

[Obioban]

It’s been several days, hoping you had time to answers these and the other questions earlier about this unit you introduced?

Forgot about this. Just measured the screen and observed the knob.

Screen is 3.150" tall, per my caliper (probably speced as 80mm). The stock 16:9 screen is described as "6.5 diagonal" by BMW, which mean it's 3.2" tall per a random display size calculator I found online. Once you factor out the dead area, the display heights may well be identical. If not, worst case they are 0.05" different

Knobs are not back lit.

... I don't think a brightest time of day button illumination picture will be useful.

[ugaexploder]

I ended up going with Sony XAVAX1000. Slightly older model so it was really cheap, like $300 new, probably $150 slightly used. Still has knob (not illuminated) and usb port in front, with apple carplay being most important feature.

I tossed around the idea of Avin or Dynavin for the OEM look, but in the end it just didn't matter that much to me. It seemed like there are very similar versions you can find on aliexpress that look the same so I decided against it.

Don't like the idea of a head unit faceplate but no cutting is required and the scosche plate tries to blend with the trim lines fairly well.

[old///MFanatic]

Forgot about this. Just measured the screen and observed the knob.
Screen is 3.150" tall, per my caliper.
Knobs are not back lit.
.. I don't think a brightest time of day button illumination picture will be useful.

Ok great thanks. Could you please answer the other specific questions that I asked about in the previous post about unit. They are even numbered to make it simple.

Interested in seeing the night lighting colors and overall how it looks in contrast with the rest of BMW dash/console lighting. Thanks.

[Obioban]

Ok great thanks. Could you also answer the other specific questions that were listed/asked about unit.

Interested in seeing the night lighting colors and overall how it looks in contrast with the rest of BMW dash/console lighting. Thanks.

Are you asking about this?

Since it’s the exact same unit sold for MG and Rover 75 does it still run off the k-bus with steering wheel controls and features like Water temp/ Oil temp/Outside temp?

if so, yes— steering wheel controls work and it can display that Kbus data (plus much more useful stuff, like pulling/resetting codes, voltage display, etc).

If that’s not what you were asking about, what question did you mean?

[0-60motorsports]

Anyone know which cable we need to get from XTRONS for cars with HK and Nav from factoy?

https://xtrons.com/bmw-e38-e39-e46-e53-extension-cable-exl005

https://xtrons.com/extension-cable-exl007