DVD Headrest and other options questions

[FordService]

Just an update for anyone who was following the thread, I went back and fourth with the dealership for another 2 weeks with no progress. Then the sales rep who sold us the explorer called and told us to take the car to the place where they installed the system and he promised "they were going to take care of us."(i have a feeling FordCusService gave him a call) We went, and they looked at it, and finally admitted they had installed the wrong one. They explained to us that they have a contract with Rosen to install their systems, but that Rosen also has a system for the explorer with the same headrest. Since we got the first explorer they sold, they didn't have any of the correct headrests so they installed a universal unit instead(I guess they thought we wouldn't notice?). They offered to order the correct headrests for me, and told me it would look identical to stock. I told them I would call them and let them know, and did some investigation on the Rosen system. I finally settled on accepting their offer and am much more pleased. My issue was more with the ****ty pleather on the universal system not matching the interior at all, but the new headrest looks exactly like the original one, minus some grey stitching but its not noticeable. I'm not happy I had to go through all that to get the right headrests, but at least they came through and fixed it at the end

Hey SomeGuy4186, I’m really glad this was taken care of for you! I also agree with what Sgt1411 said about quality. Please don’t hesitate to drop me a line if you’d like any other help.

Cory

 

[DanMarino]

Rear DVD question

I am purchasing a '13 Ford Explorer XLT. Am thinking about getting rear DVD headrest for my daughter... but I have concerns about its worth. Am I correct that you cannot control any of its functions from the front panel??? For example, inserting DVD's, controling volume etc.? From my understanding you have to use a remote and can only insert the DVD directly into the headrest insert???

Seems silly to spend $1,700+ on this system when I could just purchase and strap on an iPad. Someone tell me where I am wrong in my thinking.

And thank you!

 

[Akmechanic]

I can't disagree with that at all. I elected not to get the DVD headrests. My money is better spent on a pair of aftermarket ones for about 200 bucks each, if i get the fancy ones, 100 if I get "regular" ones. The function is the same and looks are great! Just my 2 cents.

-Kevin

 

[DanMarino]

Thanks for idea. Can you tell me where you purchased them?

Does anyone know if the DVD charges itself while in the car/headrest, or do you have to take it out.... and charge it in your home???

 

[Shomare]

I have them and they are pricy. You don't have the ability to control it from the front.

On the plus side, safe and secure, no wires and the kids love them ( long trips only).

 

[DanMarino]

Do they charge in the headrests or are they somehow connected to the Explorer to just run off the vehicle battery???

I'm struggling to find reasons to buy them instead of just a new iPad 2 and mount it up.

 

[Shomare]

They don't charge to my knowledge. Wireless head phones are a plus. Being able to play two separate movies or the same movie is a plus.

I tried the iPad route with our flex. It didn't work out. I can imagine that a thief would be much more tempted to do a smash and dash with iPads vs the integrated headrests.

 

[DanMarino]

So in order to charge them you have to remove them and take them in your house to plug in?

 

[Shomare]

I don't understand what you are asking. There is no need to charge them. They are powered when the car is running or when the key is in the accessory position. No need to charge them. The headphones have replaceable batteries.

The players are hard wired into the headrest. Can't see the wires as they are nicely hidden.

 

[gammann]

They are hardwired to the vehicle's power. You could still hardwire an aftermarket setup.

You can also find much cheaper alternatives than an IPad 2.

 

[DanMarino]

Thank you.... I understand now.

Are there aftermarket DVD headrest players out there that I could install for a lot less money? If so, any recommended websites?

 

[gammann]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309205&highlight=dvd

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304660&highlight=dvd

 

[Sgt1411]

Dan Marino if you were asking about the wireless head phones and how they charge then the answer is they don't charge. They use AA batteries inside each headphone.

As the above poster mentioned the OEM Ford Invision LT series headrests are hardwired to the vehicles power.

Are they worth $2000?......in my opinion no......but it's a very clean package with some limited functionality.

The front MFT system has nothing to do with the DVD system other then pass through audio by FM Modulator and its TERRIBLE sound.

Go to www.invision.com and look at the LT Series, thats what you get from Ford.

There are many great DVD systems out there for less money they just aren't Ford Genuine products with Ford Warranty coverage.

I have seen the OEM Invision LT Series on Ebay for $1400 so hunt around the Internet for better pricing.

 

[DanMarino]

Thank you for the response and clarification.

 

[jrmexplorer]

Thank you for the response and clarification.

Doesn't anybody else think it's awesome that Dan Marino owns an Explorer?



LACES OUT DAN!

 

[Sgt1411]

AAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL RiGHTY Then!

 

[phareous]

Yes it has the same 3/36 warrenty.

Heres a page a found with the feature list of the rosen system to the invision one.

http://www.adcmobile.com/headrest_dvd/rosen_vs_invision.pdf

The headrest looks identical to the OEM headrest. The only difference is that the stitching is like a dark charcoal color instead of black. I'll snap a picture of it when I go to my parents house tomorrow.

You said the headrest looks like the factory one - is it as thick, and can it tilt the same? I'm looking for a (non-OEM) DVD system and most of them seem to lean too far backwards so you don't have any head support at all

 

[Sgt1411]

Can someone who installed DVD's in a 2013 please advise where they took accessory power from?

The connector that is suggested by Ford in 2011 DVD installation document, doesn't exist in the 2013.

 

[phareous]

Can someone who installed DVD's in a 2013 please advise where they took accessory power from?

The connector that is suggested by Ford in 2011 DVD installation document, doesn't exist in the 2013.

I looked at the instructions a while back...doesn't the OEM one come with a harness that hooks in between two existing connectors?

 

[Sgt1411]

I found out your right, the 2013 Ford Explorer Invision Headrest DVD kit had that harness included and thats the part I didn't get with the 2011 DVD kit I pulled from my 2011 Ex and installed in the 2013.

I took it to the dealer, they called their DVD installer and he was really good about showing me what I needed for the 2013.

He pulled out the 6" harness under the dash on the drivers side. Showed me the PIN location for "Accessory" thats empty. He took a short power wire with a PIN on it, attached that to my power wire from the DVD and then clipped the PIN into the OEM harness he removed.

Plugged the harness back in and power was connected to the DVD system.

Took 10 minutes, most of which was taking the plastic trim pieces off under the steering wheel.

Im glad he did it and not me, I didnt have the tools to pull the interior panels off and now at least its done correctly and nothing is broken.