I've had the SR7 (with the laser deflector) in my past three cars. I love it and won't consider anything else. btw, I've heard the same issues with the Calibre.

I've got the SR7's display unit high up on the dash just to the left of the instrument binnacle. It's unobtrusive but in my direct line of sight.

The best thing that my installer did was to place the mute/volume button on the shift lever, under the boot. It's completely unseen, but I know where it is by sense of feel. And it's perfectly place since my hand is accumstomed to being there for shifting gears.

Hope this makes sense to you. Good luck.