Headunit Research - Recommendations Please
 

Been doing some research on these and have managed to completely confuse myself. Mostly using Crutchfield for my comparisons and the Kenwood units seem to be all over the place in functionality vs age vs price. For instance, with the current rebate of $100 for the new model, that places the DNX6160 and DNX6960 at the exact same price - the only difference I can see in these 2 units is the preamp voltage (2V vs 5V) and the wireless remote so I'm not really sure why they jumped to a 6960 - that looks more like a 6161 to me.

Also, comparing the 6160 to the 7160 all I see is a 6.1" vs 6.95" screen, an extra 2 EQ bands on the 7 series, different sound processing ability, a wireless remote on the 7 series, and a flip down screen on the 7 series for an additional 50% more in cost. I also see DNX9xxx series but these seem to be primarily aimed at playing movies with surround sound in the vehicle (feel free to correct me on that one) which clearly won't be for me in this car.

Given that I am going to put this in place of the factory non-Bose setup can someone recommend the optimal unit for me? Here are my requirements:

Current
Good Navigation - really like Garmin but not a deal breaker
iPod capabilities
MP3/WMA capabilities (DVD not critical but I'm guessing they all have this)
Good Sound quality with existing factory speakers
Rear View Camera capabilities
Compatible with steering wheel controls (Source, Skip, and Volume)
Bluetooth capabilities
Simple options for firmware upgrades
Color matching buttons for existing interior is a plus

Future
Subwoofer hookup
Pre-Outs for fronts (probably never have rear speakers in this car)
Work well with a 5 channel amp to drive everything later

I'm willing to entertain non-Kenwood suggestions if the unit meets my requirements above and has a proven track record. I've looked at JVC, Alpine, Pioneer, and Clarion at Crutchfield's site as well.

Thanks in advance for the input!

I picked up the avic-920bt Pioneer Unit... seems like a great value with a newer looking interface

Its not installed yet though, I will let you know how I like it

All the units will work for you. I recommend kenwood because of how well they are and what you get for them.

Any ETA on when that install might be happening?

Thanks for the input Big!

My Pioneer avic-x920bt was put in tonight and I am more than pleased!

So far it has blown me away...

I will post pics and a review tomorrow or the next day...

The Pandora Link is awesome... It runs the Pandora interface right through your HU with the special Pandora Link for Pioneer App on my iPhone... Im pretty sure you can get the Pandora Link app on other phones as well. Video's through my iphone 3gs all load and play perfect. And with the pioneer cable my phone also charges just fine.


The nav , for the little I used it, seemed good, I would imagine maybe the garmin interface on kenwood may be a bit easier, But it seems like it will function just fine and seemed very accurate. I used the same Rear Camera as AK, in same spot, and it works perfect. Same eBay camera. The quality of the sound is also greatly improved with great EQ functions..

I do not have sirius or MSN Direct ( for traffic, weather, movies ) connected but I plan to do so in the future.

But it seems like a very nice head unit.

Good choice……….this is a great forum for Pioneer owners.


AVIC411.com

Looking forward to the pictures and the reviews as I'm getting the Z120BT installed on Saturday.

For what it's worth to the OP, I was going to buy a Kenwood unit but after seeing the interface of the Pioneer I went with them. The Kenwood UI looked old and very cluttered whereas the Pioneer did not. I also really liked the iPod interface on the Pioneer than on the Kenwood. My issues were more personal preference rather than technical.

How is that Pioneer AVIC-X920BT working out so far?

I've also been looking at one of these instead of the Kenwood systems

I love it... Works great. Blue tooth seems ehh tho on my iPhone 4. On avic411 it says this is a os4 issue but I'm not sure. But I love the head unit. Very modern interface and works great. Money well spent.

I keep hearing it's a good unit and great interface, but some say Pioneer is not reliable ..!!

I have to go with kenwood just because O have seen how nice there interfaces are and like everything you get. Also PM sent.

^^ Only one person claims it’s not reliable and I’m sure he will send you a PM that will send you to an old posting that he created in an “old” civic forum! Everyone who has a Pioneer HU in this forum has nothing but positive experiences! Google Pioneer reviews!!

^^ pioneer car stereo reviews - Google Search

I don't trust review sites HaHa.

They talk about first impressions and features, and normally have bias opinions or sponsors.

These reviews are never long term use, and real world reviews.

That's why it's better to hear from experianced users in forums such as this.

Just my opinion :)

I can give you my real world experiences…………….it’s a great head unit! I have owned Alpine, Kenwood and Pioneer. Pioneer is top dog for performance, value and features. Read the reviews posted from chuckd05 or CaptainSlow!! Like I stated above………………only one (not a 370Z owner) bashes Pioneer!

I got the Pioneer Z120BT installed a few weeks ago and I'm very happy. There was one issue that I had with a loud, constant hissing but that went away after the installer used a different wiring harness. Overall, I'm very impressed with the unit.

You might need to get used to the scrolling because at times rather than scrolling it selects what I touched. I'm guessing it's because of the angle that the unit is at (i.e. it's easier to scroll on an iPhone than on this unit).

I have the Bose amp and speakers and after putting the head unit in the music is like night and day. I'm guessing it's because of the EQ adjustments.

Navigation, for me at least, works as expected. It doesn't have many streets in my area but that's probably because it's fairly new (2-3 years old).

One thing I've noticed is that sometimes it doesn't recognize the iPhone when I plug it in. That might be because of the iOS4 or the fact that my 3G is very slow now. I'm probably just going to get an iPod and just leave it in there. It's also a pain to open the cubby hole and look at the phone every time I get a text message.

Bluetooth works as expected and everyone I've talked to say they can hear me fine. The microphone is mounted to the left of the rear mirror.

If you have any questions about the unit let me know!

A firmware update should be coming out soon for the ios4 for head units.

So do GPS head units run maps from internal memory, or operate from a "Map DVD"?

And how do you keep up to date with maps, if they're on internal memeory?

From an upgradeable internal memory!

It’s upgradable by using a flash card, disc, etc.

I'm surprised there are not more "polls" or "sticky's" on the subject of audio.

Since the headunit (GPS) is almost the most expensive component in an audio setup.

It's good to hear eveyones thoughts and opinions though, before I drop $1000 on a head unit HaHa

when installing a new head unit can you just use one of those removal tools that just slides in all four corners of the head unit and just pull it out or does the 370z not have that and you have to take everything apart that is shown above? thanks

You do not need that everything is screws to remove for the head unit.

Can be, get some audison amps and they can be more than the head unit. :tup:

I have the Pioneer 120BT and love it. At first the microphone was too sensitive and people could not hear me if I was driving over 30mph. Changed the microphone and everything is great. I too had a noise over the speakers in the background while using my Iphone. I tried a couple of friends phones and the problem was not there. Went to the Apple store and warrantied my Iphone out and the sounds went away. I have found controlling Pandora from the faceplate (using the Pandora Pioneer App) very easy. I think controlling anything from this faceplate is easy. It is by far the best HU I have ever had, well worth the money $1199.00 from a dealer, and that is not counting the 100.00 I should be getting back from Pioneer.

Troy

does anyone know if on the kenwoods if you can change the color of the lights on the buttons? I need a red or orange color light

Any color you can think of you can put on the kenwoods and pioneers I think alpines as well.

on this topic.. for anyone who plans to do bypass work to the headunits in question..

alpine is by far the toughest
pioneer requires moving a pin in the harness
kenwood is the simplest.. requiring simple grounding work

i've been shopping for a head unit for awhile now, and as much as it annoys me to do so, i'm going to have to agree with BIG on this subject.

all the research, personal test time, and installer discussions i've had confirm the pioneer units are just not as high quality as they were in the past. it shows in the price, the gps quality, and the unit longevity.

alpine head units with motorized face plates tend to break, as well. faceplate motor failure is a consistent issue.

kenwood is the way to go, based on the research i've done.

Thank you sir, I am not thanking you to be a jerk its just nice for people to agree on things sometimes.

:tup: