Looking for a unit *Help
 

Hey everyone so I've been looking for a headunit for my 2009 base/sport, but I haven't had any luck finding exactly what I need or if I have I don'tknow how reputable they are so I'm asking for some guidance.

The things that I am looking for at the very least:

• Navigation
• DVD Compatable
• CD
• Aux Input

I know that almost all units today can do stuff like this but I'm not sure which ones are good ones.

Thanks in advance for any input you have.

"Good ones" is highly subjective and every brand has it's fans and detractors, though most people on here tend to gravitate towards the Big 3 manufacturers...i.e Alpine, Kenwood, and Pioneer.

Your stated requirements are pretty low....just about every NAV unit currently on the market is going to support the rest of your features to one degree or another so a list of recommended units would literally look like a grocery list. You'll need to help whittle down that list in order to receive useful replies.

Some other things to possibly consider are:

Budget?
Required screen size? 6"? 7"?
Why the aux input? i.e. what sources are you trying to hook up?
Will you use a cell phone with it? Android? iPhone? iPod?
Stock or aftermarket speakers? Are you using an amp? Subs?
Will you use a backup camera?
Do you need or want voice control?

These questions are by no means comprehensive but should serve to get you started on some reasonable recommendations.

I prefer pioneer, but wasn't it kenwood that doesn't require a new back plate?

Back plate? Do you mean dash kit?

If so then no, you don't need a dash kit, but there is a slight gap around the edges of the unit with the OEM piece. Most people probably wouldn't find it objectionable but it bothered me enough that I replaced the fascia with the Metra kit.

Budget: ~$500 or so
The Aux Jack for my iphone/ipod etc...
Stock speakers for now
No back up camera yet
And no I dont need voice control

As for the screen size I need to measure it again but I'm looking to put it in this area:

http://www.the370z.com/attachments/d...-dsc00813-.jpg

I'm really just looking for a nav unit but if I can find a decent one with these capabilities then that's even better

good luck. you might be able to pick last years model for a cheaper price. I was at a store Saturday and they had the Kenwood 9990HD for $1,399.99 with $100.00 rebate = 's $1,299.99 in the end. The DNX 9960 has a little lag in response time. The 9990HD fixed the lag issue.

Don't bother measuring...you most likely won't have to worry about the size of the opening in your dash. It's standard double DIN. Practically all models with 6" screens and 7" screens will fit with no alteration....the 8" Alpine being the notable exception. The big difference (besides screen size and price) is that 6" screens usually have larger physical buttons and a rotary volume knob while 7" units are almost all screen.

You probably won't need a traditional AUX input as most NAV units have dedicated USB connections for iPods and iPhones.

Your limiting factor is most likely going to be your budget, at least if you plan to buy from a reputable source/authorized dealer. You're going to be hard pressed to find a unit with baked in NAV at $500...off the top of my head I can't think of a single unit that I would recommend. Most decent units range from approx. $700 - $1300. They can usually be had cheaper at places like eBay, Amazon, etc., though there is a good chance that any warranty issues won't be honored.

The one in this picture, is the one i have. Pioneer Avic f900bt..
It has NAV, backup cam capable, Ipod, DVD, MSN Internet, Bluetooth, etc..
I bought it brand new for $750 4 years ago. I think you can probably get them for about $300-400 new!

I installed one of these in my wife's car a couple years ago. Nice unit, though it took me a while to figure out how to bypass the parking brake. Didn't think you could get these new anymore....I thought they went disco in favor of the 940bt.

I didn't install myself, so i don't know about the bypass. I just told my guy that i wanted it done no charge haha..

I knew they came out with a new model-

so is the Pioneer Avic f900bt outdated now?
Are there better products from Pioneer now or should I just go with Kenwood or another company?z

The F900bt is a little outdated, but would probably suit your purposes if you can find one new. It has Nav, DVD, an iPod connection as well as an aux in on the front of the unit, and bluetooth. Factor in the cost of updating the maps if you use Nav frequently as the ones that are built in would be a couple years old at this point. The only gripe I ever had about it when driving my wife's car was that it takes a bit for it to boot up. I haven't used the f940bt, but mostly what I read about it says that Pioneer has taken a step back with their newer units.

For myself I prefer Kenwood HU's over Pioneer, in part because I greatly appreciate having the actual Garmin Nav software you get in the higher end units.

I agree. Like I said before, the f900bt is now 4 years old for me but still running.
Thats the only reason why i said it was good if you can find one new in your price range.
The start up is 30 seconds. Very slow. But nice sound comes out of the HU.

I love the Kenwoods. The comment above mine is the best. The GARMIN really is nice.

I use my phone now for NAV more than I use my NAV system.. I really only use my HU for music.

I will be getting a kenwood next. Unless someone comes out with a new NAV unit that syncs wirelessly with my Samsung S3!

I put in a pioneer bh4400, great looking in the Z, has all the features you want for around $350, I love it. Get a scosche or metra kit otherwise you'll have a small gap with the stock bezel.

In the end get what you like, but I only recommend alpine and kenwood. Just had bad luck and problems with pioneer.

The schosche dash kit is going to give you less of a overall gap, going with a kenwood or alpine will mean you may not even need a dash kit at all, some like it some do not.

Plenty of install pictures in my thread below