REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

NeoDestinyZ · 05-31-2010, 10:12 PM

Hey everyone, I've been debating lately on these two brands. I've heard great things for the both of them, and as well as some cons of course. So Kenwood has garmin and parrot features which they advertise from Lamborghini, but the Pioneer doesn't? But I've also heard Pioneer has some incredible features as well for their new models, but I still can't decide which one to go with. I'm looking for DNX or the Avic models for sate nav, blue tooth, rear view camera and mp3, movies etc. Can anyone enlighten me on them, or have any kind of experience.

Thanks!

AVS_Racing · 06-01-2010, 12:36 AM

kenwood ftw the menu looks good, smooth + easy operation, im not sure about pioneer my frd had a pioneer flip out and he didnt like it and he said sq was bad. + kenwood u can always update the software im not sure if pioneer has that. get excelon series if your into sound quality.

installerz · 06-01-2010, 06:10 AM

I had the same concerns. I have carried Pioneer for a few years now and was looking to expand to maybe Kenwood or Eclipse. Eclipse announced their end in car audio. So I bought some Kenwood product to test and sell to see if I should invest further.

Pros:
They have Garmin; time alignment; zonal options; multi-colour; remote control; high voltage outputs; 2 year warranty; dvd while driving; Parrot bluetooth...

Cons:
They couldn't get me certain products as they were having sourcing issues on the build side. They still haven't come through with the 6160 or 6960 (the more affordable nave decks). As for navigating their decks... that's not been so easy. They are not inexpensive to buy. Their add-ons are not cheap either (Sirius, camera..)

Pioneer

Pros:
Parrot, updateable software, easy to use, inexpensive, multi-coloured; available; high voltage; large eq...

Cons:
Everyone's got them; no time alignment; remote control is extra; no more volume knobs.

I always suggest going to some shops to play with the units that you're thinking of buying. Play with them, see what you think of their interface. Check out the pricing. Try to picture it in your car.

Mugen EvOlutioN · 06-01-2010, 07:17 AM

i had kenwood double din couple years ago, that thing failed on me 3 times, thx god i had warranty.

no more kenwood for me

pinoeer gets my vote

NeoDestinyZ · 06-01-2010, 11:09 AM

Hey everybody thanks for the comments I appreciated, I will try to play with some in future shop or maybe some in other notable places. Keep the post coming I wanna hear and learn more.

Phil@rise · 06-01-2010, 02:13 PM

I've sold both off and on over the years and Kenwood gets my vote. We carry Clarion if you'd like to check them out they have some nice features and a great navi as well.

orgasm_donor · 06-01-2010, 11:53 PM

I have a Kenwood single din in my TSX and its 'ok'. On paper it looked really promising and had a ton of features for the price. Unfortunately the features I wanted (Time alignment and ease-of-use) were the worst parts about this deck. User-interface is not very intuitive at all. Its downright confusing. I firmly believe it cost me a first place win for an SQ compeition. I will be replacing it whit a slightly more expensive but much better Pioneer unit.

My Pioneer 4100 double din in my 350Z is just fucking awesome. It doesn't have Navi but it does everything absolutely perfectly. Ipod is perfect, user interface is fantastic and the price was ridiculously cheap for the features it had. I am supposed to be upgrading to the new Z120 but I am hesitant because I love the 4100 so much. I really want Navi though.

The Kenwood double dins are a little harder to use IMO but I think given some more time and experience with them I could learn to navigate the menus better. They are just a little different fron every other screen out there.

NeoDestinyZ · 06-02-2010, 10:56 AM

^ I've talked to you in the pass before about this, if I got time I would stop by and check some of your products out for sure.

Cman333 · 06-02-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orgasm_donor

The Kenwood double dins are a little harder to use IMO but I think given some more time and experience with them I could learn to navigate the menus better. They are just a little different fron every other screen out there.

I was the same way also. Kenwood makes good products, and tons of people have complained about the user interface. You'll notice throughout the years kenwood is starting to simplify things. Once you get used to kenwood interface it's not too bad.

I hate alpine decks in terms of the user interface. Playing with them for years and still have shitloads of issues with it. Especially the older higher end model.

orgasm_donor · 06-02-2010, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cman333

I hate alpine decks in terms of the user interface. Playing with them for years and still have shitloads of issues with it. Especially the older higher end model.

Word. And Alpine's add-on list can end up costing monumental amounts of cash...and its harder to install all the damn modules and shit. ARRGGHH!!!

NeoDestinyZ · 06-02-2010, 11:01 PM

Argh... I've done too much research. And the results are almost 50/50 with Kenwood and Pioneer, somebody should show me a fine line to which one I should cross?!

installerz · 06-03-2010, 06:53 AM

Have you physically gone to a shop to play with any yet? That will be the true test.
There is a RS sponsor that have both in stock. Soundworks are in Burnaby at Willingdon & Dawson (Lougheed) area.
Best Buy also has both on display, but I don't condone their business practices, so please don't buy from them (personal issue with bsing).
We also have them, but not on display.

NeoDestinyZ · 06-03-2010, 11:01 AM

^ Yea I'll definitely drop by sometime, it's true most of the sales people there don't know much either.

orgasm_donor · 06-03-2010, 09:43 PM

^^ At any given time I will either have a Pioneer double din screen to play with/look at or a Kenwood single din to mess around with. Two other installers have Pioneer screens in their cars to look at as well.

NeoDestinyZ · 06-04-2010, 09:14 PM

Thanks, I will come by when I got the time this month. I'm hoping to get into DTP, I love the pop-up ones for the din screen. Since my dash is too low to see, thanks!

es2k · 06-08-2010, 12:31 PM

im using dnx9960 and its frickin amazing! 3d navigation bluetooth ready and has 2 usb ports! looks amazing with a 6.95" screen!
kenwood ftw!!!!!!! my friends using pioneer all like mine better than pioneer