Headunit recommendations
 

I searched and the last thread on this subject was 2 years old, there's been new models released since then.

I'm looking for a double din HU capable of GPS nav, bluetooth integration of my phone, and a dock for my mp3 player. I did a quick search and found some options: Pioneer AVIC710, Kenwood DNX6160, Alpine 505, ... all seem to be about the same overall. Some are better at one thing, worse at another.

I'd like to keep my budget ~$800 including the double din kit, harness, and steering wheel controls adapter (Metra ASWC, ~$80). I don't mind buying last year's model, or from the US if it reduces costs.

I haven't ever had Nav and drove across the US without it, so nav is not terribly important. Just needs to work, not look super pretty.
I am picky about controls. I hate devices that are painful to use, so I would lean towards the device with the best menu system, especially for songs.
I want to watch movies while driving, so the headunit has to allow this or be easily modded to do so. This is for killing time stuck at the border crawling along, not to watch movies while driving to work. :)

Any advice and recommendations would be appreciated.

If you are looking for everything including dash kit harnes steering wheel interface maybe you should onsider listing your vehicles year make model?

you also may consider Fly Audio as they offer an aggressive price point, fully loaded with bluetooth nav, HD screen resolution, touchscreen, option to add satellite radio, and steering wheel interface built in. Most units now coming in copper chassis 24bit DA converter. Triple Preouts, DVD CD playback with Ipod cable included.

In some cases, if they make, dash kit included for that oem look!

www.flyaudio.net

We have local dealers, visit your sponsors, BPG Tuning, Ralph's Radio, Soundworks, Sounds Good.

Do not get w505. It has the worst navi ever
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I have found the double din kit, harness and steering wheel controls adapter for my car (2003 Mercedes C230).

RS has sponsors, yet I don't feel like driving around the city to get advice when I could get it here, especially since I took the time to post in the correct section :)

Fly Audio has nothing for Mercedes, so just the general double din unit. I did a quick search and found no reviews of any Fly Audio headunit.

Can you elaborate why? Reviews say it has better nav than the AVIC series...

What review did you read?

I had a avic f700bt it was pretty good other then it being slow it was a great player and the controls were good. The w505 that I got now is slow for nav and the unit itself drops gps connection. (Gps receiver on top of dash)

The audio side is pretty good for some reason mine can't do video from ipod (classic, touch, iphone 2,3,4 ) only dvd works.

Imo look at kenwood much better unit and navi is buy garmin
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If you buy local, you'll have excellent warranty & service. It may cost a few more bucks, but is worth it in my mind.

We have Pioneer AVIC-x920bt's for sale @ $800.00, or if you wait for a week, the AVICx930bt's will be in @ $1000.00

We have the Clarion NX501 for $950.00. AWESOME new deck. It blew me away at the show this year!!!

Kenwood DNX6960 is also a great unit @ $950.00, which we have in stock.

JVC's decks are on their way, but I haven't seen one to tell you how they will be. The NT-3's were ok.

Alpine... is not on my list. Neither is Sony or Jensen.

+1 for W505 sucking ass

I have one and it sucks to the bone, as far as the Navi goes. Bluetooth sucks just as much. The rest of the unit is fine. My iPod 4th gen works fine - all of it. Screen is very nice and the audio section is pretty damn good. Ergonomically, it is a bit of a challenge, but I'd rather have it that way than lose the screen size. The screen is nice for a touch screen. Not as nice as my D-901, but that screen is not touch screen.

Avoid Alpine anything, if Navi or Bluetooth is important.

I'm gonna regret saying all the above one day, 'cause come time to sell the thing, I'll basically end up giving it away.

^ lol me too my thread's been in buy/sell for a while hahahah
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Yeah, if you can wait a little bit ALL of the DVD/Nav units have been lowered in price. The new Pioneer stuff has dropped in price by almost 30% over last year. The new Clarion stuff looks pretty sweet as Installerz said and because of this, we are the newest Clarion dealer. :)

I have an AVIC Z120BT in my 350Z and it is truly awesome. I want to upgrade to the Z130 though so mine will be for sale. You'll probably see a lot of last year's units for sale very soon. Patience is a virtue!

Thanks guys!

installerz and orgasm_donor, patience is a virtue I do have. I looked into nav headunits years ago when they were ~$2K and built a custom car computer instead for less. Now that they are cheaper, and much improved, I want to ditch the flaky car computer.

It may sound silly, yet I would almost rather have the 5-6" screen with the buttons/knob on the side. I have a blackberry cause I hate the all touchscreen phones too :)

Man, now I also have to research the NX501... I thought I was down to just the AVICx920 and DNX6960

I have no problem with used, let me know if you sell the Z120 or see any other good deals. Thanks!

I have a demo dnx 9960 I put in my car last June, It's for sale, if you're interested PM me.
Cheap cheap cheap!

When is the Clarion NX501 going to be released?

?? Supposed to be coming out this week.

Ive been waiting for awhile and cant seem to get any info for anyone....

any word on the Clarion release?

They should be landing in Toronto this week

Cant wait!!!!!

Woah this thing is cool! Been playing around with one at our shop the last couple of days. :)

Installed the Clarion NX501 at SoundsGood yesterday. Im liking it so far !!

Unit Reivew

-Quick start up time
-Quick respond time, switch from Phone call/Navi/Audio
-Built in BT mic works good, I dont have to raise my voice and other end can hear me perfectly, No noise
-Great setting features, very user friendly
-Navi signal quite strong, i lost my signal when i almost reach P2 parkade

I spent about 1 hr to play around with it and config the setting, there isnt much to complain. Nothing but goods about this unit so far.

SoundsGood Reivew

-My 2nd jobs for SoundsGood and they did a wonderful job
-Since they have to pull USB connector thru my glove box, they were nice enough to change my glove box light bulb while they working on it.

Thanks to Keith and the crew... Will def visit again.


Edit: i was debating if i should get the pioneer AVIC-X930BT or Clarion NX501.. found a lot of negative Pioneer user reviews on the internet and NO review on Clarion what so ever due to the newest model. Good thing Keith has a model in the shop that I get to play around with it and made my mind up. Just like what they said in the previous post "Blow my mind" lol

Woot! Thanks for coming in Greenstoner. I think it worked out quite nicely in your car!