debating on which kenwood to get. Model wise I've never had one that had navi, i honestly hear that they aren't THAT good anyway, plus I'm pretty good with a map and have navi on my iphone.

http://www.6ave.com/SHOP/product.aspx?sku=KENDNX5120


http://www.6ave.com/SHOP/product.aspx?sku=KENDDX512

http://www.6ave.com/SHOP/product.aspx?sku=KENDNX5140

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...s/AVH-P4100DVD

advice?

also it it said I'll have to get a ipod control cable. Can i use anyone or do i have to use the brand of the headunit I buy?

 

For the most part I like the new Kenwood stuff... I've always like Kenwood.. there product went down hill a few years back but I think they're getting much better and competitive in pricing with all the features you get verses other brands such as Alpine.

I am an Alpine guy through and through... but not happy with they're stuff lately ... especially their navigation and double din units.

As for the kenwood... I'd personally go with the 7140 or 9140 which will give you bluetooth as well as nav, ipod control, etc... also... the higher end kenwoods have built in relay control that you can use to control a garage door opener, power window, sunroof, etc all from your deck.

If I had to pick a top 5... I'd say:

1) Eclipse AVN726E
2) Alpine IVA-W505
3) Kenwood DNX7140
4) JVC KW-NT1
5) Pioneer F series (700BT or 900BT)

Pretty much any unit you pick you will have to use the proprietary ipod cable unless it specifically says that it is full ipod direct or if it says you can use the ipod cable that comes with the ipod.

Hope this helps,

Nick

 

Two of the models you listed are last years remaining stock which is why they are discounted so much. The 5140 is new stock but can most likely be found at a local retailer for around the same price.

The kenwood has currently the best navi setup since it is by garmin and can easily be updated.
Pioneer has some really nice graphics but the one you listed does not have navi from what I can tell and most pioneer units have a little bit of delay on initial power up every time you start them.

I am personally a Kenwood fan so my opinions are biased. I have owned several Kenwood models and am going to install http://www.6ave.com/SHOP/product.aspx?sku=KENDNX9140 into my x real soon. Granted I get a huge discount on Kenwood equipment.

 

Even if they are last year's model, I'm fine with that. I don't use bluetooth and honestly don't feel a need for it. Navi would be nice, but I don't have to have it. Just would like something that is fast in booting and processing, that I can change the background and use my ipod but something I can upgrade easy later on (with external boxes like for bluetooth or xm)

 

my only concern is that kenwood make the screen 6.1 vs closer to 7.. is this a problem when viewing?

 

If that worries you then look into the 7140 and up models. It is all a matter of preference. I suggest going into a local stereo shop and actually looking at and using one of them before you order. That way you can have some first hand experience with each particular model.

 

i have the DNX7120 and i like it a lot. the DNX7140 looks like the newer model. the only minor issue is the gps. i've never had gps in my car, but it seems like it's slightly delayed. basically it will tell me directions half a second late resulting me missing exits a few times. maybe i mounted the gps device in a bad spot. maybe the evo is so fast the gps can't keep up. i'll go with the second one. lmfao jk.

 

you should look at the pioneer avn-4100dvd. Has a huge 7inch screen and has the expandability you would like, except for the navi. Im getting this one tomorrow. I don't need Navi, or bluetooth. I just want something that I can hook a hardrive up to and play all my music from that. You can find them brand new for about 420 shipped on amazon.com

 

after my recent experience with kenwood im happy to say, get a dnx 9140.

 

im not trying to drop no 1,500 on a unit. I love music but I dont love it that much.. 6-700 is cool.. 800 is pushing it. amazon has some killer deals if you shop. I dont need bluetooth and really dont need navi. I can read a map.

 

ok, I lied. I bought the pioneer f900bt instead of the avh-4100. the f900 has a smaller screen, but it has so many more features like voice command and navigation. I picked it up from amazon.com for 490 shipped.

 

do you lose the stock blue tooth when u put in aftermarket decks? An can you use the wheel mounted buttons with any of them

 

Saving for this...http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...ms/AVIC-Z110BT

 

can you get us the discount too
perhaps a group buy?

 

do you lose the stock blue tooth when u put in aftermarket decks? An can you use the wheel mounted buttons with any of them

No you don't have to PAC sells a unit to keep all steering wheel controls including bluetooth, I have one for my Pioneer but haven't installed my unit in the EVO yet.