Alright audio guru's. I need help. I've narrowed down the search to a couple of units. If money was not involved, which one and why. I would appreciate all of your input.

Pioneer AVIC-Z2
Pioneer AVIC-D3
Eclipse AVN-5495
Eclipse AVN-6610
Kenwood DNX-7100

I've done the search and there are alot of different opinions out there. Just wanted to get a few more before taking the plunge.

The Car: 2006 C6, Stock Head Unit, US Amps (MD42, MD41, MD2D), 2 Kicker 8" L-7's, Focal 130KP in the doors, Focal 165 KBE bass extender in the doors, No rear fill, No Center Speaker. The weak point is now the Head Unit.

I am looking for sound QUALITY!!! I listen to it all. From Jazz, to Hip-Hop to Classic Rock, etc. I want the NAV to better than stock and I want to have the capability to watch DVD and drive (when one of my kids are riding shotgun). I want the Bluetooth to get rid of the Parrot, and I use IPOD and Satellite (XM) most of the time.

HELP!!!

Thanks, Ron

 

If you want to watch videos while driving, you can cross the Avid-Z2 off the list. I don't believe that has been bypassed yet. The D3 can be bypassed.

If you consider the Kenwood 7100, the you should add the DDX-7019 (component version with same features).

That is about as much as I know. Kenwood has the reputation for faster iPod interfacing and uses a Garmin nav.

 

Reep,
What do you run in the vert? You're up in the Valley. I graduated from CSUN back in '94. I looked on the Kenwood website and other than NAV what is the difference between the DDX-7019/8019 and the DNX-7100? The Kenwood website does not do much for providing information for us who like to do our homework before purchasing.

Thanks, Ron

 

 

I have the Pioneer Avic-Z2 in my vette and love it. But one down fall for it is that there is no known bypass yet for it. Other than that, this radio does everything imaginable in one head unit. No hide away units that have to be dealt with. Just one person's opinion.

 

I really like the Kenwood Dnx7100. I have mine bypassed with a small switch in the console so my son can watch movies while I drive. The Garmin nav is first rate too. The Ipod control is very fast, about the same speed as the alpine IVAw200 I have in my daily driver. Sound quality is fantastic.
Evan Q.

 

I just put the DNX7100 in my C6 w/Bose & Onstar. It sounds great! iPod control is as fast as you can move your fingers. Garmin GPS is great.

Highly recommended.

-Ben

 

Thanks for all the replies. I was originally going with the AVIC-Z2 unit but I hear the NAV is not as good as the Garmin in the Kenwood and there is no known bypass, yet.
I like the hard drive, but that is the only upside. I'll give it a couple more days and then make my decision.

-Ron

 

I just bought a refurbished AVIC Z1 on Ebay for $1,000. It can be bypassed easily now. Please consider it. The only changes made were an updated mapping system with the Z2 that is rumored to be updatable for the Z1 come August without affecting our bypasses. Something to consider.

The NAV traffic and the ability to watch DVDs is awesome and you get your hard drive for loading 10 GB of music!

Mark

 

I considered the Avic as well before going with Kenwood. The hard drive is a "little more trouble" than they let on. Although you will have access to a lot of music, you must rip it direct from the CDs to the hard drive. That means you must spend a LOT of time ripping before you just get to set back and enjoy. I decided I was way better off with the iPOD adaptor and the ability to direct connect any USB device. That way I can RIP all I want on the PC and in two minutes have it connected up to the head.

Good Luck and Good Listening.

 

I've been looking really close at the Z1 option with the bypass and the Kenwood. It is going to be tough. Looks like I am leaning towards the Kenwood due to the speed of the IPOD interface. I'll keep everyone posted.

Thanks for all the info.

 

Yes, the new iPod interface on the Kewoods are very fast! Plus the ability to do video from it is cool also.

 

Can this be done? I just installed it in my 07 dodge ram and love the unit. Full nav, bluetooth, full IPOD connectivity, and xm. Great sound as well. I want to install it in my Z. Can it be done and anyone know who can do it Long Island?

 

You heard right. The only people that like the navigation in factory stock units or the Pioneer are those who have never had decent navigation from Garmin (or Magellan). I had the Z1 installed in my Avalanche and the **** poor navigation (looked great, picked terrible routes) was the sole reason that I had it taken out and went back to stock plus my Garmin Streetpilot. I bought the DNX7100 solely because of the integrated Garmin. Since installing it in my Vette only two weeks ago, two of my friends have had them installed in theirs.

There is no beating Garmin navigation and getting it in a package like the Kenwood with its high speed Ipod (with Ipod Video support) just rocks. I highly reccomend going that direction and never looking back at Pioneer...unless you are willing to settle for lackluster, inaccurate naviation in order to get the prettier map and GUI appearance.

BTW, another benefit is that Garmin seems to be the only Nav vendor smart enough to allow you to disable safe mode from within the GUI, allowing a passenger (or you ) to fully use the navigation address search features and such without doing a bypass. To watch video from the DVD drive or Ipod you will still need to ground the brake wire.

I would also reccomend the bluetooth support if you have a bluetooth cell phone. Got it for mine and it rocks. About the only downside is the lack of a mute button on the screen. Other than that, it works great!

Shan

 

I use the 7100 in my C6...
I have the Bluetooth, the Navtraffic (kinda useless), and the ipod interface...

It works great, really like the BT part...

I put the BT where the original Bose amp was and the XM/Navtraffic antenna where the center speaker was...

And just ground the parking brake wire, you don't need a switch...

Install thread:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1782164

 

The Z2 can be bypassed now. I have the D3 and I like it but I think I'm going to get a DNX 7100 to see if I like it better. Whatever is left I'll install it in my wife SUV.

http://www.avic411.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8783