I have a stock head unit. Looking to upgrade, any suggestions?

 

I am running a Pioneer AVIC-7200 which is one step down from the flagship model with the main difference is the 8200 has different type of display. So far, I really like it. The amount of control over your system is excellent in terms of crossovers and equalization for a head unit. The video and sound quality are excellent, navigation and bluetooth work great and the processor responds quickly. I really have not complaints other than on the eq when you adjust a band the sound mutes momentarily. I would like the sound to always be there so you can hear the changes you make without the gap. Minor criticism though. It is a beast of a head unit for around 800 clams. I hear they are even cheaper now....

 

Are you looking for a double din for movies and SatNav? Or are you looking for quality, time alignment, and sound quality? Budget?

 

Yep, need some details. Everyone could point you to the newest and most expensive... But might not be for you.

IF double din is your direction, I would suggest a unit that has a dial for sound as opposed to touch buttons. I have the latter in my Kenwood Excelon DDX9903S. Love the unit, but need a tactile dial for volume. Can be tough to find the up and down buttons while driving.

 

You might want to look at the Kenwood Excelon units one of the DDX models would be a great choice. There are many price points within the DDX series. Check out Amazon for their customer reviews.

 

The price isn't an issue, mainly fit and finish . I definitely want navigation and quality sound

 

I agree, I installed a Kenwood DNX9990 several years ago, and the tiny buttons are a pain in the ***, and it's unsafe to try to find one while driving. I just ordered a device off eBay that uses the infrared remote pickup on the head unit to send the steering wheel commands wirelessly. It's only $10.49 delivered from NJ w/1 yr warranty thru eBay. Won't be here until 4/17 they say, but for the $$ it's worth a shot. The thing either straps to the steering wheel or can be mounted elsewhere. It uses it's own replaceable battery. I'll need my hands on it before I decide where to mount it, might even be able to incorporate the buttons into the console top or give it an "uncurved" enclosure. Not fond of the idea of strapping it on the wheel. I'll post solution details to the forum after I receive it. OH, if $$ is no object, by all means get both a front AND rear camera. I LOVE the front camera, haven't even come close to bumping the front end since the install. I wish I had one on my van, too!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/282247105401

I love the larger screen than those head units with a volume ****, and you'd still be looking for a solution to phone button access, so the above might be worth waiting on for more research.

Best regards,
...z

 

I got rid of my kenwood dnn992. Bc it was a pile.. trying pioneers flag ship now

 

Another thing to think of- do you actually need/want a CD/DVD player?

If not, the new multimedia receivers can be cheaper without them.

i.e. two receivers with exactly the same features but one without the CD player will be less money.

thought of another way- you could buy more features for the same price by giving up the CD player.


I went with the Kenwood DMX 7704S instead of the 9903 at Dennis' recommendation (DD mods.) It's Kenwood's brand new unit. I haven't had a chance to play with it yet since I'm in the process of installing but it looks to have some very nice features but it does not have a CD player. It also does not have an HDMI but uses the USB for carplay (not HDMI PLUS USB for power.) It also will control their new dashcam tech toy if you're into that. I just went standard front and rear cameras for parking since they were included in the package I bought.


You mention navigation- Do you want the head unit to have it's own NAV OR do you want it to use the NAV apps on your phone? Apple or Android user? (In case you are wondering- Waze and google maps do not currently work with Carplay.......yet. There are possiblilites though through an app mode etc but I haven't had a chance to experiment there yet. THe Waze forums are basically begging for this but Waze is owned by Google so.....)


I highly recommend calling Dennis at DD mods and many others will also. He'll ask you want you want the unit to do, what kind of music you listen to, and build out from there. He'll also include just about everything you'll need to get it hooked up.

Also the members here on the forum are amazing with help and most installation questions I found answers to by searching.

Also, the C5 is the easiest thing I've ever ran wires in and the interior comes out very easily.

 

Just a quick update, the remote came, and it doesn't work. Or, at least I can't get it to work anything, and it came in an envelope with no instructions, just the remote in a plastic bag, inside a padded envelope. I pulled the plastic strip separating the battery from making contact until ready to use, and turned everything on, and NOTHING. So, I'm contacting the seller, they'll probably send me another one. The remote sensor for the head unit is on the front, so it should have seen this thing, IF it worked at all. More when the non-functionality is resolved. Disappointing.

Best regards,
...z

 

Just an FYI. With infrared remotes, you can point them at a digital camera (cell phone camera works) and if the remote works, you'll see the flashes on your screen. Infrared is invisible to us but the phone will show the light in the visible spectrum.

Cheap easy way to see if the remote is working at all; if it is but it's not controlling anything, it's probably the wrong one.