Now I'm about to post some pics of a mod I received today!
DD Mods
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I was speaking tonight with someone at crutchfield about the new Kenwood units which have not arrived yet but he said it will be soon. He told me the units that they receive to test out are much better than the older models. I thought I would just pass this along. It will be worth the wait if the new Kenwood units are better.
Dennis has been a Kenwood dealer for years. The only real difference I have seen was the addition of the internet. I found that not very important to me .I had an opportunity to wait to get that feature but chose not too.
This whole thing brings to mind my story of my 100 dollar stereo, bought many many years ago. when I bought it, I was happy because it did all the things I wanted it too do. My down fall was hearing a 500 dollar stereo, and then subsequently a 7000 dollar home stereo.
This head unit idea, is a really great modification. With the hands free phone and the ability to text an email notifications, it brings your car into the communications and technology era of much newer cars.
I know I have used the Nav system many times to find a wedding , or a shower, or party or some place we were invited to attend but never been there.. so without having to look at road signs and street signs , the Garmin has delivered us right to the front door without doing nothing but listening to directions as the unit lowers the music sound volume while delivering directions.. Need a gas station or a drug store when you are not in familiar territory, the Nav system will guide you there effortlessly. The volume **** of the Kenwood's is the no brainer that makes other push button units less favorable.. " the **** " is easily felt, without having to look, its function allows you to easily raise and lower the volume when in close quarters to other cars ( at a stop light etc.. )( windows down ) then back to a more pleasurable volume when cruising again.
Bill aka ET
Thread Starter
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,439
Likes: 2,184
From: Buffalo Texas
just took the vette off the ramps today, no big deal but might be easier to install everything with the car up a ways, might just put it back on the ramps ????? Looking forward to driving it tomorrow !!!
Thread Starter
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,439
Likes: 2,184
From: Buffalo Texas
I am certainly not being argumentative... just discussing this issue.
Dennis has been a Kenwood dealer for years. The only real difference I have seen was the addition of the internet. I found that not very important to me .I had an opportunity to wait to get that feature but chose not too.
This whole thing brings to mind my story of my 100 dollar stereo, bought many many years ago. when I bought it, I was happy because it did all the things I wanted it too do. My down fall was hearing a 500 dollar stereo, and then subsequently a 7000 dollar home stereo.
This head unit idea, is a really great modification. With the hands free phone and the ability to text an email notifications, it brings your car into the communications and technology era of much newer cars.
I know I have used the Nav system many times to find a wedding , or a shower, or party or some place we were invited to attend but never been there.. so without having to look at road signs and street signs , the Garmin has delivered us right to the front door without doing nothing but listening to directions as the unit lowers the music sound volume while delivering directions.. Need a gas station or a drug store when you are not in familiar territory, the Nav system will guide you there effortlessly. The volume **** of the Kenwood's is the no brainer that makes other push button units less favorable.. " the **** " is easily felt, without having to look, its function allows you to easily raise and lower the volume when in close quarters to other cars ( at a stop light etc.. )( windows down ) then back to a more pleasurable volume when cruising again.
Bill aka ET
Dennis has been a Kenwood dealer for years. The only real difference I have seen was the addition of the internet. I found that not very important to me .I had an opportunity to wait to get that feature but chose not too.
This whole thing brings to mind my story of my 100 dollar stereo, bought many many years ago. when I bought it, I was happy because it did all the things I wanted it too do. My down fall was hearing a 500 dollar stereo, and then subsequently a 7000 dollar home stereo.
This head unit idea, is a really great modification. With the hands free phone and the ability to text an email notifications, it brings your car into the communications and technology era of much newer cars.
I know I have used the Nav system many times to find a wedding , or a shower, or party or some place we were invited to attend but never been there.. so without having to look at road signs and street signs , the Garmin has delivered us right to the front door without doing nothing but listening to directions as the unit lowers the music sound volume while delivering directions.. Need a gas station or a drug store when you are not in familiar territory, the Nav system will guide you there effortlessly. The volume **** of the Kenwood's is the no brainer that makes other push button units less favorable.. " the **** " is easily felt, without having to look, its function allows you to easily raise and lower the volume when in close quarters to other cars ( at a stop light etc.. )( windows down ) then back to a more pleasurable volume when cruising again.
Bill aka ET
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 18,293
Likes: 137
From: Hazel Green, Wi www.doubledmods.com
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Guys
Sorry
I am hardly ever on here anymore as I simply dont have time to be on the forums like everyone is so used to seeing me.
The radio for AKAPOUNDER was the only one we were waiting on. They were on backorder for 2 months from Kenwood.
I demanded one be found for me and overnighted to me so i could fill his order.
I was on the phone around 6 tonight with my rep and he did not have any more updates for me yet. HE is call me everyday to keep me posted. So the following models are the ones being delayed..
ALL DNX models with NAV CarPlay and Android Auto
773
893
573
693
DDX models with Car Play and Android Auto
6903
6703
9703
9903
All the other models are available and have been shipping (the 793 is only exception and we should see more at the end of the month)
I have 393 593 as most popular models here and more shipped yesterday from Kenwood.
23BT, 373 I have as well but normally do not have many as the Excelon models are the same price with an extra year warranty. So ordering a 373 with 1 year warranty it only makes sense to get the 393 with 2 year warranty for same price.
I guess what you can blame on me for all of this is believing in the quality of the product and that it is the best option for what i feel fits your needs. You guys trust me to get you what is best. If I thought something was better than these new units I would have suggested it. If I would have known we would of had these issues I would not have offered preorder savings and taken preorders for the products. So I am sorry to everyone. I am more frustrated than any of you believe me. Not only are we getting no communication or very little to pass on we are also blown out of the water now with our scheduling and trying to stay on pace with orders ect. I am going to do something for everyone to show our appreciation of everyone being understanding and not taking it out on Donna or I for the delays. I will figure this out once I get through the mess.
Time frame on bezel orders
yes we have 311 total bezels( we make many models of vehicles not just C5) we have to make right now. Hire more help you say?? Well thats great and all fine and dandy but we can not find anyone who is worth a **** to hire that want to actually work. Donna and I are working 7 days a week as always and working to keep caught up. I just had someone call me now at 7 and surprised I answered to help them. November till May is just the craziest time of year for us and its been this for the last 11 years now we have been doing this.
As I mentioned I hardly ever get the time to come on here as between the 300-400 emails I get a day, and dozens of phone calls I am limited for forum visits. All of you who do call me know I tell everyone to call as I am more than likely still working while I am talking. We appreciate all of you and working to make all of you happy.
ON the brightside....
I know first hand the units are all being still worked with out in the field with Kenwood techs looking for any possible troubles in any thing from firmware to you name it. SO when they are allowed to release them there wont be issues like a couple years ago when the DNN was released. Many firmware problems happened in first 2 months causing upset people. Not in any way saying this is the problem as what I am told it is licensing with all CarPlay Android Auto Pandora Spotify I hear radio GArmin Ect that have to be approved. I am passing on any and all info to you guys I have. All of you know me I dont hold nothing back and say it as it is with what I have for info. They will be released and nobody at all anywhere has product.
Phone lines 608 854 2033 and 2034 are ringing all day and I am answering and still helping everyone we can. I know this sucks for all of you who have the bezels out and waiting for radios. We will update as I can. We are working to get all bezels out that are bezels only as well. I have to go back out tonight and paint 11 more for shipping as soon as tomorrow
LEather time frames are still out there but again winter months kill us on leather orders.
Painted
hydro ect
everyone is busy this time of year. Early spring and nice weather is not doing us any favors as well with cars coming out of storage earlier.
I know some of you are pisses at the situation. I get it. I am beyond pissed and literally used about every cuss word my red headed temper could muster up tonight on the phone with my Kenwood rep. He gets it too as I am sure its not fun for him and all his employees.
My phone is always on and rings in my house at night for me to still answer as much as I can for all of you.
again we appreciate everything from all of you and your understanding
Dennis
Sorry
I am hardly ever on here anymore as I simply dont have time to be on the forums like everyone is so used to seeing me.
The radio for AKAPOUNDER was the only one we were waiting on. They were on backorder for 2 months from Kenwood.
I demanded one be found for me and overnighted to me so i could fill his order.
I was on the phone around 6 tonight with my rep and he did not have any more updates for me yet. HE is call me everyday to keep me posted. So the following models are the ones being delayed..
ALL DNX models with NAV CarPlay and Android Auto
773
893
573
693
DDX models with Car Play and Android Auto
6903
6703
9703
9903
All the other models are available and have been shipping (the 793 is only exception and we should see more at the end of the month)
I have 393 593 as most popular models here and more shipped yesterday from Kenwood.
23BT, 373 I have as well but normally do not have many as the Excelon models are the same price with an extra year warranty. So ordering a 373 with 1 year warranty it only makes sense to get the 393 with 2 year warranty for same price.
I guess what you can blame on me for all of this is believing in the quality of the product and that it is the best option for what i feel fits your needs. You guys trust me to get you what is best. If I thought something was better than these new units I would have suggested it. If I would have known we would of had these issues I would not have offered preorder savings and taken preorders for the products. So I am sorry to everyone. I am more frustrated than any of you believe me. Not only are we getting no communication or very little to pass on we are also blown out of the water now with our scheduling and trying to stay on pace with orders ect. I am going to do something for everyone to show our appreciation of everyone being understanding and not taking it out on Donna or I for the delays. I will figure this out once I get through the mess.
Time frame on bezel orders
yes we have 311 total bezels( we make many models of vehicles not just C5) we have to make right now. Hire more help you say?? Well thats great and all fine and dandy but we can not find anyone who is worth a **** to hire that want to actually work. Donna and I are working 7 days a week as always and working to keep caught up. I just had someone call me now at 7 and surprised I answered to help them. November till May is just the craziest time of year for us and its been this for the last 11 years now we have been doing this.
As I mentioned I hardly ever get the time to come on here as between the 300-400 emails I get a day, and dozens of phone calls I am limited for forum visits. All of you who do call me know I tell everyone to call as I am more than likely still working while I am talking. We appreciate all of you and working to make all of you happy.
ON the brightside....
I know first hand the units are all being still worked with out in the field with Kenwood techs looking for any possible troubles in any thing from firmware to you name it. SO when they are allowed to release them there wont be issues like a couple years ago when the DNN was released. Many firmware problems happened in first 2 months causing upset people. Not in any way saying this is the problem as what I am told it is licensing with all CarPlay Android Auto Pandora Spotify I hear radio GArmin Ect that have to be approved. I am passing on any and all info to you guys I have. All of you know me I dont hold nothing back and say it as it is with what I have for info. They will be released and nobody at all anywhere has product.
Phone lines 608 854 2033 and 2034 are ringing all day and I am answering and still helping everyone we can. I know this sucks for all of you who have the bezels out and waiting for radios. We will update as I can. We are working to get all bezels out that are bezels only as well. I have to go back out tonight and paint 11 more for shipping as soon as tomorrow
LEather time frames are still out there but again winter months kill us on leather orders.
Painted
hydro ect
everyone is busy this time of year. Early spring and nice weather is not doing us any favors as well with cars coming out of storage earlier.
I know some of you are pisses at the situation. I get it. I am beyond pissed and literally used about every cuss word my red headed temper could muster up tonight on the phone with my Kenwood rep. He gets it too as I am sure its not fun for him and all his employees.
My phone is always on and rings in my house at night for me to still answer as much as I can for all of you.
again we appreciate everything from all of you and your understanding
Dennis
Thread Starter
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,439
Likes: 2,184
From: Buffalo Texas
Dennis I think you will always be highly regarded here, you can not blame yourself for things out of your control and wanting to give us the best product out there !!!!!! Thanks a Minion !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
Dennis, can you give me another update on when that double din torch red leather bezel will arrive? Been waiting over a year now? Remember when you said 9 months ago it was being covered in red leather? I think I should call you and lets revisit what you can do about it.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 55
Likes: 5
From: PA
Dennis, thanks for the update on the Kenwood situation. We certainly appreciate all the hard work both you and Donna put in to help make our upgrades as nice as they can be. The info regarding which units are available and which are not is enlightening to all on this thread. Since I'm waiting on a 393 it eases me to know those are available and Kenwood is actively shipping those. Keep up the great work, it's easy to see why you are such a respected vendor in the aftermarket community!!!
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Thread Starter
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,439
Likes: 2,184
From: Buffalo Texas
I have mentioned I received a tracking number yesterday, so like a dumb as*** I didn't check to see when ???? I am all excited to drive the vette today and guess what ??? they tried to deliver my new bezel and radio TODAY ????? I sure didn't think it would be delivered the next Day ??? My Bad !!!!!!!!!! So tomorrow my first event of the year (Cars and Coffee) I will have to stay home and wait for Fedex !!! Also my Bad is I didn't see I have to sign for it !!!!!!! Still I'm Happy to get it and to all those still waiting 
Instructor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 222
Likes: 20
From: Fairfield Ohio
New Kenwood 893
I dont think anybody blames Dennis, I sure dont but when you order in january and its april 16 and you dont have it yet you get to thinking do i really need it ? I since traded my car off for a C7 so I dont need it Im going to cancel and hope Dennis will refund my purchase price.
