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I am looking to install a double DIN with navigation, my TomTom keeps falling off of the window. Anyway, the Metra bezel kit has good reviews on Amazon and there is a seller that has the bezel with the adapters for a decent price. So, now I have to figure out what radio to use. I don't need something that plots a course to Mars or gets up in the morning and makes breakfast. I want navigation, hands-free phone calls (a separate mic is a plus) and will play DVD's. I'm sure most of these stereos will have back up camera inputs and pre-amp, and all that jazz, but I don't really need or want any of that. I have had good luck with Pioneer in the past, and Sony, but there are so many other brands out there, opinions are appreciated.
The bezel from Vettenuts is nicer than the Metra. I have a Kenwood 9903 which has Apple or Android CarPlay. Unbeatable. With a ‘dedicated’ nav, eventually the unit has to be upgraded. With CarPlay, every time the IPhone upgrades, so do your maps and other apps.
Siri takes over the screen and the most you have to do is press the white Siri button, then everything else is voice command.
I think the major difference between the Metra and the Vettenuts bezels is the Metra has open holes where the ashtray and the cup holder are looking totally unfinished, whereas the Vettenuts looks complete like the original. As far as the radio is concerned, I have a Kenwood which is about two years old and it has all the features you are looking for. The new ones have even more features, one of which is ability to have a front camera, which I've been trying to integrate into my system. Kenwood NAVs have one thing over other brands of radios, they use Garmin nav which I think is superior to others.
I just did a metra install in mine with a Kenwood 893s, I am happy with it. I am sure the vettenuts one is better, but I think my metra looks pretty good too. Here is a picture. The Kenwood 893s is a good deal (700 on amazon) and has all of the features you wanted and it does include a Mic. I have used it for hands free calling and it is perfect. The rear camera is awesome. I supports a front too. Doing the E brake bypass is simple, just bolt the wire to the radio. Also you don't need to tap into your speed wire. Love it overall.
First question, is sound quality important to you? If it is I would buy in this order:
1. Alpine
2. Kenwood
3. Pioneer
If sound quality is of no consequence then any of the above will do you a fine job. I loved the feature set of the Pioneer (Avic-7200) but hated how it sounded. I have an Alpine INE-W960 now that was $500 and has full nav, dvd, bluetooth for hands free phone operation, takes command of my Iphone brilliantly and sounds fantastic. It is a great bang for the buck head unit. If you want to spend more the INE-W957 is sweet or ILX-207 would be nice too if you are OK with mechless.
It is also my understanding that the Kenwoods do sound pretty good and overall are a good choice. When it comes to double din, though, the top 3 are noted above, IMO. The rest are wanna be's. Just my .02.
Last edited by 02BlownZ06; Feb 28, 2018 at 08:48 AM.
I demo’d My 9903/CarPlay to a couple of corvette pals today and they were amazed. One question they both asked was if I changed the speakers. Kenwoods sound great.
DON'T BUY THE METRA, You won't be happy. The grain and color aren't even close to OEM
Check out VetteNuts, Their's is 100% better.
I completely disagree. I just installed mine, and I'm plenty happy with it. No, the texture isn't OEM, but this also isn't a collectors car, so at over $100 (or $170 at the normal price) cheaper, I can certainly deal with it. I would also say that it's a big stretch to suggest that it's "100% better". 15% better? Sure. 20% better? Maybe. But nowhere near the premium that they're commanding, IMHO. I also like not having the stupid doors over the ashtray and cupholder.
I completely disagree. I just installed mine, and I'm plenty happy with it. No, the texture isn't OEM, but this also isn't a collectors car, so at over $100 (or $170 at the normal price) cheaper, I can certainly deal with it. I would also say that it's a big stretch to suggest that it's "100% better". 15% better? Sure. 20% better? Maybe. But nowhere near the premium that they're commanding, IMHO. I also like not having the stupid doors over the ashtray and cupholder.
Ok, The key term here is opinion. I don’t like the open cup holder or door opening and from what I’ve observed from people who have experienced both of them that the Vettenuts article is much better. If the Metra was the only game in town I would have recommended it with my own opinions. As for percentages I could care less. I was making a point to a lesser experienced owner.
Ok, The key term here is opinion. I don’t like the open cup holder or door opening and from what I’ve observed from people who have experienced both of them that the Vettenuts article is much better. If the Metra was the only game in town I would have recommended it with my own opinions. As for percentages I could care less. I was making a point to a lesser experienced owner.
Completely agree with your opinion, open compartments just look unfinished and cheap and will be dust and dirt collectors. As far as finish is concerned, if one were concerned about that the bezel can be recovered in leather for a nicer texture.
I completely disagree. I just installed mine, and I'm plenty happy with it. No, the texture isn't OEM, but this also isn't a collectors car, so at over $100 (or $170 at the normal price) cheaper, I can certainly deal with it. I would also say that it's a big stretch to suggest that it's "100% better". 15% better? Sure. 20% better? Maybe. But nowhere near the premium that they're commanding, IMHO. I also like not having the stupid doors over the ashtray and cupholder.
I agree.. I purchased mine from Dennis a while back with the door delete. Looks cleaner. As far as the receiver..I have a pioneer with nav and sirius, and hands free. All works, looks, and sounds great. Don't understand how anyone can complain about sound quality, the unit has adjustments to suit any ear.
Thanks all for the suggestions. I was thinking of covering the Metra with CF wrap, so the finish isn't a concern for me. I don't mind the open ashtray, because it makes a good cubby for my phone. As for the lid on the cup holder, not too concerned since it won't hold a cup anyway, that thing was an afterthought.
Seeing if I can get some opinions on these. I don't want to go mechless, my boy wants to be able to watch movies on trips. Oh yeah, I use Android, so all the Apple stuff is useless for me.
Just my opinion: I bought the Metra kit and just when opening the box and looking at the quality, I was disappointed to the point I just put it back in the bubble wrap and sold it. Didn't even want to install it. Looked CHEAP like autozone or walmart junk. You have a nice car. Spend the money and do it right the first time. The vettnuts bezel is the way to go. Correct location, ashtray cover, cupholder lid, correct texture, everything. Quoting Tony Mamo: Anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time.
Seeing if I can get some opinions on these. I don't want to go mechless, my boy wants to be able to watch movies on trips. Oh yeah, I use Android, so all the Apple stuff is useless for me.
I may add some more as I have more time to look. Are we space limited to 6.2" screens?
I have the Kenwood 9903 for about a year now, its much more money than yours. It has CarPLay and Android Auto, and I wouldn’t get anything less. Of course your finances are different than mine.
As far as space limitations you’re only limited by the size if the double din radio you chose.
I completely disagree. I just installed mine, and I'm plenty happy with it. No, the texture isn't OEM, but this also isn't a collectors car, so at over $100 (or $170 at the normal price) cheaper, I can certainly deal with it. I would also say that it's a big stretch to suggest that it's "100% better". 15% better? Sure. 20% better? Maybe. But nowhere near the premium that they're commanding, IMHO. I also like not having the stupid doors over the ashtray and cupholder.
Personally, I agree here, you are CUTTING your brackets out, so there goes your barret jackson show winning corvette c5
You want double din easy and fast? Get a METRA! Other than their slightly inaccurate directions with respect to the holes you need to fit the HVAC, this is a GREAT kit for the money and it be installed by anyone (heck I did it!). Great install, love that USB port in your cig lighter.
I like the smooth finish personally, it matches the dash better.
Also your background image is a lot nicer than mine is, did you make that? can you PM me the file?
I completely disagree. I just installed mine, and I'm plenty happy with it. No, the texture isn't OEM, but this also isn't a collectors car, so at over $100 (or $170 at the normal price) cheaper, I can certainly deal with it. I would also say that it's a big stretch to suggest that it's "100% better". 15% better? Sure. 20% better? Maybe. But nowhere near the premium that they're commanding, IMHO. I also like not having the stupid doors over the ashtray and cupholder.
Hell, if that’s the XAV-AX100, then that’s exactly what I’m installing in mine with the Metra bezel as well.. the finish looks just fine to me.. did you even hafta cut/drill the factory shelf out? Mine is the XAV-AX100 and it’s a single-din unit, with a double-din face.. I read a slightly older thread where Dennis from ddmods responded and said it didn’t need to be removed.. I’m assuming the hvac still needs to be relocated, though
Edit: I just noticed your Sony has a CD player and mine doesn’t, so I’m assuming yours definitely required removing the factory h/u tray
Last edited by OleStraightStick; Mar 3, 2018 at 03:06 AM.
I had Double D Mods install a Kenwood 9904 in my 13 GS. Worked great and gave me everything I wanted. Internet, Garmin Nav, Videos, Weather channel, Backup camera etc. Come time to trade it for my 17 GS, the deal almost fell through because of my after market radio. Be sure to hang on to the stock unit and, at least you can give it to the dealer. They don't like aftermarket.
I did my own installation of my DoubleDin Kenwood. Time consuming to do right, but I don't think it is possible to do this installation without cutting the brackets. You cannot fit the radio in without cutting, which makes your radio choices limitless. BTW, Vettenuts better than Metra, IMO.
Double DIN with navigation?
