Advise me on the head units
 

Hey all,

Going to replace my center stack with a modern (but factory looking!!) head unit. My car has Bose but no factory navigation. I don't want to add navigation, but do want Android Auto so as to seamlessly integrate my phone.

Here are the three Crutchfield recommendations:

Kenwood: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DMX...n-DMX906S.html

Sony: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XAV...AV-AX5000.html

Alpine: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILX...-ILX-W650.html


So far, I like the Sony the best. It is a reasonable price, and it looks the cleanest. The Kenwood allows for wireless Android Auto connectivity, and is supposedly a good bit faster (more responsive) than the others. Doesn't seem like a huge deal to me. I'm ok plugging my phone in... Plus, my current phone does not allow for wireless Android Auto connectivity (both the phone and the head unit must be compatible).

Thoughts?

Thanks!

I just installed the Kenwood DMX906S with F/R cams and did their pre-wire service. Plug n play. Can't speak for the other units but VERY happy with the Kenwood.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...5e63c3614.jpeg
Very happy with the DMX906S I've had since Thanksgiving. Not the USB ports that have replaced the Cig lighter.

Don't sleep on the Pioneer NEX units...I've run two of them now and been very pleased. With the ones you listed though, the Kenwood will give the best "bang for the buck" without running an amplified system.

Out of the three options I'd say Kenwood. I've had mine for four years now and am nothing but happy with it.

+1 for the Kenwood. I just put one in yesterday. The bang for the buck is unreal...awesome sound improvement. Which ever you choose...pay for the prewire service...it makes the install SO much easier!

Which HUs still have a volume knob? That's the one feature I like to keep.

I will definitely opt for the pre-wire service. I am content with the sound from the system as-is, so anything extra is a bonus.

Looks like some of the ones with CD decks have knobs on them.

KENWOOD here also.front and rear cameras. Pre wired from Crutchfield. Hooks up to my Apple phone and run Apple play and blue tooth for my phone. Install was easy. I put the USB plug in the console lighter port so I can plug in my IPhone easily. Much better than the factory Bose system.

Good idea on the cable location. I haven't installed mine yet, but I might do that with my cables too. With your cameras - do you have to press buttons on the head unit to activate them, or do they activate on other triggers? I know you can wire the rear camera to come on when the car goes into reverse, but can you also view the camera output on the head unit screen while driving?

I have the Sony unit and I love it. Bought it through Crutchfield with the prewired service and the install was very straight forward. It was the most OEM-looking in my opinion which was a bonus. It's fast and the capacitive touch screen feels just like a smartphone. My only complaint is the system is really picky about which cable will work with Android Auto. I've swapped a few in and out and finally have one that works, I believe.

Totally agree. I got the first year of the new generation Civics and the screen was great but the volume was controlled by either sliding a finger up and down on the screen or on a rough, semi-circular thing on the steering wheel. It was very frustrating for the first couple of minutes after starting the car and waiting for the system to boot up. Like everyone else, I instinctively rotated the center console knob but it was only for the AC.

The second year of the new Civic model, Honda had restored a nice, manual volume knob because people simply preferred it that way. But at the same time, they did away with the passenger-side mirror cam on the center screen which was actually pretty cool. It was like a punishment for us 50+ knob-lovers.

Good idea on the cable location. I haven't installed mine yet, but I might do that with my cables too. With your cameras - do you have to press buttons on the head unit to activate them, or do they activate on other triggers? I know you can wire the rear camera to come on when the car goes into reverse, but can you also view the camera output on the head unit screen while driving?

edit: did not mean to duplicate post.

Cable? It won't Bluetooth your phone?

Android Auto and Apple Car Play require physical wire connection in most cases. The Kenwood unit allows for wireless AA and ACP, but the phone being used must also be compatible with wireless AA and ACP. That is, both the HU and the phone must be compatible with AA and ACP.

Is it possible to run the USB cable into the center glove box? I'd like to plug my phone in and keep it out of the way when I get in the car.

However... I'd like to keep the 12v plug.

How could I do this? Perhaps drill a hole in the trim next to the 12v?

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...a2c8436c4a.jpg

My rear camera comes on when I put the car in reverse. The front comes on with a push of a button on the head unit anytime I want except when in reverse.

I have cables running into the back or the console, there is another large access hole back there. Just need a longer cable. But it does get very warm in there in the summer, not sure I would leave my phone in there.

I know you can with the Pioneer NEX units. I can pick front or rear camera at any time, driving or parked...and the reverse camera still operates when the shifter is in reverse.