Head units

frenchie went from Kenwood - to Pioneer - and now to Sony. The Sony looks promising... I almost sold my Z120 to swap it - but in the end, the Pionner has a very nice user interface, and I can get by without using BT for business calls (it works - just is noisy - BT for music streaming is perfect)...

You might watch avic411.com - they ae getting close to fully cracking the Z/F series (older ones are already cracked - so that's a great value for a used HU)... Once cracked, you'll be able to run our own NAV S/W (iGo etc) - but the current SW is not too bad...

 

I am interested in getting a good answer as to what is the best HU as well. My totally base model II is coming in next week ... and the first thing I am looking to do it replace the HU.

I'd really like something with a responsive touchscreen and good iPhone integration (like the Pandora and iHeartRadio app integration I am seeing). That's my primary need. Secondary is the nav. I'd rather is be a great iPhone integration with an acceptable nav instead of the other way around.

 

I believe the best aftermarket NAV unit at this moment is Kenwood 9980HD. You're getting support for 2 iPod/iPhone, additional USB, Garming NAV, camera interface, HD radio, traffic updates, bluetooth that works, cover art for HD radio and songs/albums, voice commands, OBDII information via external module, good EQ and so on.. There is a small delay when you browse some of menus and some bugs that probably will be fixed with next FW, but it does not bother me. I choose this unit over Pioneer, Sony, JVC, Alpine, Eclipse, Rosen & Myron&Davis.

There are many things that will get better with new generation of HU, but not in next couple years.

 

I had been looking at that Kenwood 9980HD, but $1499 is a bit pricey. I don't mind spending the money if it is truly worth it though. I really like that it has Garmin as its nav. That's what I am used to using for the last 6 years.

 

The Sony XNV-770BT does virtually everything cleansky mentions for the Kenwood... and Amazon is selling them for half the Kenwood's price. 'Don't know what the Garmin has over Sony's TomTom.

BTW, what in the world is your avatar?

"Lake Bradford Bill" FSU '61, '79

Edit: Typo

 

I say do this... go with either the pioneer 3300bt or the 4300 bt then add on the avic-u220 for the nav. A very nice set up with good bt. It comes out to 7-900 for the combo

MB860 ?

 

HD radio done right sounds good. It should work good in your area. It has less range then regular FM but then you aren't bothered by a lot of canyons and hills in Tampa

 

By the sounds of it, you recognized Renegade and Chief Osceola. Graduated in '03 and again in '05. Been working at FSU ever since.

 

I wanted ideas, but I want Cam 1st, Nav 2nd, and BT to talk. Can I sync with Droid?

On a side note when is apple & Google going to take over the software for HU's. We are about 3-5 years away for our cars to be completely integrated onto the web.

Do all the Pioneers, kenwoods, etc handle cams? How does one tell if it does or does not? What type of connections does the cam use?

WHere are you listening to hu's in tampa at? Best Buy? I have yet to go there as I am still driving my 06 prius. I told my self when I get the next one I will put in a sound system, as its been 10 years since I have had one. I want to rememeber what it was like to be back in high school again lol .

 

weel I need to get a car first. I spent 8 hours detailing my 06 in preparations of trading or selling it. I still have another 2 days to detail. I might take it to carmax on bears to see what they will appraise it at. Just to get a rough estimate. A lot of 06 are not selling well.

As for those stores, they never give good discounts, as they mark up everything .

I might be going with a B rated HU vs an A. Its like a puter, as soon as you get it, theres a better one out there. I will just price according to best deal. But I def want cam, and bt to talk and a decent nav. I can use aux to play off my phone.

 

Looks like they're getting ready to make a little Cream of Campbell Soup... some Gator mixed with Hurricane winds, etc.

Good luck with your HU... I'm happy with the Sony... you know, the ol' benefit/cost ratio--stuff from the Bellamy Building

 

Just replaced my Alpine 505 with the new Nav and Bluetooth with a Kenwood DNX-9980HD. Love the new garmin nav and the two ipod thing is really great for me. I use a iphone4 and ipod classic. HD radio is finally done right and the bluetooth is much better than my alpine. Menus are slow but the sound quality versus the Alpine is like night and day difference. Not a bad built in EQ and Time alignment. Very much improved version of my Kenwood 8120 in my Altima in every respect.

Great time to purchase the Kenwood since there is a $300 rebate running right now until 7/31/2011.

 

Where do you have to buy to get 300 rebate. Where can I test drive this hi? How much is the harness kit

 

https://kenwood.4myrebate.com/Claim/OfferDetailsNewGrid/?Offercd=KEN-5003

Resellers: Authorized Kenwood Dealer

Purchases from Best Buy are Exempt from this Mail In Rebate Program.

 

very pricey hu. Any others that do the same job from kenwood that I should look at

 

How about DNX6980? I have 6960 (last year model). BTW, the backup cam doesn't need to wait until it finishes booting. You'll need to get a separate camera as it is not usually included.