Any thoughts on this head unit????????????????

[nuQ]

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-c...PX301

i really need to find a new head unit and speakers for my Q. Currently only two speakers are working and it's driving me nuts (not to mention, one likes to act like a fire siren sometimes). this kenwood seems good because of it's double DIN size and it's usually rated up near the alpine level. click above for it's stats.

[kimrober]

I would rather have one of these,Clarion MAX675VD

http://www.clarion.com/us/en/p....html



OR

Kenwood DDX-8017

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/prod...=2138



OR

Pioneer AVIC-D2

http://www.pioneerusa.com/pna/....html



OR

Alpine IVA-W200

http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/p...-W200

[99q45t_vl]

RMS Power Output 22 wattsPeak Output 50 watts

I guess you want to have something more powerful than this.

[97Q45t]

It looks nice, especially for the price. You should be able to get one for about $175 on eBay.

[nuQ]

It looks nice, especially for the price. You should be able to get one for about $175 on eBay.

who/what is considered a good reputable dealer/seller on ebay??

basically i'm looking for a decent unit that is relatively inexpensive that has an aux input so i can hook up my satt. and ipod. my days of spending $$$$ on car audio are over!!! but i also want something that will, somewhat, compliment the Q's interior.

[Jesda]

While I've never used or heard it, I'm a big fan of large buttons and knobs. Looks like a great motoring companion that wont draw too much attention to itself. Very un-Kenwood-like for car audio.

[nuQ]

i'm with you jesda!!!!!! push button volume controls are the work of the devil. i have the sirius boombox and the volume buttons are a complete pain in the a**. takes forever if you have to lower the volume quickly. BRING BACK VOLUME KNOBS!

[97Q45t]

who/what is considered a good reputable dealer/seller on ebay??

Any eBay seller with 99% and up of positive feedback should be a good seller. The DPX301 is a 2006 model so there aren't so many sellers have it. I searched on eBay for "DPX301" and there were 3 sellers popped up. Anyone of them is a good seller so it's your pick.

If you talk on your cellphone quite frequently while driving then you should consider the DPX501. It has an add-on option of a Bluetooth module to enable the headunit to become a hand-free spearkerphone. Howerver, it is so new that I couldn't find any more details about that Bluetooth module yet. The DPX501 is not available yet on eBay neither.

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/prod...=2377

[gloucester Q]

hmmm, yeah i think that looks pretty good too. not a huge fan of the tv-screen look, but that's just me. anyway, i think you should include the single din units in your search too. the bracket that crutchfield sells makes the unit fit very well, and then you get a factory-looking pocket in which you can stash 4 cd's or so. anyway, if you're looking for that factory look, i think you can get it either way--single or double din.

[ceningolmo]

I am using a single DIN Pioneer unit in combination with teh Pioneer iPod module.

I bought a JDM DIN cupholder/change tray that fits in the empty spot left from the single DIN opening. I will post some pics of my setup if you are interested.

[maxnix]

While I've never used or heard it, I'm a big fan of large buttons and knobs.

A lot to be said for running your audio by tactile feel while you are driving rather than trying to decode a bunch of tiny and fussy pushbuttons.

[ceningolmo]

A remote control with the basic volume/source/channel functions helps with this a lot as well. I don't ever have to look at or even touch my deck.

Its not too tough to memorize the buttons on your average car audio remote since they generally have about 10 buttons... 5 of which are actually useful.

[maxnix]

A remote control with the basic volume/source/channel functions helps with this a lot as well. I don't ever have to look at or even touch my deck.

Its not too tough to memorize the buttons on your average car audio remote since they generally have about 10 buttons... 5 of which are actually useful.

Interfacing with the steering wheel control buttons would be good.

I have found separate remotes to be useless unless it is daylight and one is a passenger.

[ceningolmo]

M

I have found separate remotes to be useless unless it is daylight and one is a passenger.

My remote sits in my center console and its easy to use without even looking at it. Makes no difference to me whether I am pushing buttons on the steering wheel or pushing buttons next to my power window switches. Either way gets it done, and neither way requires me to take my eyes off the road.

[Jesda]

I like remotes on trucks, minivans, and big domestic cars where the dash is huge and the radio is far away. Driving the Mazda MPV across the country would have been nice with a remote, since the radio is practially sticking out of the floor.

On the cozy Q, I havent found much use. I also have short legs, so I sit up close anyway.

[nuQ]

I am using a single DIN Pioneer unit in combination with teh Pioneer iPod module.

I bought a JDM DIN cupholder/change tray that fits in the empty spot left from the single DIN opening. I will post some pics of my setup if you are interested.

I would like to see pics of your setup!

[ceningolmo]

This is my set up. I went with Pioneer for two reasons. First, it was within my budget. And, second, they had a setup available that would allow me to integrate my iPod.

Here is the setup with both drawers closed.Drink holder drawer pulled out. This works alright, but not great. The problem is that the dash in the Q leans back enough that the drinks are leaning pretty severly in the holders. Works fine for bottles with caps...but, cans of pop innevitably spill on the deck. This is with the "free drawer" open. I had Best Buy dremmel a little hole to bring the iPod wire through the back of the drawer. Works great!

Also, keep in mind that the installation isn't completely finished. Best Buy broke a couple of the clips that hold the dash in place when they originally installed the deck. So, the right side of the dash trim sticks out about .5" further than it should. Once it is completed on Tuesday, the dash will sit flush and you won't be able to see the little spaces around the deck or the drawers.

[99q45t_vl]

You let Best Buy touch your Q ????????

[DrewQ45]

You people are reading my mind. I plan on replacing my double-din pioneer with single din in the near future. The cup holder from the Ford Taurus also fits the single din space and I was wondering how much the sloping of of the console would cause drinks to tilt. Do you see anyway to modify the cup holder so the drinks would sit level?

...Drew...

[ceningolmo]

I can't modify it with the version that I have... but, I think the one from the Taurus has the cups sitting a lot deeper in the holder. So, there may be a way to modify that one.

Mine just slides out like a little drawer...not much that can be done to change the angle.

[jamesmost]

w

You people are reading my mind. I plan on replacing my double-din pioneer with single din in the near future. The cup holder from the Ford Taurus also fits the single din space and I was wondering how much the sloping of of the console would cause drinks to tilt. Do you see anyway to modify the cup holder so the drinks would sit level?

...Drew...

what year taurus?? been thinking about switching to single din, for that reasonthe kenwood seems sweet for the $$, also according to crutchfield it will work w/ the BOSE amps and speakers.I need the aux imput cause sick of the tape deck adaptor for i-pod. Transmitters suck. Also serius ready

[Rex]

I'm all for the after market double din, but has anyone bought one of the NISS/BOSE AUXIN adapters that allows you to use the CD Changer (94 and up) input?

I've thought about it, but at $100 and the fact that I drive such short distances, I just can't see spending the money without knowing for sure.

[Jesda]

Taurus or Sable. 86-92 I believe? I dont know if later years had them.

[DrewQ45]

Here's the pioneer unit I have now. I'll probably sell it in the summer and get a single-din. Its a tape and CD unit.



Drew

Modified by DrewQ45 at 10:35 PM 2/13/2006
Modified by DrewQ45 at 10:36 PM 2/13/2006

[silentfurymm]

Wow, didnt realize you could actaully change headunits with the Bose speakers/Amps. Once again you guys have enlightened me. This of course brings up intertesting possibilitys becuase the tape deck is dead in the stock unit, and I would really like to be able to use the Ipod in the car.

[DrewQ45]

Wow, didnt realize you could actaully change headunits with the Bose speakers/Amps. Once again you guys have enlightened me. This of course brings up intertesting possibilitys becuase the tape deck is dead in the stock unit, and I would really like to be able to use the Ipod in the car.

While it's possible to retain the stock speakers with some mods, I would highly reccomend changing the wires and speakers. The stock amplifiers are problematic and are not meant to work with high or low level input coming from aftermarket HUs.

[0wn3r]

i think this might belong in audio section?

[nuQ]

i think this might belong in audio section?

since this question is Q specific, i wanted opinions from actual Q owners who have upgraded and have opinions that would help my decision,,,,not 240sx guys (no offense!) that will only have opinions on the aftermarket units but don't know about the install.

as for my opinion on the stock bose speakers,,,i say dump em'. for the price of getting just one bose speaker fixed when it blows, you can get a pair of above average coaxials (and approach the area of decent seperates).

[jamesmost]

since this question is Q specific, i wanted opinions from actual Q owners who have upgraded and have opinions that would help my decision,,,,not 240sx guys (no offense!) that will only have opinions on the aftermarket units but don't know about the install.

as for my opinion on the stock bose speakers,,,i say dump em'. for the price of getting just one bose speaker fixed when it blows, you can get a pair of above average coaxials (and approach the area of decent seperates).

i just got newly rebuilt rears from BOSE - would love to keep them

[Jesda]

The paper cone is fairly disposable, especially baking up on the rear deck, so a modern set of speakers would do the trick.