Head unit options

[roboturner]

Want a new head unit to replace the base radio in my car. My requirements are: double DIN, not too flashy, iPod controls and maybe Bluetooth.

I was looking at a very nice Pioneer at a local car stereo shop today and they quoted me $493 installed, which is freaking ridiculous if you ask me. It was similar to this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-FH...0.m14

I also kinda like this one, it looks almost factory and its cheap. I don't care for the green lighting though:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PANASO...0.m14

This would be another option, it's really nice but a little more than I want to spend and I'm afraid the screen would crack in the ridiculous heat we have here. Still I'm tempted:

http://cgi.ebay.com/KENWOOD-DD...0.m14

Anybody with any experience with these units, or any other ones, please chime in! I need to take care of this soon because my girl is breathing down my neck about an engagement ring. LOL.

[steed77]

I was just here... I wanted Bluetooth and iPod. My phone is a bit picky with bluetooth options (G1) Long story short I went with this set up.



And then the Bluetooth that works with every phone I can find.



Out of the the 3 double din units listed, the Pioneer would be my top pick. I don't think you would even need a trim kit for that HU, just the harness. It's an easy DIY.

[graymalkin2]

I'm with Steed on this one, the Pioneer is the best of that bunch. Note the Panasonic requires another adapter to work with Ipods, and likely wont' work with the newer models. The refurbished big screen thing looks nice, but being refurbished and on ebay are two things that don't go well together in my experience.

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, but financially can't swing the DD units right now. How ever I was looking at these:

This one's simple looking, but has all the features you asked for and has the option to change the colors displayed to match the rest of the interior lighting http://www.crutchfield.com/p_0...=5684

The other one is this Sony. Not exactly attractive and no bluetooth, but not too bad.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-WXG...r=8-1

And of course, I haven't seen yet where anyone has installed one of these bad boys in their Versa yet. It has it all (mostly)!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Car-DVD-GP...0.m14

[Andries]

I would go with the pioneer as well....Do the install yourself. The write up on here is okay, and I wish I would have taken the time to make a better one. But if you need any help - i can be reached rather quickly for any advice in the setup.

[roboturner]

Yeah, I'm going with the Pioneer. Although this one is the Premier version, which from what I can tell is the exact same radio with a "premium" label on it, as I can't tell any difference in the features.

On my way to the store now, I will report back when I'm ready to install.

[graymalkin2]

roboturner,

The 'Premier' version comes with a much longer warranty. Good choice. Let us know how it turns out, and please post pics!

[roboturner]

Yeah, I went and got it but when I got home and opened the box they didn't put the wiring harness in there. So I will have to wait until tomorrow, hopefully I can get home from work while there's still some daylight to work on it.

I must say it's very pretty though, even if it's only sitting on the coffee table in my den.

[Shad0wXCalibur]

Did you get the Pioneer that was on that ebay link? I have that one and it's a great deck for the money (if you buy it off ebay that is).

[roboturner]

No, I bought it from a mom-and-pop type store. It was 350 but I got them to knock it down to 320. Which is a bit more than ebay or whatever, but I don't mind because I like to support local businesses.

Still haven't got the chance to put it in yet, but *knock on wood* I think I will be installing tomorrow. Pics will follow......Unless it rains again for the 14th day in a row.