New Kenwood DNX-8120 is the $hit!!!!!!!!!

[rjdmmfl1]

So I had the chance to play with one of these things yesterday and WOOOWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!

This thing is amazing. It hasx more features than I could hope to even list. Actually, I don't even remember half of the features!!! It was wayyy too many to keep count.

The bulit in Equalizer is BANANAS!!! BETTER than the JL cleansweep and the Rockford 3sixty.1!

The new graphic user interface is the most advance I've ever seen on a car navigation system!

The number of unputs is just crazy (2 x USB, 2 x A/V RCA, IPOD input)

It can control your home GARAGE DOOR ...

It can control Add on power devices such as underody LED, footwedd LED, etc

It still has built in Navigation via flash drive

Its just amazing! Right now they are a bit difficult to come across, but anyone in San Diego that wants to see the ULTIMATE in car audio and VIDEO, hit me up and I'll take you to the shop... I'm still drooling over this thing!!!

Kenwood

It's official, Kenwood has finally overthrown Pioneer!

[maxentropy]

+ vids if you can take some!

[Canadian Coupe]

$1600.00?

Maybe later on down the line. The Bose system works well enough.

[kyle@stillen]

I have the DNX7100 in my truck...Just bought it back in December. I absolutely love it. The navigation is amazing, I didn't know about the new 8120...Might have to look into that.

[stsxcrle]

$1600.00?

Maybe later on down the line. The Bose system works well enough.

Eh, don't take sticker as gospel, you'll be able to find it for less:

http://www.salectronics.com/de...X8120

As far as video:

http://blog.sounddomain.com/ga....html
Modified by stsxcrle at 8:42 PM 4/21/2008

[LongBeachCoupe]

EBAY!

[tommy314]

As far as video:

http://blog.sounddomain.com/ga....html

Modified by stsxcrle at 8:06 PM 4/21/2008

thanks for the video..looks like a great unit...by the way the guy in the video was painful to listen to

[stsxcrle]

Ya, he needs to practice reading cue cards, he kept hesitating... spit it out.

Found some pics too, Robert where are the usb ports? Doesn't look like they're on the front of the unit?

Also, looks like you can bypass the movement lock by grounding the parking wire.

Pics (from another forum I'm sure a google search will help you turn up the info if interested):

[rjdmmfl1]

thanks for the video..looks like a great unit...by the way the guy in the video was painful to listen to

I watched the video... the guy didn't touch on a fraction of the audio adjustments availble with this thing... I just went to my local audio shop and played around with it for another hour or so...

Its just got too many ways to adjust the audio in your car. Actually, 99% of folks will not know how to operate the many,many, many audio adjustments. Its just too many!

I will try to get some video footage of a few of the menus, but I don't have a digital camcorder, so I can't promise anything.

I have the DNX7100 in my truck...Just bought it back in December. I absolutely love it. The navigation is amazing, I didn't know about the new 8120...Might have to look into that.

honestly Kyle, I've played around with the 7100 also, there's a night and day difference between the two! I didn't blink at the 7100, and barely liked the 7120, but when I say Kenwood took a giant leap with this one, I mean it! THis thing is crazy... In any case, I'll have this installed at the Stillen meet next month....

[rjdmmfl1]

One USB is dedicated for the ipod audio, the other USB is free for any flash drive loaded with MP3 or WMA ...no MP4 for video though

The only drawback is that it has the crappy Garmin uwer interface which doesn't look nearly as good as the Pioneer navigation software, and doesn't allow voice control of navigation like the Z2/3... but it does have front/rear/subwoofer and CENTER CHANNEL 5 Volt output!!!! Yes, that's means you get REAL dolby digital 5.1 sound due to the amazing built in equalizer without needing an external channel processor!

And 5 Volt preouts, yeah, just like Pioneer HAD on its older units.

This unit is like the Pioneer AVH-p7500DVD + Avic Z2 put together!

Also, Kenwood is relaeasing a digital car TV tuner by the end of this year to make way for the broadcasting changeover next year!

If it looks like I'm stoked about this unit, its because I am... I think I can live with the crappy Garmin nav, i just want the A/V stuff!

[stsxcrle]

Also, Kenwood is relaeasing a digital car TV tuner by the end of this year to make way for the broadcasting changeover next year!

Hmm so you can pick up channels 2-69 while driving? Have you seen this (I think you can pick up the digital signal now)? How is the picture quality?

[rjdmmfl1]

Hmm so you can pick up channels 2-69 while driving? Have you seen this (I think you can pick up the digital signal now)? How is the picture quality?

Well I haven't yet seen a digital car tuner here, they have them in Europe, but I have't seen any here in the USA yet. None of the audio companies have them specifically for their units yet, but my guess is that after Kenwood gets theirs this years, the other companies will HAVE to follow suit!

[vi3t89]

that decks soo sweet ...

[tarek]

Sorry to dig up an old topic, but I didn't want to create a whole new one for this question. I was hoping robert, or anyone else who has used the 8120, can chime in on a disturbing review I read on amazon.com. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/review/R..._perm This guy has apparently had some major issues with it, especially his 1 - 4 points.

[Italianbulldog85]

aw damn... and I just put in the damn AVIC-D3 less than a month ago... I guess I may as well sell it since i only bought it for $499.99 anyway.

[rjdmmfl1]

Sorry to dig up an old topic, but I didn't want to create a whole new one for this question. I was hoping robert, or anyone else who has used the 8120, can chime in on a disturbing review I read on amazon.com. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/review/R..._perm This guy has apparently had some major issues with it, especially his 1 - 4 points.

Alot of what the individual stated is true, but some of it was just bad luck, and I think... he stated he got his unit for $1079.. I know the site that he got it from because they were the only ones offering it for that price...that means he got some of the very first ones which may have been Beta versions being sold as New units, or he may have gotten ones that had fallen off a truck or something, because the whole freezing up issue and no displaying routes seems like internal damage, especially on a unit that doesn't have a harddrive!

Regarding the POI's, I mentioned in another post that the Garmin navigation systems have their positives and negatives when compared to Pioneer.

Accuracy: Garmin is like 5 x more accurate regarding its navigation software. Poor navigation has always plagued Pioneer. SOmetimes they give redundant routes, or have you turn right then make a U turn rather than just making a left turn. Things like that. Also, even with its new "Point Addressing", Pioneer Navigation is still very inaccurate, and only gives directions to a certain range, i.e. if you type 5705, it'll tell you you've reached your destination as early as the 5200 block. Garmin (Kenwood) navigation is accurate to within 2 meters. THis is very interesting because Pioneer uses oth an internal gyro sensor as well as tapping into the speed signal to guesstimate direction, speed, etc, and its still less accurate.

POI's: This is a no brainer... Pioneer wins hands down! Pioneer employs 12 million POI's as opposed to 6 million for Garmin, and almost every other navigation company. Also, you can search by phone number in Pionerr, where as you can not in Garmin. Oh, and the Avic Z3 has 3D POI's, which is another really cool feature.

Navigation user interface: Pioneer wins this also. Pioneer has a better GUI than Garmin, that's because Garmin was meant for everyday folks, where as Pioneer's navi is meant for more advanced users. Thus, there are many more ways toc change navigation routes, add way points, etc. However, this also tends to confuse most users, and many don't use 1/4 of the navigation options anyway!

So, regarding navigation, if you just want to get from point A to point B accurately, then kenwood (Garmin) wins, if you like fancy GUI's when you're searching for places, then its Pioneer, but ironically, you my get lost or sidetracked / rerouted getting there.

Oh yes, one other problem with Pioneer's inaccuracy is calculating current locations, sometimes, it thinks you're on a side road and you're on the expressway above the side road, then it'll start asking you to make a U turn when you're on the expressway... VERY ANNOYING!!!

AUDIO/ VIDEO

There is no comparison, Kenwood DNX-8120 blows the Avic Z3 out of the water in every way possible regarding the Audio/Video aspect of the unit. From its multiple USB inputs (only good for MP3 and WMA) to its super advanced sound processor, to its 5 volt preouts (vs 2.2 volts in the Pioneer), its ability to control external powered devices (LED's, neon lights, etc) and its BUILT IN BLUETOOTH, it is hands down a better A/V unit than the Z3. And for the guy on the review complaining about the bluetooth sound only coming out of one speaker, he just doen't know how to read directions and change it!

[tarek]

Thanks for the input! It's too bad that the Kenwood doesn't show POIs on the map, but that's not much of a deal breaker for me. I'm planning on getting the 8120 because of all the extra features that come with it. Just one thing I was wondering, if you put in the 8120 with the Bose speakers, is it going to damage anything over time? I read a while back that if you replace the bose headunit, the speakers can get damaged or something after 6 months or so. I don't really want to replace the speakers since I hear they sound pretty good, just need a sub.

[rjdmmfl1]

Thanks for the input! It's too bad that the Kenwood doesn't show POIs on the map, but that's not much of a deal breaker for me. I'm planning on getting the 8120 because of all the extra features that come with it. Just one thing I was wondering, if you put in the 8120 with the Bose speakers, is it going to damage anything over time? I read a while back that if you replace the bose headunit, the speakers can get damaged or something after 6 months or so. I don't really want to replace the speakers since I hear they sound pretty good, just need a sub.

you have much more of a chance to damage the BOSEsystem with a Pioneer headunit. reason being, there's no way to adjust the crossover frequencies going to the front speakers, unlesss you get an external sound processor.

With the Kenwood, it has built in high pass crossovers for the front, rear, center, and subwwofers! This way, you can really fine tune your music!

[tarek]

Yeah, I was originally going to go with the D3, but then changed my mind to the Kenwood 5120 because of the high praise you gave it. Then saw what you were saying about the 8120, built in bluetooth and a sound processor. It's a considerable amount more, but I figure if I"m gonna do it I might as well do it right Thanks!

[Oreo2008]

I have the same opinion. Was considering the premium packages to get the Bose system, but now I think I am better off getting the basic car and getting the 8120 with rear camera, ipod and connection for my sirius. The money I will save with buying in the US will cover this.

Anyone have any idea if the steering wheel controls will still work, i.e. is there another harness you have to buy?

Greg

[rjdmmfl1]

I have the same opinion. Was considering the premium packages to get the Bose system, but now I think I am better off getting the basic car and getting the 8120 with rear camera, ipod and connection for my sirius. The money I will save with buying in the US will cover this.

Anyone have any idea if the steering wheel controls will still work, i.e. is there another harness you have to buy?

Greg

PAC SWI-JACK steering wheel adapter

[Importroller]

i want this radio

[Importroller]

Is the hack simple on this so you can access everything while in motion?

[rjdmmfl1]

Is the hack simple on this so you can access everything while in motion?

hack is very simple, just ground the parking brake... none of the fancy stuff like Pioneer

oh yeah, nice LED's!!!

[Importroller]

thanx for the idea.

Now just to sell my Avic so I can get the Kenwood

[rjdmmfl1]

thanx for the idea.

Now just to sell my Avic so I can get the Kenwood

leave the zeroes... stay here at NICOCLUB...

[Importroller]

i've been a Nico member for many years. Even been to the Nicoclub Nopi events. I've been here 5 yrs longer than you. LOL

[rjdmmfl1]

i've been a Nico member for many years. Even been to the Nicoclub Nopi events. I've been here 5 yrs longer than you. LOL

yeah, I saw that in your signature... but you come through so sparsely... we need more knowledgeable guys contributing here... and I know you get tired of pissing contests EVERYDAY...

i've been a Nico member for many years. Even been to the Nicoclub Nopi events. I've been here 5 yrs longer than you. LOL

[Importroller]

my thing is Nico (in the 4th gen Altima forums) are mostly coupe guys. And most of the sedans get no recognition. Its like the G35s, the coupes get all the credit, but the sedans get very little credit (and they are normally faster than the coupes)

[rjdmmfl1]

my thing is Nico (in the 4th gen Altima forums) are mostly coupe guys. And most of the sedans get no recognition. Its like the G35s, the coupes get all the credit, but the sedans get very little credit (and they are normally faster than the coupes)

Sedans faster than the coupes???? only in the case of the G's... and I still don't understand why they did that ... but not the Altimas... also, that's just the point.. we need more good 4th Gen Sedan guys back over here...