So I have a 2000 tl-p that's non-navi, and I wuld really like to get a new headunit.

Main reasons:
1. Would like ipod integration, burned cds to play because it doesn't work on the stock radio.
2. Better sound if I go with an aftermarket amp, sub.
3. Navi
4. DVD/Video

These reasons are ranked in this order, and if the price goes to high, I would rather not get the navi/dvd.

So options I was thinking of.

1. Double din systems. I believe they're Kenwood and Eclipse that make the good ones. DDX-7017 costs 579 refurbished from bizrate

http://www.bizrate.com/carmonitors/k...-pid333908591/

Is that a good deal? Would I need to buy extra plugins for the navi/dvd/ipod integration?

2. Single din Flip Out Screen with navi/dvd. Alpine CVA-1005 +navigation/dvd/ipod integration

3. Regular headunit. Rather not, but if I can't find anything in my price range, I'l probably go this route and spend the rest on sub/amp.

I'm not sure of the prices, and good models for each either. If you could chime in on how much the parts + installation somewhere would cost, that would be great in helping me determine what to get for my car.

Also, what is the likelihood of these units getting stolen? For the flip screen, would I have to remove the screen everytime? Are there regular headunits that I don't have to remove everytime without worrying about theft?

I would hopefully like to spend under 1000 just for the parts, so I can spend my money on sub/amp + installation since I'm terrible with wiring. If anyone knows where to look for these items, that would be great as well. Thanks.

 

I have a Z1 in my car. I love it and worth the money...If I had to do it all over again, I would do it quick. I don't use the DVD portion though, my friend will watch a DVD from time to time on a long drive. Shouldn't be that much for installation, I would definately try to pick a unit and start looking for a custom fab piece to surround your unit. I personally paid $200, from streeteffect...but I wouldn't do that again. It was shipped really late, I'm talking months after he said it would be done.

 

You got a site for this? What is the Z1, a flip screen?

 

Pioneer Avic-Z1, a hdd based double-din navi system. Also check out their Avic-D3, a dvd based system that is newer and much cheaper, but lacks some of the Z1s features.

 

Pm Sent

 

So I went ahead and looked up a few double din systems. And this is what I came up with from the competitors.

Pioneer Avic Z-1: Expensive $1800 new, but comes with some really nice features, although you need to put the parking brake on to put in desinations.

Pioneer Avic D-3: Retails for $1000, but I think there are a couple of places around 800 for it. It comes with a standard ipod integration and is great for what you pay, except it only has one slot, so you can either put dvd, cd, or navi dvd rom at once. Kinda sucks, but it seems great for the price, especially since you can find some great ones used for 500-600.

Eclipse AVN5510: $1300. Great system, and has cd two slots.

Alpine IVA-W200: $950. Not the greatest playback features. Great Ipod playback though. Weak bluetooth capability, but I'm probably not going to mess with that.

Kenwood Excelon DDX8019: $900. Moderate controls, but to add navigation, its going to cost another $500.

I'm assuming that the navigation is pretty good for most systems since they do range at about 1000 each, so I'm not too worried about the quality of the directions. Let me know if I shuold watch out for any of them. But I'm leaning towards the Pioneer D-3 or maybe the alpine headunit. These kind of headunits are fine for tuning to an amp, sub, speakers correct? Its just as good as some decks out?

Also, would I have to get a double din kit for these kinds of systems so it will look flush? Where can I get them and how much do they generally range from? If it costs a lot more, like 200 or so as I've seen for a few custom kits, would it be better to just go for a single din and save some money?

And lastly, any good sites for reviews of these systems (cnet seems pretty weak sometimes) and where to buy them from? I think I'll try going to best buy or some store this weekend to take a look at what they got. Thanks!

 

I think this Kenwood is better actually:

Kenwood Excelon DNX7100: $1200-1400. Has great memory, so you don't need to through in navi dvd rom. Messy buttons, or so cnet says. Gonna cost extra for ipod port.

 

Pioneer is great stuff and so is ALpine, the thing with the e-brake is that it can easilly be bypassed by those that want to watch movies on the go and what not

the Alpine W205 has a built in dock for ALpine's new Blackbird2 portable nav unit, you slap it in bang youve got av on screen, need portable nav, just pop the Blackbird out and take it with you

blackbird also allows bluetooth as well, but not sure how it would work inside the W205 (mic???)..... otherwise its like 200 or so bucks for the offboard BT unit that goes into the port in back, and since im pretty sure the iPod FullSpeed cable is on another port you dont have to worry about that getting in the way

 

I have the kenwood ddx-6019 with navigation. I got it for about 800 dollars. I have to say the screen is amazing and watching DVD is great with the 6.95 inch screen.

The Navigation is on point and I have to say is useful. The navigation is hard drive base which makes it quicker and its also made by garmin

The cons to this head unit is the ipod interface. It reads the ipod as an mp3 cd. you can't really serach for songs with it. The best thing to do is just to make seperate folders on your ipod. The good thing about the interface is its ability to charge your ipod. The MP3 read is slow but making seperate folders would help it as well. It is a great bang for the buck though

It has a built in EQ though not that great but at least it has some kind of EQ

I have pictures of it in my 03 CL non navi. If you want I can post some pics. Let me know

 

I found this: http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=16941
So you paid ~800 total for the headunit to run navi/dvd/cd/mp3/ipod?
It seems like you gotta add for navi and ipod integration. How are the kenwood controls for the audio and video? Sufficient enough? Oh and the ipod controls... you just get like one big playlist or something? You know the difference between this and the 7019 and the 8019?

So pretty much I'm looking overall for a system that will have a total DVD/CD/MP3/ipod/navi unit that will cost around $1000 new.

I believe the alpine unit costs more with navi because you gotta get some PMD-B200 unit for it, which is really nifty because you can carry it wherever you want to go and switch it wiht cars, but seems like it would be a bit much.

Anyone got any feedback on the pioneer avic-d3 unit?