MP3 Head unit dying

[Kooldino]

Well, the display on my '01 Kenwood Z828 head unit is freaking out, and the thing is getting kinf of shifty in general.

So, I'm going to have to replace it soon.

I don't want to replace it with another Kenwood unit, because I hear they're pretty unreliable (which I've seen time and time again first hand).

I have the stock Audio system, and I plan on keeping it that way with the exception of the new head unit.

Here's what I'm looking for in a new head unit:

-Must fit into a single din
-Must play MP3s
-Reliable
-Must have a nice display...I don't want one of these head units that look like my alarm clock. So a head unit like this is no good to me:

Here's things I'd like:
-ability to read MP3s from a DVD+/-R
-Navigation (I realize this makes things 5x more expensive, but it'd be nice)
-ability to read MP3s from an SD card

 

[Mr.Ames]

Well if you want one thats not ugly, you're going to pay for a bunch of features that you don't need.
But here's a few suggestions:

Alpine CDA-9857

Pioneer DEH-7800MP

JVC KD-SH1000

Panasonic CQ-C7103U

I'd probably pick them in close to that order too

 

[Kooldino]

So the JVC can read an SD memory card and USB keys?

The Alipine seems a bit bland for me.

The Pioneer looks great, and the Panasonic looks decent too.

What features do they all have?

 

[Captain KRM P5]

i much prefer Clarions as i have had the best luck with them and they mesh well with the interior look IMHO. check them out at crutchfield.

 

[Mr.Ames]

Click for details
Panasonic
Pioneer
JVC

 

[yashart_mp3]

I usually only buy Alpine Head Units. Great sound, and excellent quality. I have never had one die on me, out of the 5 or 6 headunits I have had I believe the Alpine shown above also comes in a color version. It is a very nice head unit, and the scrolling/ menu's are easy to navigate as well.

My suggestion to you, is to go to Tweeter and check out headunits first hand. Tweeter usually has more high end/ nicer head units than bestbuy or circuit city. After finding one you like, you can purchase it online.

 

[avarela86]

I wanted something ubber fancy, the reaction time is a bit slow but I personally think it's damn worth it and made my stock radio sound amazing. Did I mention it saves pictures for a custom background. It's worth EVERY penny to me. Do a quick search Dino, you'll see.

SonyCDXM9900

 

[Mr.Ames]

I'd definately go alpine. Pioneer's eat cd's, panasonic and jvc are more middle than high end and the clarions start on fire

 

[avarela86]

I'd definately go alpine. Pioneer's eat cd's, panasonic and jvc are more middle than high end and the clarions start on fire

Nice never said anything about the Sony!! Check it out!

 

[Kooldino]

I've heard Audio guys do nothing but trash Sony though...anyone have any input on that?

 

[Captain KRM P5]

i have had a multitude of mediocre sony headunits and would never again buy one

 

[TheMAN]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned an eclipse

 

[Captain KRM P5]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned an eclipse

i really like eclipse actually - unless i am mistaken however they support no forms of satellite radio right now, which for some (myself included) is important

 

[Mr.Ames]

sorry, I forgot to mention, never EVER buy sony car audio
the speaker cones dry out and crack, the foam (not rubber) surround deteriorates, the amps have gross amounts of distortion and also tend to melt/burn, and the decks dont like to read cd's usually before the display craps out.
The Alpine decks also have downloadable backgrounds. It's called I-Personalize.
I've never used eclipse... dont get much of that in canada

 

[Kooldino]

Ok, no-Sony it is. Sorry, avarela.

 

[yashart_mp3]

Sony = No

Eclipse makes very nice headunits, but based on what Kooldino is looking for, they may be out of his price range....

I say alpine

 

[avarela86]

Ok, no-Sony it is. Sorry, avarela.

BOOOHH!!! It's ok, if anything else I would have gotten an Alpine as well. Never considerd Eclipse but hell why not look into it. I chose the Sony ONLY because of the 32,000 Pixel TFT screen that has video option, picture saving with custom background selection. Honestly the ONLY downside was the time between menu options. W/E you go with it's gotta be better than the stock Kenwood, things have been updated since then.

 

[Revs]

Mine has been acting up bad too, I was looking at getting a new headunit and got my eye on a Kenwood unit, now i know you said no Kenwood's, but many of their middle to upper end units have their G-Analyzer in them which is basically a G-Meter it can display lateral G's as well as braking and accel. Not sure who accurate it is, but its a cool feature.