Looks like all the new lines are coming out. Luckily I didnt pull the trigger on anything. At first glance the new kenwood's are about the same in price but the navigation is now an $800 add on!! So the DDX814 would be around $2k! Unless it is flawless, that is just too much. Alpine's top of the line unit, IVA-W505/P1, is $1400 but now includes navteq navigation. Both are more ipod and iphone friendly. Hopefully alpine realized the market for a fully functional gps headunit. I just hope that all the bugs in these things are worked out. It seems like this technology is pretty far behind.
Best 2DIN Screen?
- Thread starter dheeter
- Start date
tarheeltp17
New member
The nav add on for kenwood, KNAG510, can be had from Crutchfield for $600.
Also if you are looking to get an DDX814 with nav, you'd be better of getting the DNX9140 because it has voice activation/control.
It is now a perfect time to pick up last years model of a DNX8120 because prices will be dropping to make room for new models!
also, for anyone who doesn't know, Garmin maps are navteq maps
Also if you are looking to get an DDX814 with nav, you'd be better of getting the DNX9140 because it has voice activation/control.
It is now a perfect time to pick up last years model of a DNX8120 because prices will be dropping to make room for new models!
also, for anyone who doesn't know, Garmin maps are navteq maps
Ducman
New member
On order
I have a Kenwood 5120 currently on order. Hopefully I can get it installed this weekend. I will post some pics when I do.
I selected the 5120 based on my needs.
#1 accurate and easy to use GPS
(my wife is the primary driver of the 4runner, I want a system thats easy to use) Doesnt get much better than Garmin. Also, using a USB cable and a laptop you can use the Garmin map software (modified exe) to plot out your trip and stops AHEAD of time on your laptop, save it as a file and then upload it to the deck when you are ready to leave for your trip.
#2 Plays music from a USB flash drive
I dont have an ipod and I want my wife or I to be able to pick some songs and throw together a playlist on our home computer and then take it on the road. I'd rather have 1 or 2 flash drives than a dozen or so mix CDs laying around.
#3 Play DVDs for the passenger (ground the park break wire) I already have a flipdown DVD player for our son, I thought it would be cool for the front passenger to catch a movie on a long drive too.
I don't need bluetooth so I didnt want to pay for a feature I dont need.
I may add a backup camera down the road.
For the money (and my needs) I think this is the best product on the market. I will admit the interface is not the flashiest but it thats not a dealbreaker for me.
These are currently going for almost half of what they were just a few months ago.
I have a Kenwood 5120 currently on order. Hopefully I can get it installed this weekend. I will post some pics when I do.
I selected the 5120 based on my needs.
#1 accurate and easy to use GPS
(my wife is the primary driver of the 4runner, I want a system thats easy to use) Doesnt get much better than Garmin. Also, using a USB cable and a laptop you can use the Garmin map software (modified exe) to plot out your trip and stops AHEAD of time on your laptop, save it as a file and then upload it to the deck when you are ready to leave for your trip.
#2 Plays music from a USB flash drive
I dont have an ipod and I want my wife or I to be able to pick some songs and throw together a playlist on our home computer and then take it on the road. I'd rather have 1 or 2 flash drives than a dozen or so mix CDs laying around.
#3 Play DVDs for the passenger (ground the park break wire) I already have a flipdown DVD player for our son, I thought it would be cool for the front passenger to catch a movie on a long drive too.
I don't need bluetooth so I didnt want to pay for a feature I dont need.
I may add a backup camera down the road.
For the money (and my needs) I think this is the best product on the market. I will admit the interface is not the flashiest but it thats not a dealbreaker for me.
These are currently going for almost half of what they were just a few months ago.
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If the garmin and navteq software are the same why are there so many bad reviews about navigation in these units (double din touchscreen.) Every unit I have been looking at (kenwood, alpine, pioneer and eclipse) have either garmin or navteq software. The largest amount of complaints of these units is the navigation maps are outdated and do not re-route well. I have read many people saying that the $300 garmin's and tom tom's are much better. I am beginning to lean back towards getting a seperate garmin....
I bought a Z1 off of craigslist last year for $600 and then visited this web site avic411.com, so now its a Z3, had backup camera, bluetooth and ipod connection. The bluetooth works ok, paired with an iphone, but can't transfer phone book over, the ipod connection works, it is hard to navigate while driving, but just set up playlists. The unit is hard drive based so it rips a CD to the hard drive and I usually just keep a DVD in just in case I get stuck some place for entertainment. My only complaint would be having to use the TT module since I have JBL in my 4runner.
Ducman
New member
Wha?
First off, Garmin and Navteq are NOT the same thing.
Not sure what reviews you were reading...
The deck I ordered averaged 4.5 out out 5 stars with over 30 reviews on Crutchfield.
Any GPS unit you buy should be updated yearly, not sure why you think a stand alone unit wont need to be updated.... Updates are about $70 for the Garmin based units (double din too) or free if requested within 60 days of purchase.
I guess Im confused....why do you think a little $300 stand alone unit that runs on the Garmin engine will be somehow better than a double din deck that runs on the Garmin engine?
I think the Kenwood units are the way to go if GPS is really important to you. I do think Pioneer has a nicer overall interface for playing music & movies. Ipod connectivity seems to be hit or miss on both brands and depends a lot on the firmware level of both the deck and the Ipod.
dheeter said:
First off, Garmin and Navteq are NOT the same thing.
Not sure what reviews you were reading...
The deck I ordered averaged 4.5 out out 5 stars with over 30 reviews on Crutchfield.Any GPS unit you buy should be updated yearly, not sure why you think a stand alone unit wont need to be updated.... Updates are about $70 for the Garmin based units (double din too) or free if requested within 60 days of purchase.
I guess Im confused....why do you think a little $300 stand alone unit that runs on the Garmin engine will be somehow better than a double din deck that runs on the Garmin engine?
I think the Kenwood units are the way to go if GPS is really important to you. I do think Pioneer has a nicer overall interface for playing music & movies. Ipod connectivity seems to be hit or miss on both brands and depends a lot on the firmware level of both the deck and the Ipod.
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I dont think I have read really anything good about alpine or eclipse's navigation, both of which are navteq. Tarheel said that navteq maps are garmin maps. So based on that I was assuming that all the 2 din headunits I have been looking at have more or less the same navigation. I did read reviews about people that were very unhappy with the navteq navigation and were returning it and recomended a stand alone navi unit.
I really want the alpine 505 with garmin navigation! But since that is not happening, I think I will just look into the new screens some more.
I really want the alpine 505 with garmin navigation! But since that is not happening, I think I will just look into the new screens some more.
Ducman
New member
dheeter said:
Ah I see, yeah I have always liked Alpine in general, but when I started researching these types of units about 3 months ago I really wasnt able to find much that would fit the bill other than the Kenwood decks. I didnt want to drop $1,000 on a deck either though so that limited my choices....
tarheeltp17
New member
Garmin maps are provided by Navteq... go to garmin's site and you can find it everywhere. This is old news... Garmin picked up navteq maps back in 2002. From a quick search on NAVTEQs site, there is a press release that states...
"Chicago, IL - August 14, 2002 - Navigation Technologies, a leading provider of digital maps for vehicle navigation, Internet/wireless applications and business solutions today announced that it has reached an agreement with Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN) and a leading manufacturer of GPS-enabled navigation, communication and information devices, that will make the company's digital road map the preferred choice for Garmin's array of portable navigation systems.
Garmin already uses NAVTECH maps to power three of its current MapSource software products - City Navigator, City Select and MetroGuide - and under this agreement will continue leveraging NAVTECH maps in future products, elevating NAVTECH's status with Garmin.
"Consumers recognize the value that quality map data brings to our line of portable navigation devices, so we selected Navigation Technologies to bolster the utility and customer satisfaction of these popular units," said Dr. Min Kao, co-chairman and co-CEO of Garmin Ltd. "NAVTECH map data is quickly becoming the de facto industry standard and, for Garmin, this shift puts our products in the driver's seat as we move forward."
"Garmin's decision is a testament to the standard of excellence we maintain in our product," said Judson Green, President and CEO, Navigation Technologies. "Furthermore, this relationship pairs Navigation Technologies with the largest consumer handheld GPS device manufacturer in the industry, reinforcing our reputation as the industry leader.""
...not to mention that magellan uses Navteq maps as well. The difference is how Garmin and everyone else choose to interpret the navteq database and display it as well as any additional features.
"Chicago, IL - August 14, 2002 - Navigation Technologies, a leading provider of digital maps for vehicle navigation, Internet/wireless applications and business solutions today announced that it has reached an agreement with Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN) and a leading manufacturer of GPS-enabled navigation, communication and information devices, that will make the company's digital road map the preferred choice for Garmin's array of portable navigation systems.
Garmin already uses NAVTECH maps to power three of its current MapSource software products - City Navigator, City Select and MetroGuide - and under this agreement will continue leveraging NAVTECH maps in future products, elevating NAVTECH's status with Garmin.
"Consumers recognize the value that quality map data brings to our line of portable navigation devices, so we selected Navigation Technologies to bolster the utility and customer satisfaction of these popular units," said Dr. Min Kao, co-chairman and co-CEO of Garmin Ltd. "NAVTECH map data is quickly becoming the de facto industry standard and, for Garmin, this shift puts our products in the driver's seat as we move forward."
"Garmin's decision is a testament to the standard of excellence we maintain in our product," said Judson Green, President and CEO, Navigation Technologies. "Furthermore, this relationship pairs Navigation Technologies with the largest consumer handheld GPS device manufacturer in the industry, reinforcing our reputation as the industry leader.""
...not to mention that magellan uses Navteq maps as well. The difference is how Garmin and everyone else choose to interpret the navteq database and display it as well as any additional features.
Ducman
New member
Correct
You are correct...
Garmin uses Navteq to supply the maps but my point was "Garmin" (when used in the context of "I want a Garmin GPS") refers mostly to the features and interface of the GPS unit similar to how a PC could have either Windows or Linux and still view the same webpage.
From my reading of reviews and posts on forums over the past few months... the "Garmin" interface and feature-set is better than anything else out there.
You are correct...
Garmin uses Navteq to supply the maps but my point was "Garmin" (when used in the context of "I want a Garmin GPS") refers mostly to the features and interface of the GPS unit similar to how a PC could have either Windows or Linux and still view the same webpage.
From my reading of reviews and posts on forums over the past few months... the "Garmin" interface and feature-set is better than anything else out there.
Demolition
New member
You're probably confused with all the suggestions posted so let me help get you more confused and suggest the new JVC double din unit. It's the KW-NX7000.
I had the Pioneer AVIC-D3 whic was a pretty solid unit but, like many others on this forum, the D3 was stolen.
This leads me to by far my favorite feature of the JVC unit. It has a detachable face (it's the only double din that has this feature).
Navigation on the JVC is VERY nice as well. The only issue I hear people have is that the JVC lacks the gyroscope that helps track your GPS when you're in a tunnel. I'm not in tunnels much so it doesn't bother me. Plus, the unit locks onto the satelites pretty quickly.
Only other issue is the Ipod interface is fairly slow. When you switch to the Ipod feature, the unit reindexes all your songs which causes the delay (5-7 seconds). Once it's up however, it works pretty well. I'm also confident that JVC will offer a software update that will correct this soon. The unit has only been available for about 7 months and they've already updated some of the software issues.
I'm not a Pioneer fan anymore because it simply takes too long for them to try and fix all the bugs in their systems (mainly with the newer Pioneers out there, just ask the folks at AVIC411.com). I'm not familiar with the Kenwoods but I do hear good things (and some not so good).
Which ever way you go, good luck. Although if you have the slightest worry about theft then I'd strongly recommend the JVC. My Pioneer was stolen even with a pretty sophisticated alarm system installed so you never know.
I had the Pioneer AVIC-D3 whic was a pretty solid unit but, like many others on this forum, the D3 was stolen.
This leads me to by far my favorite feature of the JVC unit. It has a detachable face (it's the only double din that has this feature).
Navigation on the JVC is VERY nice as well. The only issue I hear people have is that the JVC lacks the gyroscope that helps track your GPS when you're in a tunnel. I'm not in tunnels much so it doesn't bother me. Plus, the unit locks onto the satelites pretty quickly.
Only other issue is the Ipod interface is fairly slow. When you switch to the Ipod feature, the unit reindexes all your songs which causes the delay (5-7 seconds). Once it's up however, it works pretty well. I'm also confident that JVC will offer a software update that will correct this soon. The unit has only been available for about 7 months and they've already updated some of the software issues.
I'm not a Pioneer fan anymore because it simply takes too long for them to try and fix all the bugs in their systems (mainly with the newer Pioneers out there, just ask the folks at AVIC411.com). I'm not familiar with the Kenwoods but I do hear good things (and some not so good).
Which ever way you go, good luck. Although if you have the slightest worry about theft then I'd strongly recommend the JVC. My Pioneer was stolen even with a pretty sophisticated alarm system installed so you never know.
tarheeltp17
New member
Garmin is by far the top dog as far as being easy to use, features, and just overall feel of their products.
Pioneer nav is a bit more accurate because it ties into the vehicle speed sense of the car so you aren't just relying on GPS signal to determine exactly how far away you are from a turn, location, etc... The accuracy isn't a huge deal and for the most part Garmin and everyone else is damn near close. The connection to the VSS wire gives precision accuracy.
As far as re-routing, outdated maps... eh, I do feel that at times there should be roads in the maps that aren't there. However, I also live in an area where roads are being built on a daily basis. So if you live in an area where its developing quite rapidly, don't expect your navigation to be able to keep up with the development. This is also one of the reasons for bad re-routes and so forth... Another reason is people not knowing that you can set your GPS to route you on the path that takes the least amount of time vs shortest distance.
Pioneer nav is a bit more accurate because it ties into the vehicle speed sense of the car so you aren't just relying on GPS signal to determine exactly how far away you are from a turn, location, etc... The accuracy isn't a huge deal and for the most part Garmin and everyone else is damn near close. The connection to the VSS wire gives precision accuracy.
As far as re-routing, outdated maps... eh, I do feel that at times there should be roads in the maps that aren't there. However, I also live in an area where roads are being built on a daily basis. So if you live in an area where its developing quite rapidly, don't expect your navigation to be able to keep up with the development. This is also one of the reasons for bad re-routes and so forth... Another reason is people not knowing that you can set your GPS to route you on the path that takes the least amount of time vs shortest distance.
Ahhh, I understand... Ducman, tarheel, thanks for the clarification. Since garmin is a GPS company their interface will be much more advanced than a company whose main focus is not gps, like alpine.
Originally, I wanted the screen as a stereo that would control my ipod, with a bask up camera. After thinking about it more I realized it would be kind of dumb not to have nagigation integrated in it, because I was also looking at getting a garmin. And ever since then I have been searching what to get.
Demolition, that is good to know about theft. I did get a good alarm and tinted my windows. That really sucks that happend, especially with a good alarm. I will check out the JVC some more.
As of now I think I will wait until I can personally mess around with the new kenwood's before making a choice. I dont think this is something I want to buy based only on reviews and opinions other than my own. Thanks for all the help!
Originally, I wanted the screen as a stereo that would control my ipod, with a bask up camera. After thinking about it more I realized it would be kind of dumb not to have nagigation integrated in it, because I was also looking at getting a garmin. And ever since then I have been searching what to get.
Demolition, that is good to know about theft. I did get a good alarm and tinted my windows. That really sucks that happend, especially with a good alarm. I will check out the JVC some more.
As of now I think I will wait until I can personally mess around with the new kenwood's before making a choice. I dont think this is something I want to buy based only on reviews and opinions other than my own. Thanks for all the help!
Ducman
New member
Installed
Just got my 5120 installed. Mine came loaded with the latest firmware and 2009 maps.
Things I especially like:
1) It "boots" in about 4 seconds.
2) Has a volume knob. Since I dont have steering wheel controls, I want to be able to turn down my music without taking my eyes off the road if need be.
3) Nav interface is fast and very easy to use.
4) Backlight color for the buttons/knob can be made amber to match the other T4R dash lights.
5) Custom boot screen
6) Album art on mp3 playback off usb flash drive.
7) The price. Currently $599 at Crutchfield with the Toyota harness and face adapters (and Kenwood warranty), $525 at Amazon without the install goodies (and no Kenwood Warranty).
Things I don't like:
1) Icons/overall interface is a little dated looking
I will admit I am no audiophile, but it definitely sounds better than the stock deck it replaced.
Response to input on the screen is instantaneous, there is no delay at all.
DVDs look pretty decent, not amazing but it's a 6" screen so I wasn't expecting anything amazing.
Just got my 5120 installed. Mine came loaded with the latest firmware and 2009 maps.
Things I especially like:
1) It "boots" in about 4 seconds.
2) Has a volume knob. Since I dont have steering wheel controls, I want to be able to turn down my music without taking my eyes off the road if need be.
3) Nav interface is fast and very easy to use.
4) Backlight color for the buttons/knob can be made amber to match the other T4R dash lights.
5) Custom boot screen
6) Album art on mp3 playback off usb flash drive.
7) The price. Currently $599 at Crutchfield with the Toyota harness and face adapters (and Kenwood warranty), $525 at Amazon without the install goodies (and no Kenwood Warranty).
Things I don't like:
1) Icons/overall interface is a little dated looking
I will admit I am no audiophile, but it definitely sounds better than the stock deck it replaced.
Response to input on the screen is instantaneous, there is no delay at all.
DVDs look pretty decent, not amazing but it's a 6" screen so I wasn't expecting anything amazing.
Attachments
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Ducman
New member
Not bad
Install was very straightforward, although you do have a pull most of the center console and a good portion of the dash trim around the HVAC stuff but it comes out easy enough.
This walkthrough is REALLY helpful:
http://www.castulucci.com/projects/carpc/oemnaviaccess/
Took me about as long to solder the wiring harness and do my heat shrink tubing and stuff as it did to take the trim off. My soldering skills were a bit rusty
Install was very straightforward, although you do have a pull most of the center console and a good portion of the dash trim around the HVAC stuff but it comes out easy enough.
This walkthrough is REALLY helpful:
http://www.castulucci.com/projects/carpc/oemnaviaccess/
Took me about as long to solder the wiring harness and do my heat shrink tubing and stuff as it did to take the trim off. My soldering skills were a bit rusty
jeffrosheen
New member
I am holding out for the new Eclipse avn726e.
Everything wrapped up into a 7" screen
http://eon.businesswire.com/portal/...d=news_view&newsId=20090106005642&newsLang=en
Everything wrapped up into a 7" screen
http://eon.businesswire.com/portal/...d=news_view&newsId=20090106005642&newsLang=en
jeffrosheen
New member
Do This! IF you can hold off for a couple more months
http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/2008/11/25/eclipse-avn726e
http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/2008/11/25/eclipse-avn726e
