Does Kenwood's coolest new DNN-990HD Nav unit fit in my 06'Sport Ed? Well sort of...

[jcage89]

Actually depends on how much time you have on your hands and how perfect you need the fit to be. I'll explain. So I’ve got an '06 Sport Ed with OEM JBL system (non-nav) and have previously added Ipod integration (DICE) and Bluetooth (GOT2B) to the OEM setup. I prefer to keep OEM look and like the AV features/Bluetooth/WIFI of the aftermarket extras but they never really worked great with the OEM deck.

I've been watching press on the DNN-990HD Nav Receiver for a while and when it was finally available I decided to drop some hard earned bucks on a high-tech setup for my 4Runner. I like the Android-based OS of the unit with its many features and ability to expand (you can check out some stuff about it at Kenwood’s DNN site here… DNN990HD/770HD Special Site - Kenwood ).

I like to buy my AV from Crutchfield for 20+ years because they have strong support and offer many free/discounted install resources. I also believe their satisfaction guarantee is one of the best anywhere. Their fit assurances however, that's another story which I will tell coming up for those interested. Whilst adding the 990HD, I also endeavored to add a backup camera and right side Bluetooth controls to my Steering wheel which already has the left side OEM audio control buttons.

My shopping Bag: (1) Kenwood DNN990HD Nav Unit (2) Kenwood CMOS-210 Back up Camera (3) PAC TATO Toyota JBL Interface for my '06 Sport Edition without OEM Nav but with JBL amplification (4) Metra ASWC-1 Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface purch'd on Amazon because deep discount (5) Right side Steering Wheel audio control pad (Toyota Part# 84244-35030-B0) and Ribbon cable/harness to connect to left side controls (Toyota Item#84204-58010) both from eBay because way cheaper than dealer or other online parts vendors. (6) Metra 95-8210 Double DIN Dash Kit (Warning, this doesn’t work without MAJOR cutting/mod but it is the closest thing available to making this application look good IMHO).

OK, so just wanted to get this thread started for now, but my plan is to add to it as I have time with the entire project including pictures showing how to do stuff that I had to figure out or initially made mistakes with. I do appreciate this forum which has helped me countless times and owe credit to the many valuable posts here in addressing various aspects of my install. I hope my post helps others.

Here's the outside of my 4Runner for anyone who cares to see...

More coming up later...

 

[gshadow325]

man you dropped a chunk of change from crutchfield on this radio. PM me on your next 12 volt purchase. I am a kenwood excelon dealer and pioneer dealer. i own a 12 volt store.

I think i am the only one here with the full 2013 kenwood excelon line up in my drive way

DNX690HD in my 4runner


DNX890HD in my wifes mini cooper s convertible


DNN990HD with Cmos310 camera in my Volvo V70R


Hints:

Right side switches only will have two buttons work.
bottom button on right will mimic what volume down button will do.
only pick up on the bluetooth will work for hands free
you can get it to preset scan from your steering wheel. you just need to goto the second menu on the radio preset and press the seek button once
dont crash you truck playing around with everything in this awesome unit.
i would route the PTS button to near the DAC buttons so i could do voice commands with my finger tips.

btw- this sub-forum for audio gets lost in the tire discussions LoL

 

[jcage89]

@Gshadow, Hmmm, would've been intrigued to know how much less, but...

Now it's installed and already applied for rebate so guess it's too late. Thanks for headsup. I'll keep in mind for next time.

 

[jcage89]

Still putting together install pictures & narrative, but here are initial impressions

DNN-990HD = very cool in concept and also somewhat in execution but not totally ready for prime-time in my opinion. You should certainly get more features/better performance for the price. Still playing w/it but some initial thoughts…

• First off the manual reads terrible and often cryptic (Kenwood tech said because it is translated from Japanese). Get ready to call Kenwood many times for clarification.
• The unit is basically a computer that needs to be booted every time the car starts so it takes 45-60 seconds from ignition on to when you are playing music or navigating the screens (note that backup cam engages immediately even when unit hasn’t booted fully so that is good). Hopefully this is improved w/future firmware U/D’s,
• The keyboard (soft keys) is poorly laid out w/the bottom row of icons is difficult for me to hit (average sized male hands/fingers) because of the bottom lip of the faceplate gets in the way and I always end up getting characters from the second row above.
• The unit is fairly “laggy” and slow to respond. Slow to move between sources/screens and it takes forever to load iPod albums each and every time and is lacking for iPod features (i.e. doesn’t support iPod playlists or allow you to control the iPod from the iPod itself if you choose to go faster).
• Bluetooth call in progress will rob the 990HD of every other function (i.e. you cannot regardless of parking state browse the net over wifi or check emails while talking to someone over Bluetooth hands free). This is a major oversight and loss of productivity from my perspective as even my android phone allows this.
• Also cryptic is the account setup process and good luck understanding the route-collector service.
• The Navigation is Garmin and very familiar to those who have ever owned a portable Garmin Navi device (such as a Nuvi), the Kenwood OEM Navi is fine but missing some of the interface and functions of my three-year old Nuvi which is disappointing. Also the Maps are already out of date and unlike the portable Garmin devices with free lifetime maps/traffic you must pay for an update to the Kenwood.
• The unit is pretty slick when tethered to my Droid’s mobile hotspot. I can actually

tap my work exchange and quickly browse the web, etc.

Impression so far is that it is a cool unit and worth keeping now that I’ve bought and invested time to install but it is not worth the price for what you get and you may be disappointed if you are anything like me. I did already perform one firmware update (again very convoluted process) but it didn’t help or change much and I hope future updates will speed things up and make things better.

PAC-TATO = WOrks just fine and does what it's supposed to r/e integrating w/my OEM JBL system. One issue and I'm not sure whether culprit is TATO or 990HD, but when adjusting the mix/position of sound field, the audio transition is choppy and uneven vs. gradual and smooth. This does not prevent you from achieving a great mix however.

ASWC-1 & Added right side steering controls. Both work great. Left side audio controls do what they have always done. Right side controls are dual purposed now. Phone on hook will hang up a Bluetooth call in progress or change source up when no call is in progress. Phone off hook will answer an incoming Bluetooth call or source down when no call in progress. Voice command will mute the Kenwood (i.e. ATT On) which is ultra handy in many situation where you want the deck immediately quiet. I did try to map the voice command button to Kenwood's Push to Talk (PTT) feature so I could avoid using yet another button in my car, but couldn't get that to work. Metra says it's not supported.

CMOS 210 Backup cam = Very nice small and low profile hardware (looks like it’s supposed to be there given install method (pictures to come). Performance = OK but not stellar video quality (oh well it’s a backup camera w/a 20 foot-ish RCA video cable so what do you want right? It is a nice addition and I like glancing for added info about what’s behind me. For those w/trailers, etc, the 990HD will automatically engage the camera w/car in reverse but also let’s you manually put it to the camera by pressing/holding the NAV button.

 

[A/V1]

That's a nice unit. I've been eyeing it for a while. When I upgrade from my DNX9960, I'm probably going to be looking at this one.
However, I've also been looking at going with a full-on carputer as the replacement. I can do that for MUCH less than the 990HD. It's just going to be a bit bulkier, and not all-in-one.

Nice honest opinions, though, and keep us informed with any issues you come up with, or things you love about it.

One quick question... Did they change the volume up down "issue" (for lack of better word) where you need to repeatedly hit the button? or can you now just hit the button and hold it down for it to keep voluming down or up? That is something that drives me nuts about the 9960! I hate that!

 

[gshadow325]

OP, sorry you feel the way you do but your experience is why you do not click and buy. That's why there are retailers out there like me. This unit is my best selling unit out of the whole line up. Things You complain of would have been answered in a few seconds by me with a phone call. Tato issues and aswc issues are simple but your tech support is your online retailer not your brick and motor store. The dnn unit is quite a tech savvy unit. If you complain about speed, you have not compared it to too many other units out there like pioneer, Sony, or Alpine.

Previous Kenwood models were slow and lagging and sucks real hard.