New Head Unit Recommendations: JVC vs. Kenwood

[zimdba]

I want a new HU for my 4th Gen. Right now everything's stock with JBL/RDS, but I might consider upgrading components in the future. Really, I want to hear if the HU upgrade will make things sound better before I go down the new amps/speakers path.

I'm primarily looking at GPS receivers since leveraging the iPhone's GPS won't work (f* you AT&T). Right now I'm considering the following head units:

JVC:
JVC KW-NT500HDT
JVC KW-NT800HDT
Kenwood:
DNX6990HD
DNX6190HD

Assuming the features are *close* does anyone have an preference on

• JVC vs. Kenwood - the JVC's are cheaper, but are the Kenwoods worth more? I'll pay more for value as long as it's worth it. I'm not a fanboi for either.
• Useability - are there a lot of 'nag' screens or b/s safety warnings? I do plan on getting the parking brake lockout on ebay, but will that buy me a way out of the nag screens?
• GPS - IMHO, the Garmin GPS looked better on the Kenwood, while the JVC looked a little cartoony
• Interface speed - This is critical. If I have to wait 2 seconds every time I push a button I'll want to drive off a cliff. The videos I saw on the Kenwood looked really pokey.
• Support/Updates
• Bootup Time - Will I be able to see the backup camera before I'm out of the driveway?

Any comments or opinions are welcome. Thanks.

 

[04rnr]

Id go with the Kenwood, only cause I know that you can dowmload NatGeo topo maps, on the Kenwood DNX models, Im sure its possible on other brands.
Heres a couple links from the FJ guys:
How To Put Topo Maps on your Garmin\Kenwood DNX7100 - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

Kenwood DNX7100 and topo maps - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

If topo maps dont matter to you, then get the cheaper headunit, but post pix of the install. lol

 

[OHP]

Consider Pioneer. In my opinion the interface is much cleaner.
If you are going to use the PAC Taco adaptor, which is a POS, you have to get a head unit with high volt pre-amp outputs. The addition of a head unit will not improve sound quality because you are still using the original JBL amp and speakers. When i installed a new head unit and left the rest factory, I think the SQ got worse. It lasted about 2 weeks before I replaced the amp and all the speakers. Good luck.

 

[riceandpho]

dont iphone have google maps?

 

[zimdba]

dont iphone have google maps?

It sure does. What I don't have is reliable cell service. I get my iPhone from work with AT&T and it's absolutely terrible. I wouldn't want to rely on it as my only nav source.

 

[zimdba]

Consider Pioneer. In my opinion the interface is much cleaner.
If you are going to use the PAC Taco adaptor, which is a POS, you have to get a head unit with high volt pre-amp outputs. The addition of a head unit will not improve sound quality because you are still using the original JBL amp and speakers. When i installed a new head unit and left the rest factory, I think the SQ got worse. It lasted about 2 weeks before I replaced the amp and all the speakers. Good luck.

The Kenwoods do have higher output preams (4 vs. 2.5 for the JVC) although I'm not sure what that means. More is better, right?

I'll check out the Pioneers, but honestly I thought the Nav module was something like $400 at Crutchfield on top of the cost of the HU. What's the alternative to PAC? Metra? Axxcess?

 

[OHP]

What's the alternative to PAC? Metra? Axxcess?

I think the only alternative is new amp/speakers. I could be wrong though. You could run new speakers off the built in head unit amp and run a small amp to the factory sub, or just use the PAC taco....

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Kenwood and JVC are made by the same company, I just put a JVC KW-NT50HDT (notice KW in the part number stands for Kenwood) and I absolutely love it. My buddy has as single din Kenwood and it's the exact same interface. I'm more than happy with the JVC, and love that it has a removable face.

 

[zimdba]

I went to a car stereo shop here in Denver on Friday & played around with the Kenwood and Pioneer. I must have had 'total idiot' on my forehead when I walked in there, because they wanted $2150 to install a $800 head unit.

I thought the Kenwood interface was quick enough through screen changes & whatnot. I actually liked it a bit better than the Pioneer as well. I still want to find somewhere locally to see the JVC before I make my decision.

 

[Rubberdown]

Kenwood uses the garmin interface for their gps. If gps is your main concern don't go anywhere else but kenwood. (I currently have a pioneer, alpine, and kenwood and they each have their strengths)

 

[jdkilroy]

i currently have the KW 9990 and im very pleased with it. the 6990 is essentially the same with smaller screen.

all functions are available to me for operation during travel and all I did was ground the parking brake wire; you dont need to buy anything extra.

I think that you will want to just go ahead and switch out the whole system to keep it simple and clean.