olsen_karl
New member
FWIW, going in to a 4th gen, non-JBL, stock 6-speaker stereo. Currently has a Scion 1807 with ipod cable.
I'm looking at getting a double DIN navigation head unit with bluetooth; these generally all seem to come with DVD playback as well (not really needed for video, but it could be useful for loading 4.7gb of MP3s onto 1 disc). I want to replace the speakers also, but mount them in the factory locations, so: (1) components in front doors, and (2) coax in rear doors. Right now, I'm thinking of running the speakers off the head unit amp, and not messing with a separate external amp. I want to keep the steering wheel controls, so I'm planning on using a PAC adapter for that. I have a pair of old Boston Acoustics RX67 6.5" coax that I'm planning on installing in the rear doors, so I just need a set of front speakers.
Currently I like the Pioneer AVIC-920BT and Clarion NX500; both have the features I want, with decent startup times. Crutchfield has good package deals on both right now:
Pioneer:
Pioneer AVIC-X920BT Navigation receiver at Crutchfield Signature
$1000, current deal comes with free ipod cable and component front speakers that look decent.
Clarion:
Clarion NX500 Navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com
$800, current deal comes with license plate mounted backup camera (that has decent reviews). Clarion has ipod connection standard, so no additional cable needed (i.e., equivalent to the Pioneer offer with the ipod cable)
Differences I see in the head units:
Pioneer:
--has external bluetooth mic -- more hassle to install, sound quality might be better?
--has "Pandora link" -- iphone direct control of Pandora app. I don't have an iphone, and my next phone will probably be Android-based, so this doesn't matter.
Clarion:
--has internal bluetooth mic (face of the unit) -- sound quality?
--has higher RMS watt rating (18 vs Pioneer's 14) -- but is either sufficient to run aftermarket speakers?
The big features pushing me towards the Clarion instead of the Pioneer:
- (1) price -- even though I'll need to buy another set of speakers (and maybe speaker adapters), that's ~$100-120 (leaning toward Infinity RS 6020/6030). Total, it still comes out cheaper than the Pioneer, plus I get the backup camera included.
- (2) backup camera included in Crutchfield offer -- license plate frame mount looks easier to install than some other standalone cameras.
Anyone have either of these units? Likes/dislikes?
I'm looking at getting a double DIN navigation head unit with bluetooth; these generally all seem to come with DVD playback as well (not really needed for video, but it could be useful for loading 4.7gb of MP3s onto 1 disc). I want to replace the speakers also, but mount them in the factory locations, so: (1) components in front doors, and (2) coax in rear doors. Right now, I'm thinking of running the speakers off the head unit amp, and not messing with a separate external amp. I want to keep the steering wheel controls, so I'm planning on using a PAC adapter for that. I have a pair of old Boston Acoustics RX67 6.5" coax that I'm planning on installing in the rear doors, so I just need a set of front speakers.
Currently I like the Pioneer AVIC-920BT and Clarion NX500; both have the features I want, with decent startup times. Crutchfield has good package deals on both right now:
Pioneer:
Pioneer AVIC-X920BT Navigation receiver at Crutchfield Signature
$1000, current deal comes with free ipod cable and component front speakers that look decent.
Clarion:
Clarion NX500 Navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com
$800, current deal comes with license plate mounted backup camera (that has decent reviews). Clarion has ipod connection standard, so no additional cable needed (i.e., equivalent to the Pioneer offer with the ipod cable)
Differences I see in the head units:
Pioneer:
--has external bluetooth mic -- more hassle to install, sound quality might be better?
--has "Pandora link" -- iphone direct control of Pandora app. I don't have an iphone, and my next phone will probably be Android-based, so this doesn't matter.
Clarion:
--has internal bluetooth mic (face of the unit) -- sound quality?
--has higher RMS watt rating (18 vs Pioneer's 14) -- but is either sufficient to run aftermarket speakers?
The big features pushing me towards the Clarion instead of the Pioneer:
- (1) price -- even though I'll need to buy another set of speakers (and maybe speaker adapters), that's ~$100-120 (leaning toward Infinity RS 6020/6030). Total, it still comes out cheaper than the Pioneer, plus I get the backup camera included.
- (2) backup camera included in Crutchfield offer -- license plate frame mount looks easier to install than some other standalone cameras.
Anyone have either of these units? Likes/dislikes?
