What kind of radio should i get?
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bertsch911
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gaterose
Senior Member
Alpine and Kenwood make the best HUs in my opinion., although some Kenwoods have slow load times.
I spent a lot of time reading reviews before I bought my kenwood DNX-9960. I'm very happy with it but there are a few peeves. I read a lot of reviews and ended up going w the kenwood because it has Garmin GPS and the Alpine has Navteq like most others. I love the interface and speed of the Alpines much better than Kenwood but I couldn't justify the tradeoff for the off brand GPS software.
My kenwood does have a very slick iPhone like user interface though, as well as 256 color button illumination (so it matches the 4r), customizable startup and background screens, and the ability to connect a USB hard drive and the iPhone at the same time.
In my opinion and experience, and from the reviews I've read, other brands don't hold a candle.
edit: also didn't realize this til I made the purchase (since I looked online) but the DNX only has one hard button (triangle shaped reset button) the other buttons are all touch sensitive and not actual buttons.
I spent a lot of time reading reviews before I bought my kenwood DNX-9960. I'm very happy with it but there are a few peeves. I read a lot of reviews and ended up going w the kenwood because it has Garmin GPS and the Alpine has Navteq like most others. I love the interface and speed of the Alpines much better than Kenwood but I couldn't justify the tradeoff for the off brand GPS software.
My kenwood does have a very slick iPhone like user interface though, as well as 256 color button illumination (so it matches the 4r), customizable startup and background screens, and the ability to connect a USB hard drive and the iPhone at the same time.
In my opinion and experience, and from the reviews I've read, other brands don't hold a candle.
edit: also didn't realize this til I made the purchase (since I looked online) but the DNX only has one hard button (triangle shaped reset button) the other buttons are all touch sensitive and not actual buttons.
Eastcoastrunner
New member
says that your kenwood won't control an iphone 4 though?
Kenwood Excelon DNX9960 Navigation receiver - Hands-on Research at Crutchfield Outlet
Kenwood Excelon DNX9960 Navigation receiver - Hands-on Research at Crutchfield Outlet
gaterose
Senior Member
Don't know why it says that, it works great w my iphone 4. streams music via bluetooth or USB. you can control playback from the kenwood head unit or from the iphone itself. I think it also has connections for the headphone jack but I don't have that one connected.
edit: I think that review is old or something, I've never had any problems with the HU and my iphone 4. Never had the problems after software updates that it mentions either.
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Eastcoastrunner
New member
ok, great, just checking. I'm looking for something with bluetooth, ipod, gps etc for the runner too...back up cam option would be great but i really don't want to spend $1500! I noticed Kenwood had other options (DNX series) anyone know if there is a big difference?
gaterose
Senior Member
If you wait around you can get a deal. I got a refurbished one from Amazon through CarToys for $800. Car Toys is one of only like 3 authorized kenwood online retailers so it came with the full kenwood warranty as if it were brand new. I've read where a few other people got the same deal as me on Amazon, I guess kenwood must use cartoys to resell the refurbished units.
edit: to answer your question about the other kenwood HUs, the DNX7160 is almost exactly the same as the 9960. Autbond had the DNX6160 (I think) and he said it was great; it was the model with the smaller screen and hard buttons.
I like the Kenwood navigation units. I've had two and will buy another in the future. They have Garmin navigation which is the best. Ipod control, blue tooth, etc. New ones display pandora radio. I have the kenwood backup camera added to mine, it's awesome.
I HIGHLY recommend buying from an authorized dealer. I like Crutchfield.com they at least include free harness adaptors and metra mounting kit for the dash as well as instructions. Free shipping too and they send it out fast.
I'm actually a big fan of grey market gear off ebay/amazon, but only for speakers and amps that rarely have problems. The Kenwood is expensive and complicated. And if you get a Excelon level headunit (their higher end stuff) you get a 3 year warranty which is only valid if you got it from an authorized dealer.
I HIGHLY recommend buying from an authorized dealer. I like Crutchfield.com they at least include free harness adaptors and metra mounting kit for the dash as well as instructions. Free shipping too and they send it out fast.
I'm actually a big fan of grey market gear off ebay/amazon, but only for speakers and amps that rarely have problems. The Kenwood is expensive and complicated. And if you get a Excelon level headunit (their higher end stuff) you get a 3 year warranty which is only valid if you got it from an authorized dealer.
Eastcoastrunner
New member
whats the best kenwood for around $500 or so i wonder...
DNX6160
I'm looking at this one or the DNX6180. The wife works at best buy, so I'll have to see what the discount is.
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Eastcoastrunner
New member
only a 30 day warranty though? ^^
Eastcoastrunner
New member
Paulie6909
New member
go with the Clarion NX501...check out my pic of it in my album...it has bluetooth phone and music, touchscreen, navi, dvd
Eastcoastrunner
New member
DNX6160
I'm looking at this one or the DNX6180. The wife works at best buy, so I'll have to see what the discount is.
read this on the disclaimer for this unit :
'Your vehicle is factory-equipped with an upgraded sound system. We recommend that you purchase an adapter that will connect your new stereo to your amplified factory system. PAC TATO $74.99'
any ideas?
ryanbt
New member
I had Car Toys put in a Kenwood DNX6960 last summer and I love it (see link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/audio-electronics/73856-kenwood-dnx6160.html) (Sorry I made a typo when I made my original post it is actually a 6960 and not a 6160.) I was going to use my old iPod with the HU and keep it in the glovebox permanently (just update it instead of using my newer iPod and removing it daily from my T4R.) I did find though, (and it's a known issue) that the older iPods can cause the HU to reboot occasionally. This happens only with my 5 year old iPod. New iPod and iPhone does not duplicate the issue. My second con.. I lost the remote. I have NO idea where the pesky thing went to. I'll just buy another remote on eBay. 
Eastcoastrunner
New member
i noticed you have texas and ontario in your info...how do you swing that!
You are going to need the PAC TATO to interface the Kenwood to the JBL amp. This only applies if you have the JBL premium system. If you have the basic system, it should be plug and play with the exception of the steering wheel controls. There is an additional adapter required to interface the Kenwood to the controls.
I think, but am not certain, these(or ones like them) will be required with any aftermarket HU install.
All of this post is regurgitation from reading, none of it is first hand knowledge. (I'm not even sure the wife will let me install this...)
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ryanbt
New member
A lot of flying and a lot of driving!
