Phoenix Gold Phorum

Spawning from another thread I was curious as to people's thoughts on different ones.

I am personally thinking of the Pioneer AVIC F90BT, or the Alpine W505. I've always been an Alpine guy but the Pioneer has some/most of the same features but cost much less.

Anyone have any info on either? Suggestions other than those two?

My only concern with the Pioneer was boot time. I was sooooo close to buying an F700BT, but when I checked one out in person it took ages to boot up. Apparently the earlier firmware was buggy as hell, but they are pretty stable now (still slow to boot though). Other than that it's got loads of good features and the menus were nice and easy to use.

Not sure the price difference between the 900 and 90 is worth it either.

SQ wise, the Kenwood's are better. Feature and Navi wise the Pioneer's. Pick your poison.

Tom .. Still looking for a F700BT? I might know someone that's been holding onto one since his shop closed down.

Alpine been throwing out the same junk in there A/V units since 2000, nothings change except Ipod support.

gkitching wrote:Tom .. Still looking for a F700BT? I might know someone that's been holding onto one since his shop closed down.

Wish I was, but I have $0 right now.

AVICJR wrote:Spawning from another thread I was curious as to people's thoughts on different ones.

I am personally thinking of the Pioneer AVIC F90BT, or the Alpine W505. I've always been an Alpine guy but the Pioneer has some/most of the same features but cost much less.

Anyone have any info on either? Suggestions other than those two?

Check out this unit by Eclipse...

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_161 ... C-106.html

how are the eclipse?

stay away from the 505. I bought it and used it for a month! Horrible IMO

I switched back to the Eclipse and it was night and day in both user interface and navigation, it totally blows the Alpine W505/BB2 out of the water.

This Eclipse has pretty much all the bells and whistles that you'll need (as long as you dont need DSP):

http://www.eclipse-web.com/us/avn/avn726eoverviews.html

I'm really gun shy when it comes to the F series Pioneer navigation units. They recently announced the new replacements for them though; a G series I think with one new Z model as well. I'm hoping Pioneer has cleared up all the messes they made with last year's models.

I've always preferred the Kenwood multimedia units. The sound quality, Garmin Nav, and Parrot Bluetooth are all superior to anything else I've dealt with. Only downside has been a slow boot up, but this year (DNX 7140 and DNX9140) will display back up camera signal 2-3 seconds after the ignition is on in an attempt to alleviate the main point of frustration with the slow boot time.

vin78 wrote:(as long as you dont need DSP):

http://www.eclipse-web.com/us/avn/avn726eoverviews.html

Is this the model you have, or this is what your suggesting? DSP= digital signal processing??

I can't tell which is the higher end model the 726e or the 6620??

AVICJR wrote:
Is this the model you have, or this is what your suggesting? DSP= digital signal processing??

I can't tell which is the higher end model the 726e or the 6620??

The 726E is the higher end newer model, and the 6620 is last years (I think.) The 726 is around $1300, and the 6620 has been discontinued according to Crutchfield. It was $600 when they still had it though.

I was looking at both these units as well for my Tacoma, as the guys on the Tacoma forums seem to like them quite a bit (These or the Kenwoods.) I checked out both units in a shop about a month ago, and I def liked the screen/graphics/interface on the 726 better.

Alot of the newer Tacoma owners run Eclipse units though b/c Fujitsu makes Toyota's OEM stereos, so the Eclipse double din's are completely plug right into the factory wiring harness, even the steering wheel controls. Makes the install nice and clean and super easy. Not sure if that matters or helps you any.

How about the Eclipse AVN 4430

AVICJR wrote: Is this the model you have, or this is what your suggesting? DSP= digital signal processing??

I can't tell which is the higher end model the 726e or the 6620??

No, I switched back to the AVN6600. (this is the order of DD units that I used in chronological order: AVN2454 > AVN6600 > W505/BB2 > AVN6600). I did a few installs using the 6610 and got to play with the 726e at CES this year. They totally changed the user interface for the 726e, but for the better. Eclipse really did a good job with their bluetooth since the 6610 IMO.

If you don't need the bluetooth, the 6600/6610 would be a cheaper alternative if you can find it. You can do Bluetooth with the 6610 but you'll need an adapter, its not that great though.

Yes, I did mention digital signal processing - the ONLY reason why I used the W505 is because you can control the H701 processor. Eclipse only have a 7 band EQ (IIRC on the bands) and crossovers.

It's says on the 726 that it's only 3 band EQ. I'm considering Eclipses' but does anyone know if they have steering wheel control compatibility?

Really wasn't looking to spend a grand on a HU though.

i still firmly believe that real men need no NAV

AVICJR wrote:It's says on the 726 that it's only 3 band EQ. I'm considering Eclipses' but does anyone know if they have steering wheel control compatibility?

Really wasn't looking to spend a grand on a HU though.

The steerine wheel controls are an add-on module that will work with any radio that has a remote control.

^^^ Thanks, didn't know that.

After much research I bougth the Kenwood 5140. Had it for about 2 months now.

Good:

Garmin based nav rocks
Nav runs on built in memory, no stupid Nav DVD's
Can keep playing music while nav runs
Screen is plenty bright
ton o features
back up camera
better built in xover than expected
USB drive means no need for IPOD

Bad:

SQ is noticeably not as good as my Alpine 9815 ( no surprise ) not crappy sounding by not as crisp.
slow to boot, I can start the car in the garage, reverse out and be 1/2way down the driveway before I hear music

Overall impression: Good solid deck for the $$. Does the job and I'd buy it again. This is my first Kenwood after 20 years of Pioneer then Alpine decks. Also looked at Alpine (same old crap year after year), Pioneer - too gimicky, Eclipse (wicked deck, not so great Nav).

what abut the Eclipse AVN 4430 for 700$