Recommendations for moderately priced in-dash headunit..?

[navin]

Been meaning to do some research on this, but wanted to see if anyone from the SBX has personal experience with these type of head units.

Basically I want something for my 4runner that I can hookup a backup camera to, and also that is compatible with iPhone so I can bluetooth stream Spotify/Pandora + Google Maps navigation and do hands free calling.

A coworker of mine has the Parrot Asteroid smart, pretty cool I guess... but since it's pretty new the cost is kind of high. I don't really need any top of the line stuff there, so I don't mind buying older models.

[Senor_Taylor]

I just bought an put in a DDX370, I love it so far.

Got it on Amazon for $180



Even hooked up my PS2 to it.



You'd have to bump up a model or two to get bluetooth, but mine has pandora, siruis XM, and GPS if you run it off an iPhone.

Maybe a DDX470? <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-DDX470-Double-Din/dp/B00B7IPTHI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384391073&sr=8-2&keywords=kenwood+ddx">http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-DDX470-Do ... enwood+ddx</a><!-- m -->

[HAULN-SS]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007JCNO78/ref=oh_details_o07_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007JC ... UTF8&psc=1</a><!-- m -->

I bought this on sale for 270$. You can also buy an optional backup camera that is made specifically to work with this. Bluetooth works flawlessly, and has the pandora app and some other blingblang. I think it will do your voice guided nav, but you'd have to do a little more research. I know it will if you're currently using the phone for audio, but not sure if it will if you're listening to other radio.

[SlimKlim]

I'm pretty sure I need a new one for the BMW. The right front speakers aren't working at all. Speakers are new, replaced the speaker amp and redid the wiring behind the HU so its the only thing left. I should plug in another one before I buy a replacement just to make sure though.

I just want a single DIN that doesn't look out of place, has an USB input for the iPhone, and decent sound, for cheeps.

[JPolen01]

I just want a single DIN that doesn't look out of place, has an USB input for the iPhone, and decent sound, for cheeps.

Nearly any single DIN head unit on the market meets those requirements these days. I've had good experiences with Sony, pioneer. Kenwood customer service is shit so I won't buy from them again and their looks are pretty shitty.

[SlimKlim]

Yeah... they're just all so goddamn ugly. Is it so much to ask for a matte black finish and buttons that look like they belong in a car? Noooooo, you need to have glare-creating high gloss plastic and shitty looking fake brushed aluminum knobs and dials and lights and lines.

[HAULN-SS]

Why dont yall do a trunk mount bluetooth unit? if you still really, really needed dials in front of you, get a remote and mount it in the center console

[Evan]

Yeah... they're just all so goddamn ugly. Is it so much to ask for a matte black finish and buttons that look like they belong in a car? Noooooo, you need to have glare-creating high gloss plastic and shitty looking fake brushed aluminum knobs and dials and lights and lines.

I got this for my Lotus. its not perfect, but I think its a nice subtle look
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113BT855U/Kenwood-KDC-BT855U.html?tp=5684">http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113BT855U/ ... ml?tp=5684</a><!-- m -->
The button backlight color can be changed, so I changed it to the same color as the gauge cluster and it looks factory.

there are cheaper models in their lineup that look about the same.

i think alpine and jvc also have some units without the garish silver plastic and blue lights all over.

[SlimKlim]

^ Yeah that's not bad. Similar to the old kenwood I bought for the car 4 years ago for the same reasons. Only thing I really don't like is the ultra high gloss finish on it that's as ugly as it is unusable in bright sun. Oh well.

[Evan]

I really don't like is the ultra high gloss finish on it that's as ugly as it is unusable in bright sun. Oh well.

yeah i hate that too. its also curved, so it picks up LOTS of glare in the sun.

[navin]

/thread hijack, Thanks Joey! :x

[Evan]

who is the SBX?

[SlimKlim]

Sorry!

[navin]

Whoops, copied and pasted this post over from RR/AX...

On that note -- got a few suggestions of HU's in the price range I'm looking for, but does anyone have any shop recommendations to install or should I just suck it up and try it myself? I hate doing anything interior panel popping wise + wiring.

Feel like running the back up camera is going to suck.

[Jake]

Installing radios is really pretty simple. Not worth paying a shop IMO.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Whoops, copied and pasted this post over from RR/AX...

On that note -- got a few suggestions of HU's in the price range I'm looking for, but does anyone have any shop recommendations to install or should I just suck it up and try it myself? I hate doing anything interior panel popping wise + wiring.

Feel like running the back up camera is going to suck.

Bring it over.

[JPolen01]

If you pay someone to do this for you, I'm never push starting your car again.

[navin]

hey hey -- it's been awhile since I've had to do this.. *grumpy old man* -- back when I did it, I remember having to match a bunch of wires from the OEM harness to a harness adapter and that was a PITA.

There has to be plug + play harness out there now.. more concerned about routing the camera to the rear of the car and pulling apart all the interior panels. But good thing DJ volunteered already

[JustinG]

The harness adapters are like10 wires, and you just match the colors. Don't be a pussy.