Rx-7Addict

iTrader: (2)

I had the JVC SH99 before my x659 Kenwood. I like the Kenwood better overall. It has less time between tracks, better EQ, more display options, 4.5v preouts. I have to agree, the JVC was more ergonomically friendly. The **** was nice. On the kenwood, it has really small track forward/back, which are the buttons I use most frequently after volume. If it was my choice again, I would get the Kenwood

Rx-7Addict

iTrader: (2)

Forgot to add that I hated the silver face of the JVC. The kenwood looks much better. The JVC sticks out like a sore thumb on the dark grey FC interior. It attracts theives. Also, the JVC has a power folddown face, which is nice to have. The kenwood doesnt.

Cheers!

What about the Aiwa CDC-MA01 or the CDC-MP3

the_glass_man

iTrader: (2)

I haven't heard to many good things about Aiwa car audio players.
Heres a tip for anyone even thinking about a Car MP3 player.
Check out

www.highwaymp3.com

Its got its own user forum, reviews, prices, news, etc...

It help me pick out my JVC.
Also a good place for nice pictures and such is Crutchfield, but I just check specs and pictures out and then buy from a place that has if off a truck from NYC for 1/2 the price.

rx7tt95

Cool guys. Thanks for all the new info...one other thing I've been thinking about is apparently, there are a few in-dash CD/DVD players which will read DVD-R/RW disks. This would negate the need for say a 6-CD changer or a built-in hard drive, with almost 5 gigs per disk. That's a LOT of music! And that's what I'm after. My car is loud enough that quite frankly, I probably couldn't tell the difference between a good MP3 recording or CD. I have one of the upper end Eclipse head units from about 3 years ago (ancient, I know!), MB Quarts coax's all the way around, a small JL" sub and a 5 channel Rockford amp. It's light, can be removed easily, and sounds fantastic. What it's missing is the multiple CD capability and an EQ. We have approximately two solid FM radio stations around here and I get tired of trying to find a new CD while I'm driving. I've also thought about Satellite radio, but I'm still at the programmer's mercy. I want to hear the song now damn it! :-)

So...I'm left with thinking I could keep my head unit and go with that Alpine 6cd MP3 compatible CD changer. The weakest link would be the FM modulator. Or I could go with a single CD in-dash for a few bucks more and probably get an EQ to boot. Still only one disk though. Yet again, I can probably put what, 100 songs on a single CD? The third choice is to wait it out and see what the DVD-R/RW head units are like. I'm sure they'll be BIG bucks though. Decisions decisions...

Oh and Glass, hell yeah I'm a Mac guy! Although I do have Virtual PC 5.0 on my desk/laptop for the Datalogit :-)

On a final note, anyone see that new "faceless" Clarion with the single large rotary dial in the middle? The front face folds down to expose the display/CD caddy. It looks simply awesome! Alas, no MP3 though :-(
Michel

Touring FD3S

It certainly doesn't hurt

Actually, Kenwood does off quite a few accessories which can be easily added on, which is something else I like. But all together I have never had a problem with any unit I have had, and a few friends of mine run excelons as well and have never had a problem. So if it isn't broke, don't fix it.....I guess

Cheers!

We all know VDO makes excellent gauges for car for very very low $$$$, they are the OEM gauge suppliers to Mercedes, VW, Porsche and Honda at one point.

now they have this...

VDO deck... looks sweet

http://www.vdodayton.de/products/aud...os/cd_4802.htm



Features:

Product Design
3D-Effect VFD Display
Silver Chromium Finish
Flipdown Front, abnehmbar
Multicolour Display
Frequency Analyzer, schaltbar
Protection LED
Pilot Light

Tuner
RDS Tuner
UKW mit RDS TRAFFIC, NEWS
MW, LW, KW
RDS PTY
A-Z Function
Automatic Station List (ASL)
RDS CLOCK
80 Presets

CD Player
CD MP3 Player
Soft-Take-In CD-Einzug
CD-R & CD-RW kompatibel
CD-Compression
CD-Title Memory
CD-Text

Internal Amplifier
Max. Power: 4x55 Watt
RMS Power: 4x27 Watt
Digital Sound Processor
4-Channel 4V Preamp Out
Auto Volume Leveler (AVL)
Subwoofer Out
Auto Equalizer
5 Sound Presets
Dynamic Loudness, schaltbar
Digital CD-Changer Input
CD-Text für CD-Changer
Aux In
DAB Control

General
Car Computer
Speed Dependent Volume Control (SDVC)
Speedometer
Handsfree Phone In
Telephone In
Telephone Mute
Navigation In
Navigation Mute
Park Distance Control
Software Access Menu (SAM)
Abmessungen (b x h x t):
180 x 51 x 150 mm
DIN + JIN Montage

Options
IR-Fernbedienung
Temperature Sensor
Park Distance Control Kit
Handsfree Phone Kit
DAB Receiver

DRAG0NEER

i really like the sony mp-70
anything above that is just useless

spyfish007

Well if $$ is no object ... ok ok I like to dream ...

Get the Kenwood touch screen with the Kenwood music keg. You can actaully look at the folders on the screen just like a computer. Switching is fast, navigation is easy, and overall the setup is the best. Just don't be mad when I tell you it will cost your $3000.

For what it is worth the Kenwood is the only one that has a good harddrive add one unit. It has no copywrite crap on it ... ie Pioneer & Sony. For the CD type mpe players Kenwood and Pioneer are both really good. My friend can't keep the Pioneer 740MP, 840MP, or 940MP units in stock-Pioneer simply can't keep up with the demand.

MIKE-P-28

iTrader: (1)

spyfish, I thought it was our company that wasnt ordering them. We cant keep them in stock either At $300 for a MP3 indash with a TON of feautures, it flys out the door

kevinsiangchin

This is a bit more cumbersome than the other suggestions, but I have Kenwood KDC-X759 (which doen't play mp3s) with an auxillary input. I whipped up a little hub that attaches to that aux. input that can accomodate my PC, an external mp3 player (e.g. my nomad) or PDA (e.g. my iPAQ). Driving around and fiddling with the laptop is probably not the best idea (until you get used to it) but I have the flexibility and upgradability of software. I usually use the nomad, though. I've had the head unit for some time now so I imagine its much cheaper than the 480 (sans shipping) i paid for it

This is probably of no use since you can just buy a head unit that plays mp3s, but it is another route you could go, particularly if you've already dropped a couple hundred on a good portable mp3 player or have a laptop with you alot (and have good manual dexterity).
ks