Since I now have a JVC HU that plays VCDs and DVDs, I now need to pick up an overhead monitor...I'm looking for recommendations from personal experience since I have none at this point. I am looking for a widescreen format monitor, at least 8" diagonal measure...what brands are good/bad and why? From what I can figure out, alot of monitors use basically the same components, just different grades, and the biggest factor seems to be the quality of the housing...some are streamlined and clean looking and some really look downright flimsy. So lets hear what those in the know have to say about this.


Its rare that I ask for help, and an extensive search came up empty.

I'm very happy with my 7" Kenwood monitor. Slim, small enuff to leave down all the time without getting in the way and I like the design and picture quality. But it's the only flip down Kenwood makes and it's smaller than what you're looking for. It seems most all of the decent name brand flip downs include built in DVD players, which you don't really need. Look on Ebay to see what's out there. Most of the monitor only flip downs are made by the likes of Fuchikaka, Likimedingdong or Lazor-Flash unknown sketchy names. A few pop up here and there by Pyle (snicker) or some other bargain brand that sounds familiar. A quick glance did find an 8" Sony that's motorized. So that when you turn off the vehicle the screen folds up automatically. Cool trick but I'd be worried something would eventually wear out. I kinda like to keep my screen down most of the time anyway. But it's something to check out. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=79831&item=5743444399&rd=1
Also found a Blaupunkt 10.4" that looks decent.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=79831&item=5743842712&rd=1
Both appear to match the grey headliner which is also a plus.
Just look around and see what catches you're eye. Some of the Hong Kong Fuey brands might actually be pretty decent. I'd check and make sure they have dome lights, and a couple AV outputs and inputs incase you ever wanted to add more displays and to give more gaming/video options. Some have swivel screens and a few include TV tuners.
Good luck with it!

http://www.pix8.net/pro/pic/7564FApN/205597.jpg

OR.........:)
Stick with the JVC name and look into their 9" KV-MR9000.

http://www.jvc.com/Resources/00/00/35/34.JPG
http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?productId=PRD3205200&pathId=59

Looks good!
A quick search thru Froogle shows it for $449.88 at Vanns.
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/410699436?v_c=Google
Just not in stock at the moment.
And for about the same price here on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=79831&item=5744234732&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Hong Kong Phooey brands!:shock: They're my fave!

I have been contemplating the JVC MR9000...every bit as cool as my JVC KD-DV5000 HU...plus I got the HU from Vanns since they are an authorized JVC dealer.

I was looking at 8" or larger since the 7" seems a little small if you play a standard 4:3 video on a wide screen format...but who knows, I just might get the smaller screen.

I've perused through a number of mobile video forums and heard that XO Vision, NESA, Starvision, Eigervision and Necvox ( made by Rosen ) were good brands...and on the flip side ( you guessed it ) Pyle, Lanzar, Audiobahn, Farenheit, Phoenix Digital, Boss and Legacy among others.

I'll admit I have a Boss low pass crossover for the sub in my work van and it actually sounds very good.

Empire - that Kewood display would match my HU and amp perfectly...

What model is that and how much? What was the installation like? How come I never have enough money to buy all the crap I want for my E?

Kenwood LZH-70W
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/product/product.jsp?productTypeId=37&sortBy=price&pageId=2&productId=2554

I think I found one new on Ebay for about $320.
Was installed by a Kenwood Excelon dealer.
For the price I could have found one bigger from a lesser name brand but decided to just keep with the Kenwood name for all the components, and really for no reason other than they match.
It's slim and stealthy and when closed sits very flat against the headliner. It doesn't interfere at all with the rearview from where I sit and isn't large enuff to be distracting if one rear passenger just wants to look out the windshield.
The 3 AV inputs are nice too. I put AV jacks in the floor console tray so rear passengers can grab one of the handful of plug-n-play controllers I have in the back and play a quick game of Dig Dug or River Raid.

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/content/product/image/large/im-lzh-70w-lrg-2004-kusa.jpg

In my travels today I stopped into several car audio shops to see in person some of the monitors they offer plus prices. The Kenwood dealer didn't have the LZH-70W, and that was disappointing, and another had the JVC MR9000 for $999 plus installation and to tell you the truth, the JVC monitor looked a little cheap ( I have since done a search and it looks just like a Necvox, made by Rosen ) I could buy two JVC monitors for the same price as one locally and have one for each rear passenger, go figure.

Considering how much use it will see, I just may have to go with one of the higher end no-name units.........maybe.

Now I'm gonna go outside and see if I can get my JVC HU display to come up with an orange that will somewhat match the SOP paint.....

Hey Empire...I've been looking a little more closely at the monitor you have...it looks as though all the controls that are on the remote are also on the unit itself...is this so? I've looked over the manual in .pdf form on Kenwood's website...it would be nice not to have another remote bouncing around my E.

BTW, I got the display on my HU to show a nice shade of orange.:D

I've never once used the remote for the monitor. Infact it's still in the box wrapped in plastic. You really only need to push the power button to activate the display. But yes all the needed buttons are on the unit itself. Power, Dimmer, Menu, Volume, Source.......I think that's all, oh and the 3 way dome light switch.

:D thank you.

Okay, Empire, I did it...I sent out payment this morning for the Kenwood LZH-70W overhead monitor. I'm getting it from EvilBAY for the smokin' deal of $293.94. After it arrives and I install it, I'll post a picture or two.

Wow that is a good deal.
I hope you get a kick out of it.

I put a 9" Directed TV/DVD in mine with wireless headsets and FM tuner. It goes great with the system i put in back for complete surround sound!

Hey Derek, that is an overall slick looking Element. Does the 9" screen obstruct your rear view at all? I was poking around on some manufacturer sites getting specs on their monitors when opened, some were completely out of view, but some of the 9 and 10 inch models were at least half way into my field of vision.

No, it doesnt obstruct the view at all....the elements rearview mirror is low enough and mounted to where you can see right under it, but go with anything over 9 or 10 inches and im sure youll find elsewise.