In dash Navi with Blue Tooth?? Suggestions?? [Archive]

bcojoe

04-25-2008, 02:33 AM

I won't install mine until tomorrow, but I would suggest the Kenwood DNX7100. I think this is a 2007 model, I don't know how high the price was originally. At least $1499, I think. You can buy one now from Crutchfield.com for $850 refurbished. I got mine today, it looks brand new. If you do buy one from them, ask them about a free backup camera (I doubt it is supposed to come with the refurb, but I called back after my stereo was shipped and told them that I'd read recent reviews where others said they got the free camera (with the new unit), and I now have a free $149 camera on the way). Also, if you are a first time Crutchfield customer, you can use my referral code (there will be a place for you to enter it on the checkout page) and save $20. It will also earn me a $20 savings on my next order. If this is against EOC forums policy, I hope a moderator will edit it out or ask me to. I don't care so much about the $20, but it's $20 for each of us, so... Anyway, the referral code is... prtrc-hxh6b-cdv28

Now, why I like the DNX7100 over the AVIC-D3....

I have seriously considered the Pioneer, but I just couldn't get past the number one reason to avoid it (in my opinion, for my use). That being, every time you want to start a new route, you have to put the Nav DVD back in. That would drive me absolutely nuts! I know, short trip, whatever. :) I thought maybe I was wrong about that, that you could put the Eastern US DVD in once, and it would store it as long as you didn't navigate west of the Mississippi or something. The guy at Crutchfield confirmed that you do have to put it back in for every new route. If this is wrong, the D3 owners can correct me.

So....

K(enwood DNX7100) offers 6.95" display. P(ioneer AVIC-D3) offers 6.1" display.

K offers Garmin navigation in system memory, no need to take your CD or movie DVD out to start new route. P offers navigation that is DVD based, and DVD must be put in for new route.

K offers iPod audio AND VIDEO controlled and viewed on touchscreen. P offers only iPod audio, as far as I can find out.

K offers angle adjustment on the LCD screen, tilt in either direction, I think. P LCD is fixed, no tilt. (Different ways of looking at this... If the angle is good for you with the Pioneer, then that is one less thing to go wrong with it if it doesn't have a motor in there to move it. On the other hand, if I were installing it in my 2002 S10, I would absolutely have to change the angle for glare reduction.)

K includes the remote control. P offers it as a $19.99 option. I had to scan the "what's in the box" section two or three times before I would believe this! I guess if you are laying in the back of your Element, you might not want to watch a DVD on the D3 at it's fixed angle anyway, but you still might want to use a remote to listen to music.

If you are going to install this yourself, here are a couple more advantages for the Kenwood... There is no speed sensor wire to hook up on the Kenwood, while there is one for the Pioneer. In my S10, the speed sensor wire was right there in the stereo wiring harness. In my 2000 Volvo V70 XC though, I had no idea where to find it. I don't know about the Element. I don't need to know either, because it's not an issue with the Kenwood. Also, I'm not condoning watching a DVD while you are driving, but if you want to keep the installation simple, all you need to do is wire the parking brake wire to your ground wire. On the Pioneer, I've been told it is a bit more difficult. Nothing like a previous Alpine unit that I had, but more difficult than just hooking a wire to the ground wire. I could be wrong on that, but I was told that you have to switch a pin in the wiring harness or something. I'm sure it's just a matter of a simple google search and following directions. Again though, one less thing for me to do with the Kenwood installation.

I think the Kenwood is more expandable, but I haven't done an extensive comparison on that. I know you can add a TV tuner (very much overpriced, IMO). Ok, maybe that is where it ends, as far as extras that are not available on the Pioneer. I just checked and Pioneer does have an HD Radio tuner available, so the Kenwood has no advantage there. They both do Satellite radio, of course.

It is largely just personal preference, of course. For myself though, I just couldn't deal with having to pop the DVD in for navigations. Pioneer should be ridiculed for even coming out with it that way. I know it was just a cost cutting feature so that they could bring the D3 out at the price point that they want. Shoot, you can buy a single DIN DVD/Navigation stereo with touch screen at Wal-Mart for $388 that has the navigation built in to the system memory. If Kraco (excuse me, Vr3) can do that, why can't Pioneer do it in a double DIN sized stereo?

I guess another comparison I'd make between the P and the K is that the K has a cleaner appearance, in my opinion. DVD slot is hidden. No knobs on the front, no buttons up the left side. It only has a few small buttons along the bottom edge. Again, that is more of a personal preference thing, rather than a definitive edge of one over the other.

If you do like that "cleaner" appearance, and don't care about navigation, usb input, or a subwoofer output..... In other words, just a basic, beautiful 7" widescreen double DIN DVD player, I would point you toward the JVC KW-AVX710. I bought one off eBay for $399, and put it in my S10. I would have used it in my Element, but I wanted to be able to hook it into the Element's sub. The JVC has no sub output. It has a beautiful picture though, a nice remote, and a touchscreen. It's amazing what $399 will get you, compared to what it would have cost a few years ago!