About to pull the trigger on a new car stereo
- Thread starter Haywood
- Start date
I've taken a bit of a change of direction and decided to go with a single-din unit based on budget and desired features. I have to wait until my next paycheck (2 weeks) to pull the trigger, but this is the one I am currently leaning toward getting:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130P9400BH/Pioneer-DEH-P9400BH.html
Pioneer DEH-P9400BH
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130P9400BH/Pioneer-DEH-P9400BH.html
Pioneer DEH-P9400BH
Doghart
Well-Known Member
Currently have a Pioneer Elite in the Dodge.
Killer unit and it works flawlessly with all USB sticks and portable HDD I have tried up to 1TB (formatted for FAT32, NTFS does not work).
One complaint: When I am using the USB drive and have it set to random, if I want to skip a track it simply skips to the next track by that artist in that folder, not a random track.
Other than that I love the unit.
D
Killer unit and it works flawlessly with all USB sticks and portable HDD I have tried up to 1TB (formatted for FAT32, NTFS does not work).
One complaint: When I am using the USB drive and have it set to random, if I want to skip a track it simply skips to the next track by that artist in that folder, not a random track.
Other than that I love the unit.
D
-B-
Well-Known Member
Haywood said:I've taken a bit of a change of direction and decided to go with a single-din unit based on budget and desired features. I have to wait until my next paycheck (2 weeks) to pull the trigger, but this is the one I am currently leaning toward getting:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130P9400BH/Pioneer-DEH-P9400BH.html
Pioneer DEH-P9400BH
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEHP9...Q6Z2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332973501&sr=8-1
$168 at Amazon
-B-
Well-Known Member
Clarion uses Parrot Bluetooth now as well. I'd add them to the mix. They have a Double Din quite similar to the original unit you looked at.
![url]](http://[url=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31H2VPg9s6L._AA300_.jpg]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/3 ... AA300_.jpg[/url])
This is the Clarion CX501, the reviews are outstanding. It has a few less features than the Pioneer but it will look more OEM in the VW and you won't need to find a place for the mic as it's built into the face of the radio. Clarion's site doesn't boast this as having Parrot Bluetooth like the single din units, but it gets very positive reviews for Bluetooth functionality. I think the biggest feature difference is the inability to search through a USB storage device like you can with the Pioneer, I think it just plays in the order it's on the device. I have to decide if that's important as I currently don't use one and my Kenwood doesn't allow me to search the iPod via the HU, just skip songs. One reviewer has a diesel F350 and said the built in mic worked well at highway speed which is good considering the noise level.
My Kenwood is coming out of the Saab so I'm thinking of replacing it with this or the Pioneer. If Squaretrade decides to repair it I'll put it in my van. If the pay for a new one I'll get the Pioneer for the van and hope the Bluetooth mic works in it. I can't use a Jawbone Bluetooth in it because the noise level on the highway, no carpet.
This is the Clarion CX501, the reviews are outstanding. It has a few less features than the Pioneer but it will look more OEM in the VW and you won't need to find a place for the mic as it's built into the face of the radio. Clarion's site doesn't boast this as having Parrot Bluetooth like the single din units, but it gets very positive reviews for Bluetooth functionality. I think the biggest feature difference is the inability to search through a USB storage device like you can with the Pioneer, I think it just plays in the order it's on the device. I have to decide if that's important as I currently don't use one and my Kenwood doesn't allow me to search the iPod via the HU, just skip songs. One reviewer has a diesel F350 and said the built in mic worked well at highway speed which is good considering the noise level.
My Kenwood is coming out of the Saab so I'm thinking of replacing it with this or the Pioneer. If Squaretrade decides to repair it I'll put it in my van. If the pay for a new one I'll get the Pioneer for the van and hope the Bluetooth mic works in it. I can't use a Jawbone Bluetooth in it because the noise level on the highway, no carpet.
-B- said:Haywood said:I've taken a bit of a change of direction and decided to go with a single-din unit based on budget and desired features. I have to wait until my next paycheck (2 weeks) to pull the trigger, but this is the one I am currently leaning toward getting:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130P9400BH/Pioneer-DEH-P9400BH.html
Pioneer DEH-P9400BH
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEHP9...Q6Z2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332973501&sr=8-1
$168 at Amazon
Amazon is not cheaper when you throw in the wiring harness, antenna adaptor, dash kit, etc. In fact, Crutchfield comes out $9 cheaper, plus offers lifetime support and detailed installation instructions. Cheaper is not necessarily cheaper.
-B-
Well-Known Member
Haywood said:-B- said:Haywood said:I've taken a bit of a change of direction and decided to go with a single-din unit based on budget and desired features. I have to wait until my next paycheck (2 weeks) to pull the trigger, but this is the one I am currently leaning toward getting:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130P9400BH/Pioneer-DEH-P9400BH.html
Pioneer DEH-P9400BH
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEHP9...Q6Z2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332973501&sr=8-1
$168 at Amazon
Amazon is not cheaper when you throw in the wiring harness, antenna adaptor, dash kit, etc. In fact, Crutchfield comes out $9 cheaper, plus offers lifetime support and detailed installation instructions. Cheaper is not necessarily cheaper.
A harness can be had for $10, there is nothing else you need if you get a double din.
$60 for a harness, antenna adapter and double to single din adapter? seems high to me, I wouldn't spend more than $25 for those 3 items. Wiring harness is color to color, if you can hook up a home theater, you can wire an aftermarket radio harness.
You are incorrect about the wiring harness. My car came with the Monsoon sound system option, which has two sets of component speakers driven by an amplifier in the trunk. The amplifier is CAN controlled, so a basic wiring harness will not work. I have discussed this with a couple of professional installers and with Crutchfield. I did thorough research. I know exactly what I need to install this thing and the wiring harness options are NOT cheap.
-B-
Well-Known Member
I ordered the Clarion CX-501 in hopes it functions as well as the reviews. I'll let you know how well it works, I'll have it installed by Tuesday so it'll give you an option to go double din and have the OEM appearance if desired. My Kenwood doesn't receive even the most local radio stations so I claimed it on my Squaretrade warranty (it was a Crutchfield refurb with only a 90 day warranty so I got the extra) If it doesn't work well I'm going to get the Pioneer, but will eventually get the Pioneer for the work van.
So far so good with Squaretrade, all I have to do is print the label and send it to them and they will issue a refund. I chose the Amazon GC as they give an extra 5% on top so it will pay for the new one.
So far so good with Squaretrade, all I have to do is print the label and send it to them and they will issue a refund. I chose the Amazon GC as they give an extra 5% on top so it will pay for the new one.