Hey guys. Due to this damned MetraKit, once again I have to do something to my car, because I cant drive it knowing there is something else cool I can do to it.

So I have started looking at double din receivers. I am trying to keep my price range under $1000, and that includes buying the metrakit and whatever else I need to make this work. I started hunting around Crutchfield and brought it down to these 2...

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...s=01|113DDX712

Just curious which one you guys would pick and why. -OR- if you know of something else that is a better deal please post it.

The only reqs I have are somewhat simple. DVD/CD/MP3 playback, USB input, and of course fits in the double din metrakit.

On a sidenote - I notice some have a 4 channel pre-amp output, and others have 6. Is it smart to go with 6? I have the BOSE system if that changes anything.

Once again, thanks as always guys!

 

1. get the hell away from crutchfield. Their prices are among the highest you'll pay
2. check out the pioneer avic line of double dins...
3. using the bose amp will require some tweaks but that's covered in a number of threads

 

Yeah crutchfield is used for information ONLY please do not buy from them..

The Pioneer AVIC D3 seems to be a crowd favorite around here.. great price and functionality balance..

 

Yeah sorry I meant to mention I was just using Crutchfield for info use only, haha. Now I am also hearing a lot of fans of the Kenwood 8120. I'll check out this Avic line you guys are talking about too.

 

OK I am starting to like this Avic series. I noticed the D3 has been discontinued but the F90BT seems to be its updated replacement. Anyone have personal experience with the F90BT? From what I am reading, and seeing, its pretty much the same unit just with some extra features and better preamp output, except it comes with a longer startup time.

 

the f90bt has had some growing pains as a new product. A lot of it has been fixed but some people still don't love it. Check out the avic411.com forums.

 

Yeah I just did some research on it (OK I read pretty much every thread at that site...).

Apparently Pioneer is announcing a new "triple threat" as they call it next weekend. I am going to wait and see what they show and might just wait to get that.

 

I'm partial to the Alpine W505, because I've had great experience with Alpines in the past. You can find the bare HU much cheaper than list, but you have to add stuff to it if you want Bluetooth, Nav, HD Radio, etc. so if you do the final price is higher again. If you don't want all that then you can find them for around $800. I'm insanely pleased with mine...

 

hay fellas im not really sure about audio systems so I just wanna ask aslong as I buy a double den face kit (like the metra) I can buy any flip out screen out there right?

 

I have installed many of them. That's pretty much bulls-eyed. Several features better over the D3, (flash based nav, built in bluetooth, better ipod control, sD slot, ...) but the load times are longer. My most recent install of the F90 was for a close friend of mine. It's been about a month and he still loves it. I asked him what he thought about the bootup times and he didn't even know what I was talking about. lol So i guess maybe it only bothers those who have previously owned a different navi double-din.

 

"Single din" or "double din" are an industry standard size. All are designed to be the exact same size when mounting in your car. So if the kit says it will take a double-din, you can buy any double-din you want.

On this note, "flip out screen" is generally a term used for single-din units that have a motorized LCD that slides out and then flips up. If this is what you're talking about, then no. The Metra double-din kit will not allow you to install any single-din headunit.

On a third note, those headunits are beginning to become ghetto IMO. Everyone uses the term "flip out screen" now and WalMart is filled with $199 el cheapo crap ones. Anyone who puts in a little overtime at McDonalds and afford to ghetto-fy his Grand Marquis. Buy a pimp double-din or buy a hotass single-din with more features than you can shake a stick at.

 

I just saw some vids/info from the Pioneer Road show. The new Z-series HU is incredible. Apparently its a 10 second boot time, and the responsiveness is crazy fast. Very tempting.

But then again, the new X910 is awesome too, and cheaper. Oh decisions, decisions. I kinda like having an actual volume ****...

 

The new Eclipse AVN726E has proven to be a incredible unit as well.

 

What do you think of this model?
http://www.mp3playerstore.com/stuff_...IN-625GPS.html

 

I don't think..... I KNOW it's a piece of crap and not worth your money.

 

^+1...anywho, I've got a JVC KW-AVX820, LOVE it...BT works great and it controls my iPod FLAWLESSLY...it was a transfer from my last car...that's the only thing I like about best buy...factory reinstallation...they didn't touch the 8 though