slash128

Hey all, I'll be garaging my 8 for the winter this year and I'm planning some work while it sits in my garage. One major thing I want to do is replace the head unit with an all-in-one GPS/DVD/BT, etc. I like the Kenwood DNX6140. I particularly like the Kenwoods because I already have a Garmin Nuvi GPS, which I like, and the Kenwoods have Garmin for the Nav.

Has anyone had any experience with this model? What about with this model and the SWI-Jack from PAC? Any compatibility issues? Any feedback installing this with the Metra kit?

Thanks all...

Juice

iTrader: (1)

I haven't had any experience with that particular Kenwood unit. I am currently using a Kenwood DDX-514 and I really like it. I didn't have the need for Nav since I rarely travel and only work 3 miles from my house.

iPod control is awesome and the interface is really easy to use. Supports pretty much everything and there is a direct USB cable that works really well. Video is good and it is easy to bypass so you can have video whilst driving.

I am also using the SWI-Jack for steering wheel controls and it works well, although there is a slight delay. You get used to it though and it really isn't too much of a problem. I did have a problem with the unit I got from PAC and found out that there was a manufacturing defect with some of the units they made, see the below thread for the info:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/swi-jack-kenwood-radios-181247/

slash128

Hey Juice, thanks for the feedback. I actually ran across your post detailing the mis-wired PAC module. Awesome post, thanks!

Do you currently use Bluetooth for music? If so, how is the quality? One of the things I am trying to accomplish is to untether my iPhone. I currently use an FM transmitter. The quality varies from OK to suck depending on the interference I get from local stations. I have tested a few cabled units but managing the music library is a pain. I'd rather just transmit via Bluetooth.

I saw several posts on the Xcarlink, which looks like a great option but I can't find any place to buy one :-(

Thanks again!

Juice

iTrader: (1)

I use the Kenwood iPod cable direct to the radio. I just have a 5th gen iPod that is basically relegated to car duty. It sits in the glovebox and never comes out unless I need to update it with more music. Navigation through the head unit is very easy. The direct connection is fast and the sound quality is only limited to how good the music is on the iPod. If you have music that is ripped at a low bit rate you will notice it.

csiepka

Hi Slash, my husband and I are doing this today.... I'll let you know what happens....

We actually had the Kenwood DNX 7100 in our previous car with the SWI-Jack, steering wheel PAC adapter, and rear view camera.

This one has bluetooth and the colorchanging front which is nice..... in addition to the other features on the previous 7100 so we went with the 6140.

slash128

Thanks, that would be great! I am also interested in the BT. I went to CarTous and the let me pair my iPhone with a 6140 and it sounded great. Good luck! I'll look forward to hearing about your success...

csiepka

OMG!

it's not snapped together yet, but tested it and OMG it sounds great, more info later....


Just an fyi, we didn't replace the bose speakers, just added two 10" infinity subs and infinity sub and damn the headunit made soooo much difference in the output to the bose speakers - I typically don't like bose, but the Kenwood "woke it up".

slash128

Hey, that's awesome! This is really good news! Thank you for the feedback, I really appreciate it. I was torn between going the Kenwood route or XCarLink. Since the Kenwood was considerably more money and I really didn't know if it would be worth it I went ahead and bought an XCarLink a week ago. But after hearing your success I wish I had waited! I'll probably just use the XCarLink for a few months while I pay off all the other mods I've spent money on lately, but from what you have kind enough to share about the Kenwood I am definitely going to go that route as soon as I have funds again

What dash kit did you use, the Metra?

Thanks!

Jason

csiepka

Yes Metra 99-7510 and the PAC SWI-JACK (for the steering wheel controls).