ApeWare

Hey guys, I am starting to plan out my system and I'm having a difficult time deciding between the Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT and the Kenwood DNX9140.

There seems to be a lot of forum members using the Pioneer AVIC and I am curious as to both how it has worked out for you and why you made the decision. Especially when it comes to iPhone integration and the navigation.

I know the Kenwood is new, but it uses the Garmin maps which leads me to believe that getting map updates may be a little easier.

My usage will mainly consist of listening to music off of my iPhone, taking and receiving calls, and navigation. I dumped serious and really don't care about HD radio and figure I will use the DVD functionality very infrequently - if at all.

Charging and making calls on iPhone need to be seamless - whether I use the iPhone controls or radio controls (I know some units lock out iPhone screen). Voice dialing a plus, but not necessary.

I hope you guys can help me out with some pros and cons. I am looking at reviews online, but have not found but one on the Kenwood since it is so new - tons for Pioneer.

nuke0907

iTrader: (2)

check into the Kenwood Excelon DNX8120 as well. it has all the features as the 9140.

ApeWare

Would like to hear from DNX8120 users as well. It is not listed on Kenwood's site, and requires a $99 map upgrade, but it seems to be basically the same.

nuke0907

iTrader: (2)

i have the 8120 and it is awesome so far. it can be had far cheaper than the other 2 units you listed for basically the same features. plus the map update is no big deal.

ApeWare

Do you use it with the iPhone? If so, how well is the integration? I am trying to find out, since the iPhone 3.0 update supports stereo Bluetooth, if a physical connection is necessary and how well the units iPhone navigation is. Does it lock out the iPhone screen?

Thanks a lot for the info.

nuke0907

iTrader: (2)

sorry. i am using the iPod classic. i'm using the 3-wire cable that Kenwood sells. it plays videos and everything. i'm not sure about iPhone. try looking at reviews to see if anyone else is using it with one.

Spyder699

I own a DNX8120 with a GXM30 which provides weather/traffic/radio and have researched the differences to the DNX9140.

The DNX9140 adds more voice commands where the DNX8120 only has voice control for the bluetooth phone; integrates with MSN Direct instead of XM Traffice/Weather. Note that MSN Direct can only have coverage where there is coverage but this will only affect weather as if you can't get FM there won't be traffic and currently only major roads in major cities are covered. There is also a scheduled maintenance feature but I don't think it is as extensive as the FORD Fusion. Of course the DNX8120 has been out longer and so the price has come down more as well as a $500 difference on MSRP.

As far as I know, neither the Pioneer or Kenwood Nav HU support USB touchscreen to fully support the Magden M1b video gauges. On the Kenwood system you should be able to hook up the M1b video output to the rear camera input via a video switch to display the video gauges while listening to music. The HKS CAMP II is another posibility which I believe has a built in video input which one could route the rear camera video through instead of a video switcher. Don't know much about the Blitz video gauges. I am working on a circuit to make this switching a little more friendly as I would like for the rear camera output to always be displayed when I put the car into reverse which would nullify this issue.

You can also route the rear video output through the same video switch to provide a rear seat monitor or to simply bypass the parking brake so your passenger can watch a video while you are driving. You can also select dual zone and hook up headphones to the rear audio output so your front seat passenger can watch and listen to a video while the driver listens to music and nav directions over the speakers.

Mr.We$t

iTrader: (1)

can someone post some pics of there units on and off please?