For you guys who swapped out your factory head unit, I was hoping to pick your brain. Ive narrowed it down to the Alpine INE-S920HD and Kenwood Excelon DNX690HD. Both units are really similar, and its come down to Garmin based GPS on the kenwoodvs 9 band eq on the alpine. Can anybody with these units comment on the functionality of the alpines gps, or if the 3 band eq on the kenwood is not that bad?? Im stuck, thanks in advance.
Heads Unit Advice
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In your price range ($600) you can get the Pioneer AVIC z140BH. It used to sell for $1,200 before the newer 150 was released. I just installed the 140 and really like it. I just back from a road trip and the GPS worked just fine. It has a 8 band graphic EQ (or maybe 9 band) and has everything I need. I know it wasn't on your list but wanted to put it out there for consideration.
Thanks for the heads up, I saw that model too on crutchfield. My real question is where have you seen these models for 600 bucks?
Cheapest ive seen is Crutchfield for 799. I'd love to save some cashI purchased mine off Amazon. It was fulfilled through Amazon and Prime eligible. This was the only piece of equipment I didn't purchase from an authorized dealer, but, it was about half the cost of the other HUs I was considering so I figured I could buy two of them for the price. Plus since it was through Amazon I could return it if the unit was damaged or I simply didn't like it. The prices fluctuates...I think I purchased mine for $620. One other benefit is the larger 7" screen.'
Are you adding an amp too?
Are you adding an amp too?
Since you replied earlier Ive been researching the unit, and I have all but ruled out the alpine. I will be running an amp, currently running a w6 in a custom box on a alpine digital amp. I forget the model number but If i remember correctly, it replaced the old mrp500. Currently I'm running an audiocontrol unit off the stock 430n. The next phase of the build was supposed to be hertz or hat components and coax, but I realized I wasnt 100% satisfied with the signal from the unit so I decided to swap it first before the speakers. Does amazon prime offer warranties or just the comfort of returning and replacement?
I had the Kenwood 980HD with a backup camera and Infinity speakers in my Murano and loved it. I installed a Kenwood 690HD in my sister's Rogue and she couldn't be happier.
Kenwood was the only way to go for me because, in my opinion, Garmin simply has the best navigation system. I have to admit, though, that so far I am liking the navigation in my 2014 Limited with Uconnect, but it's still not quite as good as Garmin. I'm also wondering how often we will see map updates for the Uconnect navigation.
When iDatalink finally comes out with a Uconnect Maestro product, I'm going to seriously think about swapping out the Jeep Alpine head unit to a Kenwood. Not because of the navigation but because I am not all that happy with the sound from the Alpine.
The part I don't understand is that it is clear that Jeep is making an effort in improving the brand image by upgrading the interior, features, etc. but it seems like no one told the sound guys...
Kenwood was the only way to go for me because, in my opinion, Garmin simply has the best navigation system. I have to admit, though, that so far I am liking the navigation in my 2014 Limited with Uconnect, but it's still not quite as good as Garmin. I'm also wondering how often we will see map updates for the Uconnect navigation.
When iDatalink finally comes out with a Uconnect Maestro product, I'm going to seriously think about swapping out the Jeep Alpine head unit to a Kenwood. Not because of the navigation but because I am not all that happy with the sound from the Alpine.
The part I don't understand is that it is clear that Jeep is making an effort in improving the brand image by upgrading the interior, features, etc. but it seems like no one told the sound guys...
Quick question Jd31, did you purchase the module to retain the xm service?
No I decided not to. Coincidentally my XM service expired the week of my install and I figured and I would use Spotify as my main source of music. If I had more time left on my free 1 yr XM subscription I probably would have added the module...but for $70 (I think it was around this price) plus renew my membership, I didn't see the value.
The iDatalink Chrysler solution was released in December. Full integration with factory gear (uConnect - EXCLUSIVE, steering wheel controls, and amplifiers including digital fader, etc.) and addition of gauges, Vehicle info (TPMS with numeric values, battery voltage and check engine codes) and Parking Assist to add visual display to the audible parking sensors (if you have them).
Visit the website: iDatalink - Maestro - SR-CHR01-DS
Requires you to use a 2013 Kenwood DNX/DNN radio, although some Kenwood multimedia units for 2014 are also compatible (DDX8901HD, DDX7701HD, and DDX5901HD) as are the 2014 Alpine 7, 8 and 9 inch navigation units.
Pioneer NEX series is also compatible, but they do not offer the gauges, vehicle info or parking assist screens. Full integration with the OEM systems (uConnect, digital amps, and steering wheel controls) is supported.
Cheers,
12V Guy
If you changed to Maestro, you'd get a gauges screen where you can choose 5 gauges from a list, a screen where you can see your tire pressure and battery voltage and even get active check engine codes and attempt to reset them.
Of course steering wheel controls still work, but you can configure them on the website to do anything you want and even assign one radio function when you short press the button and a different function when you long press the button.
Cheers,
12V Guy
That's what my Diablosport Trinity for.
Yeah, that's a lot more than what Kenwood/Maestro is trying to do. Not everyone can spend $599 for a tuner/gauge display, or even wants to tune the car.
My point was that you already have a radio that has this built in and the PAC solution is roughly same cost as Maestro, so you could have had the bells and whistles for free. Does that device show you the pressure in each tire and alert you with a screen when a tire is flat and show you which one?
Anyhow, to each his own. Not trying to sell anyone, just explain what the product does.
Cheers,
12V Guy
No function on the tire, but that's what the central computer on the dash is for.
From what I can tell on the iDataLink web page, the Uconnect version is only listed as supporting the 2014 Patriot and Compass. In other words, it doesn't support any of the newer Uconnect systems yet. At least, that's my understanding.
.
2014 vehicles are being added to the website now.
Coverage will include:
Compass
Patriot
You are correct that we do not cover the new platforms with the 4.2 or 8 inch screens. We are working on that platform now.
Cheers,
12V Guy
Coverage will include:
Compass
Patriot
Wrangler
You are correct that we do not cover the new platforms with the 4.2 or 8 inch screens. We are working on that platform now.
Cheers,
12V Guy
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Wish the 890 had a digi output.
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