Advise me on the head units
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Advise me on the head units
Hey all,
Going to replace my center stack with a modern (but factory looking!!) head unit. My car has Bose but no factory navigation. I don't want to add navigation, but do want Android Auto so as to seamlessly integrate my phone.
Here are the three Crutchfield recommendations:
Kenwood: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DMX...n-DMX906S.html
Sony: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XAV...AV-AX5000.html
Alpine: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILX...-ILX-W650.html
So far, I like the Sony the best. It is a reasonable price, and it looks the cleanest. The Kenwood allows for wireless Android Auto connectivity, and is supposedly a good bit faster (more responsive) than the others. Doesn't seem like a huge deal to me. I'm ok plugging my phone in... Plus, my current phone does not allow for wireless Android Auto connectivity (both the phone and the head unit must be compatible).
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Going to replace my center stack with a modern (but factory looking!!) head unit. My car has Bose but no factory navigation. I don't want to add navigation, but do want Android Auto so as to seamlessly integrate my phone.
Here are the three Crutchfield recommendations:
Kenwood: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DMX...n-DMX906S.html
Sony: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XAV...AV-AX5000.html
Alpine: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILX...-ILX-W650.html
So far, I like the Sony the best. It is a reasonable price, and it looks the cleanest. The Kenwood allows for wireless Android Auto connectivity, and is supposedly a good bit faster (more responsive) than the others. Doesn't seem like a huge deal to me. I'm ok plugging my phone in... Plus, my current phone does not allow for wireless Android Auto connectivity (both the phone and the head unit must be compatible).
Thoughts?
Thanks!
#4
Le Mans Master
Don't sleep on the Pioneer NEX units...I've run two of them now and been very pleased. With the ones you listed though, the Kenwood will give the best "bang for the buck" without running an amplified system.
Last edited by Pb82 Ronin; 02-18-2020 at 02:25 PM.
#5
Race Director
Out of the three options I'd say Kenwood. I've had mine for four years now and am nothing but happy with it.
#6
Burning Brakes
+1 for the Kenwood. I just put one in yesterday. The bang for the buck is unreal...awesome sound improvement. Which ever you choose...pay for the prewire service...it makes the install SO much easier!
The following users liked this post:
Red✠Baron (02-18-2020)
#10
Race Director
KENWOOD here also.front and rear cameras. Pre wired from Crutchfield. Hooks up to my Apple phone and run Apple play and blue tooth for my phone. Install was easy. I put the USB plug in the console lighter port so I can plug in my IPhone easily. Much better than the factory Bose system.
#11
KENWOOD here also.front and rear cameras. Pre wired from Crutchfield. Hooks up to my Apple phone and run Apple play and blue tooth for my phone. Install was easy. I put the USB plug in the console lighter port so I can plug in my IPhone easily. Much better than the factory Bose system.
#12
Melting Slicks
I have the Sony unit and I love it. Bought it through Crutchfield with the prewired service and the install was very straight forward. It was the most OEM-looking in my opinion which was a bonus. It's fast and the capacitive touch screen feels just like a smartphone. My only complaint is the system is really picky about which cable will work with Android Auto. I've swapped a few in and out and finally have one that works, I believe.
Last edited by BluegrassMotorsport; 02-18-2020 at 09:59 PM.
#13
The second year of the new Civic model, Honda had restored a nice, manual volume **** because people simply preferred it that way. But at the same time, they did away with the passenger-side mirror cam on the center screen which was actually pretty cool. It was like a punishment for us 50+ ****-lovers.
#14
KENWOOD here also.front and rear cameras. Pre wired from Crutchfield. Hooks up to my Apple phone and run Apple play and blue tooth for my phone. Install was easy. I put the USB plug in the console lighter port so I can plug in my IPhone easily. Much better than the factory Bose system.
edit: did not mean to duplicate post.
Last edited by nannam; 02-18-2020 at 10:42 PM. Reason: Accidentally duplicated and wanted to apologize
#15
Melting Slicks
I have the Sony unit and I love it. Bought it through Crutchfield with the prewired service and the install was very straight forward. It was the most OEM-looking in my opinion which was a bonus. It's fast and the capacitive touch screen feels just like a smartphone. My only complaint is the system is really picky about which cable will work with Android Auto. I've swapped a few in and out and finally have one that works, I believe.
#16
Pro
Thread Starter
Android Auto and Apple Car Play require physical wire connection in most cases. The Kenwood unit allows for wireless AA and ACP, but the phone being used must also be compatible with wireless AA and ACP. That is, both the HU and the phone must be compatible with AA and ACP.
Last edited by KingCorvette93; 02-19-2020 at 05:36 AM.
#17
Pro
Thread Starter
Is it possible to run the USB cable into the center glove box? I'd like to plug my phone in and keep it out of the way when I get in the car.
However... I'd like to keep the 12v plug.
How could I do this? Perhaps drill a hole in the trim next to the 12v?
However... I'd like to keep the 12v plug.
How could I do this? Perhaps drill a hole in the trim next to the 12v?
Last edited by KingCorvette93; 02-19-2020 at 05:46 AM.
#18
Race Director
Good idea on the cable location. I haven't installed mine yet, but I might do that with my cables too. With your cameras - do you have to press buttons on the head unit to activate them, or do they activate on other triggers? I know you can wire the rear camera to come on when the car goes into reverse, but can you also view the camera output on the head unit screen while driving?
#19
Racer
#20
Le Mans Master
Good idea on the cable location. I haven't installed mine yet, but I might do that with my cables too. With your cameras - do you have to press buttons on the head unit to activate them, or do they activate on other triggers? I know you can wire the rear camera to come on when the car goes into reverse, but can you also view the camera output on the head unit screen while driving?