OK. I know, I am posting a lot of threads today.

I know I can't get EVERYTHING I want in one headunit. I am on the look out for a quality headunit with as many of the following things as possible.

1. Full Ipod control...similar to Scion Ipod upgrade or better
2. EQ...the more control the better! I don't care for the normal 3 level deals that only allow you to select "bass, live, concert..." or "bass, mids, treble". Worst I will accept is the latter choice since it still give you more control than pre selected EQs
3. Preamps...preferably a subwoofer dedicated one, independant of front/rear fading with it's own controls (used to have an Alpine a few years back and loved the options for SW tuning in it)
4. Crossover selections...again..controlling the sound output
5. Limit budget at this time...so cheaper the better!
6. Would LOVE to be able to use the stock wheel controls and Ipod dock area for the upgrade..I know it won't happen, but worth a try (didn't someone tell me some Eclipse units can use the steering controls out of the box?)

Again..I know that I cannot have 1 - 4 without sacrifing #5. I just want a happy medium with a HU.

Suggestions welcome and appreciated!

 

I'm thinking about getting this, even though I don't have the steering wheel controls. It has a lot of great features, probably more than what you were looking for, but includes everything you wanted, except maybe price.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-1nBIYXb...s&i=105KDAVX33

Another option that might be closer to what you're looking for:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-1nBIYXb...s&i=130DEHP590

Take a look at some of the options at Crutchfield. I'm not saying buy from them, but you can get an idea on what brands/models have the features you want. I feel that JVC, Panasonic, and Pioneer are three of the better lower priced brands out there.

 

Actually..I have been looking at the JVC dvd units.

They have the iPod covered, DVD expandibility (a big plus), DVD MP3 (another big plus), at least a semi-usable looking EQ setup, and a few other things. I love the little screen. It would make it easier to slowly step up to DVD (if I really wanted to do so) and just buy a single DIN monitor or use other monitors elsewhere.

Same with the Pioneers. I've always liked the sound of Pioneers overall.

I've been eyeballing this one today...something about it has my attention.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-hpQmqe4...=fp&I=133C8303

I do not believe I have personal experience with Panasonic...I know I have used Kenwood, Alpine, Pioneer, Blaupunkt, and I am sure others I cant remember. Actually..I think I might have used a Pana once and got rid of it because it got warm when I would jam out.

I guess my beef is..I'm weary of JVC and Pana. I havent heard good nor bad about them. Actually..I have heard bad about JVC a few years ago. Heard that they were just Sony making a cheaper HU. I also had one friend have bad luck with JVC. I alos have had terrible luck overall with most of Sony's products in the last 5+ years personally also. So I have been shy looking too much into JVC.

 

if you want a single din unit get the pioneer-7800.. they are discountinued, but they work very very very well, and you can get them for cheap. it has everything you mentioned, and more. just get the SWI-PS and you will be able steering wheel remote again. the ipod control is great on it, you can just scroll through it on the deck. and i think it has 4v out if not 5v. id say defiantely check it out.

 

My friend and I haven't had any problems out of our JVC head units in the 2-3 years that we've had them. I feel that they're definitely better than Sony. I'd almost rather get Jensen over Sony, lol.

 

You're not interested in the nav function?

 

See the first post, #5 in his list. He said cheap. Navigation isn't cheap .

 

^ it could be. lol.. just craptacular. haha..

and theres nothing wrong using googlemaps

 

I already have a portable GPS unit...so its no biggie to me.

If I could get it as part of the unit I'd do it for the integration as long as it was on the cheap.

Why spend an extra $300-$600 for something I already can do with a portable unit that I can remove at will?

 

Oh..and I really like this HU!

http://pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3...159496,00.html

Never seen it before it was mentioned to someone else on here.

 

Alpine CDA-9885

 

thats a hot deck but a bit overkill unless you plan to do sound comps imho. i still say go with the 7800 and its chepaer. lol

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...147601,00.html

last time i checked best buy had em on close out.

 

I'll have to see what my local Worst Buys and Circuit Cities have. I've gotten lucky before. So we will see.

 

What have people experienced with Clarion?

I have not heard much about them one way or another.

I only recall one person saying anything about them...and that was about 5 years ago.

Only thing I noticed is a lack of online information and support. Or at least hard to get to.

Anyone?

 

I have a panasonic MXE CQ-C7203U
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-NyCDnHv...nfo&i=133c7203
It is a step down from the one you are looking at, but i love it. It does exactly what i wanted it to do. i haven't had any problems out of it. It has 5V preamp outs, front and rear preamp outs. RCA input for Aux, which i use to run a satelite radio i had from my previous setup. It only has a LPF, so no HPF. Its equilizer is only a 3 band, but thats all i need. Since i'm not a huge sound guru, i just want it to sound pretty good, i enjoy the Keep It Simple method so 3 band is cool. As far as the one you are looking at, everything looks good, it has a 7 band equilizer, which you might like. One problem i see is that it only has 2.5v preamp outs. That may be a reason to look into getting something else. Other than that i think they make a great unit.