so i've narrowed it down this far, and need some final help... i'm looking at these four HU's: the Pioneer AVH-P6800DVD; the Clarion MAX675VD; the Alpine IVA-W200; and the Eclipse AVN 5435.

now my ?'s are:
1) will they work with the steering controls?

2) will the "AUX" port on the tC connect to them to play my ipod, or do i have to buy something?

and 3) these all fit in the tC right? (some with mod of brackets, yes?)

thanks so much

 

The eclipse will work with steering wheel controls. The harness is plug and play, it cant get any easier. With the others, you would need a pac adapter and those are hit and miss. I've never had a good experience with one.

The AUX port you will lose. There are composite cables on the eclipse however (red/white/yellow). You can connect your ipod to there and just not connect anything to the video (yellow). I currently have my external satellite radio hooked up to there (mini to composite). The screen just goes black when i'm listening to it b/c there is no video. So I just change it to nav. There is also something that you can buy to hookup the ipod to the eclipse, but its probably not worth your money and i've heard its not the best ipod device.

The eclipse will fit in the tC. You just have to drill a new hole in between the 2 current holes on the bracket and it fits perfectly. I always close my radio cover.

I am obviously reviewing the eclipse the most because its the one I have. Check my profile for pix. I highly recommend it. Eclipse is owned by Toyota (or works hand and hand - i'm not sure which). In any case, the wiring matches up perfectly between the 2 which is why the sw controls are plug and play on the video units with eclipse.

 

sweeeeet, thanks, thats alot of help!
so my final options i think, are the eclipse, and the clarion, do u know much about the clarion? DOES the eclipse COME WITH NAV??? and the clarion???
thanks so much

 

where did u hear about toyota owning eclipse?

 

I think Eclipse is a supplier to Toyota. Eclipse is a division of Fujitsu Ten. Not sure of the stake Toyota has bought in them, but I think they're just a supplier.

 

The eclipse definitely comes with nav. Some do, some dont. The avn5435 that you are talking about is the one that I have and has a nav. I know nothing about the clarion. I've never even heard of the brand to be honest.


Tcguy85, i'm not 100% that toyota owns eclipse, but I am sure that they work closely together. Yes, eclipse is part of fujitsu ten, somehow toyota has stake there. One way or another, they are super compatible with one another

 

Oh so Toyota does have a % of ownership in Fujitsu Ten, like they do in Aisin Seiki (transmissions, etc)??

 

Back on to the original subject, I personally like alpine. Never have thought much of Clarion, did have some of their headunits before, not that high quality.

My money would be on the Alpine and the Eclipse. Have to listen to both of them to make your decision. They have different audio qualities. Depends on what you like the sound to be.

 

probably why some eclipse units are direct plug 'n play with toyotas because they share the same harness..

*hint hint*..

 

thanks for all the input guys... so when it comes down to it, the eclipse 5435, and the alpine IVA-W200, are my final choices... so for now, (until i can go hear them in person with my music) what are the sound qualities? i listen mostly to rock: circa survive, underoath, saosin, (some) rocket summer. IF anyones heard of these bands... and yes, occasionally if i leave my cd's or ipod somewhere, i'll bump some rap on the radio, but i hate it b/c those freakin commercials on the radio ALL the time. so, thanks again... oo ya, and if anyone knows where i might could get either of these in good condition, that'd be great....thanks
have a good monday!