I currently have the stock headunit w/ ipod option but wanted to replace it maybe with an eclipse or pioneer headunit. dun know which one is good. lookin to buy one right now but been debating on all those features i wanted. Wanted something that has nav and dvd. been doin a little research here and there found some that are the newest models:
any interface needed with the eclipse headunit to use the steering wheel control? crutchfield.com is selling one for 60.

eclipse avn5435(2005)-at circuit city for about $1600

eclipse avn5495 w/30g hdd (2006)-for at least $1800
» DVD/CD navigation receiver with built-in amplifier (15 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels, CEA-2006 compliant)
» motorized 6.5" LCD video screen with adjustable display angle and touchscreen controls
» fits double-sized (4" tall) dash openings
» built-in 30GB hard drive performs GPS navigation functions and stores up to 3,000 music tracks in Music Juke system
» map data, including millions of points of interest for the U.S. and portions of Canada preloaded on hard disk
» Gracenotes song database matches CD tracks with song names
» day and night display modes
» three selectable background images
» plays CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVDs, DVD-Rs, DVD-RWs, and MP3 discs
» Circle Surround II with TruBass
» five soundfields: cathedral, club, concert, live, theater
» 9-band parametric EQ
» 5 preset EQ curves
» Memory Stick slot
» SIRIUS Satellite Radio-ready (you can add satellite radio for under $100, plus subscription)
» compatible with Eclipse's HD Radio tuner
» CD changer controls
» audio/video input
» rear-view camera input
» audio/video output
» 5-volt front, rear, and subwoofer preamp outputs
» AM/FM tuner
» CD signal-to-noise ratio: 90 dB
» FM sensitivity: 12 dBf

Eclipse avn6600 w/ipod option (2006)-not yet out startin at $2000
» DVD/CD player with navigation and built-in amplifier (15 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels, CEA-2006 compliant)
» fits double-sized (4" tall) dash openings
» motorized 6.5" LCD video screen with adjustable display angle and touchscreen controls
» plays CDs, CD-Rs/RWs, DVDs, DVD-Rs/RWs, DVD+Rs/RWs and MP3/WMA discs
» GPS navigation (includes GPS antenna and map DVD-ROM) featuring map and voice turn-by-turn guidance
» City View mode — 3-D maps that render accurate representations of specific buildings in many cities
» 6 million points of interest (hotels, restaurants, gas stations, etc.)
» customizable route preferences
» two DVD slots
» Circle Surround II — simulates surround effects with four car speakers
» five soundfields: cathedral, club, concert, live, theater
» 7-band parametric EQ
» 24-bit digital-to-analog converter for full, detailed sound
» SIRIUS Satellite Radio-ready (you can add SIRIUS for under $100, plus subscription)
» compatible with Eclipse iPod control interface, HD Radio tuner, TV tuner, and CD changer
» audio/video input
» rear-view camera input
» audio/video output
» dual-zone capable
» 5-volt front, rear, and subwoofer preamp outputs
» AM/FM tuner
» 18 FM/6 AM presets
» FM sensitivity: 13 dBf

Pioneer Z1 (2006)w/30g hdd-starting at @1500 on ebay
» In-dash DVD player/navigation system with built-in amplifier (22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)
» fits double-sized dash openings
» motorized 7" video screen with touch-panel controls
» turn-by-turn map and voice guidance
» built-in 30GB hard drive (20GB for navigation functions, 10GB for music-file storage)
» voice command capability; microphone included
» text-to-speech technology announces the names of most roads
» learning capability: remembers frequently traveled roads and suggests familiar routes
» smart routing algorithm takes data such as posted speed limits and number of turns into account to suggest the most efficient route possible
» plays DVDs, DVD-R/RWs, CDs, CD-R/RWs, and MP3 discs
» navigation antenna included
» nearly 11 million points of interest
» Roadside Assistance display
» one year of free Roadside Assistance Service
» 3-band parametric EQ
» XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio-ready (subscription also required)
» XM's NavTraffic premium service available with your XM subscription for an extra $3.99 per month, or for $9.99 per month on its own (NavTraffic not available with a SIRIUS subscription, or through a SIRIUS radio); check the NavTraffic radio for a list of covered cities
» compatible with Pioneer's iPod interface adapter, Bluetooth adapter, and DVD/CD changer
» audio/video input
» rear-view camera input
» front, rear, and subwoofer preamp outputs
» tri-zone capable
» Supertuner IIID AM/FM tuner
» 18 FM/6 AM presets

 

For Eclipse the only Nav unit I'd look at is the AVN-7000.

It's the only one that can actually do any sound controlling.

The others, as HU's, are not good unless you plan on a lot of outboard processing.

 

^^ what he said


I'd hate to spend all that $$$ to not have sound control...

 

does anybody kno if 7in lcd fits the scion dash?

 

does anybody kno if 7in lcd fits the scion dash?

 

Ok, it depends what you want to do.

Eclipses will always be the best sounding deck but Pioneers always have some of the best features.

First, if you really want the HDD I would go with the Z1 over the 5495. I have always hated alot of the controls on the 5495 and you have to record in real time. The Z1 should be better in that respect.

Second, I love the 5435 but a few of the features are a bit tweaky, like the MP3 playback is a little bit weird. I would suggest trying one first.

Third, the 6600 has phenominal IPOD control with the ipod interface (seperate unit) and the 5435 and 5495 pale in comparison.

I love the AVN6600 and it would always be my choice for a video source unit. You just have to decide what you want to do. Obviously I work in the industry and have competed in SQ World Finals and placed fifth. Sound Control is an arbitrary feature if the unit sounds like crap to begin with. The best sounding decks ever made had almost no processing.

I gaurantee the Eclipses will always sound better than Pioneers. I am not saying that Pioneers are bad, what I am saying is that they are marketing to a different consumer.

My last deck was a AVHP7500DVD and I switched it out for an Eclipse and it instantly sounded better.

 

ok so i went to go ask one of the authorized eclipse dealer for installation. the guy there told me that i need a separate adapter for the steering wheel control to work with the unit for $150. sounds like a rip off or what?

 

although the eclipse records in real time, it helps alot that u can do basically whatever else or listen to anything else while it's recording. i usually record when i'm listening to the radio or when i'm playing stuff thru my ipod. honestly, i couldn't be happier with the 5495. throw on the theft protection guarantee, and it's definitely well worth the money. i love the fact that u don't need to switch discs to use nav-the pioneer has the same thing, but the eclipse has much more space to record music. the only thing i'd like to have with the eclipse that it doesn't have is the traffic rerouting option. there still isn't sat radio capability with the avn, but i was told that it shouldn't be difficult to add-just software upgrade which can be done with the memory stick.

 

the upgrade software is out for the 5495 to have sirius.

Also, the salesman who said it would be $150 for steering wheel controls is lying. All new Eclipses come with Steering Wheel Controls built in for Toyotas. He may just not have known that though and was trying to sell you an interface.

 

most installers dont know that Eclipse HU's are also found in Toyota/Lexus vehicles. The 5435/5495 has an adaptor for Video input, and on that exact same adaptor is the harness for the SWC that accepts the stock SWC plug.

Personally, on the decks, I like Eclipse for their quality of sound and ease of use. They were the best a year ago, but now that they're becoming more known and more places are carrying them, they are becoming too much form over function. I mean, my 8443 in my truck is top notch. 8V pre-out, the EQ is great, and the pro mode audio tuning is fantastic. I was happy with it even though it had a one color display.
Now I see the new ones, and there's like 5 color displays, the audio controls aren't as intuitive and even though all the HU's have the ESN, they are now making some with detachable faceplates as well. Kind of too redundant IMO.

I have a 5435, and my only issue is its a dog when it comes to playing an mp3 disc.

One thing I am a fan of for the Pioneer's is the NavTraffic feature. I'm all over that!

 

That's why the CD5000 is better than the CD7000. The CD1000 is actually made by JVC and we haven't quite figured out yet who's making the CD7000 because it just doesn't look like an Eclipse.