So we finally traded in my wife's POS Ford Escape for an Altima Hybrid and while it's a nice car, it doesn't have bluetooth or satellite radio. So now I'm trying to find the best HU for the money and I know nothing about car stereos.

Before you all go crazy, we're only upgrading the HU so we can add those 2 features, not to improve the sound quality, so my only requirement when it comes to performance is that it is at least as good as the OEM radio. I won't be touching the speakers, adding an amp or sub or anything else, so don't go crazy here.

One other thing, I'd prefer a double din HU so the dash doesn't look barren.

Here are some we are considering:
- Pioneer FH-P8000BT ($250)
- Clarion CX501 ($220)
- Pioneer AVH-P3300BT ($311)
- JVC KW-KR810 ($185)

Thanks!

 

Pioneer AVH-P3300BT all day

 

Generally any upgrade from a factory stereo will show an increase in sound quality. If you're not dead set on sat radio, and have an old school unlimited cell data plan, I would suggest getting a HU that's Pandora ready. Musical sound quality is a bit better than sat, and its $0 a month. On the flip side you lose all the talk shows and 8,000 sports channels on sat.

Back on topic, as long as you stay within the realm of respected manufacturers you won't find a unit that's "better" than the next, only one that's better for you. If price isn't an issue I would personally recommend the 3300. One, because i'm a Pioneer fan boy, and two, because I think that the larger touch screens look more at home in newer vehicles.

 

I would say all the ones on your list are good options for the money, but personally, I'd rule out the clarion. I put a clarion dd unit in my fiance's GTI and its had nothing but issues. I feel that as quality goes, clarion is a step down from the others. But that's just my personal experience. I myself am a huge kenwood fan, I would consider adding a kenwood unit to the list, but pioneer would be my second choice.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. And this isn't an exclusive list. It's just what I've found so far. If anyone has something they'd recommend, please let me know.

@Rotz: I'll have to research Pandora more. I really don't know much about it. I did some basic research and it can use a LOT of data if you're not careful. We have unlimited data now, but are looking at upgrading to 4G phones this summer...

@speterson82: Thanks for the info. The clarion wasn't real high on the list anyway, but it's good to know what others think.

 

I recently put a Sony H.U. in my wife's Jeep Liberty. They have came a long way. It's the best sounding H.U. I have ever owned, with more functions than I can figure out. Don't count them out, they have a new D.D. unit out.
Crutchfield is great for finding the info you are after. I won't buy from anywhere else. Check them out of you have not heard of them already.
http://www.crutchfield.com/m_266150/...omponents.html
My opinions for what they are worth. The last JVC I bought was a pos. Never again.
Sony & Pioneer are always my first two choices. Never killed one, and I use and abuse them any time I am in the car. I owned one Clarion over a decade ago....it was great but overpriced.