Hi, I'm in the market for a need head unit. Below are the important points.

1. Bluetooth hands-free phone calls with iPhone
2. iPod and iPhone USB connectivity for music and charging
3. Steering wheel controls must work (optional adapters are ok.)
4. Under $350 for unit along (extra for steering wheel adapters is fine).

I'm looking at these 2 right now:

Pioneer FH-P8000BT $329.00
and
Clarion CX501 - 249.00

Pioneer probably offers better quality and sound, however it doesn't while I suppose you can do Bluetooth calls with an iPhone, the iPhone ipod feature will not work. Also, the hands-free calling feature require a wiring a mic. I'd prefer the mic being right on the unit.

The Clarion feature bluetooth as well. The iPhone will work an an iPod on this one. However, for some reason, it won't read AAC discs. Not a deal-breaker but a bit of an inconvenience. I also wish the USB port was on the back.

Any other recommendations?

 

I have the Clarion 501 in my wifes car. Nice unit costs under 200 on Amazon. I also have the JVC KW-XR810 in my car and I perfer that unit. It has a usb in the back as well.

 

Oh cool, thanks speddly, I check that JVC out...

Anyone else?

 

I recently purchased a Pioneer AVH-3300BT I got it off of eBay new for $337.00 free shipping. It has everything you’re looking for built-in Bluetooth, IPod connect (separate USB connection needed), and steering wheel control compatible. It works great I did the video bypass as well because if not I think it won’t let you dial on the touch keypad for the phone while you’re driving.. Plus now I can watch movies on the go... Which I know is illegal. But I would definitely recommend this head unit.

 

I went with a Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X994. It's a single DIN and doesn't play DVDs, but I wanted better sound quality over flashy looks and video display. It has Bluetooth connectivity, iPod control through the deck, etc.

This unit is a good choice in my opinion... Kenwood KDC-BT948HD. Built in Bluetooth and HD radio, plus you can stream Pandora from your iPhone and control it through the h/u.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113BT94...ir=FFCategory|[rank266150]Car+Stereos+%26+Components&nvpair=FFBrand|Kenwood&tab=features_and_specs

 

Looking at both...


Hey scream,

Does that unit also charge your iPhone? And where's the hands'free mic? Is it in the unit itself or do you have to run a wire?

What did you do? Did you get an installation kit to fill out the 2-DIN hole?

 

This unit is INTERESTING. I'm liking this one. However, is there another product code/name for this same unit? I searched it on eBay and I can only find international sales for this model number.

 

Yes, it charges the phone and you control the iPod/iPhone via the head unit. I used a dash kit to install it, and placed the BT mic in the little open space underneath the head unit. The BT works great.

This is the actual unit that I got. It's last year's top of the line eXcelon piece so it doesn't have the Pandora controls via the h/u, but other than that it's the same. I'm running stock speakers and the cleaner signal and extra power of the 994 really makes them sound much better than the stock h/u did.

http://www.crutchfield.com/s_113KDCX...ir=FFCategory|[rank266150]Car+Stereos+%26+Components

I'll post pics of my setup this evening.

 

Pics:






The only issue I have is glare. The line on the right hand side of the display is my attemp to cut an iPhone anti-glare screen to fit. It helps, but not much. You can change to display color and button color independent of each other, which is kind of neat.

 

Thanks for the info an the pics, but I decided I'm sticking with double-DIN. Plus, I realized I want voice recognition. Bluetooth is great for talking, but I do not want to find myself dialing while driving. So I want to be able to use the iPhone voice recognition features which I currently use in my car through the stock headphones.

So... I found this neat Kenwood unit... DDX516 - I can get one factory refurbished for around $339.99 and brand new for about $419.00