Best double din nav/xm/bluetooth/etc...

[F0RSAKEN]

Not sure about the 5120, but my 8120 has a USB port (actually, cables that come out of the back) that would allow it to connect to a computer. I'm not sure if it has an interface option though, as a computer may just see it as a storage device that cannot be manipulated.

 

[Filmpros]

Fujitsu ... without a doubt.

ECLIPSE Navigation System lineup | Fujitsu Ten

 

[Filmpros]

I am very involved in the CE Electronics business. My clients inlcude Pioneer, Samsung, LG, Monster Cable, Belkin, and numerous others.

This is by far the best by the unanimous opinion of installers, CE industry insiders, and even competitors.

ECLIPSE Navigation System lineup | Fujitsu Ten

Rich Casey
R & B Films

 

[a.mus.ed]

Filmpros: Can you load topos to the Eclipse?

 

[J-Bo]

I have been digging into the Kenwood/Garmin topo map thing as well. I like the DNX5120 unit better than the 8120 mostly because its got a rotary volume knob (and its a lot cheaper.) I contacted Garmin to ask if I could load Topo onto the 5120 through a card reader plugged into the USB port. They say no, won't work with the 7120 either. The only unit that can read the SD cards is the 8120. WTF? I'm really not into the motorized face plate either. I talked to Gary W, who has the DNX7100, which I guess is discontinued at the moment. It has the SD slot and can read the Topo maps as well.

I'd really like an in dash GPS soulution but I also like being able to download a track from the GPS to a computer to be save it. Many of the 4x4 trails here are unlabled and creating your own map comes in handy. Do any of the in dash units actually connect to a computer? That seems like the most flexible solution.

I was going to go with the Kenwood DNX5120 due to the Garmin Nav system. Actually, I was going to buy it today. I am to sketched by the motorized face plate at well because is seems like that is one more thing that can break and is somewhat unnecessary just to get a larger screen.

My question to the board is on where to buy. Crutchfield has great customer service and a good return policy but EBAY has these head units up to $300-$400 cheaper. Has anybody had experience buying electronics from online EBAY stores? Why can they sell for some much cheaper. These are not re-manufactured units. I am considering buying one but am a bit sketched out. Thanks for any incite.

 

[Filmpros]

It all depends on your application. The Fujitsu is basically TOYOTA OEM. You shoudl try the Nav Software and Interface to see what you like. You should try them both to see for yourself.

Here are my comments on A/V Side of things:

Much better warranty on the Eclipse. 1 Year for the Eclipse 90 days for the Kenwood. That tells you something right there. The build quality is more OEM than the Kenwood. This is why installers prefer them as well. They like to use products that last and they don't want customers comeing back with issues. Most aftermarket audio product is crap. This is why OEM's source stuff that will last 10 years. Problems are associated with the car brand and they cannot afford that. The Ecliupse is what the more reputable car dealers install as afrermarket and Fujitsu makes severl of the better OEM Systems.

3dbf better FM Sensitivity on the Eclipse compared to Kenwood. That is a significant difference.


15watts RMS and 50watts peak on the Eclipse and 22watts RMS and 50 Watts peak on the Kenwood. This indicates to me better dynamic range due to a better power supply or more concervative taing or both on the Eclipse.


3 EQ Bands on teh Eclipse and 7 EQ Bands on the Kenwood. However, I never use much if any EQ ... as EQ = Distortion. In the studio, if the engineer puts more than 2 to 3db of EQ on ANY signal ... all they have done is add distrtion. You cannot shape sound electronically without adding distortion campared to the source.

Same as above for those "enhanced" surround modes such as System Q-EX, System E's, Circle Surround, Tru Bass, etc. All garbage.

Eclipse Signal to Noice 90db. Kenwood does not even rate their Signal to Noise Spec.

Kenwood has an extra set of A/V Inputs as well as Aux and USB Inputs on teh rear of the Radio. Ecliupse has one A/V Input.

Kenwood comes with a wirelss remote. Optional / extra on the Eclipse.

Eclipse has green lighted display. Kenwood has Blue.

Eclipse has healty 5V pre-amp output verses Kenwood's 2V Pre-Amp output.

Also, read the features, reviews, etc. Kenwood has some interesting features liek steering wheel interface if you have that in your vehicle while the Fujitsu has Gyro Nav feature that keeps the map on track when sattelite signal is lost.


Both are good units...see if you can find a place where you can play with them both before purchasing.

Personally, my opinion is that the Honda / Acura automobiles have the best Nav Systems by far. I have not figured out who makes their units yet. I think it could be Alpine. However, the latest generation Fujitsu's ... installed in the 2009 Toyota Camry I believe, are suposed to be the bomb. I am not sure if they are out yet for consumer / aftermarket purchase.

Ok, I'm leaning more toward the Kenwood deck, due to its Garmin GPS and more available options. One more question regarding the Kenwood though, it states that it has a 2gb memory, is that enough to run a comprehensive GPS system? The Eclipse uses a DVD, which if I remember correctly can hold up to 6gb of information. Will 2gb be enough?

EDIT:

Would some of you check through these spec's and tell me which sounds better? I'm trying to get unbiased opinions so I don't make a bad purchase
Kenwood DNX7100 DVD navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com

and

Eclipse AVN6620 DVD navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com

 

[Filmpros]

Good question. Important one as well.

Not sure. That would be worth calling Fujitsu to ask though.

Filmpros: Can you load topos to the Eclipse?

 

[J-Bo]

It all depends on your application. The Fujitsu is basically TOYOTA OEM. You shoudl try the Nav Software and Interface to see what you like. You should try them both to see for yourself.

Here are my comments on A/V Side of things:

Much better warranty on the Eclipse. 1 Year for the Eclipse 90 days for the Kenwood. That tells you something right there. The build quality is more OEM than the Kenwood. This is why installers prefer them as well. They like to use products that last and they don't want customers comeing back with issues. Most aftermarket audio product is ****. This is why OEM's source stuff that will last 10 years. Problems are associated with the car brand and they cannot afford that. The Ecliupse is what the more reputable car dealers install as afrermarket and Fujitsu makes severl of the better OEM Systems.

3dbf better FM Sensitivity on the Eclipse compared to Kenwood. That is a significant difference.


15watts RMS and 50watts peak on the Eclipse and 22watts RMS and 50 Watts peak on the Kenwood. This indicates to me better dynamic range due to a better power supply or more concervative taing or both on the Eclipse.


3 EQ Bands on teh Eclipse and 7 EQ Bands on the Kenwood. However, I never use much if any EQ ... as EQ = Distortion. In the studio, if the engineer puts more than 2 to 3db of EQ on ANY signal ... all they have done is add distrtion. You cannot shape sound electronically without adding distortion campared to the source.

Same as above for those "enhanced" surround modes such as System Q-EX, System E's, Circle Surround, Tru Bass, etc. All garbage.

Eclipse Signal to Noice 90db. Kenwood does not even rate their Signal to Noise Spec.

Kenwood has an extra set of A/V Inputs as well as Aux and USB Inputs on teh rear of the Radio. Ecliupse has one A/V Input.

Kenwood comes with a wirelss remote. Optional / extra on the Eclipse.

Eclipse has green lighted display. Kenwood has Blue.

Eclipse has healty 5V pre-amp output verses Kenwood's 2V Pre-Amp output.

Also, read the features, reviews, etc. Kenwood has some interesting features liek steering wheel interface if you have that in your vehicle while the Fujitsu has Gyro Nav feature that keeps the map on track when sattelite signal is lost.


Both are good units...see if you can find a place where you can play with them both before purchasing.

Personally, my opinion is that the Honda / Acura automobiles have the best Nav Systems by far. I have not figured out who makes their units yet. I think it could be Alpine. However, the latest generation Fujitsu's ... installed in the 2009 Toyota Camry I believe, are suposed to be the bomb. I am not sure if they are out yet for consumer / aftermarket purchase.

Not true on the warranty. Kenwood has a 1 year warranty. The 90 day is for refurbished. See the link from Crutchfields site for the DNX5120.

Kenwood DNX5120 Navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com

 

[Filmpros]

My mistake then ... I was going by the links that were posted.

I would look a the Alpine as well. I have confirmed they are the systems used by Honda / Acura. The Navigation System Interface is the best I have seen.

Not true on the warranty. Kenwood has a 1 year warranty. The 90 day is for refurbished. See the link from Crutchfields site for the DNX5120.

Kenwood DNX5120 Navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Anyone has the Eclipse AVN5510/AVN52D that's being sold for $650 at ebay and sonixelectronics.com? Seems like an older unit, but a good deal that includes bluetooth connector and ipod connector.

There are so many choices and I still need to figure out what options are important to me like load topo maps, accurate navigation, no real-time traffic, bluetooth, usb connector, mp3, etc.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

ah, never mind...found NaterGator's posts on the Eclipse AVN5510...it's dropped quite a bit in price since his purchase!

 

[thugmusk]

A thing to consider if you listen to recordings of live shows, such as the Grateful Dead, or any other band where the songs segue into one another, is gapless playback. Gaps are about a half second of silence during track changes where there should be no silence.

You would think that TODAY that would be a thing of the past since the factory HU in a '97 did gapless playback, but as I recently learned the hard way, not so. I had a Pioneer 6 disc double DIN unit intalled at Car Toys here in Denver. For my needs, it was perfect. Until I discoverd the DVD-A playback had gaps in between chapters (tracks). Not good.

I had it swapped out with a double DIN Kenwood unit after testing it to verify the DVD-A was gapless. Two days later I discovered the CD played gaps! Also not good.

I then made a gapless DVD and CD and gave it to the tech to let him find a unit that works gaplessly. After going through serveral brands/models he finally called me saying he found the Alpine IVA-W205 played gaplessly on both the DVD-A and CD playback.

It is only something to consider if you're into that kind of music style where one song can flow into another. Gaps throw the whole thing off and for some people, me, it's a show stopper.

Rich