Best double din stereo for $250ish (or less) ? (1 Viewer)

[SUMMIT CRUISERS Jr]

I just recently got a Kenwood DDX470. I have had it since December, and really no complaints. If you have an iPhone 5, some features won't fully work, like video input from the lightning cable. Apparently they are working on an update to fix it. Bluetooth has worked flawlessly, it has pretty good picture resolution, an actual knob for the volume, input for a rear camera and a video input. The microphone works well and I mounted it behind the steering wheel on the plastic steering column cover. You can upload your own photo for a background, and the led color can be adjusted. I got it pretty close to the yellowish lights on the interior.

 

[DeeRex]

I went the route of the Pioneer AVH-x2500bt. Big screen, mulitple video inputs, bluetooth, USB/ipod control, AppRadio (not using it now, but might in future - but only for Waze.)

I then rigged up the Pyle backup camera. I like the camera, but I can't tilt it down, so it doesn't give me a "rear bumper" style view. But for safety, it's great!


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A83XUM4/?tag=ihco-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0079R2MH6/?tag=ihco-20

-Derek

 

[RKFZJ80]

Just ordered the Kenwood DDX471HD and should get it in on May 1st. It meets all OP's requirements. Backup camera compatible, iphone compatible, double din touch screen, bluetooth with external mic. I highly recommend Kenwood, and I've installed their products on the last 3 vehicles I've owned. User friendly, great quality, great value, and amazon has 'em at around your price point.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I9N2HGK/?tag=ihco-20

That looks like a good unit, all the features of the 470 with HD radio thrown on top. Can't go wrong with these kenwoods, they are great

 

[1973Guppie]

Hey guys, question for you on the double din units, do they allow to run the backup camera when the vehicle is always running? meaning is there an option on the stereo unit to allow the rear view picture to be shown at all times when driving down the freeway? I have a rear camera now that is wireless and I really like the fact that the camera is always on, especially when towing something. I don't like the wireless unit though as the pic is crappy and the wireless cuts in and out.

thinking of going with this camera and a double din unit, any rec's on the camera and the stereo unit I should go with appreciated.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Q65JHM/?tag=ihco-20

Noah

 

[BigFatRunner]

Anyone went as far as an integrated GPS too? Currently borrowing the wife's portable unit but I really hate the suction cups on the windscreen. i'd be willing to combine the extra couple of hundred bucks for a new one and just go the whole hog and get it in the dash. Any recommendations?

 

[RKFZJ80]

Hey guys, question for you on the double din units, do they allow to run the backup camera when the vehicle is always running? meaning is there an option on the stereo unit to allow the rear view picture to be shown at all times when driving down the freeway? I have a rear camera now that is wireless and I really like the fact that the camera is always on, especially when towing something. I don't like the wireless unit though as the pic is crappy and the wireless cuts in and out.

thinking of going with this camera and a double din unit, any rec's on the camera and the stereo unit I should go with appreciated.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Q65JHM/?tag=ihco-20

Noah

My kenwood ddx-470 does allow for that option, not sure about my pioneer. The only thing I had to do different was to give the camera constant power instead of triggering the power off of the reverse lights. Easy and a cool option.

 

[RKFZJ80]

Anyone went as far as an integrated GPS too? Currently borrowing the wife's portable unit but I really hate the suction cups on the windscreen. i'd be willing to combine the extra couple of hundred bucks for a new one and just go the whole hog and get it in the dash. Any recommendations?

Don't currently have one with integrated nav, just use the I-phone these days. Used to have a kenwood with built in farming gps, was a great unit. Check out crutchfield.com for some great reviews on units.

 

[084runnerltd]

Hey guys, question for you on the double din units, do they allow to run the backup camera when the vehicle is always running? meaning is there an option on the stereo unit to allow the rear view picture to be shown at all times when driving down the freeway? I have a rear camera now that is wireless and I really like the fact that the camera is always on, especially when towing something. I don't like the wireless unit though as the pic is crappy and the wireless cuts in and out.

thinking of going with this camera and a double din unit, any rec's on the camera and the stereo unit I should go with appreciated.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Q65JHM/?tag=ihco-20

Noah

So u want to sell your wireless one?

 

[1973Guppie]

eventually will sell it, but this project is down the list a ways.....

 

[Copenhagen1]

This thread cost me $330!!

I just ordered the Kenwood DDX471HD from Sonic Electronix. $329.99 free shipping and free sosche install kit (wiring). Thanks to everybody in the thread for recommendations. Summit Jr's pic of the DDX470 installed is what triggered the purchase.

 

[Razor One]

This thread cost me $330!!

I just ordered the Kenwood DDX471HD from Sonic Electronix. $329.99 free shipping and free sosche install kit (wiring). Thanks to everybody in the thread for recommendations. Summit Jr's pic of the DDX470 installed is what triggered the purchase.

Just did the install this weekend with my DDX471HD, along with a LC center console swap, as I have the infinitely better lx 450

One note if you plan to use the supplied usb cord to play songs from an ipod or other usb compatible device: Upon startup, it will ask you what input you would like to use for your ipod, and it will give you two options... INPUT or IPOD. DO NOT SELECT IPOD. The ipod input is for a cable that is not supplied (you would have had to buy it separately). I say this now because you are only asked that question upon start up. You would have to unplug the battery or unplug the unit to get it to prompt you to ask the question again, along with language etc.

It tells you this in the manual, but I though I didn't need no stinkin' manual.

Good luck! And pull the amp while you have everything out. Do it once, do it right.

 

[Razor One]

Also how did you set your own background on the 471HD?

Edit: Never mind. Best way is to go on the interwebz, pick out a list of wallpapers you like (any resolution), burn 'em to a cd, put the cd in, and select capture from the display menu.

 

[Copenhagen1]

Just did the install this weekend with my DDX471HD, along with a LC center console swap, as I have the infinitely better lx 450

One note if you plan to use the supplied usb cord to play songs from an ipod or other usb compatible device: Upon startup, it will ask you what input you would like to use for your ipod, and it will give you two options... INPUT or IPOD. DO NOT SELECT IPOD. The ipod input is for a cable that is not supplied (you would have had to buy it separately). I say this now because you are only asked that question upon start up. You would have to unplug the battery or unplug the unit to get it to prompt you to ask the question again, along with language etc.

It tells you this in the manual, but I though I didn't need no stinkin' manual.

Good luck! And pull the amp while you have everything out. Do it once, do it right.

A couple of questions.... 1) when I plug my IPhone6 into the lightening cord, it reads my phone. The ddx471 displays the song that is playing but there is no sound. Will the INPUT vs IPOD problem you listed above fix that?

2) I didn't know that I couldn't Bluetooth from an iPhone. That sucks because I want to stream pandora in my truck, but I am in and out of my truck all day. I don't want to plug it and unplug it 20 times a day. Is there any sort of work around for this?

 

[mdandashly]

A couple of questions.... 1) when I plug my IPhone6 into the lightening cord, it reads my phone. The ddx471 displays the song that is playing but there is no sound. Will the INPUT vs IPOD problem you listed above fix that?

2) I didn't know that I couldn't Bluetooth from an iPhone. That sucks because I want to stream pandora in my truck, but I am in and out of my truck all day. I don't want to plug it and unplug it 20 times a day. Is there any sort of work around for this?

2) get an Android

 

[Blade 80LC]

Has anyone tried one of the Jensen VX7020 units in a Cruiser? Know if the bezel needs modification? I had a stand alone GPS using the iGo software. It was glitchy and prone to hanging. The POIs weren't all that reliable. On the other hand, it might be nice to have more than one type of GPS offering suggestions. http://www.amazon.com/Jensen-VX7020-6-2-Inch-MultiMedia-Bluetooth/dp/B00KRLICIE/

 

[george_tlc]

As an aside regarding glare on some of these displays. I specifically bought a matte screen protector for a 7" tablet I run for navigation use on the dash and it is BRILLIANT for antiglare and of course the capacitive touch still works perfectly.

So, for folk that have glare issues with their touch units, buying some generic matte screen protector material on ebay and cutting to suit would likely work very well.

I also have a matte screen protector on my s4 phone and performs just a nicely.

And yeah, iphone sucks when it comes to BT support

cheers,
george.

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

I'm a big fan of Kenwood DDX and DNX series. Great sound quality and features.

I have two 7" DNX units and i wouldn't buy a screen that big again. I really don't sit there and watch movies on it, and prodding at a touch screen for basic functions can get annoying. Get something with hard buttons for play/pause, back/next, etc.

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS Jr]

A couple of questions.... 1) when I plug my IPhone6 into the lightening cord, it reads my phone. The ddx471 displays the song that is playing but there is no sound. Will the INPUT vs IPOD problem you listed above fix that?

2) I didn't know that I couldn't Bluetooth from an iPhone. That sucks because I want to stream pandora in my truck, but I am in and out of my truck all day. I don't want to plug it and unplug it 20 times a day. Is there any sort of work around for this?

Mentioned higher up about the INPUT vs IPOD button, you don't have to unplug the HU. I put mine into standby to get those options both opened up. I believe that might fix your problem, but being a ddx471hd, I don't know if there is anything differently. I have my DDX470 that works with my iPhone 6 whenever I plug it in, and it also works through Bluetooth flawlessly. Sometimes, when the iPhone doesn't pair or initialize, I have to go back into the iPhone's Bluetooth settings and "forget" the connection with the DDX and re-initialize it through the headunit.

 

[Razor One]

A couple of questions.... 1) when I plug my IPhone6 into the lightening cord, it reads my phone. The ddx471 displays the song that is playing but there is no sound. Will the INPUT vs IPOD problem you listed above fix that?

2) I didn't know that I couldn't Bluetooth from an iPhone. That sucks because I want to stream pandora in my truck, but I am in and out of my truck all day. I don't want to plug it and unplug it 20 times a day. Is there any sort of work around for this?

Mentioned higher up about the INPUT vs IPOD button, you don't have to unplug the HU. I put mine into standby to get those options both opened up.

To answer the input vs ipod question: Yes. The solution to the problem listed above should fix it, as I had the same symptoms as you. It would play the radio without any issues, but would not play my ipod. I switched to input and everything worked. Now, as far as getting the prompt for input vs ipod, it only asks you that once as part of the initial setup process. To switch to input, you need to go through this "initial setup" again. Unplugging the headunit is one way, but I later found out that if you press and hold the square, black button in the top corner of the unit, next to the red Kenwood triangular light, it will reset. I hope this helps and if I need to clarify, send me a pm. The solution posted by Summit Cruisers Jr on how to get to the "initial setup" did not work for me. Putting it on stand-by is not the same as resetting the unit.

To answer the second question, I installed the external wireless microphone included with the radio and use my iPhone bluetooth for everything: Talking on the phone, using siri to make calls and find music... you name it. Not once did I need to plug in my phone. However, you need to select bluetooth audio on the unit, and have your phone bluetooth on. If these conditions are met, and you've programed the head unit to recognize your phone, then it should automatically connect as soon as you turn the vehicle on. This is how it works for me.

I hope this helps.

 

[Qball]

I have the pioneer double bin and pretty darn good for the money. HD radio, blue tooth and tons of other stuff. I always plug my phone in because I always need juice!

Also I use platonic blue tooth ear piece and hate it when I get in the car it would take over the phone call which is annoying. Too bad I can't pair only the music portion and not the phone like my honda or Lexus can.