I just realized my addiction after adding 2000 LX470 into the garage. That being said any recommendations on replacement Head Unit to replace Nakamichi.
Thanks
Thanks
The addiction is real. Need suggestions for radio HU
- Thread starter Aubie77
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- #3
I am trying to do all of it. Nav is not a huge deal but would be nice. I am looking into the pioneers. It seems like the nakamichi seems to make things a little more complicated. I just want to replace HU everything else is working great except cd changer as is the norm.
I always seem to end up buying Pioneer, but I read on some thread here that the Kenwoods (I think, might be worth a search or a call to a store) have a separate lead for the power antenna. Pioneer units have the remote amplifier lead do dual duty to also drive the power antenna. If it's not clear, that means as soon as the HU powers up the antenna goes up, whereas the Kenwood would only go up if the radio is on. You will need a surround piece for the LX, got mine via Ebay here.
I have a pioneer single din and I love it bc it opens up a small space for storage
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Has anyone found a good hidden antenna to do away with the power unit? Or even a good shark fin?
LBridges is correct. I started with a single DIN Kenwood, and really liked the separate antenna power lead. Kenwood was very smart and only powered (raised) the antenna when AM/FM radio was selected, did not power for Bluetooth, CD, XM, etc. I now have a Pioneer 4100NEX and really like it. No Nav, but I connect my Android phone to the USB, and I get Google Maps on screen, good enough for me. I've got offline maps on my phone too if needed.
Back to Pioneer vs. Kenwood. When searching for my new double DIN HU, I was planning to get a Kenwood (brand loyalty?), but then I compared both in the store. Kenwood has a much less responsive head unit, quite laggy. Pioneer is very quick and responsive to user input and, in my opinion, a better user interface in general. 2 things that Kenwood offers that I like is the separate antenna power, and the Nav capable units seem to offer speed sensitive volume (this needs confirmation as I have not personally seen it, only in the manuals). Really wish the Pioneer units had speed sensitive volume. But in the end Pioneer's Android Auto and user interface won me over. Very intuitive and quick response. I find that I rarely use Android Auto, unless I'm on a longer drive. I typically listen to Pandora or XM, and sometimes HD Radio and MP3 from the phone. Pioneer does them all very well. XM and HD Radio were 2 requirements for me. There are other units without them that may be cheaper.
I added my own backup camera, and the Pioneer has a second camera input. At some point, I would like to add another camera facing forward underneath the truck. I have found that going over the crest of steep terrain, there is no visibility over the hood to see where you are placing your tires. I said to myself, "I wish I had a camera down there to see where I'm going!" Now I have that option!
Good luck on your search. I suggest playing with them in a store, it certainly changed my mind. Even if you can't find the exact ones, you'll get a good sense of how the different brands do their user interfaces.
I installed two pioneer head units into LX, one was base Bluetooth capable double din with single disc CD and the other with touch video screen (Bluetooth, will accept nav module, sat radio, backup camera).
Yes, you'll probably have to cut the factory harness if you have early 100 series with nakamichi. Only issue I had with both is low volume hiss noise related to using after market head unit with OEM amplifier.
I just got a Pioneer 3700 double DIN that is great, with one exception: Searching through a USB drive can be very slow. Aside from that it's been awesome. Near-audiofile level tuning (3 channel crossover, 13 band equalizer, time and volume correction, etc...) and solid features overall.
If you're ok spending $1k or more you can get into the good NEX head units as well, but short of that the 3700 for under $250 via Amazon is an awesome deal.
*Edit: X3700BHS is what I meant.
If you're ok spending $1k or more you can get into the good NEX head units as well, but short of that the 3700 for under $250 via Amazon is an awesome deal.
*Edit: X3700BHS is what I meant.
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Just go all out and get a Hi-Res Audio unit.
j/k - I was in my local car audio shop last week and happened to see a pamphlet for this Sony unit. Looks impressive. Nice to see that there is still demand for analog quality. At least in some people's ears.
Kenwood, IMHO, used to make quality units, at least until they merged with JVC in 2008. Once that happened, it seemed the quality in their car audio line really decreased. When I went to purchase a replacement HU a few years ago, many of the reviews on Kenwood reported slow boot up and that they were very laggy to respond to user input as reported above.
Pioneer seems to make quality units. They typically stay up on the latest technical standards, etc. and deliver price/performance.
OTOH, the guys in my local car audio shop are pointing to Sony as a sort of an "up and comer", which is somewhat surprising since I haven't seen Sony mentioned very much. My next replacement may be a Sony - if what they tell me is true - or an Alpine.
None of this is really important. Just find something that fits your needs. Lots of good information in many of the threads on the forum, from replacing the factory HU with basic units all the way to high end units.
j/k - I was in my local car audio shop last week and happened to see a pamphlet for this Sony unit. Looks impressive. Nice to see that there is still demand for analog quality. At least in some people's ears.
Kenwood, IMHO, used to make quality units, at least until they merged with JVC in 2008. Once that happened, it seemed the quality in their car audio line really decreased. When I went to purchase a replacement HU a few years ago, many of the reviews on Kenwood reported slow boot up and that they were very laggy to respond to user input as reported above.
Pioneer seems to make quality units. They typically stay up on the latest technical standards, etc. and deliver price/performance.
OTOH, the guys in my local car audio shop are pointing to Sony as a sort of an "up and comer", which is somewhat surprising since I haven't seen Sony mentioned very much. My next replacement may be a Sony - if what they tell me is true - or an Alpine.
None of this is really important. Just find something that fits your needs. Lots of good information in many of the threads on the forum, from replacing the factory HU with basic units all the way to high end units.
Why not get a classy radio for a classy vehicle? At least something from the same relative year that doesn't scream glitter and disco lights. I can't stand the newer stuff, except for the minimalist higher-end equipment like posted above.
JVC KW-AV61
Although my head unit is no longer available, i love it had for two years know no problems, aside from losing my control knob. But i don't need it i use the remote. Has great versatility. i love the fact that i can turn the screen off when traveling to darken the cabin.
Although my head unit is no longer available, i love it had for two years know no problems, aside from losing my control knob. But i don't need it i use the remote. Has great versatility. i love the fact that i can turn the screen off when traveling to darken the cabin.
THeGeNTLeMaN
WooD GRaiN WaRRioR
I plan on trying an android powdered unit ... so basically you have a head unit that has the equivalent features of a tablet ... apps, WiFi connection and all ...
Most you find are not a name brand you would recognize but my brother has one he paid about $210 for and has had it in his vehicle for about 3 years now with no problems ... for the price its worth a shot ...
Something like this : http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?nav=item.view&id=151778078303&alt=web
Most you find are not a name brand you would recognize but my brother has one he paid about $210 for and has had it in his vehicle for about 3 years now with no problems ... for the price its worth a shot ...
Something like this : http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?nav=item.view&id=151778078303&alt=web
- Thread starter
- #14
I like this Idea I am trying to decide the DIY route or to pay for it. I am leaning towards paying due to what I have read about the challeges of the nakamichi system already in it. I have been looking at the kenwoods because I have read that the power antenna will raise and lower if I have radio on vs satellite radio.
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uHu
Bridgeburner
Alpine all the way. Up to 7" screens.
In Europe there is even an 8" screen, which fits into a cruiser.
In Europe there is even an 8" screen, which fits into a cruiser.
It already has a hidden antenna in rear right side window, stock radio has two antenna wires connected to it. The hidden antenna has a smaller connector so you need an adapter to use it. I have not seen reports on using only the hidden antenna, but give it a try and let us know. Expect for many areas it does just fine.
Adapters to use both antenna's.
Amazon.com: Metra 40-UV43 Male to Female Motorola Antenna Cable: Car Electronics
Amazon.com: Scosche Mda-B Micro/Delco Antenna Adapter Tip: Car Electronics
I'm also likely going with an Android unit. They should be coming out the the 5.0 Lollipop units soon.
Amazon.com: Metra 40-UV43 Male to Female Motorola Antenna Cable: Car Electronics
Amazon.com: Scosche Mda-B Micro/Delco Antenna Adapter Tip: Car Electronics
I'm also likely going with an Android unit. They should be coming out the the 5.0 Lollipop units soon.
