Help me pick a head unit

areid · #1 06-14-2009, 09:29 PM

Hey guys I have been lurking and reading on here for a while, but I am about to order some equipment and wanted some suggestions. I have a 2007 Supercrew. I am planning on purchasing a head unit and have narrowed it down to these two: Pioneer AVH-P4100DVD or Kenwood DDX712.

Can anyone give me any suggestions such as screen quality, sound quality, screen layout or menus, dependability, features (That I don’t know about, because they seem similar)?

I currently have Infinity Reference components in the front which was a great move from the stock speakers. I am debating based off of some things I have read on here about not amping my rear speakers (whatever I decide to buy)

Anywho my plans for now unless someone can convince me otherwise, is to get an Alpine PDX 5 and get a 10" sub (thinking JL) to go under rear drivers seat in a sealed enclosure.

Thanks in advance

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jdruzik · #2 07-01-2009, 10:39 PM

If you are really looking at screen quality, expandability, and features why are you ruling out the Alpine iva-w505. You know that Alpine makes great products or you would not be considering the PDX-5 amp. Check out the reviews on this site before you spend your hard earned cash...

areid · #3 07-01-2009, 11:31 PM

Thanks for the reply.
I am not ruling out the Alpine just haven't considered it. I was comparing what I was able to play with at a local store.
I will take a look.

rlevi007 · #4 07-02-2009, 01:26 AM

I had the same question you do about a month or so ago and I was looking at the same exact units (you have good taste btw =)). I mulled over this decision for at least a month before I finally bit the bullet and placed an order. My search included driving to different towns to play with demo units in audio shops and countless tiring hours behind this very keyboard on this and other forums as well as a lot of time on crutchfield.com. Also, check out youtube for vids of these units in action. Very helpful.

To make a long story short, I messed around with all the units in question. I decided against the Kenwood because, while it had many advantages, the screen and overall quality seemed, in my opinion, cheap and asthetically lacking.

I actually started out looking at the Alpine AVI-W505 myself and was completely sold on it until I saw the Pioneer AVH-P4100DVD and realized that I did not want to pay $500 for navigation. Dont get me wrong. Alpine makes an awesome product but The Pioneer unit will do just about everything the Alpine will except for navigation. To me, navigation is not that important and the technology changes so quickly that I did not really want it in my HU. If i want navigation, I will get one I can switch from truck to truck and update easily. If you do not really want the Navigation, you'll have a hard time beating the AVH-P4100DVD. I also like the visual setup of the Pioneer better.

The reasons I love my Pioneer so much are that the screen quality is awesome, the controls are awesome and the iPod interface is killer. Screen quality was a big factor in this purchase and I have no regrets with the Pioneer at all. The contols are clean and the touch screen is very responsive. The whole reason I started looking at stereos is because I dont use CD's anymore and I needed something with a great iPod interface. IMO, this one is second to none. I can stow my iPod away and completely control it from the unit with the fimiliar setup i am used to with my iPod. I can even watch my iPod videos on the screen. Other than that, I dont think there is a format or type of disc that this thing wont play except for maybe Blu-Ray.

I know this post has been opinionated but I have been where you are recently, I feel your pain and I would have loved to have had someone go before me and tell me what they learned. You really wont go wrong with any of these but as you can see I am a little partial. Hope this helps and does not confuse you. Good luck man.

yetti96 · #5 07-02-2009, 10:09 AM

I too have the Pioneer 4100 and love it. I have had some dealing with a few touchscreens and this one just kills the others I have played with. The ipod integration w/o any extra needed cord ($50 for ipod video, but who needs that right?). The screen takes just the slightest touch compared to my last unit. The image is so crisp and clean too, even in daylight movies and images are seen easily with sunglasses on. The 4v pre-amp outputs seem to feed my 2-10s and my 1000w amp very well. Time to upgrade door speakers, but the sound is crisp as the screen and picks up stations I didn't know were available compared to my last unit and the factory one I had before. It even charge my iphone with no additional adapters. Also, search here, this 4100 supports has been mentioned a few times. Best $425 I ever spent.

digitalamish · #6 07-02-2009, 10:37 AM

Just something to consider, I was looking at both Kenwoods and Pioneers, and I was going to go with the 4100. Then I saw the 3100. I've always been suspect of motorized faceplates. I've had a couple go south on me, and once that happens, your radio is crippled. The 3100 is a fixed screen. Yes, a little smaller than the 4100, but now I'm not worried about anything mechanical going wrong.

jdruzik · #7 07-03-2009, 05:20 PM

Alpine head units, such as the IVA-W505, do not have to be purchased with a navigation unit. That may be added later if need be. It has WVGA 7" display with great resolution and contrast. The nav units do not cost $500, They can be added for as little as $250 depending on the unit. Take a look at Alpine's site and check them out. I have had one for the last year and could not be more pleased...

Sundevil2188 · #8 07-03-2009, 07:57 PM

If your not worried about nav, get the pioneer. If you want nav, do a kenwood DNX. I personally am not a fan of alpine screens, but that may also be because I dont have the same amount of time playing with them as I have with the Pioneer and the Kenwood. Judging from what you listed, Im guessing you want the 7 inch screen, thus elminating the pioneer 3100 and the kenwwod 5 series. The pionner has a better Ipod interface IMO, and looks much, much cleaner insalled.

JJDH · #9 07-04-2009, 11:35 AM

the premier nav uses garmin maps.., unless i am missing somethn i absolutly have 0 issue with pioneers nav. get the f series premier f90bt. has all u want.isnt it alpine that has the screen reset prollem? i dunno. f9i0 isnt 7", it is easy to get over that

rlevi007 · #10 07-05-2009, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdruzik

Alpine head units, such as the IVA-W505, do not have to be purchased with a navigation unit. That may be added later if need be. It has WVGA 7" display with great resolution and contrast. The nav units do not cost $500, They can be added for as little as $250 depending on the unit. Take a look at Alpine's site and check them out. I have had one for the last year and could not be more pleased...

You are right. The add on is $250 more for the Nav on the Alpine IVA-W505. But the unit itself is bout $500 more than the Pioneer + the $250 for the nav. So I was wrong. It was'nt $500 more, it was more like $750 more. Thanks, I forgot all about that.

Sundevil2188 · #11 07-09-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJDH

the premier nav uses garmin maps.., unless i am missing somethn i absolutly have 0 issue with pioneers nav. get the f series premier f90bt. has all u want.isnt it alpine that has the screen reset prollem? i dunno. f9i0 isnt 7", it is easy to get over that

Dont get a original F series...wait for the new ones. Much faster and better interface then the original F series. They are getting to stores now...we got the lower level one in last week.

The mapping is the same, however its Garmins user interface that puts it a head and shoulders above anything else on the market.

chance-alot · #12 09-08-2009, 12:11 PM

I too am strongly considering the Pioneer AVH-P4100DVD for my 07 screw; but my question is this...

Does the HU have an A/V out so I can push the signal to a monitor in the back seat?

Thanks

I downloaded the Manual and figured out the answer to my question. Once I get back from this deployment I'm planning on installing the AVH-P4100DVD with the Bluetooth adapter, a back-up camera, a drop down monitor in the back for the kid and a relay for the e-brake/video bypass. I've read through many, many forum posts and appreciate all of the info you guys have put out here. If anyone has any advice or suggestions I'm all ears.