anyone find anything out about being able to upgrade the firmware on the 7015 to the GUI on the 8017 ?

 

Austinite,

Could you please fill me in on how well the Kenwood controlls the iPod? Do you still have to put your songs into playlists, or can you now search just like the clickwheel on the iPod. I saw that Alpine has a new sincle din HU that is iPod ready and you can search by playlist, artist, album, etc.

I'm really wanting to get something that controls my iPod and really like the Kenwood double din, but if the Alpine has better control of the functions, I might have to go with it (and save about a grand).

 

The iPod interface is still as useless as it was on the KVT-815DVD. I have mine hooked up with the Kenwood iPod interface and through an RCA connection, so I can search songs straight from my iPod. If you are going with iPod capabilities as your deciding factor, at this point Alpine has the best unit. There new single din units are pretty sick looking. It sure would be nice if they came out with a dual din, though. I would have to sell the Kenwood again.

 

About $1200 on ebay.

 

I've searched high and low and have found absolutely nothing that would indicate such an upgrade would be possible. And considering that Kenwood put a better GUI on the 8017 as opposed to the 7017 I doubt they would intend to upgrade older or lesser models. Just my 2 cents.

 

I just don't see Kenwood making it that easy for people to upgrade these units. Besides getting some new DVD's for the Navigation, I think you'll just have to sell yours and throw in a few hundred to get yourself a newer unit. That's what I did.

 

What’s different about the GUI in the 8017. Is it just prettier graphics or are there more functions? I know the 8017 has 5.1 surround and WOW sound that the 7017 doesn’t do. I don’t watch movies in my truck so don’t care about that. I want it more for CD, SAT, MP3, and NAV so I was looking to save a couple hundred and go with the 7017. Is there anything else the 8017 has over the 7017 besides surround and a prettier layout?

 

That is an amazing HU. I wish I had the cash for a Double DIN LCD like that, definitely the best way to go. I'd love to ditch the Basic Single CD system (seems a bit beneath the rest of a Lariat).

Nice Work.

 

looks good. I got to stop looking in these threads. I luved my stock deck until I saw these... wonder how much I can get for a stock 6disc audiophile

 

Heres a comparison chart of the new models. http://www.goleather.com/detail.asp?product_id=DDX7017

For what you are doing I don't see any reason to go with the 8017. I like the better GUI as well, but its not worth $300 to $400 dollars. I went with the 7017.

 

Austinite. how was the installation? what wiring connector do I need? I have factory subs.

 

Looking good! Very factory looking.

 

i was at my local stereo place today and they said that the kenwood units wont fit in our trucks without some modifications..doesnt it fit without doing anything special??? also, just to make sure, if someone steals it, there is a security code that makes the radio useless??

 

Double in fits perfect with a kit. No mods at all. And yes, the Kenwood does have a security code feature.

 

I just picked up the 7017 form Best Buy and I am pretty pumped to get it in in the next few days.

I also got the KCA-ip500 and maybe you can educate me a bit on it. So your song titles will not show up on the screen? Can you navigate tunes thru the unit or do you have to use your scroll wheel?

I was wanting to try and see if they could run the connector wire thru my center flow to the center storage bin so my ipod would be out of site.

If I still have to use the scroll wheel that kind of sucks and need to figure a spot to put it where its handy but not in broad day light. Do you use your remote at all? Seems the HU is so close leaning over a few inches would almost be easier???

So is the perk to having the ip500 is you maintain sound quality over other types of plug in adapters?

Thanks for any help man and congrats on the 8017. Even though the 7017 might not have the cool surround sound Im sure I will still be impressed with it.