the guy here is "nothingbutaford" do a search for him and you'll find what you want.

As for the nav systems out there. I think they are all pretty much equally nice.

Haven't put my Alpine BB2 yet. Still waiting on the little jewel.

 

Thanks for the advice, Rock....

I'm guessing it's true that most of the nav systems out there are nice...as far as the nav portion of them is concerned. It appears to me, from what I've been able to read, that the real differences come into play when you look at the user interfaces for functions other than nav...like iPod interface, for example. Even things like setting the clock can be a pain to accomplish in certain units, apparently.

 

The new Alpines have the "street level" fly through view which seems pretty cool.

I haven't played with them yet so not really sure.

 

best over all right now is either the pioneer d3/n3 or the kenwood DNX7100, the kenwood is a few hundred more than the pioneer. but i really hate the gui.

i read the kenwood ****s on the pioneers nav.

 

Looking at a different posting, the Clarion unit looks pretty good to me. Haven't been able to find out much in the way of reviews, though. I like the way its buttons don't take up a lot of real estate, as they do in the D3...but at a price less than the Z2. The GUI's supposed to be good, but there's not much to see at Clarion's web site on any details.

 

The humble opinion of someone who works in the car audio field...

1) From everything I have read/experienced, the answer is no. Almost all are now a single cable that hooks up to the highspeed input on the bottom of the ipod. A few of the pioneers use USB, which is nearly the same quality.

2) nope, they are all the exact same piece made by the same company.

3) screen size, no. changing discs, yes. as others have mention, I prefer a hard drive based nav system. However nav isnt really something that i need.

4) The alpine units are kind of funky in that they use the portable unit. Wasnt a fan of the interface of the last years models, havent gotten my hands on one of the newer ones yet though.

5) Possibly. however, a back up camera is popular and easy to hook up to almost all in dash multimedia systems.

6) I prefer the sound and quality of Pioneer and Alpine products. Never been of a fan of panasonic and eclipse. Kenwood is alright. My theory is look at the company as a whole. Kenwood and Alpine - car stereo only. Pioneer - car stereo and high end home theater (anyone seen their 60'' plasma?) Sony - TV, car stereo, home theater, computers, walkmans, discmans, video games. I prefer to get my product for my car from someone who knows and focus's on it. Thats just my opinion though. Hope i helped.

 

I just installed the Clarion Max675 Head unit and the Clarion NAX970 Nav harddrive in my 02 S-Crew. I'm really pleased with both units. My Ipod connects with a additional cable that I have running to the glove box. I can play the videos from my Ipod on the HU.

The Nav is very easy to use. Voice directions are a selectable option. The displays are clear and easy to see.

If you do decide to go with Clarion, go on ebay and get a bypass so you can view DVDs and make inputs on the Nav without having to set the parking brake.

Next toy - Clarion backup camera!

 

I'm interested in getting a nav system (in-dash) as well but it sounds like if you wanted the factory nav system after the fact then you'll end up paying a lot more than an aftermarket one??? Sounds like there are a bunch of good ones out there, anyone have any pics to show what they look like installed? Oh yeah, do they all have the yellow pages option to look places up and stuff, I miss not having nav. Thanks

 

So far, I'm leaning towards a Kenwood 7100.

 

The Z2 is an awesome unit, I have it. But if i wasnt to get the Z2 i would have either bought the D3 or the Alpine W205 w/ the BB2. The alpine will have a better sirius interface but not TOO different. You will just have 4 lines of text instead of 1.

The removable disks really arent that bad of a thing. Pop it in program your route take the disk out. That simple and the route will be saved to memory.

Kenwood.... ehh. They arent as good as they once were. The 7100 is nice because of the garmin interface but half as many POI's. Clarion is top equipment but youll pay for it if you want it from a authorized dealer. Eclipse ESN is good, sound... ehh. Alpine by far best SQ. Pioneer best features / power.

D3 has the best iPod interface hands down. Plus you can watch iPod movies and change the color....!

The Z2.1 is bypassable with upgrade DVD and the Z2.2 is bypassable with 2 wire bypass.

Adding into the reverse system is easy just tap into the mute wire. and put buzzer after amp in Left Front door.

 

the d3 is hands down the way to go if you are on a budget...if you have the cash, go with the z2 or alpine w205.

 

Actually, I'm on the verge of ruling the D3 out, as I've read some of its tendencies towards very poor route guidance (bizarre routing on the same route compared to another system). I love the GUI of the D3...the ability to change display colors...and iPod control.

As of now, I'm leaning towards the Kenwood 7100, though I'm hoping to read some more about the Panasonic Strada and Clarion systems.

 

Pioneer Z2 is better than the kenwood plus you can get the Z2 for about $100 more for what the Kenwood is going for. The Hard Drive Navi is better than the DVD IMO.

 

[/QUOTE] The Hard Drive Navi is better than the DVD IMO.[/QUOTE] I couldn't afford the dbl.din touch screen so I bought the JVC unit that was way less money, it's a hard drive system by Navtec. So far has been very impressive for a system that is small and non touch screen. Hard drive is definatly the way to go!

 

i have the d3 and i love it! absolutely great hu for the price. it seems to do everything and is easily upgradeable. sounds 100x better even through my stock speakers and audiophile. I would defintitely but it againin a heartbeat. i dont know why i didnt buy it sooner