Not trying to undercut KC, but I just saw this unit for $1079 + shipping at www.TheCameraProfessionals.com Wished I the cash right now!!

 

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Read these reviews from people that did business with them.

http://www.resellerratings.com/store...aProfessionals

 

Thanks for the heads up evo! Glad I don't have the cash now. Couldn't find any reveiws for the company. Sucks though, that is a great price for this unit.

 

this unit will be my next purchase... i cant wait!!!

** if you buy this unit**
make sure that it is the "certified upgrade" version.. kenwood had to recall these units because of a software problem. there will be a sticker on the box that says certified upgrade.. some of the units on ebay have the sticker and some dont.. you dont want to get stuck with one of the old "unupgraded" ones to save a few bucks!!

 

I've spent a few days with the DNX8120 now and I have to say it's impressive. I've seen some negative reviews about Kenwood's user interface, but given the limited screen real estate, allowance for fat fingers on a touch screen, and the vast number of features and settings, I'd say they did a great job.

My '99 requires some cutting of plastic for a double din, but other than finding space for the huge bundle of cables hanging out the back of the unit, installation is like any other. I ran the nav and Sirius antenna wires out through the middle brake light in the roof. Some people put the antennas under the dash but I wanted the best signal I could get. I stuffed the Sirius adapter thingy behind the center air vent cover under the dash.

This is my first navigation unit but I've seen others as a passenger. Being in flash memory, it is very snappy. There are some menus to wade through, but the buttons (touch spots?) are huge and easy to memorize. Updates are applied via a SD card located behind the screen. You hold the nav button down for a couple of seconds and the door will slide open an extra inch, revealing the slot.

I filled a DVD with mp3s and found that its starts up fairly quickly, maybe 10-15 seconds. I've read reviews of other units where this takes minutes. The USB works well too and shows album art. Don't know why they didn't do this for the DVD.

There are many ways to tailor the sound: graphic equalizer presets, a user modifiable equalizer setting, numerous SRS, surround, and cabin size settings.

If pressed to point out a flaw, I'd say the worst I can come up with is that the random play feature is not random. Whenever I start the truck and choose random, it goes through virtually (not exactly) the same order every time.

Five stars.

 

 

I got a bunch of my customer's DNX7120s in with the new KCA-BT200 bluetooths. (still waiting on my DXN8120s to show) I fired the 7120 up on my photo table and took nearly 30+ HiRes photos of it with all the screens, functions, and wiring for the website. Hopefully this next couple days I will be posting them into the site for all to see. The new bluetooth interface is pretty slick. Quite a jump from what my last year model is on my Excelon DDX8019. Last years was just basic. This years will let you stream audio from your phone. Has 6 phone quick dials, informs you if you have a text message and also allows voice dialing. All other stuff really stayed the same except for some changes to the menu system that I don't really see as too much of a difference over last years. All-in-all it is just as great of a piece as last year.

 

Sorry to bring up an old topic guys, but did any of you install the Navi yourselves? If so, where do you hook up the brown mute wire so the unit pauses when you get an incoming call?

 

I don't think I used mine. My 8120 mutes itself. I'll check for you in a bit.. I need to take apart the dash to finish my rear view cam.

 

Confirmed! I did not use it. It is still neatly tucked.

 

The brown wire is kind of a moot wire on the 8120 considering that it has bluetooth built in. I think it's just there because the radio is built with the same format as the others which do not have bluetooth in them or say for instance you have an existing car kit for a old analog phone I guess. On other units I would see this wire come in handy for that or if you have another type of bluetooth kit that has a mute output. You can then connect that to the brown mute wire on the radio.

 

Hey, I thought you were going to get back to me when they came in. I haven't been on here for awhile but I did send a PM awhile back. What's the status on the 2018?
Peter

 

I meant to call my rep today. The 8120 has been on a backorder for quite awhile. I got the 5120s and 7120s.

 

Hi Travis,
What was the diff between 7120 and 2018 Bluetooth/ screen size?

 

The 8120 has an included bluetooth unit built in where the 7120 requires that you add it.
The 8120 has 5.1 surround sound.
The 8120 has two USB ports and two video inputs.
The 8120 has 5 volt preouts where the 7120 has 2 volts.
The 8120 also has a 2 year warranty because its an Exelon piece.