As many of you know I like to take pictures of the products. Anyways here's a few pictures of the new Kenwood DDX7120 every one has emailed me for. This is the same menu system for the Excelon DDX8120 as well. I have also plugged the new KCA-BT200 Bluetooth interface into it as well to show the screens.

I can only post four here but follow the link below and view the rest HERE

 

Travis,

Will the new bluetooth module work with the old 7100? It appears to be much more user friendly than the old version (or is that because of the 7120?)

Russell

 

Yep. The KCA-BT200 comes with a little booklet that lists the models that it will work with. The DNX7100 is listed and so is my DDX8019.

 

Travis,

Do you know if the added features are part of the 7120 or because of the BT-200? I've been a bit dissappointed in the BT-100 with the 7100, particularly the phonebook system and lack of voice dialing. Also, I sent you a PM

 

It appears to be a whole new interface with the BT200. It now gives you six quick dials and has a voice operation with it as well.

Here's the manual to the BT200 http://inform3.kenwoodusa.com/manuals%5Ckca-bt200.pdf

 

DNX7120 = $1250
BT200 = $150

Total Cost: $1400

DNX8120 = $1400

(all prices from kcautosound)

With that in mind, why would you buy the 7120 and bluetooth module when you can get the bluetooth built into the 8120 -and- get all the OTHER features the 8120 offers like 5.1 surround and 5v pre-outs on the RCAs (as opposed to the 2v pre-outs on the 7120).

It makes no sense. Think about it, and just buy the 8120.

 

I still don't like the menus ...

 

It's just silly the way the Kenwood had priced the units. Last year the Excelon units were about $200 more than the regular line so there was the difference but this year they really didn't do it right.

Most retailers are not fortunate to be able to carry both the regular and Excelon line like me so therefore the customer that is shopping in the store maybe wouldn't question it or even be aware of the Excelon line. The real issue is the availability of the Excelon units. I have only been able to get my hands on one since the recall so I have been selling a ton of 7120s. Also you have to look at a couple things on the differences of them to see if it really matters on your purchase. Do you plan on using the 5.1 to it's potential? 99 Percent of people don't incorporate a center channel nor have a placement for one. Are you really going to use the dual video inputs of the 8120 opposed to the single one of the 7120. Bluetooth has the same functions with both units except the 7120 just requires you to find placement for the bluetooth module that is 5x5 inches or so. The 8120 gives you one more USB port must most of my customers including myself only use one. Of course there is the warranty of 2 years with the Excelon units but honestly I have never had to warranty any units other than the few from last years series that had a screen drop problem after the first initial install.

It would be nice to raise the cost of the Excelon by like a $100 or so dollars to reflect a difference between them but there are two many low balling ***** websites out there to show people the real difference in pricing between the two. It simply comes to the pricing that kenwood has selected on them.