i have been searching long and hard to find a navigation for my 2005 f150 lariat and want something that looks like it belongs in my truck. i want it to fit flush with the dash. Could someone with experience and knows what there talking about tell me if this navigation i found will meet my expectations? The link below is the one i am considering on amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Explorer-Exped.../dp/B0050MS3E8

1. also with this head unit does it come with the right hardware so i can still use my steering controls for volume and such?
2. Will i need a kit that surrounds the head unit so it fits correctly?
3. is the seller i am getting it from legit?

* please tell me what you guys would recommend that you think will be better and wont run me passed $500

 

Amazon is fine to purchase from. For a few more bucks you can get a pioneer. For a bunch more dollars get a kenwood. Go on crutchfield and pick a unit. They will show accessories for your vehicle. If you dont want to pay retail, take that info and buy somewhere else. Start there first, to help you decide what you need. Remember cheap no name units are just that.

 

Hello, first let me say that I am a manager of a high end mobile audio store. Been in this buisness for over 15 years I even teach high end fiberglass fabrication. Not that I am trying to brag or sound cool just letting you know that this actually what I do for a living. First in my personel opinion I wouldn't put a pioneer in my enemies chevy lol. We have seen more than a 80 percent defective rate. I feel that for a quality unit you can't go wrong with alpine 900bt I run a older model in my lariat. It is a great piece of equipment. If you are looking at kenwood buy the jvc ... they are owned by same company in japan. The new kenwood is last years jvc. They had garmin make their nav a few years back that was only thing good about it my wife has it in her expedition I hate the radio love the nav. But last year they lost the garmin and went with their own but couldn't get one right in time and jvc let them have their old units software. Sony just came out with new one this year I sell it but haven't really had chance to play with it or heard any customers reviews yet looks great but we will see. Now on steering wheel note most all units have str. Wheel control option you will have to buy a adptr from someone like pac swi-jack or one for what ever unit you purchase they are proprietary to head unit not vehicle mostly. When buying a unit go to a local reputable authorized dealer. You will get better service a better deal. And you will help out a local buisness and our economy all at same time. And you will get a full warranty. Hope this helps.

 

The pioneer z130 is a nice unit. The kenwood 9980hd is the best unit out. Any JVC I have seen doesn't resemble the kenwood at all. The sony works well but has power supply issues. I have owned a few different nav units and the Alpine and JVC aren't even a consideration. The Sony has floor noise and after terrible service from the idiots in laredo, the unit went back. All functions of the Sony worked well, except for the HD radio and the Sirius, the interface render those items near useless. 80 percent failure rate on the pioneers doesn't sound accurate. over on avic they aren't complaining much.

 

I have a Kenwwod DNX 7140 and I am very pleased with it. One of the reasons I got it is that it looks like it belongs in the truck. It has the same matte black finish like the factory radio did. To me some of the other brands with a gloss black finish look out of place. Nav, Bluetooth, touchscreen......... it all works great.

 

The kenwood doesnt look like the new jvc. Because it is last years unit and the sony hasnt been out but 3 weeks so the power supply issue is a joke or someone told you about a old unit. Also this years sema show which I was at rated the new jvc-nt50hd the best new nav this year They put the unit up next to the pioneer and a kenwood and even a alpine, got a few people from floor to type in a adress across the country. The pioneer was the slowest to configure the route 2min 11 secs the nt50 did it in 9 second the others fell into the middle. The alpine unit such as the 505 last years which is what I run, is one of the nicest units built the quality of a alpine unit will never be passed. The only units that were built as well were eclipse but as of recent months fugitsu ten which is eclipse close their aftermarket division. So there are a few of those units floating around but I recommend against it because their service department will only be open through first of next year (I think). Also actually the kenwood in pic looks just like the old jvc 720 and 820. Oh and my alpine in my truck which we built in the shop competes nationals at sema and ces. Well thats my 2 cents use as you wish. The only problem with this site is how everyone wants to argue about the other post. When I was researching which alt-tires to run people would take offense to others views, its was funny but sad. I decided to listen to a man who has ran a shop and he told me which tire he has seen last and not. He didnt just give me some consumer report he read lol. Well hope you get a unit you are happy with when its all said and done thats all that really matters.

 

I will say laredo is horrible lol......

 

But as we are talking about it the alpine, sony, and jvc are all over 500 though.

 

The pioneer nav isnt good. The rest of the ui is good. I have the kenwood 9980hd in the f150 and had the sony xnv 770bt in my suv. Just took it out. It has power supply issues. I was on my second one. Which unit are u referring too being out for three weeks? You need to re-read posts. I am speaking from personal experience with these units as well. No one is trying to trash you. Just offering real world reviews

 

If you read the OP's original post he is looking for something that does not look out of place with the rest of the dash.

Also he does state that his budget is $500 so he probably will be limited to prior year models and not the newest gear.

Some units are better than others for sure but just about any name brand aftermarket unit will be a big step above the factory radio and much better than the one in the link he posted.

 

Right.we simply went on into detail of other available choices. Simple suggestions. Beyond that it doensnt matter much.

 

Which audios system with GPS and backup camera works with the steering controls steering controls for volume and seek of the 2005 FORD F150 LARIAT ?

 

I don't know JJDH, here's my KW-NX7000 and it looks similar to the Kenwood.





I'm not talking about the screen or the functionality, but the overall unit. I've had this since '07 and have been very happy with the unit, but then again I'm very biased as I've only put JVC equipment in all my rides for the last 13 years. I've had a few Pioneers in the past (no DD navs, just single dins) and never had any luck with them, though I know some folks who are very happy with Pioneer. I've been thinking about getting a Kenwood and giving the JVC to the wife. To the OP, Nav on this unit works very well, though I don't know if you can get anything like it for under $500.

 

Do u like the jvc? They look similar. I dont khow if they work similar though. I might have to look at the new jvc and check it out.

 

I second that... Pioneer stands by their products. I have the 110BT navigation unit and it hasn't let me down plus you can go to the pioneer website to download updates. I'm sure you can do that for the others as well mine fits perfectly. Will try to get a couple of pictures up.. Would strongly advise you not to buy cheap units. I've never had a Kenwood and i've never heard a bad review about one... I've had pioneer products since I was a high school kid (12 years ago) and I haven't been let down yet... It's easier to install one radio and never have to pull it out again then to keep buying a lot of cheap ones..