Well, due to an oversight on my part, my CD player and EQ were ripped off from my truck this afternoon. I have the auto lock turned off on my alarm so I wouldn't get locked out. I forgot to punch the button when I went to the grocery store today, and some thieving jackazz called me on it It was armed, but not locked, sigh.

Oh well, with the sob story out of the way I now need a new HU. I have always had luck with Kenwood, so I plan to go with an Excelon model. Not one of the $700 ones, just a basic nice $300 (MSRP) one. It seems to have all the features I'm looking for, but I just want a second opinion. So, does anyone have this model, or any Excelon model?,,,,98

Kenwood CD

 

I've got the KDC-X859 (pix in my gallery) and love it... (I've also added the Kenwood Sirius reciever, love it too!) It's the second MASK unit I've had, and after the first I said I'd never buy anything else again... The first one finally died a few months ago (but I can probably fix it) It got moved to the El Camino after I bought this new one...

I know what opinions are like, but I've never had anything but good luck with Kenwood ( got lots of good features too) and so has everyone else I know...

good luck! I'd say go for it... and leave your alarm on passive... I always do...

 

Thanks, just have to wait for "the boss" to approve the dash repair and a new HU. We're 1100 miles apart, and she probably hasn't hooked up the laptop to get the bad news yet. I used Kenwoods' dealer locator, and the guy I usually use is an eXcelon dealer. He does good install work, so it's only a matter of going over there.,,,,98

Just needed a slight arm twisting

 

that sucks man, Looks like both our luck didn't go in a good way this weekend.

 

Nice rims BTW, closer9! I think the FX-4's look great on 2wd trucks,,,,98

 

I would definitely look toward alpine; 4,6,8,volt output available, mp3, multiple auxiliary inputs=dvd+xm+playstation,xbox,whatever.

but the useability of the units are unparallelled, for instance just try to adjust the the separate bass control on the kenwood vs the Alpine.

you should be able to get all these options in the $300-400 range.

both will work, but it never hurts to look, and you have to go reputation (to a degree)
my $0.03

 

For some reason I've never been a big fan of Alpine?? Not sure why? I did work for the warehouse of a dealer, and we were in charge of bringing the units in for svc. I hardly ever saw a Kenwood cd player, but alot of Alpines came in for svc. I don't know if it's because they sold more Alpines or what, but it did affect my perception of them.,,,,98

 

Not as good as the heritage edition wheels!!

-Brian

 

Sorry to hear about the loss '98.

I don't have any personal experience with the Kenwood, but a friend of mine swears by his.

 

Sorry to hear about your cd player being stolen. Man i bet you were mad. I like kenwood stuff, especially excelon. Although if you got subs you can't go wrong with Alpine. Next cd player I will get will be Alpine. I love the way it sounds.

 

I've got the Kenwood KDC-X859.. I love it.
I usually stick with Kenwood or Pioneer.
I just don't like the look of Alpine.. it's never been attractive to me.

 

personaly i would make sure what ever you get that its Face IS REMOVABLE and not just one of the mask or flip around faces.

i know the guys at the stereo shops say its consealed and looks like theres nothing there but if you ask me. if i has a thief i wouldnt look into a car or truck with one of those radios and think there was nothing there but instead i would think oh cool one of those new radios. removable face is the best bet. all you have to do is take it with you every time you leave your truck and even if it does get stolen its no good to the thief. so chances are they will move on and if you register your unit with the company you can get a replacement unit for very minimal amount of money.

but be sure to register your new unit becasue if you ever lose your face plate you need to have a registered unit to get another one. that way it cost only about 40 bucks. getting a face plate for a unit that isnt registered to you cost as much or more then buying a entire new unit. they do that as a deturant for thiefs. becasue why would they steel somthing that will cost the same as just buying one.

I have always had pioneer and love them. currently i have the DEH7400 and love it. but if your not into really fine tuning your music from the head unit save a few buck and get the 6400. same unit basical but with a few less option.

 

btw i tottaly agree with the above statment of Alpine being ugly.

in there favor they do work great and are very reliable but damn those things are ugly. any how gl to ya

 

Don't know about the registration thing. I registered a JVC stereo I had, and you guessed it, I lost the face plate. It cost me $136 plus shipping for a new one. I just had a thought? I could probably find my old HU if I went to all the neighborhood pawn shops Of course it would probably cost more to buy it back than it was new ,,,,98

 

I just went and looked at the latest Alpine units, my gawd are they ever hideous, haha.,,,,98