I have found a good deal on a Clarion Pro Audio head unit (DXZ845MC) to replace my factory stereo, anybody have any experience with this brand. Also can you recommend a good install kit. Thanks

 

Yeah, they are pretty nice. Up there w/ Alpine and Pioneer IMO.

As for install kits, Im not sure if any one is better than another, but I know Schoche and Metra make them. I have a Schosche one(or however you spell it) and it left a little gap between the top of the dash and the kit. Looks a little unfinished to me. This is in a 99 year model to, it does make a little difference.

 

I used Scosche for my wife's Expy, Metra for my F150. The Metra install was easier and has a better "fit and finish".

 

I have a Clarion HU - is an older model, about 5 years old. I am pleased with the sound and features for the price I paid.

My only beef is the controls are not intuitive at all. Sometimes even easy tasks are a PITA until you memorize what you need to do. I ended up putting sticky notes in the HU manual and carrying it in my glove box - I needed to look at it alot for the first few months. It still drives my wife crazy when she borrows my truck - I need to set the radio or CD player for her so all she has to do is control the volume.

 

The 845 has been greatly reduced in $$$ since it was released early this year kind of cool idea if you havent seen one work ...it will store songs (about 80 in long play mode) so let it load up you fav tunes and dont worry about ever skipping or taking your discs with you.. menu is way easier than older models ...plus 80 selectable color combos ,aux input ,sirius ready,built in sub control and lowpass crossover ...hope this helps

 

oh yea american international fmk 550 mounting kit works pretty good also

 

I would definately look into another brand. I went to a local shop to get a head unit for my 03 G Caravan, I was looking for Kenwood or Pioneer, the guy talked me into Clarion Pro Audio. I mentioned that when I did a lot of stereo stuff Clarion sucked, his response was that they are greatly improved. Well after 2 decks iinstalled I went to Eclipse, because they couldn't sell me a Kenwood or Pioneer because of other dealers in the area.

The owner of the shop even mentioned he had had problems with a Clarion HU he had out in a relatives car, and has since canceled his order for his new Clarion system and went with Eclipse.

 

Hmmm that sure is funny I have sold clarion since late 80's and that has been one of the more dependable lines I carry,while they all have had their problems with cd pickups,logic chips etc...clarion for me has had fewer return problems....I have sold eclipse and they also had some major problems but all around they make a good cd player ,pioneer,kenwood,panasonic,have become more reliable also.... very few returns ...just make sure you buy from authorized dealers ,or you could be taking chances with some b stock refurb stuff they say is new ( make sure you have an installer that knows what he is doing also,just because they are MECP cert. dont expect they know "hands on work" that just means they can take a test and remember things they read... guess thats enough babble hope this helps

 

Authorized dealer is the reasononing behind them not wanting to sell me the Kenwwod or Pioneer.

The Clarion units had cd problems the transport on the first one and trouble reading with the second, as with anything electrical these day there seems to be a good chance there could be something wrong with it.

 

Thanks for the info guys!