Showing posts with label car stereo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label car stereo. Show all posts

8/31/2012

3" Touch Screen In-dash Review

3 Touch Screen In-dash
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I looked for some time when I was making my purchasing decision. Since I am not in the business and don't buy a lot of these it took a while to locate a unit in my price range with the features I wanted. When I located the XO Vision unit it had all of my desired features, but I knew nothing of the company or product quality and there were very few reviews available on the Internet.
Many times the old adage "you get what you pay for" turns out to be true, and when looking to save money quality is sacrificed. This turned out not to be the case with the XO1915BT. I am pleased with my purchase.
I installed this in my 06 Tacoma after purchasing a dash kit. Install went well, but I won't bore you with those details other than to say this unit had decent documentation and a good wiring diagram affixed to the top of the unit. The manual was very mild chineglish and could have been clearer on things like connecting the brake and tranny wires for the DVD playback feature.
The quality is good. The removable face is a nice feature. It is not motorized but of good quality and works well. The radio has good sound and plenty of volume. I installed 6x9 Pioneer 3 ways in the front and 6.5 Pioneer 3 ways in the back, so my rating is based off decent speakers. I love Toyota, but their speakers are a weak spot and will not stand up to anything more than the stock stereo.
My days of constant really loud rock have passed, but I have cranked it up a few times and it seems to do well without distortion. I also listen to a lot of jazz and some classical and it all sounds good through this unit. There are the usual balance, fader, bass and treble adjustments, with limited EQ features and a couple of EQ presets. These are all accessed through the touch screen. The menu system is well laid out and intuitive. I didn't need the manual to figure out how to use the thing, which was good. The USB is front mounted, but you have to flip the faceplate down to access the SD and DVD slot. This is not problematic but worth mentioning.
The LCD screen is very clear, bright and well defined. It has nice resolution. It is as good as any radio unit I looked at while shopping. DVD playback works well. I have not tried video from SD so I can't comment but the docs say it is supported. When I bought the unit I was looking for a better than factory stereo with MP3 support and Bluetooth as well as an LCD that would support a backup camera. I got much more, but the core features I was looking for are well supported and I would purchase this radio again after having owned it.
If anyone at XO Vision reads this, a nice feature that seems like it would not be hard to implement, would be to allow the user to set the wallpaper from a picture file of choice instead of the three or four stock selections.
The Bluetooth works well with my Iphone and my wife's LG. Configuration and synching of both phones was really easy. If I have been disappointed at all, it would be with the volume of the Bluetooth. When connected I find I have to turn the volume up for a good conversation, then back down when I disconnect. Since I am new to the unit it may be a settings issue and not something with the unit. In any case, it is not a big deal for me.
Overall, the XOvision XO1915BT is very nice. It won't be mistaken for a $1,400 Pioneer, but the quality is good and there is nothing cheesy or cheap about it. It sounds good in my truck, the features are well implemented and clearly laid out. It has delivered on the feature set advertised. I am very happy with my purchase and would recommend the unit to others.


Click Here to see more reviews about: 3" Touch Screen In-dash



Buy NowGet 35% OFF

Click here for more information about 3" Touch Screen In-dash

Read More...

8/29/2012

Kenwood KDC-BT838U - Radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4 Review

Kenwood KDC-BT838U - Radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This head unit is well worth the price. I am anti-iPod guy and this unit having an USB connection made it very easy to "digitally" connect a hard drive. I now have a 200 gig hard drive (~$150) in my vehicles, never with out a type of music. This unit allows you to navigate the hard drive from the units screen. With the provided software, you can make playlist or just add music to the hard drive. It also has bluetooth, so you can also stream music that way. The unit also come with hands free, there is a mic with a cord on it long enough to put anywhere. If your state is (or has) mandated hands free devices and you are not one to want to look like a cyborg, this unit will comply with the law. It mutes the music, diplays the caller, push a knob and your connected. Once hooked up, everything is automatic, just get into your car, start it and it connects. It will download your phonebook to the unit so you can dial from the unit. Here is another good thing, ever leave home without your cell phone, well you wont ever again, tells you not connected within a minute of starting your vehicle. I would definitly recommend this to my poorest friend, well worth the investment.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kenwood KDC-BT838U - Radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Kenwood KDC-BT838U - Radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4

Read More...

8/25/2012

Pioneer DEH-P5000UB In-Dash CD/MP3/WMA/iTunes AAC/WAV Receiver Review

Pioneer DEH-P5000UB In-Dash CD/MP3/WMA/iTunes AAC/WAV Receiver
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I purchased this to replace the stock radio in my 2006 F150 4x4. I read the reviews here and elsewhere and was a little bit concerned about the interface in regards to it being non-intuitive and the knob flimsy. I disagree on both counts. The interface is very intuitive once you learn it, and the knob is by no means flimsy. Also, there were comments regarding the lack of presets - this is not a problem at all - when the radio is in tuner mode one only needs to push up or down on the knob to advance to the next preset. There was another complaint regarding the clock - all I can say to that is, read the manual!
My stock radio had very good AM reception but poor FM reception. I was afraid I would lose good AM reception with the new radio, but the AM reception is just as good if not better.
I use this radio with my iPod Touch 2nd generation and again, no complaints. I am a mild audiophile and the output sounds very clean to me in all modes.
I do agree that there should be a mute or pause button on the radio itself in case the remote is not handy. Other than that, this is a great product for the price.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Pioneer DEH-P5000UB In-Dash CD/MP3/WMA/iTunes AAC/WAV Receiver

Hear the detail, warmth, and clarity--the way the artist intended it--from all of your highly compressed MP3, WMA, and AAC files stored on USB memory device, iPod, and portable digital players. By restoring data (especially higher frequencies) that tend to get lost in the digital compression process, Pioneer's Advanced Sound Retriever technology enhances audio reproduction nearly all the way up to 20 kHz frequencies. When Advanced Sound Retriever is "ON," the high frequency range is compensated to match the frequency response curve of the original sound.

USB Direct Control for iPod and MorePioneer's DEH-P5000UB is ready to roll with capability for direct connection to your iPod. USB 2.0's speed and capability allow an elevated iPod experience in the car, and nearly limitless expandability for portable media players and USB memory devices.

File search and access are extra quick. The head unit keeps song, artist, time, and album information displays very clear and user-friendly, and control is intuitive through the 7-way Rotary Commander. The system's wired USB connection provides direct digital signal transfer from the iPod for clean, clear sound. In addition, Pioneer has developed the following new features to make using your iPod in the car extremely easy and convenient:
• Link Search-- While listening to a specific artist, hold "List" button to pop up folders containing that specific artist.
• Passenger Control Mode--Allows passenger to use the iPod directly to browse and select music, while connected to the head unit for playback.
• Random (Shuffle) Key--Physical Random Button on faceplate (Shuffle) makes it easy to hear something fresh.
Available Bluetooth Wireless Technology*Use the available CD-BTB200 Bluetooth adapter and Bluetooth-enabled cellular phones for easy, safe, and hands-free operation, including talking via the head unit's microphone and your vehicle's speaker system. The system automatically mutes any other audio during incoming or outgoing calls.
*Optional CD-BTB200 adapter required
Full Featured and High PerformanceThe DEH-P5000UB is smartly designed to expand your system, customize your experience, and provide superior sound quality and easy operation. Features include:
• 3 RCA Hi-Volt pre-outs for adding external amps and speakers simplify system expansion.
• Two-way Crossover with separate High and Low Pass settings.
• Built-in MOSFET 50 W x 4 amplifier for excellent sound quality, minimal distortion and efficient power handling.
• Supertuner IIID advanced analog and digital processing assure superior imaging, less distortion and noise, and stronger, smoother broadcast signal reception.


Buy Now

Click here for more information about Pioneer DEH-P5000UB In-Dash CD/MP3/WMA/iTunes AAC/WAV Receiver

Read More...

8/24/2012

Alpine TUA-T550HD - HD radio tuner Review

Alpine TUA-T550HD - HD radio tuner
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Got one of these and it didn't pick up many stations but sounded great. Thought the reception was normal from the HD reviews I've read. But then it would not turn on when I started the car -- just dead. The regular tuner came on but had no antenna so it didn't work. Turning off the car and turning it back on "fixed" it for a couple of days but then it started getting worse. Got the unit replaced.
The new unit picks up MANY more stations than the first and worked good for a couple of weeks. Now its starting to have dead audio occasionally when I turn on the car. The difference with this one is that the radio comes on -- says 'digital' on the faceplate -- but there is no audio until you turn off the car. That's right, turn off the car, not the radio. Then it usually works when the car is turned back on.
This is very annoying. Alpine makes an amazing amplifier in the 9885 and it is awesome with my iPod connected directly to the radio. But the radio in the 9885 sucks, which is why I bought the HD radio, but the HD radio has its own kinds of problems.
Unless you really like putting up with problems, don't get this tuner until the bugs are worked out.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alpine TUA-T550HD - HD radio tuner



Buy NowGet 20% OFF

Click here for more information about Alpine TUA-T550HD - HD radio tuner

Read More...

8/22/2012

Clarion DUZ385SAT 2-DIN CD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with Rear USB Port, XM Mini-Tuner Direct, Satellite Radio Ready Review

Clarion DUZ385SAT 2-DIN CD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with Rear USB Port, XM Mini-Tuner Direct, Satellite Radio Ready
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought this Clarion car stereo as a Christmas gift for my partner. He wanted something simple to use with as few buttons as possible because he is a technophobe. After comparing this to several other double-din models from JVC and others, I decided to go with this since the layout is very simple and easy to understand. I installed it in his 2002 Tacoma pickup (I used to install car stereos professionally and I really would not recommend it for a novice.) The install went very smoothly and the factory brackets for the Tacoma stereo were a perfect match for the Clarion with no modification. After the install was done, I popped in the Josh Groban Christmas CD and I was stunned by the volume and clarity even with the Tacoma's factory speakers. It literally sounded like a cathederal and all of the small nuances and sense of space was amazing. I could not believe it, but the Clarion reproduced the kettle drums and big bass without the need for an extra amp. The bass actually made my pants leg shake and even made different parts of the truck rattle with no subwoofer! If you want to upgrade your factory stereo and you have a double din opening, I would absolutely recommend this stereo to anyone. For less than $200.00 you get a very nice unit that is very easy to understand, has some very nice e.q. settings, a very sensitive radio, and some really incredible sound quality. The unit is also very upgradable if you want to add XM radio, you can, it supports USB and MP3 and has outputs for adding on extra amps or anything else. It also looks quite cool when it is lit up, it has neat blue lights that look very tasteful and high tech. It also has a hookup to the factory dimmer and you can change the contrast of the display to allow for the best view to the driver's seat.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Clarion DUZ385SAT 2-DIN CD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with Rear USB Port, XM Mini-Tuner Direct, Satellite Radio Ready



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Clarion DUZ385SAT 2-DIN CD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with Rear USB Port, XM Mini-Tuner Direct, Satellite Radio Ready

Read More...

8/18/2012

PYLE PLD3MU 3-Inch TFT Touch Screen DVD/VCD/MP3/CDR/USB Player and AM/FM Receiver Review

PYLE PLD3MU 3-Inch TFT Touch Screen DVD/VCD/MP3/CDR/USB Player and AM/FM Receiver
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I just installed my Pyle PLD3MU and had the chance to do some testing with it. Overall I am impressed with all of the features and functions it has. There are some quirks and the instructions are poorly translated but for the price I feel the total package was a good deal.
DVD - It plays DVDs well - the screen is rather clear for its size. I wouldn't equate it to an ipod or iphone video screen but it has more than adequate resolution for a tiny screen. Hardly jagged edges if at all. Excellent viewing angle and lots of color/tint contrast settings that I can adjust. I'm playing the DVD through an overhead mounted LCD screen and the resolution is adequate for passenger viewing but not HD... so don't expect perfection here.
CD - the sound is great but out of the box the display of the track, time, etc is so small it can hardly be read. I am not sure if the display size can be adjusted or not in CD mode (haven't tried yet).
Radio AM/FM operation - works good; it appears the pre-sets must be done automatically, I haven't found a way to set my own stations. Since there are no preset buttons I supppose you just auto-program and skip from station to station. Not quite as fast as presets but close enough. The display is much better for AM/FM radio than for CDs, it has nice big letters and selectable backgrounds. Clock only shows military time from what I can tell (i.e. 00:00 to 23:59).
Remote control works good out of the box. Button presses are reliable. To FF or RW a DVD, hold down the skip forward or skip back buttons while aiming at the screen.
When switching between sources, there is a short period of blue screen with source name listed, then the desired selection will show.
Touch screen is easy to use and seems to associate finger vs. intent rather accurately. Not too soft or squishy. Detachable face detaches and attaches akwardly but easily enough. When removed, the rectangular LED under the disc slot blinks slowly to indicate anti-theft while the car is off. I appreciate this because higher end units seem to have gotten rid of the blinking LEDs when face is detached (at least Kenwood has).
The instructions included with the unit are sparse. Some areas not translated into english very well. However, I had no problem installing because the wiring all matches the aftermarket in-dash recevier convention for colors of wires. There is a matching wiring diagram on the bottom of the unit affixed as a sticker, in case the one in the manual gets lost or is not available. A large square connector is at the end of all the wires to facilitate testing at the factory. It must be cut off to allow for installation to a vehicle specific pigtail adapter. Manual didn't explain this.
The brake wire (gray or brown) from the back of the unit needs to go to a ground (-) source when the car is not moving (example: parking brake or foot pedal brake). If your brake activates a positive lead like my Dodge pickup, you'll need to find another way to ground the unit to be able to see the video on the 3" TFT screen. Whenever this lead is connected to ground, the video will show on the detachable face screen. The video output always shows through the video out port regardless of brake wire connection or not.

Click Here to see more reviews about: PYLE PLD3MU 3-Inch TFT Touch Screen DVD/VCD/MP3/CDR/USB Player and AM/FM Receiver



Buy Now

Click here for more information about PYLE PLD3MU 3-Inch TFT Touch Screen DVD/VCD/MP3/CDR/USB Player and AM/FM Receiver

Read More...

8/13/2012

Alpine CDA-9857 - Radio / CD / MP3 player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4 Review

Alpine CDA-9857 - Radio / CD / MP3 player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I originally bought the CDA-9856 and exchanged it for this CDA-9857 model. Why? I have a 30 Gig IPod and it's difficult to dial through all of my 100's of albums/artists/playlists, let alone songs, with the slow rotary dial while I'm driving. The 9857's "Percentage Search" skip ahead feature makes selecting/playing music from the IPod a real pleasure. The 9856 doesn't have this feature. Also when searching albums, the 9857 displays 3 albums at a time, whereas the 9856 only displays 1. Both head units, however, only display 13 characters of the album/song title. This makes it very difficult to select the correct album if you have several with the same name for the first 13 characters, or perhaps multiple discs of the same album, but easier with the 9857 because it shows 3 albums at once. The 9857 is also a digital display, rather than analog as with the 9856, and the digital interface really speeds up the menu item selection and seems to make the IPod interface more "stable" (I had a problem with the MIX feature alternately refusing to turn on and then randomly turning on by itself with the 9856). Is it worth the extra $100? Well, I plan on keeping this car and this head unit for 5-8 years, so the ease of use that the 9857 offers makes listening to my IPod a pleasure that I'll enjoy for years to come, and to me that's worth the extra money. This is a darn good unit.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alpine CDA-9857 - Radio / CD / MP3 player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Alpine CDA-9857 - Radio / CD / MP3 player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4

Read More...

8/11/2012

Kenwood DPX-302 - Radio / CD / MP3 player - Double-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4 Review

Kenwood DPX-302 - Radio / CD / MP3 player - Double-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This radio fits very well as a double din replacement, and includes the brackets to install it. Sound quality is good in what you would expect for this price range. Setting this radio for the first time is a bit confusing though, because the instructions don't match what you need to do in practice. It takes a while to figure out. The use of a joystick to select bands and stations is a curious experience in a car radio. My only concern is in terms of the durability of the device compare with the classical buttons. But on the other hand you have the remote control to do the same thing.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kenwood DPX-302 - Radio / CD / MP3 player - Double-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Kenwood DPX-302 - Radio / CD / MP3 player - Double-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4

Read More...

8/07/2012

JVC KD-A805 - Radio / CD / MP3 player / USB flash player - Arsenal - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4 Review

JVC KD-A805 - Radio / CD / MP3 player / USB flash player - Arsenal - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I love this stereo. You cannot beat the price for all the functions it has. The Bluetooth is soooo useful since I hate those ear things - I love how my car answers the phone for me now. The dual USB is really nice. I don't even bother with CDs anymore, I just use my 8GB USB stick. I can also use the bluetooth to connect to the music on my phone which is another 8GB. That gives me 16GB of music space in the car... awesome!
Small complaints. When showing artist it first shows the album title in the text line. Maybe that's just the way I have my ID3 tags setup but it's annoying. For having so many colors, none match the other colors in my car but I like being able to change it every few weeks.

Click Here to see more reviews about: JVC KD-A805 - Radio / CD / MP3 player / USB flash player - Arsenal - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4



Buy Now

Click here for more information about JVC KD-A805 - Radio / CD / MP3 player / USB flash player - Arsenal - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4

Read More...

8/04/2012

Planet Audio P9725B 7-Inch Single-Din In-Dash Receiver with Motorized Slide-Down Widescreen Touchscreen Monitor Review

Planet Audio P9725B 7-Inch Single-Din In-Dash Receiver with Motorized Slide-Down Widescreen Touchscreen Monitor
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is a sweet stereo for cheap money-i love bluetoothing my music to it via my phone and overall having it completely wireless. The one big complaint is that I have had the stereo lower the volume on me randomly. This has happened whether the volume was very low or very high. Great screen quality though for DVDs and the bluetooth talking is really clear on the other person's end. If you can deal with the volume lowering itself randomly, it is a pretty sweet radio, especially considering the price. I will respond back if it does go dead (a slight few have been known to happen with this model I found out during my research)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Planet Audio P9725B 7-Inch Single-Din In-Dash Receiver with Motorized Slide-Down Widescreen Touchscreen Monitor



Buy NowGet 54% OFF

Click here for more information about Planet Audio P9725B 7-Inch Single-Din In-Dash Receiver with Motorized Slide-Down Widescreen Touchscreen Monitor

Read More...

8/01/2012

Alpine CDE-126BT - Radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4 Review

Alpine CDE-126BT - Radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
After reading another review I felt the need to write a review on this great radio. The Alpine CDE-126BT replaced the stock radio in my 2003 (7.3L) F250 which had a broken CD player. I've been looking and reading reviews on and off since purchasing the truck used 2 years ago. Since I already had all my music converted to iTunes in Apple lossless I really wanted to be able to use my iPod 120gb classic in my truck. In the past there seemed to be mixed reviews with functionality using this and many iPod/iPhone/iWhatevers including a friend's older 80gb classic and older Alpine radio with built-in iPod support. His combination doesn't work very well but does somewhat work.
After doing some reading again I ended up with this Alpine CDE-126BT. If you compare it to the CDE-125BT it's slightly more money but includes the iPod adapter which plugs into the rear of the radio. It also includes a few other additional functionality such as 4-channel pre-amp. I'd suggest purchasing a little more radio than you currently need just to future proof it a bit. You'll at least have options if you decide to add an amp or two plus they normally include some additional controls you may need.
Anyway, just prior to installing the CDE-126BT I put some Alpine 6 ½ component speakers I had from a previous vehicle in the front doors. This did help with sound quality even with the stock deck but with the CDE-126BT and the iPod it was awesome! I really wasn't expecting it to be this good. Although the big diesel motor is somewhat loud the clarity still stands out. As far as the iPod 120gb Classic, it works great and is fully controlled from the radio. Just be sure to use the included cable and plug it in the rear of the deck. Why wouldn't you just use it!? Searching is easy enough once you get used to the controls. Yes you do need to learn how to get around! It also includes a small quick reference book to carry in the vehicle.
Bluetooth - I really didn't purchase the radio because of this but why not hook it up? Did I mention the truck is loud? It also does work way better than I thought. People on the other end do hear the motor at highway or every speed but say it's acceptable. Placing and receiving calls are really easy and with my Motorola Atrix it also displays the person's contact information.
Supported devices - Download the manual and check page 24 to see for yourself what's support. If you still have issues and it's on the list contact Alpine directly for support, don't just complain about it on a forum!
[...]

Click Here to see more reviews about: Alpine CDE-126BT - Radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Alpine CDE-126BT - Radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4

Read More...

7/31/2012

Valor ITS-700W 7-Inch In Dash DVD Monitor Review

Valor ITS-700W 7-Inch In Dash DVD Monitor
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Don't be hesitant about the price. I have a 2001 Honda with 4 pioneer mid speakers and 2 12 inch subs in a sealed box in the trunk with amp and this head unit powers it all perfectly. I used to have a Pioneer deck and my music is even louder now then it was before. The touchscreen is great and easy to use after the first 5-10 mins. Plays all my DVDs perfectly and the screen quality is GREAT. I would recommend this to any and everyone searching to put an in dash DVD system in their ride!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Valor ITS-700W 7-Inch In Dash DVD Monitor

The Valor ITS-700W DVD car stereo receiver with 7-inch LCD touch screen is the perfect companion to keep your passanger entertained on those long road trips.

Motorized Touch Screen The Valor ITS-700W motorized and retractable touch screen makes it easy to move te sceen so you can watching your movies in comofort. You can also navigate menu options via the crisp touch screen--in case you've misplaced your wireless remote.
Crisp Display It also plays your favorite films crisp and clear on a 480x234 sized screen at almost 336,690 pixels--ensuring the best quality viewing experience.
Plays DVDs and More The Valor ITS-700W DVD Mechanism plays DVD Video, CD Audio, VCD, JPEG, MP3, and WMA--as well as DVD audio discs. The Valor ITS-700W is also NTSC/PAL compatible so you can enjoy the best films from around the world. Additionally, the Valor ITS-700W has a built-in AM/FM Tuner with 36 FM and 12 AM presets.
Wireless Remote This DVD player also includes a wireless remote control that offers you a direct access to the movie and music tracks, DVD chapters and preset radio stations.
About Valor As one of China's largest manufactures of DVD mechanisms, Valor Multimedia is recognized as a leader in technology, development and production of both home and mobile DVD's. Valor China has two factories, and is the producing division for all Valor Multimedia Mobile Video products. All products are 100% quality tested in China to assure zero defects and to maintain Valor DVD's reputation for superior reliability. They are also spot checked in the USA for enhanced quality control.
What's in the Box Valor ITS-700W receiver, remote control, 3.5mm to RCA interface cable, installation hardware, manual, wiring diagram

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Valor ITS-700W 7-Inch In Dash DVD Monitor

Read More...

7/27/2012

Pioneer Premier DEH-P510UB iPod AM/FM/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver Review

Pioneer Premier DEH-P510UB iPod AM/FM/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought a Pioneer DEH-P510UB along with the Pioneer HD tuner in early 2009 when they came out. I was eagerly awaiting a quality deck with good radio and also AUX-IN and USB right on the faceplate of the deck. The unit sounds fabulous, even through my car's original (premium, 7 speaker) sound system with no additional amp. The radio works wonderfully, gets stations that our home tuners don't, and you can store HD subchannels as presets. I put a whole bunch of MP3-encoded songs on a 16 GB USB thumb drive and this is my primary mode of use. It's very easy, plug in the thumb drive and within seconds it's playing your music. The key to playing 1000 songs on one digital medium like a USB drive is the user interface, of course. Sadly, this is where Pioneer cut corners. There's no way to skip ahead say 50 or 100 songs, and if you want to go back to the song that played before the current one it's incredibly bad, barely works. You can put the unit into random mode, which will skip around through your music. Unlike many consumer audio players, the random algorithm seems to work well. However, this is the very worst part. If I'm in random mode and I push the button to skip to the next song, it should go to the next song randomly, NOT the next song in alphabetical order. This is a very basic and stupid mistake in the UI design and it is excruciating for the user. Stuck in the middle of one of your daughter's Spice Girls songs and don't want to listen to it? You'd think you could push "next song" and it would jump to the next song in random order. Does it? No. It goes to the next Spice Girls song, then the next .. yow.
It's a good thing the remote works as well as it does, because that one-button-does-all thing doesn't work very precisely if you're driving. To make a radio station a preset, for example, requires that you hold that button exactly in its center for several seconds until the deck realizes what you're trying to do. I have yet to accomplish this while I'm driving - some tiny swerve will make my fingertip move just barely but enough to make the thing skip to the next radio station instead of adding the current one as a preset. Sigh. The remote works much better.
It's a shame, really. This could be a really killer product and it wouldn't have cost Pioneer any money in hardware, just needed to put someone on the UI design who knows something. The manual seems large at first glance until you realize it's one of those awful written-in-every-language manuals. The English section is skimpy, the index is uselessly terse, and whatever you're looking up is certain to refer to another section which itself may refer to another section .. just plain lazy tech writing. And the font is way way tiny. I have to take off my driving glasses and put on reading glasses to read it. Needless to say I have to pull over to do this. There is supposed to be a way to enter custom EQ data using a six-band equalizer, but the crummy manual has defeated me entirely.
So it's a great product with great limitations. I'm going to keep mine, hoping Pioneer comes out with a flashable upgrade to the UI. After all, I can still have my whole damn collection on one USB drive and the unit plays them and sounds great. That's cool.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pioneer Premier DEH-P510UB iPod AM/FM/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver

Pioneer's DEH-P510UB CD receiver is an ideal upgrade to your stock system, with iPod and USB connections, MP3/WMA/AAC/WAV playback with advanced sound enhancement for compressed audio, and plenty more. The DEH-P510UB features clean, modern design, with Pioneer's highly regarded rotary commander for superior operation, swift retrieval of music files and ease of use when scrolling through audio and function menus. Expand your system with digital radio options like HD Radio, XM Satellite Radio or Sirius Satellite Radio.

Stop straining to see the screen Enjoy vibrant, exciting displays with the Larger Full-Dot OEL display that makes it easier to see what is playing, no matter what the light is like. Scroll through your iPod with greater ease with 3-Line list mode. Even enjoy features like 3D full motion screen savers.
Dual USB opens up a whole new span of options for your system. Plug in your passenger's iPod while leaving your own connected, practically doubling your music. Keep your iPod in your car and add new songs into the mix with a USB drive. The possibilities are endless.
iPod Made Easy It's easy! Simply plug your iPod directly into the unit using the included cable, and you are ready to rock and roll. Listening to an artist that you just can't get enough of? Now you can hold the "List" button down and it will pop up folders containing that specific artist. You can also have your passenger control your music directly from the iPod.
Advanced Sound Retriever. This year you can hear the detail, warmth, and clarity the way the artist intended it, from all of the highly compressed MP3, WMA and AAC files playing on your CD player. By restoring data that tends to get lost in the digital compression process, we can make your music sound close to CD quality.
Fed up with your Bluetooth headset? Here's a better hands-free solution. Use the available CD-BTB200 Bluetooth Adapter and Bluetooth-enabled cellular phones for easy, safe, and hands-free operation. The unit acts like a speakerphone, channeling the sound through your car speakers which makes the call sound better. It also automatically mutes your music so that you'll never miss a call. *Optional CD-BTB200 adapter required
The Premier advantage Discover the quality and passion that goes into our Premier CD players. The warranty on this model is two years--double the warranty period of most headunit models currently on the market.
What else does this model have to offer? The DEH-P510UB also includes these additional features like built-in AUX input for your media devices and Advanced Sound Retriever to restore your MP3s to near CD quality. Features that are designed to expand your system, customize your experience, provide superior sound quality and easy operation.
Remote Control included
Full Dot OEL Display (192 x 48 pixels)
Advanced Sound Retriever to restore your compressed media to near CD quality
iPod Cable Included
AUX input to easier plug in your portable media devices
Dual USB (Front/Rear)
HD Radio, XM, and Sirius Radio Ready
3 RCA Hi-Volt preouts for adding on external amps and speakers simplify system expansion.
Two-Way Crossover with separate High and Low Pass settings.
Built-in MOSFET 50 W x 4 amplifier for excellent sound quality, minimal distortion and efficient power handling.
Supertuner IIID advanced analog and digital processing assure superior imaging, less distortion and noise, and stronger, smoother broadcast signal reception.
Amplifier Off Mode
Display Off Mode

What's in the Box Pioneer DEH-P510UB receiver with detachable face, sleeve, trim ring, wiring harness, installation hardware, wireless remote, USB cable, iPod cable, manual, installation manual, warranty

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Pioneer Premier DEH-P510UB iPod AM/FM/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver

Read More...

7/24/2012

USA SPEC PA11-HON2y - iPod to 2003-2006 Honda Factory Radio Interface w/ Auxiliary Audio input Review

USA SPEC PA11-HON2y - iPod to 2003-2006 Honda Factory Radio Interface w/ Auxiliary Audio input
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Prior to purchasing this, I had a Dension ice>Link which worked well for a while until I restarted the my car. To restore functionality, I had to pull a fuse out and plug it back in. I did this several times until eventually, it just died on me.
The USA Spec Adapter however gave me no such problems. It's very stable and works exactly as advertised. Installation in my 2005 Accord LX was fairly easy. The toughest part was plugging the socket under the radio without removing the cubby hole -- it's possible but you need small hands.
This is an excellent purchase. I'd recommend this product to anyone.

Click Here to see more reviews about: USA SPEC PA11-HON2y - iPod to 2003-2006 Honda Factory Radio Interface w/ Auxiliary Audio input



Buy NowGet 14% OFF

Click here for more information about USA SPEC PA11-HON2y - iPod to 2003-2006 Honda Factory Radio Interface w/ Auxiliary Audio input

Read More...

7/13/2012

JVC KD-HDR70 CD Receiver with HD Radio Review

JVC KD-HDR70 CD Receiver with HD Radio
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I chose this model for several reasons; first, I wanted the slightly larger character size of a basically one line display. I don't drive with my reading glasses on! Then I thought I wanted to experience HD radio so it's built-in to this model. I wanted to retain a single DIN size and gain a removable face. I wanted to plug in one of the newer, tiny USB flash drives because it's cool to have MP3's play without spinning mechanisms or a wired player! I have the KS-BTA100 add-on Bluetooth adaptor plugged into the rear AUX input for hands-free calls. I thought the color choosing capability would be cool too.
I can only offer three stars for this model that I've been riding around with for about 3 weeks. Everything works pretty much OK but my main gripe is the lack of display brightness during the day. You get to choose a DAY and a NIGHT color & brightness for both the button section and the display section. The illumination changes with either of two wires in the harness connected to the car's panel illumination circuit. My Acura, like most cars these days, has a variable duty cycle panel brightness control which properly triggers the JVC's day/night switchover. However, the daytime brightness of the display section is woefully DIM even though all colors and dimming settings are set for maximum brightness. I could drive around without my sun glasses but I didn't have to do that with my previous JVC head unit. At night I have the color set to only RED to match my instrument panel illumination and that's a welcomed improvement.
HD radio? It's probably just me but I find little programming of interest. At least there's lots of it in the Houston market!
My new Maxell "ultra compact flash drive" fits neatly in the front USB jack. For USB playback navigation, you get to choose folders and then files within the folders. The display shows an assigned folder number and below that the MP3 tag data. You can cycle through several display formats. I was pleased that the time between USB "reading" and toe tappin' to the tunes was brief compared to earlier examples of car audio USB playback technology.
The add-on Bluetooth functionality is very good. Callers report excellent fidelity from the microphone in the stick-on control module and I can make the caller as loud as I need to.
Although it's new, I'm going to replace this JVC with (likely) a different brand that has fewer shortcomings and trade-offs. Like many head units, the limited number of buttons on the KD-HDR70 means you have to click through many settings to arrive at the one you want and cuss when you overshoot!

Click Here to see more reviews about: JVC KD-HDR70 CD Receiver with HD Radio



Buy NowGet 44% OFF

Click here for more information about JVC KD-HDR70 CD Receiver with HD Radio

Read More...

7/07/2012

Sony CDX-GT630UI MP3/WMA/AAC Compliant CD Receiver with iPod Direct Control via USB Review

Sony CDX-GT630UI MP3/WMA/AAC Compliant CD Receiver with iPod Direct Control via USB
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I purchased this radio and installed it myself about a week ago. I love it. It looks great and it is so simple and easy to use!
I have no idea why people are saying the interface is bad and it takes a ton of clicks to get anywhere. Maybe they are taking the long way? It takes me no more than 5-10 seconds to make any adjustments. I also find the volume very easy to control. You don't accidentally enter any menus by adjusting the volume. You would definitely have to try to get into the menus.
The flip down to access the CD drive is great - it keeps it clean and lasts longer. The colors are great and the removable faceplate keeps the radio from being stolen.
The sound clarity is amazing as well. The USB port is great. I just plug in my iPod with the cable that came with it (same one you use to hook it up to your computer). It charges it and I can control the songs right from my radio! No sense in paying for the auxiliary cable PLUS cable to charge it because you can do it all through the USB that came with the iPod.
I'm beyond happy with my choice! I would highly recommend this radio and would definitely buy it again.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony CDX-GT630UI MP3/WMA/AAC Compliant CD Receiver with iPod Direct Control via USB



Buy NowGet 27% OFF

Click here for more information about Sony CDX-GT630UI MP3/WMA/AAC Compliant CD Receiver with iPod Direct Control via USB

Read More...

Pioneer Premier DEH-P410UB CD/MP3/WMA/AAC/WAV Receiver Review

Pioneer Premier DEH-P410UB CD/MP3/WMA/AAC/WAV Receiver
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Bought the DEH-P410ub for my girlfriends 2006 civic, installed this system using Scosche HA1561DGB 2006 Honda Civic DIN and Double Din Kit with Dark Atlas Grey Color Matched and is currently powering 4x Polk Audio DB651 6.5-Inch Coaxial Speakers (Pair, Silver) This head unit provides great clarity and sound quality. The stereo allows every gain and frequency adjustment to be made from the head unit itself, otherwise id have to pull my 2x Infinity Reference 1252w 12-Inch Dual Voice Coil Subwoofer (Silver/Black) in order to make adjustments. Three RCA outs are included, for SUB and speaker AMP outs. The head unit is refined and sophisticated in appearance, unlike the other juvenile-looking alternatives in the market.
Be careful when choosing a Car stereo for your iPod touch/iPhone. There are many receivers out there that have iPod compatibility, however alot of them wont work with the iPod touch/iPhone. I have tested, this is indeed compatible with iPod touch and iPhone (Play tracks, playlists, charging) everything except make calls. An added perk is that you can disconnect the included iPod cable, and play songs from any USB Mass Storage standard device, the stereo can play music from other MP3 players as well as flash drives and SD cards (with a USB adapter). If possible, connect your device via the USB port, instead of the 1/8" AUX jack on the front bezel, this will allow the stereo to internally process the tracks digitally, for better sound quality, and discrete connectivity (e.g. inside the glove compartment) and to enable tracks selection to be controlled by the head unit, instead of fiddling with the MP3 player.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pioneer Premier DEH-P410UB CD/MP3/WMA/AAC/WAV Receiver

Pioneer's DEH-P410UB CD receiver is an ideal upgrade to your stock system, with iPod and USB connections, MP3/WMA/AAC/WAV playback with advanced sound enhancement for compressed audio, and plenty more. The DEH-P410UB features clean, modern design, with Pioneer's highly regarded rotary commander for superior operation, swift retrieval of music files and ease of use when scrolling through audio and function menus. Expand your system with digital radio options like HD Radio, XM Satellite Radio or Sirius Satellite Radio.

Stay in Command Enjoy vibrant, exciting displays with the larger OEL display that provides superior brightness and visibility in all conditions. Scroll through your iPod with greater ease with the newly redesigned smaller rotary commander.
iPod Made Easy It's easy! Simply plug your iPod directly into the unit using the included cable, and you are ready to rock and roll. Listening to an artist that you just can't get enough of? Now you can hold the "List" button down and it will pop up folders containing that specific artist. You can also have your passenger control your music directly from the iPod.
Advanced Sound Retriever. This year you can hear the detail, warmth, and clarity the way the artist intended it, from all of the highly compressed MP3, WMA and AAC files playing on your CD player. By restoring data that tends to get lost in the digital compression process, we can make your music sound close to CD quality.
Fed up with your Bluetooth headset? Here's a better hands-free solution. Use the available CD-BTB200 Bluetooth Adapter and Bluetooth-enabled cellular phones for easy, safe, and hands-free operation. The unit acts like a speakerphone, channeling the sound through your car speakers which makes the call sound better. It also automatically mutes your music so that you'll never miss a call. *Optional CD-BTB200 adapter required
The Premier advantage Discover the quality and passion that goes into our Premier CD players. The warranty on this model is two years--double the warranty period of most headunit models currently on the market.
What else does this model have to offer? The DEH-P410UB also includes these additional features like built-in AUX input for your media devices and Advanced Sound Retriever to restore your mp3s to near CD quality. Features that are designed to expand your system, customize your experience, provide superior sound quality and easy operation.
Remote Control included
OEL Segmented Display with 16-character Text
Advanced Sound Retriever to restore your compressed media to near CD quality
iPod Cable Included
AUX input to easier plug in your portable media devices
USB input (Rear)
XM Radio and Sirius Radio Ready
3 RCA Hi-Volt preouts for adding on external amps and speakers simplify system expansion.
Two-Way Crossover with separate High and Low Pass settings.
Built-in MOSFET 50 W x 4 amplifier for excellent sound quality, minimal distortion and efficient power handling.
Supertuner IIID advanced analog and digital processing assure superior imaging, less distortion and noise, and stronger, smoother broadcast signal reception.

What's in the Box Pioneer DEH-P410UB receiver with detachable face, sleeve, trim ring, wiring harness, installation hardware, wireless remote, USB cable, iPod cable, manual, installation manual, warranty

Buy Now

Click here for more information about Pioneer Premier DEH-P410UB CD/MP3/WMA/AAC/WAV Receiver

Read More...