stock radio took a dump now I need a double din. advice needed!!!

[MyO4Rawdur]

So after selling my spare stock radio about 2 months ago my current one decides its had enough fm and doesnt want to get reception. Im absolutely ok with that because I want a double din headunit anyway but now im stuck because there are 5 million of them available all claiming to do the same thing. Im looking for some advice as to what I should get based on some of your personal experiences.

When I buy a touch screen I want it to fit perfectly and hopefully no cutting is involved if possible. I definitely want a double din and buttons on the front to be kept to a minimum. I hate buttons and it just looks more modern if it doesnt have buttons. As for features I would have to have gps for sure and hopefully not the one that requires a cd, satellite radio and xm radio dont mean a damn thing to me so those are unimportant, must be able to customize the layout/background, has to have usb port for steering wheel controls, has to have mp3 connectivity whether its by bluetooth or cable (I dont support apple products so must be compatible with android), wouldnt be a deal breaker if it didnt have a back up camera but id like that option, and pretty much just want it to look like it goes with the car and doesnt have like blue lights that shine all over the place. Green would be nice so it matches but thats very trivial. Also if its a bluetooth capable headunit then if you are familiar with the microphone set up id like to hear how that works and placement of microphone. I previouspy had one that was installed in the back of the steering column but inside the gauge cluster lip.

Please post a picture installed and specs to go with it. Price, age, update frequency, and your opinion of operation and features. Thanks in advance and hopefully if youve read my novel youll be able to contribute! Happy 2013

[Mebot]

I am surprised that your radio would crap out with only 5k on your odometer. Still though, this is an issue that's been raised many times before. You will get great responses from folks on this forum who have switched to double din. Good luck with your selection!

[fastblackmerc]

There is no aftermarket double DIN that will fit without some cutting / modification to the opening in the dash.

I just upgraded to a Pioneer AVIC-X9040BT. Great headunit. GPS, rearview camera connection, runs apps via BT from your Android or iPhone.

I may have an Pioneer AVIC-F700BT available in a few days. Here are the specs: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/GPS-Navigation/AVIC-F700BT

[MyO4Rawdur]

I am surprised that your radio would crap out with only 5k on your odometer. Still though, this is an issue that's been raised many times before. You will get great responses from folks on this forum who have switched to double din. Good luck with your selection!
I have heard stories about it but I didnt think it was true haha but yea I figured since the age im just not surprised. Its only happened once so far but I dont like waitinf for failure. Thanks though !


There is no aftermarket double DIN that will fit without some cutting / modification to the opening in the dash.

I just upgraded to a Pioneer AVIC-X9040BT. Great headunit. GPS, rearview camera connection, runs apps via BT from your Android or iPhone.

I may have an Pioneer AVIC-F700BT available in a few days. Here are the specs: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/GPS-Navigation/AVIC-F700BT

Hideous buttons on the front of that thing and not to mention that huge dial. Im looking for a full screen headunit.

[ctrlraven]

I have heard stories about it but I didnt think it was true haha but yea I figured since the age im just not surprised. Its only happened once so far but I dont like waitinf for failure. Thanks though !



Hideous buttons on the front of that thing and not to mention that huge dial. Im looking for a full screen headunit.
The AVIC-X940BT is a very pleasing unit to look at with the double-din install kit, can also get the interface unit to use steering wheel controls with it.

This is mine
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/ctrlraven/2012-11-16_18-24-50_654.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/ctrlraven/2012-11-16_18-08-04_656.jpg

[BlackVic_P71]

I have had a Pioneer AVIC-Z130BT for just over a year and it's great(Z140 is the newest version, full screen version of the one above I think). It's got customizable screens, GPS, built in BT and I recently hooked up the steering wheel controls with an Axxess ASWC.
http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt306/hondaclf/05%20Vic%20Interior/Dash/DSCF0326.jpg
http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt306/hondaclf/05%20Vic%20Interior/Dash/DSCF0327.mp4
You can make the buttons on the bottom edge any color you want too.


Sent from outer space by magic.

[MOTOWN]

There is no aftermarket double DIN that will fit without some cutting / modification to the opening in the dash.

I just upgraded to a Pioneer AVIC-X9040BT. Great headunit. GPS, rearview camera connection, runs apps via BT from your Android or iPhone.

I may have an Pioneer AVIC-F700BT available in a few days. Here are the specs: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/GPS-Navigation/AVIC-F700BT

My double din unit fit like a glove! With no cutting at all and looks great!

[MyO4Rawdur]

I have had a Pioneer AVIC-Z130BT for just over a year and it's great(Z140 is the newest version, full screen version of the one above I think). It's got customizable screens, GPS, built in BT and I recently hooked up the steering wheel controls with an Axxess ASWC.
http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt306/hondaclf/05%20Vic%20Interior/Dash/DSCF0326.jpg
http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt306/hondaclf/05%20Vic%20Interior/Dash/DSCF0327.mp4
You can make the buttons on the bottom edge any color you want too.


Sent from outer space by magic.
What was the price like on the one you bought? Ill look into the newer one a little later. It looks amazing and it fits perfectly. Also any cutting ?


My double din unit fit like a glove! With no cutting at all and looks great!
What model did you get?

[MOTOWN]

What was the price like on the one you bought? Ill look into the newer one a little later. It looks amazing and it fits perfectly. Also any cutting ?


What model did you get?

I have an Eclipse which unfortunately is no longer in business, if I had it to do all over again I would look at Kenwood, pioneer, and maybe Alpine

[MyO4Rawdur]

I have an Eclipse which unfortunately is no longer in business, if I had it to do all over again I would look at Kenwood, pioneer, and maybe Alpine

Yea I had an eclipse avn 5510 that fit perfectly and worked pretty good even though it was outdated.

[BlackVic_P71]

What was the price like on the one you bought? Ill look into the newer one a little later. It looks amazing and it fits perfectly. Also any cutting ?
They have a rebate program every year for $100 off the navigation headunits, so with that it was $750
I trimmed the top and bottom of the opening just a bit, the sides don't have to be cut.

[ctrlraven]

They have a rebate program every year for $100 off the navigation headunits, so with that it was $750
I trimmed the top and bottom of the opening just a bit, the sides don't have to be cut.
The rebate is only good if you buy it from a Pioneer authorized vendor in person or online. I bought my X940BT from Amazon.com which is not an authorized vendor but I got it cheaper from there than from another place even with the rebate.

[BlackVic_P71]

The rebate is only good if you buy it from a Pioneer authorized vendor in person or online. I bought my X940BT from Amazon.com which is not an authorized vendor but I got it cheaper from there than from another place even with the rebate.
When I got it through Amazon in 2011, they were an authorized online dealer but they aren't anymore.

[fastblackmerc]

When I got it through Amazon in 2011, they were an authorized online dealer but they aren't anymore.

Got mine from Pops.

Got the rebate.

Got the installation kit.

[MyO4Rawdur]

Bump... still lookin around but found no definites yet. Id like to narrow it down to about 5 so any and all suggestions please and thank you!

[ctrlraven]

I went with the AVIC-X940BT because it works with Android phone system (real main reason!) unlike some of the other Pioneer units were not and only worked with Iphone. Is bluetooth ready, has the navigation, can do the brake bypass pretty easy and could do a back-up camera.

[jsignorelli]

I had the Pioneer AVIC-Z130BT installed 16 months ago. I love it. The only thing this audio system can't do is bake pizza and dispense beer. I'm working on it!

[8UWITH6]

I just bought and installed a Kenwood DDX-419 and like it a lot. When I was searching for a Source Unit my main requirement was 4 Volt Pre-outs or higher. Which, for some reason really narrowed my search a BUNCH. If you dont plan on expanding your system with amplifiers then scratch that off your search because I found a majority of the Double Dins only had 2 Volt Pre-outs.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/227688_10200237988852913_16229 77458_n.jpg

Not the greatest picture but you get the idea. You MUST trim the upper and lower portions of the dash to fit this unit with the dash kit. Just a helpful tip when installing put body tape around the opening so when your fitting and cutting taking the unit in and out you dont scrape or scratch the paint around the opening.

HTH and good luck.