Help me choose a 2 DIN HU.

[diablo_331 23]

I have been looking at 2 DIN head units on and off for a few months now. I will be using a external processor so on board processing is of no concern to me. My budget is flexible but I couldn't see spending over $600ish for a HU with the features I need.

The features the HU must have are..

- IPod controls- MUST have a good ipod interface.

- DVD

- XM capability

- USB port

Other features that would be great to have are..

-SD card slot

-Video out

-Blue tooth

The HU that has had my attention the most during my search is the Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD.The best price i have found is $330 new on Amazon. I already have a older Pioneer XM add on unit that was installed by the PO. The P/N is GEX-FM903XM. I emailed Pioneer to see if this unit will work with the AVH-P4200DVD and am waiting on a response. It would be great to have full XM controls from the HU and it will also save me the price of the XM add on unit if this one will work.

Are their any 2 DIN HUs out there that are comparable to the Pioneer? Anyone have any first hand expirence with the AVH-P4200DVD or a simlilar HU?

I am very open to any and all suggestions. If anyone needs anymore information please let me know.

Thanks,

Colby

[bassahaulic 155]

Your going to get what you pay for with Double Dins, The Pioneer is junk and don't even consider any other Pioneer.

I would ONLY use Kenwood Double Dins. After having helped install a few, and getting to play with JVC, Sony, Kenwood, Dual, Jensen, Boyo, and Pioneer double dins. I would put the Kenwood on top by a LONG shot.

It has the best graphics, the best interface, the best EQ, and fastest processor.

[enger126 0]

I have had many double dins and by far the avh-p4200 is my favorite. Easy to use good functions has everything I need and more. Not a fan of Kenwoods at all I think their double dins are junk.

[diablo_331 23]

I was also looking into the Kenwood DDX896. Are the Kenwoods really that far ahead of other 2 dins? Is it worth nearly double the Pioneer? Have any expirence with the Pioneer? I have watched all the Youtube vids I could find on the Pio and the interface looks great to me.

Edited December 7, 2010 by diablo

[bassahaulic 155]

I was also looking into the Kenwood DDX896.Are the Kenwoods really that far ahead of other 2 dins? I it worth nearly double the Pioneer? Have any expirence with the Pioneer? I have watched all the Youtube vids I could find on the Pio and the interface looks great to me.

Not saying the interface is bad, just the parts they use to make it are junk.

We had a Kenwood double din in Kyle's Tahoe Streeting a 154 daily. With ZERO issues after over a year. our friend has a Pioneer Double din in a 150 burp truck so high 140 on music, and it's dying already after only 2 months.

I would pay as much as I could afford to get the best Kenwood, as it will be well worth it.

And.... from the Kenwood site. "5V Preamp Outputs (Front L&R, Center, Rear L&R and Sub) "

[enger126 0]

For the gex-fm903xm doesnt that just play from an fm module and have a screen that you change stations from? Have you ever hooked it up to a pioneer deck?

[diablo_331 23]

For the gex-fm903xm doesnt that just play from an fm module and have a screen that you change stations from? Have you ever hooked it up to a pioneer deck?

That it does. I havent looked into it very much. I just emailed Pio. The unit was installed when I bought the car so I know little about it. I was hoping that it would work to avoid buying a GEX-P920XM.

[diablo_331 23]

I was also looking into the Kenwood DDX896.Are the Kenwoods really that far ahead of other 2 dins? I it worth nearly double the Pioneer? Have any expirence with the Pioneer? I have watched all the Youtube vids I could find on the Pio and the interface looks great to me.

Not saying the interface is bad, just the parts they use to make it are junk.

We had a Kenwood double din in Kyle's Tahoe Streeting a 154 daily. With ZERO issues after over a year. our friend has a Pioneer Double din in a 150 burp truck so high 140 on music, and it's dying already after only 2 months.

I would pay as much as I could afford to get the best Kenwood, as it will be well worth it.

And.... from the Kenwood site. "5V Preamp Outputs (Front L&R, Center, Rear L&R and Sub) "

Don't feed me that junk Drew. A Pio shit the bed and now they are all crap? Do you have any expirence with a AVH-P4200? I'm not trying to bust your balls.

Edited December 7, 2010 by diablo

[bassahaulic 155]

I was also looking into the Kenwood DDX896.Are the Kenwoods really that far ahead of other 2 dins? I it worth nearly double the Pioneer? Have any expirence with the Pioneer? I have watched all the Youtube vids I could find on the Pio and the interface looks great to me.

Not saying the interface is bad, just the parts they use to make it are junk.

We had a Kenwood double din in Kyle's Tahoe Streeting a 154 daily. With ZERO issues after over a year. our friend has a Pioneer Double din in a 150 burp truck so high 140 on music, and it's dying already after only 2 months.

I would pay as much as I could afford to get the best Kenwood, as it will be well worth it.

And.... from the Kenwood site. "5V Preamp Outputs (Front L&R, Center, Rear L&R and Sub) "

You are making some pretty bold statements Drew. Do you have any expirence with a Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD?

Like most other Pioneer's I'm sure. Front, Rear, and sub at 4v.

[enger126 0]

You not be able to notice any difference between 4v and 5v.

[bassahaulic 155]

You not be able to notice any difference between 4v and 5v.

This is not true.

I went from a 4v radio to a 5v radio and gained almost a full db.

Granted the two radios were on whole different spectrums when it comes to performance. But none the less, there is a noticeable difference.

[diablo_331 23]

You not be able to notice any difference between 4v and 5v.

I couldn't care less if it had 2 volt or 8 volts preouts. Thats not a reason in itself to pick one HU over the other IMO.

[diablo_331 23]

You not be able to notice any difference between 4v and 5v.

This is not true.

I went from a 4v radio to a 5v radio and gained almost a full db.

Granted the two radios were on whole different spectrums when it comes to performance. But none the less, there is a noticeable difference.

Can you prove the gain was solely because of the difference in preout voltage? That is why amps have gain knobs.

Edited December 7, 2010 by diablo

[enger126 0]

Prove it haha.

[bassahaulic 155]

You not be able to notice any difference between 4v and 5v.

This is not true.

I went from a 4v radio to a 5v radio and gained almost a full db.

Granted the two radios were on whole different spectrums when it comes to performance. But none the less, there is a noticeable difference.

Can you prove the gain was solely because of the difference in preout voltage?

Yes, I changed NOTHING else. A few people on here can attest to it. Simply switched radio's, and I went from a 150.6 to a 151.4.

[diablo_331 23]

You not be able to notice any difference between 4v and 5v.

This is not true.

I went from a 4v radio to a 5v radio and gained almost a full db.

Granted the two radios were on whole different spectrums when it comes to performance. But none the less, there is a noticeable difference.

Can you prove the gain was solely because of the difference in preout voltage?

Yes, I changed NOTHING else. A few people on here can attest to it. Simply switched radio's, and I went from a 150.6 to a 151.4.

There is alot more to a radio than the preouts. It could have been anything Drew. I will stop there for the sake of staying on topic.

Edited December 7, 2010 by diablo

[bassahaulic 155]

You not be able to notice any difference between 4v and 5v.

This is not true.

I went from a 4v radio to a 5v radio and gained almost a full db.

Granted the two radios were on whole different spectrums when it comes to performance. But none the less, there is a noticeable difference.

Can you prove the gain was solely because of the difference in preout voltage?

Yes, I changed NOTHING else. A few people on here can attest to it. Simply switched radio's, and I went from a 150.6 to a 151.4.

There is alot more to a radio than the preouts. I will stop there for the sake of staying on topic.

Like I said they where two different radios. lol The one I switched to is nearly impossible to beat. lol

I still say Kenwood, and I can probably get you a deal on one.

[diablo_331 23]

You not be able to notice any difference between 4v and 5v.

This is not true.

I went from a 4v radio to a 5v radio and gained almost a full db.

Granted the two radios were on whole different spectrums when it comes to performance. But none the less, there is a noticeable difference.

Can you prove the gain was solely because of the difference in preout voltage?

Yes, I changed NOTHING else. A few people on here can attest to it. Simply switched radio's, and I went from a 150.6 to a 151.4.

There is alot more to a radio than the preouts. I will stop there for the sake of staying on topic.

Like I said they where two different radios. lol The one I switched to is nearly impossible to beat. lol

I still say Kenwood, and I can probably get you a deal on one.

On paper the DDX896 looks great but has alot of junk that I would rather not pay for if I don't need.

[threedd97 0]

I use the avh p4200 and love it. Absolutely a steal at its price on sonicelectronix.com.

Edited December 7, 2010 by threedd97

[///M5 2,833]

You not be able to notice any difference between 4v and 5v.

This is not true.

I went from a 4v radio to a 5v radio and gained almost a full db.

Granted the two radios were on whole different spectrums when it comes to performance. But none the less, there is a noticeable difference.

Can you prove the gain was solely because of the difference in preout voltage?

Yes, I changed NOTHING else. A few people on here can attest to it. Simply switched radio's, and I went from a 150.6 to a 151.4.

That only proves your setup wasn't optimized with the other headunit. Gain = gain and there is no way around that. If your amp cannot deal with a 2V signal or 1V peak and still provide the gain it is supposed to it is faulty, no reasonable amp requires 4V to get to max output. Of course there is a knob and you could have surely influenced what it would do significantly with that knob. Definitely user setup made the difference in your case.

[diablo_331 23]

For the price, the avh p4200 seems hard to beat as far as value (on paper) goes...Unless I'm missing something. As it stands now, I will be purchasing the Pio after all. Thanks to all who have posted. I believe this thread could help others looking for a simple 2 din HU so keep the suggestions coming!

[dvalue 17]

For the price, the avh p4200 seems hard to beat as far as value (on paper) goes...Unless I'm missing something. As it stands now, I will be purchasing the Pio after all. Thanks to all who have posted. I believe this thread could help others looking for a simple 2 din HU so keep the suggestions coming!

No nav capabilites, and no DVD, I believe.

[enger126 0]

It does have DVD playback but no built in navi. You can buy an add on navi unit for it thou.

[dvalue 17]

It does have DVD playback but no built in navi. You can buy an add on navi unit for it thou.

Ok, I knew the navi part, the DVD I wasnt certain. I'm thinking of another unit.