My DNX7100 is a touch screen, no problems yet, but it's only a month old so we'll see what happens. The remedy for fingerprints is to just wipe them off with a clean lens cloth. And you cannot get these screens wet with anything, because burn marks can be left behind, which is usually what causes the damage.

 

You can always put a clear plastic film over the screen too so it'll help protect from scratches and really bad finger prints.

 

not to compare apples to apples, but all the above listed features are also on the pioneer. it purely comes down to prefference. I had just had 1 to many horror stories with kenwood to ever go back that route.

 

I don't know, something about the kenwood interface/software just seems not very polished. (minus the garmin interface)

I think the avic d3 is all around "cleaner" looking with a better ipod interface. i definitely recommend checking out the demo units they have up at best buy or circuit city before choosing.

(d3 is also cheaper) I ordered my d3 off cartronix for dirt cheap =) hopefully it'll get shipped here next week without problem.

 

Well do you know if a physical store would carry either one or both? I've had "eh" experiences with old Pioneer stuff, limited with Kenwood so either is ok. However, I do like the layout of the buttons on the Kenwood verus the Pioneer. If only I could find those two and mess with them it would help making a decision.

danoiboi: What about the Kenwood interface/software made it seem not polished?

[edit] With the AVIC-D3 when you use the gps part do you have to use the CD they give you? I just watched a cnet review (Dislike CNET but it was a quick review) and the guy said you'd have to do that if you wanted to view just the map or do a different route with the CD out.

[edit2] Thinking about it.. now getting one of these receivers seems useless lol. Maybe I should just look in to getting a separate GPS unit instead and look up the "all-in-one" receivers. Hmm.. p:

 

i know that the kenwood's nav unit is harddrive based, so you don't have to have a dvd in to have the NAV work. that's a HUGE plus over the pioneer.

but really, if i was to get anything besides a kenwood it would be an eclipse unit. have you checked those out at all?

 

the eclipse units are NIICE, and can be purchased affordably sometimes... there are a few luxury cars that use the eclipse units re-badged instead of in-house nav systems.

 

Well, there's other reasons to get one of these....(although a separate gps unit will perform better for gps of course)

- dvd player, ipod control, bigger screen, more oem look, better sound quality than stock, etc....

So i would still prefer this over a separate unit.


AVic D3, yes, there is only 1 dvd slot, meaning youll have to keep swapping gps discs if you want to re-route or look up another location. What i plan to do is always have an ipod in there for all my songs/videos so i will always keep the gps cd in there.

The kenwood interface, Its a little bit quirky, like things are organized in a weird way, seemed kind of sluggish (it tries to draw too much stuff on the screen or something), it has some kind of "3D" look to its icons and IMO they just don't pull it off fully, it just felt like the d3 had faster button response/and better organization. I'm sure some kenwood owners might disagree, its purely preference i guess. So check it out urself.

I know best buy/circuit city has the d3, and i know frys electronics has the kenwood. Not 100% if either carry both of them.

 

So, anyone know how to wire any Kenwood or Pioneer DVD GPS unit to the steering control? I believe it will work on any HU if we get the right wire. Think about it, the Stock GPS unit is Pioneer, and it also can control the volume or mode from the steering wheel control.

Any one works in Toyota? so can get a wire map?

 

yes depending on your hu, you buy adapters...

i.e for Avic d3, you need a PAC SWI-PS Steering wheel control adapter.

 

Mine is a Kenwood KVT serious...ANy luck?

 

I've seen Eclipses but saw the price and gagged :D Just started looking at these types of receivers so I haven't looked at all that are on the market.

One thing that I like on the Kenwood more than the Pioneer is the way the GPS map looks. The Kenwood looks.. more "modern" if you will than the Pioneer. They obviously use different map makers (I guess thats what they're called).

 

yeah, you seriously can't beat the usability and look of the kenwood.

anyway, i know that you're going to meet andy tomorrow for some overlays. let him know that i'm interested in some smoke overlays for the mirror turn signals. i think those would look hot. thanks

 

He actually made a template for those but I don't think I want to do those just yet. I'll see how my tails look first and then think about doing the signals. Oh, how easy would you say peeling off vinyl is? Just asking because if I *ever* have to take it off I don't want to f'k myself over from this. p:

 

happy birthday!

anyway, yeah, the vinyl is really easy to remove and comes off clean. i was his test mule for his xB line. that's my old xB on his website!