Looking to install an aftermarket in-dash head unit with GPS in my '05. Haven't much cared for the portable units. I've been looking at the Kenwood units. Anyone have any experience with these? Good, bad, indifferent? If not, what other units are you guys installing? Were you able to maintain functionality with OnStar, bose speaker system, steering wheel controls, etc...

Thanks in advance!

it will require adapters to keep onstar swc and bose about 150 bucks on top of the price

kenwood makes a good unit for the money i like pioneers better myself

I just installed a Kenwood DNX 5120 with built in Garmin navigation, XM radio, and the best thing ever....a back up camera. I love it. I had to purchase an adapter for my streeing wheel controls to work ($75.00), one for the on-star and Boes (think that was $130.00 or so) and also another adapter for my chimes to work ($25.00). Bought all of them at local radio shop. All well worth the money. I went with Kenwood because of Garmin. They are the best nav. No disc, all on the hard drive. Last time I looked crutchfield still had a few of these for less than $600.00.

Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback Russ! How is the GPS? Functionality and ease of use? I've seen a few reviews that state its a bit quirky and has some bugs...

I'm interested in this as well.

Thanks for the feedback Russ! How is the GPS? Functionality and ease of use? I've seen a few reviews that state its a bit quirky and has some bugs...

I have only had it installed for 3 weeks or so. I have used the GPS on two occasions. I had no probles either time. The Nav was easy to program the address in. While driving the Nav shows, so if you want to change the radio station, or switch to DVD or XM Radio... you have to push your function button and then your display will show for your tuner, DVD, or XM Radio. After I made my selections, just push the Nav button and the Nav re-appears and is still tracking.

As far as functionality and easy of use. To me it's like any other computor/electronic gaget. Once you lean how to navigate around the menu, it's pretty easy. Most of it is common scene, but there was a couple of times I have had to get the directions out.

All and all I am very happy with it. Much better than having a GPS stuck to my front windshield. I have no regrets :)

Check out Eclipse too. I really like mine (AVN6620). Nav works well, I like the fact I can control my IPod from the head unit. Takes an add on box to do so but a nice touch. DVD looks great on screen. It's just a very expandable setup.

ive really not had any problems with using any of the gps systems they all do there job actually

What seems to be a good price for them? Crutchfield had the Pioneer units in there for 800 bucks. The DVD/GPS units were over a grand.

SonicElectronix and OnlineCarStereo are the cheapest places I have found.

I have had a Kenwood 5120 for a little over a year now and it has been awesome. I just moved it from my 05 over to the 07 Classic I just bought. I don't have OnStar or Bose, so I can't help you there. I have the PAC adapter to enable the steering wheel buttons as well as a Boyo backup camera.
I highly recommend the Kenwood because of its' Garmin GPS. Very easy to use and I use it often while traveling.

Thanks for the feedback guys! Anyone have any experience with the Pioneer unit? I am also considering the AVIC-Z3, but was curious how well the voice recognition for the GPS worked? Any other feedback from those that may have it?

I have the AVIC-Z3 and it works well. Don't use all the features like the voice rec. but everything is simple and I like it alot.

x2 on eclipse ive had it for over a year no problems with sirius, ipod, steering wheel controls and the gps is real nice and easy to use.

I had a pioneer d3 in my old truck and it was an awsome radio, I pulled it before i sold the truck and it wont fit in my new one :(

I had a pioneer d3 in my old truck and it was an awsome radio, I pulled it before i sold the truck and it wont fit in my new one :(


y wont it fit? dodge has double din radios too just need to change the trim plate to double din one


and i picked up a new pioneer f90bt for tiffs car for 515 bucks on ebay love the unit

I've been looking at the Pioneer Premier AVIC-F90BT as well. Registered over at avic411.com to find some more info on it. Once my head stops spinning and I can learn to comprehend everything over there hopefully I'll get some better reviews on it.

I've been looking at the Pioneer Premier AVIC-F90BT as well. Registered over at avic411.com to find some more info on it. Once my head stops spinning and I can learn to comprehend everything over there hopefully I'll get some better reviews on it.


thats what i bought for my wife for her car other than no wireless remote i love the unit i have considered selling my d3 and buying one but idk yet

thats what i bought for my wife for her car other than no wireless remote i love the unit i have considered selling my d3 and buying one but idk yet

Are you having many of the problems that I've read about on avic411? The more I read about it the more I'm thinking of looking into a different unit.

Are you having many of the problems that I've read about on avic411? The more I read about it the more I'm thinking of looking into a different unit.


never had a single problem out of it 411 has got its ppl that bitch even if it works flawlessly like the forums we visit

Well guys, I ordered the new Kenwood DNX9140. Had trouble locating one, as they are just now hitting the shelves. Should be here either Friday or Monday. Will have it installed next week...

Well guys, I ordered the new Kenwood DNX9140. Had trouble locating one, as they are just now hitting the shelves. Should be here either Friday or Monday. Will have it installed next week...

Did you buy it on line or local? If online what was the site.

I'm still liking the DNX5120 from Kenwood.

I bought it online from Pacific Stereo. I just received a notice from Crutchfield that they, too, now have it, although at a $350 premium.

Did you buy it on line or local? If online what was the site.

I'm still liking the DNX5120 from Kenwood.


its a good unit too

Did you buy it on line or local? If online what was the site.

I'm still liking the DNX5120 from Kenwood.

The DNX 5120 is awesome and has the best of both worlds...I love have the touch screen, but still have a knob to turn the volume up or down. I guess you can call me old school :cool:

The DNX 5120 is awesome and has the best of both worlds...I love have the touch screen, but still have a knob to turn the volume up or down. I guess you can call me old school :cool:

Well I guess I'll have to either look harder for a new one or buy one off of refurbdepot.com Apparently these have also been discontinued.

Next question. Once I get the new nav unit, what all will I need to install it? Mounting kit, wiring kit, steering wheel controls kit? I'd like to do the hack so where the nav and DVD will work with the truck in motion.

Well I guess I'll have to either look harder for a new one or buy one off of refurbdepot.com Apparently these have also been discontinued.

Next question. Once I get the new nav unit, what all will I need to install it? Mounting kit, wiring kit, steering wheel controls kit? I'd like to do the hack so where the nav and DVD will work with the truck in motion.

Look at post #3. I listed out what I needed and what it cost me to get everything to work...streering controls/Bose/chimes... As far as getting the DVD to play while your driving...that's easy. There is a wire (can't remember what color is was) that is suppose to hook up to your parking brake. Instead of that, just ground the wire. That way the system thinks the parking brake is on and you can use all functions anytime. You can also set up the back-up camera to work while driving down the road. That way you can keep an eye on your rig while driving. :cool:

well for the hack it depends on the model either way its a ground wire or 2

you will need a pac swc either the hardwired one if you get a pioneer or the infared one if you get the kenwood or a z3 or something. you will need a mounting trim ring and last a a wiring harness for the gm cars with the chime box i like the periphial ones they already have a wire for swc adapter so no need to cut anything and have a switch so you can turn off the chimes cause they annoy you. all this is about 150 bucks on top of your intital price more if you have bose. also you will need a gm antenna adapter there 5 bucks. and if you want xm you will need a xm tuner on top of this.

i just put this kenwood in my wifes cousins truck last night btw its nice but id still like the f90bt better

What seems to be a good price for them? Crutchfield had the Pioneer units in there for 800 bucks. The DVD/GPS units were over a grand.

Will

OnlineCarStereo has the Kenwood DNX 5120 for $649.00 and the DNX 5140 is $685.00. (both are DVD/GPS) SonicElectronix is out of the DNX 5120 and the DNX 5140 is $699.99

Good Luck

Emailed a seller on ebay who is selling a 5120. Asked he what he wanted for it and ended up getting for 520. I'm pretty happy. Now I know what my g/f is getting me:D

Got even luckier tonight. Went to Best Buy. They had 1 left on close out for 5 even so I picked that up.:D

Will

That where I got mine. $490.00 out the door. Close out and an open box discount. Couldn't be happier. Congrads on a great deal. I'm sure you will be happy with it :D

i just put this kenwood in my wifes cousins truck last night btw its nice but id still like the f90bt better

For sound quality reasons and garmin nav, I would take the 8120 or the new 9140 7140 over the f90bt. I do have the f90bt.

Are there any special tools for removing the stock head unit? Also when I was on Crutchfields website trying to find a wiring harness they said that there wasn't one. Any idea as to why or where I could find one? It's the DDX512.

No special tools needed. I purchased all my wiring adapters through a local stereo shop.

Are there any special tools for removing the stock head unit? Also when I was on Crutchfields website trying to find a wiring harness they said that there wasn't one. Any idea as to why or where I could find one? It's the DDX512.


a socket set and a gm wiring harness

I

All and all I am very happy with it. Much better than having a GPS stuck to my front windshield. I have no regrets :)
The only concern I have for these units is that it forces you to take your eyes off the road and in heavy traffic nearing an intersection that is not a good thing.

Ok now I'm kinda concerned. I got to looking for my harness and what not and it says that I have to buy a spereate piece for the nav to work. Am I missing something? It has a nav button right on the front of the unit. I thought this worked with the nav straight out of the box? Any help? Its the DDX512.

Ok now I'm kinda concerned. I got to looking for my harness and what not and it says that I have to buy a spereate piece for the nav to work. Am I missing something? It has a nav button right on the front of the unit. I thought this worked with the nav straight out of the box? Any help? Its the DDX512.


Did you buy the nav module?

No. Basically I think I screwed up. Got the 5120 confused with the 512. It had the nav button and all on the front. I didn't realize that the 512 needed a nav module. The 5120 has it all built it. Hell for the price of the module and the head unit I could buy a much better unit with the GPS built in. I'll just have to return it. Not real happy with myself but shit happens.

No. Basically I think I screwed up. Got the 5120 confused with the 512. It had the nav button and all on the front. I didn't realize that the 512 needed a nav module. The 5120 has it all built it. Hell for the price of the module and the head unit I could buy a much better unit with the GPS built in. I'll just have to return it. Not real happy with myself but shit happens.


what i was getting at will but it is a good unit and you got a excellent deal

The only concern I have for these units is that it forces you to take your eyes off the road and in heavy traffic nearing an intersection that is not a good thing.

they have turn by turn voice

No. Basically I think I screwed up. Got the 5120 confused with the 512. It had the nav button and all on the front. I didn't realize that the 512 needed a nav module. The 5120 has it all built it. Hell for the price of the module and the head unit I could buy a much better unit with the GPS built in. I'll just have to return it. Not real happy with myself but shit happens.

Will.

That sucks!! Hopefully Best Buy will take it back.

Good Luck

Yup they took it back today. This is the cheapest that I can find it new.

http://powersellernyc.com/product/view/Kenwood-DNX5120-AllinOne-NavigationDVD-Entertainment-System-22352.html

Or this one on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kenwood-DNX5120-GPS-Navigation-System-NEW-NR_W0QQitemZ220419331288QQihZ012QQcategoryZ156955Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

For a unit that is no longer made, people sure do want an arm and a leg for the damn thing.

has anyone tried the Eclipse AVN7000 or the Pioneer AVIC N5? i have read the Eclipse unit has a "clunky interface" and the Pioneer unit i don't know if i can make play video while driving....any suggestions?

has anyone tried the Eclipse AVN7000 or the Pioneer AVIC N5? i have read the Eclipse unit has a "clunky interface" and the Pioneer unit i don't know if i can make play video while driving....any suggestions?


pioneer you can requires one wire to be moved and grounded

ok, cool, i thought they were harder than that, when i researched them before i bought the Kenwood i put in IronHyde, pple made a big deal about it.