Are any of these head units any good?

[Synomenon]

I'm looking for a new head unit / receiver. Features I want are a front aux in and a USB port or SD slot OR both. I also want a rear aux input so I can keep the stock aux jack in my car. The screen has to make sense for a unit that will be used to browse directory structures (like in SD cards and USB flash drives). I've been looking at Crutchfield since I'd prefer to purchase from them with my Sony financial account. I have found a couple of possible units so far:

Blaupunkt Memphis MP66
http://www.crutchfield.com/App...showAll=Y&i=023MEMMP66

Eclipse AVN2210p
http://www.crutchfield.com/App...showAll=Y&i=099AVN2210

JVC KW-XG700
http://www.crutchfield.com/App...showAll=Y&i=105KWGX700

Blaupunkt Melbourne SD27
http://www.crutchfield.com/App...showAll=Y&i=023MELBOUR


Anyone have any experience with any of these units? Which would you recommend?

 

[LS20]

Eclipse over JVC . i woudlnt buy Blaupunkt.

For a good brand with lots of features for the price, check out Pioneer

 

[Synomenon]

So the AVN2210p is the one to get out of the four I've listed above? What's wrong with Blaupunkt? Thanks, I'm a noob when it comes to car audio. The features I want have changed. I definitely want a USB port AND aux in on the front of the head unit and another aux in on the back. It has to have a screen that makes it easy to navigate folders, etc..

 

[ryema22]

My advice is to go into circuit city, best buy, etc. and check out the units mounted on their displays and check out the screens in person and how the controls work for navigating them. I've seen quite a few decks that are absolutely awful at navigating file structures, If that was a major feature for me I wouldn't buy one without testing it out first.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

As a former car audio competition winner Alpine > all.

 

[Synomenon]

I haven't found any reasonably priced Alpine units with the features I'm looking for.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
I haven't found any reasonably priced Alpine units with the features I'm looking for.

Thats usually the hard part cause they are better units so price wise they are going to be more. My car audio days are well behind me so I am WAY out of the loop as to whats out there but when I was in it my car brought the goods to the SQ table.

 

[livingsacrifice]

Out of those I'd say Eclipse, I'm also keen to Alpine units, the last 3 units I have owned are Alpines. I tried switching to Pioneer Premier but I had problems with it and it was the top of the line one so I will never go back to them. I'm actually looking for a new one for Ipod connectivity but I'm thinking about going Eclipse this time.

 

[PianoMan]

I've owned Eclipse units in the past, and do like them. Can't speak for JVC or Blaupunkt, but a friend of mine has the latter in his car, and while it doesn't do any fancy tricks, it sounds good and is very reliable.

I don't think the Eclipse is able to display MP3 info from aux inputs on the Tom-Tom display, however. Not sure how it shows the info you need on that smallish flourescent display on the top left, but it sure ain't too big.

Judging from your post, it sounds like you don't have an iPod. But if you do, I've got an Alpine IDA-X001 on the way, and it sounds like a good choice as well. Once I get it wired up, I can let you know how it is.

PM

 

[Synomenon]

I was considering purchasing one of the new iPod Nanos later this year and getting an Alpine IDA-X001 now. The Blaupunkts seem to be the only ones with all the features I'm looking for (that don't cost an arm and a leg), but people don't seem to have good things to say about them. I gotta find a car audio store around here.

 

[livingsacrifice]

I owned a Blaupunkt in my old car, was just a basic cd player with 2v preouts and only 2 of them but it did sound alright. I wasn't into car audio as I have been since then.

 

[Synomenon]

I went to my local BB today and looked at the Alpine IDA-X001. It's pretty nice. I think I'm going to go for that unit. I don't have an iPod yet, but have been planning on getting one of the new Nanos. If I do get the Alpine IDA-X001 and the 3rd gen Nano, which cable is the best to use to connect the Nano to the Alpine IDA-X001?

It looks like the Alpine IDA-X001 comes with a connection cable, but there's a different one that you can get:
KCE-422i
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-k...p=5684&tab=other_items

I downloaded the X001 manual from Alpine's site and it looks like you can have the iPod cable AND a separate USB cable (for connecting other MP3 players / flash drives). Can this really be done (connecting both the iPod cable and a separate USB cable)?

 

[livingsacrifice]

Yeah it looks like a great unit, only thing that bugs me is the 2v preouts, I really need 4v.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
I went to my local BB today and looked at the Alpine IDA-X001. It's pretty nice. I think I'm going to go for that unit. I don't have an iPod yet, but have been planning on getting one of the new Nanos. If I do get the Alpine IDA-X001 and the 3rd gen Nano, which cable is the best to use to connect the Nano to the Alpine IDA-X001?

It looks like the Alpine IDA-X001 comes with a connection cable, but there's a different one that you can get:
KCE-422i
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-k...p=5684&tab=other_items

I downloaded the X001 manual from Alpine's site and it looks like you can have the iPod cable AND a separate USB cable (for connecting other MP3 players / flash drives). Can this really be done (connecting both the iPod cable and a separate USB cable)?

Good to see you going over to Alpine they really are the best on the market in the head unit area.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: livingsacrifice
Yeah it looks like a great unit, only thing that bugs me is the 2v preouts, I really need 4v.

man it really has been a long time for me in the car audio area 4 volt preouts brings back memories when I was into it heh.

 

[Synomenon]

Yeah, the Alpine is the most appealing to me so far. I've read user comments and reviews on it though on the iLounge forums and it looks to have many bugs that still haven't been ironed out since its release.

I'll have to go back to BB to play around with it more.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
Yeah, the Alpine is the most appealing to me so far. I've read user comments and reviews on it though on the iLounge forums and it looks to have many bugs that still haven't been ironed out since its release.

I'll have to go back to BB to play around with it more.

If you want some info from some of the top guys in the world heres a site. Ask for Eric hes one of the sons of the guy who started the company my CRX used subwoofers from them. They are past world champions in the car audio world with a few cars they have built.



http://www.usdaudio.com/contact/