YACAT: Detachable faces

[NutBucket]

I was out shopping HUs yesterday for my gf and came to the conclusion that out of anything I've seen in the $200 range the Eclipse HUs sounded heads above everything else; Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, etc.

The only thing that worries me is the fixed faceplate. I've been giving it some thought and realized that most people just throw their faceplated in the glovebox or under the seat or in the trunk. Theives know this so what good does it really do? My current HU has the flipping face that goes to black. Its also removeable but I usually never bother. When its a black face its not like thieves won't know what it is so what all does it really accomplish?

So what do you guys and girls think? I've decided it doesn't make any difference so I'm almost definitely going to get an Eclipse.

 

[MikeMike]

eclipse, when purchased from an authorized dealer has a theft warranty. so if it gets stolen w/ in 3 years of purchase, you get a new one.

just fyi.

and yes, eclipse is supposed to sound the best.

MIKE

 

[murphy55d]

I don't even take the faceplate off my Pioneer anymore, and I spent 350 bucks for it. You're right, what;s the use?

besides, Eclipse has some kind of anti-theft guarantee, don't they?

 

[3chordcharlie]

If you aren't going to take it off most of the time, it's not really worth worry about right? I have no idea how much theft is prevented by detachable faceplates. I've had plenty of friends get their stereos stolen even though the faceplate was off, and not in the car.

 

[fs5]

depends where you live, if you live in so-cal it matters... if you live in the sticks of montana, maybe not.

 

[gigapet]

eclipse headunits arent above anything.....


ALPINE HEADUNITS ALL THE WAY.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: gigapet
eclipse headunits arent above anything.....


ALPINE HEADUNITS ALL THE WAY.

:disgust:

from everything i have ever heard. alpine is up there, normally RIGHT under eclipse. i have never heard either, but eclipse is supposed to be the top dog out of all. anywhere you read that is how it ends up.

MIKE

 

[gigapet]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1

Originally posted by: gigapet
eclipse headunits arent above anything.....


ALPINE HEADUNITS ALL THE WAY.

:disgust:

from everything i have ever heard. alpine is up there, normally RIGHT under eclipse. i have never heard either, but eclipse is supposed to be the top dog out of all. anywhere you read that is how it ends up.

MIKE

yeah i admit i am biased......

nobody tops them though as far as sleek look, interface and usability

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
depends where you live, if you live in so-cal it matters... if you live in the sticks of montana, maybe not.

No clue. The only person I know that's had a car stereo stolen was one of my cousins about 15 years ago. They've tried to break into my car once when it was parked in the driveway. Luckily they never got in.

Yes, I live in SoCal.

 

[Encryptic]

I don't think faceplates are completely worthless IF you bother to remove it and actually take it with you when you leave the car. The thief may decide not to bother and move on to a different car.

The idea is to make your car as undesirable as possible. Granted, your car may get jacked or broken into by someone who knows what they're doing/really wants what you have, but why not be proactive and take a few steps to avoid tempting anyone?

I live in SoCal and drive a Honda Civic with the stock stereo. I also Club the car religiously, even in my complex where they have cameras watching the lot, and make sure I don't leave anything potentially valuable like shopping bags, CD cases, etc. in plain view. I used to visit my brother's place when he lived in the ghetto for a couple of years and never had a problem even when I parked the car all night, despite having one of the most-stolen cars in America.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Encryptic
I don't think faceplates are completely worthless IF you bother to remove it and actually take it with you when you leave the car. The thief may decide not to bother and move on to a different car.

The idea is to make your car as undesirable as possible. Granted, your car may get jacked or broken into by someone who knows what they're doing/really wants what you have, but why not be proactive and take a few steps to avoid tempting anyone?

Yeah, but thieves know that most people do just leave it in the car. That still doesn't stop them from breaking in. Eclipse has a guarantee that if its stolen within 2 years or something you get a replacement at no cost.

 

[Modeps]

according to This Guy, they're worthless!

 

[Encryptic]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Encryptic
I don't think faceplates are completely worthless IF you bother to remove it and actually take it with you when you leave the car. The thief may decide not to bother and move on to a different car.

The idea is to make your car as undesirable as possible. Granted, your car may get jacked or broken into by someone who knows what they're doing/really wants what you have, but why not be proactive and take a few steps to avoid tempting anyone?

Yeah, but thieves know that most people do just leave it in the car. That still doesn't stop them from breaking in. Eclipse has a guarantee that if its stolen within 2 years or something you get a replacement at no cost.

Yeah, I'll give you that. Still, being proactive about not leaving enticing stuff in plain sight doesn't hurt.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1

Originally posted by: gigapet
eclipse headunits arent above anything.....


ALPINE HEADUNITS ALL THE WAY.

:disgust:

from everything i have ever heard. alpine is up there, normally RIGHT under eclipse. i have never heard either, but eclipse is supposed to be the top dog out of all. anywhere you read that is how it ends up.

MIKE

I also see this difference: Eclipse has zero DSP type features. You can adjust bass, treble, midrange and I think it had loudness. Honestly, it took tons of tweaking with the other brands to get a sound that was close. I was comparing different 6.5" Infinity speakers and using the Eclipse made then $100 ones sound as good as the $200 on a different HU. I'm a true believer in how good these units are.

 

[Rent]

About 3 months ago, someone broke into my car and stole ONLY the face. :| It would be nice if I could replace it easy, but Kenwood wants $130 for a face. Just the face. The entire HU is worth $200 at retail, I can buy a new one online for like $150.

When I decide to put another deck in, it will be eclipse. I honestly don't believe that detachable faces are worth anything.

 

[clamum]

I never take the faceplate off my HU but then again I live in the Upper Peninsula of MI. I leave my windows down and doors unlocked (keys in ignition too if I'll only be a minute) so there ya go.

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
depends where you live, if you live in so-cal it matters... if you live in the sticks of montana, maybe not.

No clue. The only person I know that's had a car stereo stolen was one of my cousins about 15 years ago. They've tried to break into my car once when it was parked in the driveway. Luckily they never got in.

Yes, I live in SoCal.

my friend had his car broken into 3 times, stereo stolen twice.. he drives a civic.. easy targets.. he lives in so-cal

 

[Ketteringo]

I like having a cd changer in my trunk The dash just looks like I have a crappy tape deck and noone wants to steal that!

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
depends where you live, if you live in so-cal it matters... if you live in the sticks of montana, maybe not.

No clue. The only person I know that's had a car stereo stolen was one of my cousins about 15 years ago. They've tried to break into my car once when it was parked in the driveway. Luckily they never got in.

Yes, I live in SoCal.

my friend had his car broken into 3 times, stereo stolen twice.. he drives a civic.. easy targets.. he lives in so-cal

You see what I drive so.....?

 

[spacejamz]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
I was out shopping HUs yesterday for my gf and came to the conclusion that out of anything I've seen in the $200 range the Eclipse HUs sounded heads above everything else; Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, etc.

The only thing that worries me is the fixed faceplate. I've been giving it some thought and realized that most people just throw their faceplated in the glovebox or under the seat or in the trunk. Theives know this so what good does it really do? My current HU has the flipping face that goes to black. Its also removeable but I usually never bother. When its a black face its not like thieves won't know what it is so what all does it really accomplish?

So what do you guys and girls think? I've decided it doesn't make any difference so I'm almost definitely going to get an Eclipse.

I still remember when you had to pull the whole unit out and carry it around by the handle...really sucked when you took it into a restaurant and then hoped your friends wouldnt spill their drink on the table...it seemed cool at the time...

 

[OREOSpeedwagon]

Originally posted by: Rent
About 3 months ago, someone broke into my car and stole ONLY the face. :| It would be nice if I could replace it easy, but Kenwood wants $130 for a face. Just the face. The entire HU is worth $200 at retail, I can buy a new one online for like $150.

When I decide to put another deck in, it will be eclipse. I honestly don't believe that detachable faces are worth anything.

lol ouch =/

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: spacejamz

Originally posted by: NutBucket
I was out shopping HUs yesterday for my gf and came to the conclusion that out of anything I've seen in the $200 range the Eclipse HUs sounded heads above everything else; Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, etc.

The only thing that worries me is the fixed faceplate. I've been giving it some thought and realized that most people just throw their faceplated in the glovebox or under the seat or in the trunk. Theives know this so what good does it really do? My current HU has the flipping face that goes to black. Its also removeable but I usually never bother. When its a black face its not like thieves won't know what it is so what all does it really accomplish?

So what do you guys and girls think? I've decided it doesn't make any difference so I'm almost definitely going to get an Eclipse.

I still remember when you had to pull the whole unit out and carry it around by the handle...really sucked when you took it into a restaurant and then hoped your friends wouldnt spill their drink on the table...it seemed cool at the time...

Yep. Back around 1990 my dad had those installed in both our cars. Too bad they were the really sh!tty ones tho. I think the brand was like Jet Sound Electronics or something along those lines.

 

[KevinH]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1

Originally posted by: gigapet
eclipse headunits arent above anything.....


ALPINE HEADUNITS ALL THE WAY.

:disgust:

from everything i have ever heard. alpine is up there, normally RIGHT under eclipse. i have never heard either, but eclipse is supposed to be the top dog out of all. anywhere you read that is how it ends up.

MIKE

I also see this difference: Eclipse has zero DSP type features. You can adjust bass, treble, midrange and I think it had loudness. Honestly, it took tons of tweaking with the other brands to get a sound that was close. I was comparing different 6.5" Infinity speakers and using the Eclipse made then $100 ones sound as good as the $200 on a different HU. I'm a true believer in how good these units are.

Here's the thing though. When a would-be thief sees an Eclipse...they know you've got some heavyweight gear to go with it. No one's going to put an Eclipse deck in their car and couple that with some cheap gear.

I've owned both Eclipse and Alpine and the difference is there albeit not as huge as you say...not at all. LMK if you want to audition some serious gear in LA. I did my sq system on the cheap (OZ Matrix fronts, AUdiomass Sub, MMATs sub amp, Zapco to drive my components) but there are a few guys I know that compete with some SERIOUS gear for SQ competitions. One word of warning though...if you start, you'll never look at crap like Infinity's the same. PM me if you are in the So Cal area.

btw - For what it's worth when I'm getting a new car I'm going to get an Eclipse .

 

[NutBucket]

Thanks for the offer KevinH but this gear is for the GF and I can get the Infinty's for about $60 a pair. While they probably don't sound nearly as good as the stuff you're talking about they sound great for the price.

And yes, I'm always in the So Cal area