I cannot see the controls on my dash radio in my 91 Grand Villa. I have a Kenwood unit in there but it is hard to see the control face especially when driving. Has anyone upgraded to something with a big screen possibly that could be mounted on my dash or cup shelf in between the seats,etc. Something big enough to see what's going on etc. Any ideas, recomendations.
When upgrading the electronics in my GV, I wanted a surround sound system with DVD capability and USB input. First found an off-brand single DIN unit, but the thing was fully menu driven, and so complex that my DW had to pull out the manual each time we wanted to listen to the freaking radio. Don't know about anyone else, but I need to keep my eyes on the road when I drive. I next purchased a sweet Pioneer double DIN unit, but could find no available dash space without cutting up my dash. NEVER gonna happen.
I spent a great deal of time searching for a single DIN with most-used controls available manually on the faceplate, and a screen large enough to view with a glance. All together, a pretty tall order. I found a wonderful unit with all of my snobby demands included. Even one-touch rear vision IR color camera that plugs right into the existing OEM wiring. It is the Kenwood DDX470. The screen slides out and flips up when the unit is on, but slides back in for access with a touch of a single button. The DDX770 is the same model, but with menu driven controls. Avoid that one.
BTW, does anyone want to buy an unused Pioneer double DIN surround stereo?
The Kenwood DDX470 and the DDX770 are both double din units. Did you cut up your dash to make them fit?
I just looked them up and like Michael posts, they are double DIN. I have always been a Pioneer fan but the Kenwood reviews were great so I purchased one a year or so ago. The sound is super with HD FM a real plus too. But like you said, I can't read the display while driving and for a Mac user, it's like going back to DOS where you have to look everything up if you have not used it for a week. Agree about not finding enough room to cut up the dash to get a double din to fit. The slide out and up is ideal.
I'm just sticking a Pioneer double din in our RAV4. Fits like OEM and does GPS maps, phone, bluetooth, etc.
How about a repost on the Kenwood model number you found and perhaps a review? GPS maps too?
For those tempted like I was to get a head unit that operates on Android, consider that you have to wait for it to boot when you turn it on like any tablet/phone. Otherwise, they would be great.
Pierce
You're absolutely right. I'd had a Post-it note with the models, because my son wants to buy the Double DIN, and I wrote the wrong ones into my post.
The single DIN that works for me is the Pioneer AVH-X7800BT
How embarrassing.
I purchased through Crutchfield for my 1998 U320. Very happy with the results.
Pioneer AVH-3300NEX DVD receiver at Crutchfield.com (https://www.crutchfield.com/p_1303300NEX/Pioneer-AVH-3300NEX.html?tp=20217)
Will you post a picture of it in your dash so I can get a better idea of how it fits and looks.
We have a Pioneer DEH-80PRS,single din audiophile sound,and a remote,works great.
We checked out the Pioneer Ava-3300nex at Best Buy 2 days ago and according to PC world it has the best features. And it's a single din. The screen also seemed pretty solid when deployed. The last one I looked at ( few years ago) was not as secure when the screen was out.
I hope to be able to run the back camera through it, maybe some side camera's and they claim it has a video out so we can use it for a DVD player too.
Amazon was about 100 bucks cheaper that Best Buy.
Pioneer AVH-3300 NEX pics...Hopefully this will work
We replaced ours some time back, but don't really need to change channels while under way, since we subscribe to Sirius XM. We have dock for the module in the overhead Bose cabinet, but can move it to the dash when driving. While in the cabinet, the Bose speakers are used and while driving, the speakers connected to the dash radio are on. We get the Sirius for around $30 for six months and have to negotiate that twice a year, since they automatically bump it up to the regular price if we don't. It's amazing how accommodating they are when you tell them you'd rather cancel it ("since we only use it sporadically in the RV") than pay the higher price. I guess they think $60+ dollars a year is better than nothing. If you try this, don't use my name!
I just installed a Pioneer DEH-X7800BHS from Crutchfield. Ordered three and put one in the RV, my boat and my car. Helps cut down on learning a new radio everytime I hop in something else. I picked this model for the HD Radio and three sets of RCA outs for the boat with amps running high wattage JL Audio speakers and subs. So far have been very happy and have always been a Pioneer radio user.