Any experience with Alpine IDA-X300 or similar head units?
 

Does anyone have any experience with Alpine IDA-X300 or similar head units?

The first thing I noticed, is that the USB connection is from the back - what the hell was alpine thinking here? It would be much better/easier to easily insert usb drives from the front.

Any gripes with this unit when reading mp3 via usb? I am hearing about slow load lines when trying to read id3 tags...anything else?

Also will this unit use the same harness as other modern alpine decks (i.e. the small black one)? I would like to easily swap the harness from my 9884 if possible.

I just picked up one of these units for giggles, just to try out the whole "cd-less" route...

Thanks

its ok with a flash drive but it really shines if u have a ipod

its in the back because if you had an ipod you could route it to hide in your glove box without having a cord sticking out of the deck. i have the ida-x001 (older model) and i like the interface and overall layout. lots of different little options with them. and yes it should match the harness, worked out fine in my van!

Just a note on the cd-less route: I just purchased a Pioneer Premier with USB and Ipod connectors. It also has a cd player but I NEVER play CD's anymore unless I want to listen to a high quality recording that mp3's can't offer.