I am thinking of getting a new head unit but I don't know what kind to get. I have been looking at a few brands and I was wondering if I could get some input on each brand or if you could put them in order from your fav to least fav or tell me if you would absolutely never buy any of them.

Clarion

Kenwood

JVC

Pioneer

Eclipse

Panasonic

I don't want alpine because I heard they are too complicated to control. If you guys have any other suggestions please let me know and tell me where I could get them. Thanks much for any opinions.

 

JVC and Kenwood have a usb connection on some of their decks. Kenwood also has a feature that measures the car's performance (acceleration, HP, lateral G forces, etc.)

 

Main features are going to be the deciding factor here.
If I was out to purchase a new HU I would be looking very hard at the new Pioneer 880PRS. Dual 16-band EQ,5v outputs, excellent three-way crossovers available, very good time alignment, an auto-EQ/TA feature that works quite well, detachable faceplate, beautiful classy looks, and a decent warranty. All at an unbelievable price.

 

That sounds exactly like what I am looking for. Any places you know of that I could find one of these? I checked a bunch of online sites and didn't find them.

 

So far Ebay is the best price if you're living in Canada. Some guys in the US getting them from their dealers for $350-400USD. Some guys up here quoted $800 for one. Ebay is ~$325+ for one.
I would try to find a local dealer willing to not rape you on the price of one and if that fails then turn to Ebay.

 

um... Alpine.

you have to be slow as a sloth to not get how they work. not complicated at all IMO.

 

Clarion can not say

Kenwood can not say

JVC i would not go with this one

Pioneer can not say

Eclipse i like the one i have

Panasonic can not say

 

Out of your list I would only choose Kenwood or Pioneer - Pioneer for features, Kenwood for sound.

In the end I would get Alpine though.

 

Awesome, i wasn't sure how kenwood was for SQ. They have a lot of nice looking cd players and I thought that maby Kenwood was just looks with poor performance.

 

Well, I got myself an alpine just recently, and I'm really satisfied with it. It's a CDA-9831. It took a little getting used to the menus, just like with any new headunit, but now I'm fine. I don't think it's as complicated as you've been told.