_MD_

If you were to install the best car audio/video system, where money is not an issue, what would it be?
I'm am excluding custom rigs such as carputers or embedded laptops, this post is strictly about OEM brands that you can easily buy and install.

So far I've narrowed down the search to 5 candidates:

• Alpine INA-W900
• Sony XNV-770BT
• JVC KW-NT3HDT
• Pioneer AVIC-Z130BT
• Kenwood DNX9960

If there is a sixth option, PLEASE let me know! By the way, I saw a Panasonic announcement last year claiming that their system would be the first one to play blu-ray, but it is nowhere to be seen
Also, if you have experience with any of the above, please share your thoughts.
Any kind of feedback (audio plays in low quality, navigation software sucks, or best user interface) is very welcomed!

Thanks

P.S. Does anybody make 7"+ displays (8,9,10")? I am only looking for high quality though, not a cheap knockoff for $300... Thanks

Father Yuli

iTrader: (17)

alpine

pioneer is a close second

_MD_

I would also like to add Eclipse AVN726E to the list. What do you think of that model?

I've looked at Alpine, it looks very good. I am also a big fan of TomTom, and am therefore looking at Sony as well. Do you guys know if in any of those models I could fast forward the song just (like in winamp) by clicking on the progress bar, rather than holding the FF button?

Lord Huggington

iTrader: (1)

Why worry about the display size when you can mount a 40" flat-screen into the dash?

You can transform the windscreen into a TV by using the same technology that's used to make disappearing/colored glass.

Schnitz

I would forget the GPS portion of any headunit. They become outdated much too fast.
I use Google Navi on my Android phone. Its better than any GPS I've ever seen in a car, its constantly updated and takes traffic into consideration without any added cost.

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

The eclipse unit is a incredible machine. I have the Kenmore and I do not like it that much at all by comparison. When I was in the business we sold way more Eclipse than Kenwood hands down.

Hardwrkr

iTrader: (5)

What's the draw to the Eclipse? Just curious. It has next to no audio processing and there isn't even any add-on options to improve this. I just bought last years top Kenwood so no opinion on it yet but the feature list is nice (and I like Garmin for GPS).

Father Yuli

iTrader: (17)

i agree, GPS in a head unit is not as good as a stand alone unit.

_MD_

I know, I was thinking of separating them out as well. But then I looked at my dash and the space on the windshield, I couldn't think of a place where to stick the external GPS unit. It is either blocking a view, or will not hold. At this stage all I need as a jukebox (already bought 1TB of rugged/shock-resistant awesomeness) with good controls (fastforwarding especially), video input with distance censors and hd radio.
My ultimate goal is to build a carputer eventually which will have everything I need on a 10inch screen. But for the time being, I think I will settle for Sony as it is the only model that has TomTom (I prefer TomTom over Garmin).

Thank you all for your input.

Dukk

Make sure you play with it first. Some of these receivers are ridiculously slow to respond to commands. Some are very picky with where you touch on the touchscreen too