I called Crutchfield the other night to ask about the color of the new SD-card HU (is it white or silver... she didn't know BTW), and decided to order one; they have a 30-day return policy, for any reason, free shipping both ways, so i have nothing to lose.

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...ion+sd&tp=5684

I'll update and post pics when i get it.

 

Not bad for $150.

 

no, not bad at all - built-in bluetooth and 4GB worth of music per SD card (not sure if it supports high-density cards).

just hope its silver!

 

This is a great looking head unit with perfect features. I haven't burned a CD in 2 years until I got my SRT a couple of weeks ago. I looked at this head unit and after checking out the Clarion site and a few others and it seems to come in "iPod" white. Here is a site that states the color:

http://www.2dayblog.com/blog/2007/01...tereo/?lang=en

If it looks great with Silver let us know since it's perfect expect for the color. Who makes a white head unit expect for marine units?

Keep us posted.

 

yeah that picture really does make it look white. and crutchfield has updated their description to "pearl" - its not looking good. i'll let you know.

 

I pre-ordered this unit on 9/18/07 and it is still on back order. Crutchfield has called three times to inform me they do not know when they will receive this unit from Clarion and would I still like to wait. What's the deal?

 

they told me it was estimated to ship on 10/22, but that got pushed back. i got an email from them last week to that effect. their website has been updated to "ship date uncertain" so we'll see what happens.

 

The email I have been waiting for finally came today. My receiver has been shipped and should be received in 3-4 days. I will take pics and do a write up once installed for those thinking about this unit.

 

yup, they sent me a black one...

 

Rob:

How does the black version look? It would be great to see both the Black Version and White Version installed in a Crossfire.

Also do you know if it supports A2DP which allows you to stream music via Bluetooth to your head unit?

Also does the AUX input in the back use a 3.5mm jack or standard L&R inputs?

Pictures are always good.

 

let the record show theyve now sent me two black ones...

 

They sent me a black one to, which would have been nice if I ordered a black one. Sending the black one back and my peral one should arrive on 11/05 or 11/06, with install on 11/07 or 11/08.

 

I wounder if they have the peral one in stock?? Guess, I will find out in a day or two.

 

Does have thier Pearl head unit yet?

Only if they made it in silver it would be perfect for the Crossfire techies.

 

UPS delivered another package yesterday, but im away this week for work, so ill find out on Friday. and I agree about making it in a true 'silver' instead of pearl --

and Gang Member, when i called the second time their theory was that the model numbers were either crossed, or not even differentiated at all. so we'll see.

 

Review (IMO)
3.5 stars out of 5

Appearance-
The unique styling of this unit attracted me to it, like the CF. Once installed, I was slightly disappointed that the unit did not come in gray/silver. The pearl color does not look bad in the CF but it does not look GREAT. The plastic look of this unit goes well with the plastic surrounding but would go GREAT if the unit came in gray/silver. At night this unit shines, looking GREAT because of the color changeable “gill” lights and less obvious pearl appearance. The function buttons (blue) and the display (white) are not color changeable but the ability the color changeable “gills” save the night.

Functions BT, SD, Radio-
The bluetooth capability and SD reader compliment the appearance of this unit. After reading the manual, operating bluetooth equipment (phone, ipod) was easy to do. Sound quality from the phone in bluetooth mode is only as good as your service provider (got bars). The ipod sound quality is better than the FM transmitters I had in the past. Once again, I had to consult the manual to understand the SD layout. The one complaint about the SD reader is, it does not play your songs in the order you lay them out on your computer. So get ready to search your folders for your number one song. Now, for the radio I have only one complaint as well and that is signal strength. Some stations easily picked up by the OEM unit, the Clarion unit struggles to tune in. Not sure if it is the unit or the needed antenna link causing the problem (maybe both).

Install-
I took the unit to a local installer because this is not my specialty. I spent a total of 60mins there and 40mins were spent talking about the car (performance, our forum, mods). NO AMP BY PASS NEEDED! NO SPEAKER WIRE REQUIRED!

Overall-
For the price, the styling and included functions I would recommend getting this unit. I can't seem to get the pics to upload but now I have to get back to work, so hope this little review helps.

 

Thanks for the review. I think the white pearl ruins it for me.

I just picked up a Motorola Q9h and I think I'm going to go with this head unit: JVC KD-BT1 CD receiver

I think the Bluetooth Intergration could work out quite well and the silver plastics seem to match as well as the adjustable display colors.

 

heres some pics. im annoyed that the button text is not color changeable like the button illumination (gills). the blue is both a mismatch and hard-to-read.

that being said, im going to give it a shot for a couple of weeks and see if it grows on me. if not ill return it, and reinstall my JVC.

i also noticed the connector on the back of the Clarion is the EXACT connector the XF uses... all the wires are even in the right spot. if you didnt have to use the pre-outs it would be a direct swap; no scosche harness would be needed.

edit: the Clarion pic is NOT the final installed pic. i just removed my JVC face and took a picture with the Clarion face in its place. i might actually try to paint the white Clarion bezel silver because i think it would blend better. we'll see.

 

I like the looks of the "fin shapes on either side of the unit.

 

anyone want to buy mine (instead of me returning it to crutchfield)? its a direct swap to your XF... all the wires have been soldered, all harnesses in place for a 5-minute swap job... no experience necessary

$160 shipped.