So I installed a new head unit so that I could listen to my iPhone and have Bluetooth connectivity. I did lots of research and finally decided on the Pioneer DEH 6100BT. The sound is much nicer than the stock radio with no other changes at all. Having said that, here after a few weeks of living with it, are my pros and cons as I see them in respect to the Crossfire:

Pros:
Much Better Sound Quality than stock radio
Bluetooth Connectivity (including stereo BlueTooth - yay iPhone 3.0!)
Piano Black bits look nice
Silver bits look nice
Not cluttered with buttons
iPod interface better than others that I experimented with (Alpine, Sony, Kenwood)
3.5mm and USB connections

Cons:
Blue lights
Controls take a bit of learning (have to actually READ the directions... yech)
Some controls that SHOULD be immediately obvious are not... though it happens that those that are not are the ones that I don't care about (like radio presets), so it's okay... but for some people the controls may be a deal killer... look at it carefully before you buy it
Be nice if there was a USB connection on the back as well as the one in front

Overall, I'm very happy with it. Anyway, if anyone's considering, I hope that helps.

 

Happy some one is happy with their audio purchase over the weekend. Congrats!

I purchased this Kenwood

KDC-BT742U

over the weekend. The controls are so user UNfriendly it is



Unbelievable! To select a preset satation it is a 3 step process. The USB says my HTC touch diamond phone is a N/A Device . Though the bluetooth works well. Going to try and return. I also had BB due install and I think something is wrong because when I turn off the car the presets all revert back to what ever the factory ones were and just setting them is a 5 step process. Or I have something else in the menue is on or off that shouldnt be. The user manual is worthless but you have to try and understand it to get anywhere.

I would NOT recommend this to anyone. I hope I can exchange it.

This is what I get for: a) changing my mind and not getting the Alpine. b) being impulsive.

 

Sounds like the red and yellow wires got swapped during the install. Yellow is battery; red is switched on with car key. If you get them swapped you would have the problem you described.

 

Sorry to hear that, striker. One thing I did notice when shopping is that with the proliferation of external devices that can be attached to your car these days, the various head unit manufacturers have taken very different paths towards incorporating controls and inputs for them. There's some really wacky button configurations out there now.

Mine, for instance, requires (I think) you to use the included remote control to set radio presets (and to easily change to them... I think). I didn't mind that, since I don't ever use my radio in the car, much. But for some people, that'd be a really bad thing. So I think you have to consider how you want to use your new radio and then make sure that the controls of the one you want to buy suit your needs.

Also, if you're attaching iPods and/or Bluetooth devices... that adds whole new dimensions to your buying decision. And of course, there's also "How's that going to look smack dab in the middle of my dashboard?" to consider lol

Best of luck to you! Hope you're able to get one that you're happy with!

 

XFiringInNC is correct. All these units have interface learning curves. Some a bit more involved than others. I have an Alpine that was installed by Tweeters last summer before the went bye bye and I have noticed that my stereo no longer comes on without the key in the ignition and turned to accessory. Before it used to come on when turned on, no key, just like my Mercedes. So I'm wondering if they screwed up the wiring?
ppro any thoughts?

I am happy with the sound and the I-pod operation.
Pat

 

Solved my problem with the Kenwood. It's gone! I did alot of research before I picked out a new one. I was looking to spend arount $250 to $300. As I was researching I read some reviews on the Kenwood I originally bought. They all said the same thing. Destruction manual was really bad and the unit was impossible to use.

What did I get? I got the Sony mexbt2700. It was $159 at BB. So far the sound is a million times better than what the Kenwood put out. It has Bluetooth built in. I would rate that an 8 out of 10.

The coolest feature? It has bluetooth audio! I have lots of music in my phone and that was something I really wanted. Most of the Bluetooth audio capable units were double or triple the price of this unit. The sound quality is very good. There is a very small amount of backround noise from the bluetooth audio. The only way you will notice this is sitting in the car, in the garage, with the car off and the volume lower. I don't think most people would even notice. You will never hear it while rolling.

I understand that car audio is getting high tech but the Kenwood was designed very poorly. The Sony is a million times more user friendly. I have an HTC Touch Diamond Sprint phone. Talk about something complicated? I was ready to return that after 3 days of frustration. It's windows 6.1 mobile based. But, I new the phone had potential so I stuck it out. The Kenwood had NO potential othe than to be frustrating.

I've always had good luck with Sony products. I could have spent $300 or $400 and not been as happy. I highly recommend this unit to anyone in the market.

 

Hey XFiringInNC,
Where did you purchase your radio? Who did the install? And, did it help with the radio reception?

 

Got it at Best Buy and let them install... and no, it didn't make much difference on radio reception, I don't think. I hardly ever listen to the radio, though.