Head unit to suit dash instruments

[teK--]

I am looking at moving the stereo I had in my old car into the Liberty, which will involve changing over to the double DIN A/V panel so I can fit a single DIN head unit into it.

The old head unit I have, a Panasonic that was top of its range 4 years ago has great specs and features but has blue backlit buttons and screen. I will really miss the nice red buttons and white screen from the stock stereo when I change over.

Ideally I can find a new head unit either Alpine, Eclipse or similar medium-end unit which has equivalent features to the Panasonic (need 3 sets of 5V RCA outputs, prefer to have auto-dimming and phone mute).

What head units have people been fitting, post pics?

[llbjt]

Recently found the mother of double DIN HU's as far as im concerned. Its the Eclipse AVN726EA and has only been out for a couple months i think.

http://www.eclipse-web.com.au/Site/Product/Product.aspx?ProductID=f7525562-7e92-102c-afa9-8fd06794b0b4CategoryID=04031090-406c-102b-b5be-3e5906103f0c

http://www.eclipse-web.com.au/Site/Guest/General.aspx?Page=SpecAVN09

Its got built in GPS (maps look the same as the Navman platinum series) with live traffic updates (SUNA), aswell as bluetooth handsfree, video output for rear monitor, AV input, rear and side camera inputs, SD card slot, USB port, DVD playback, 5V 6ch preamps, and best of all blue/red switchable illumination to suit the interior of the Lib!!

A little pricey though. Really want to see one in action.

[loweart]

JVC KD-AVX33 single DIN in my previous 2.5 Lib






Kenwood DDX5032 double DIN my current 3.0R Lib

[cpitts]

Alpine units have the ability to set the dials/buttons to whatever colour you want.

They also have plenty of RCA outs on their ~700 single din SQ decks as well as all the nice features you want (TA, EQ, Para, sound printing, etc).

Clarion (the makers of the Mc head unit in the MY07+) also have some v.nice SQ gear but you'll be heading north of $1K for that. But sposed to be the bees knees.

[teK--]

The Kenwood looks great Loweart, looks like it is already/about to be discontinued as Ryda have them on sale for $799 down from $1499! I am not sure about having a nice double din touchscreen though in terms of stealability...

I didn't know that about the Alpine HUs, Cpitt (changing the backlight colour). I may look at their ~$500.00 head units in that case. In the meantime http://www.alpine.com.au/products/produ ... odelID=425 is EXACTLY the kind of look I am after, just clean, simple and doesn't scream STEAL ME! Shame it's only a single pair of pre-outs though.

[loweart]

The Kenwood looks great Loweart, looks like it is already/about to be discontinued as Ryda have them on sale for $799 down from $1499! I am not sure about having a nice double din touchscreen though in terms of stealability...

Ryda has had this headunit discounted when the Kenwood DNX7320 which has inbuilt GPS was introduced a couple of months ago. Mate considering how much effort is needed to get all the facia trim around this unit off before you can even get to the mounting screws, it's alot harder to steal than say many of the single DIN units these days which just slide and clip into a single DIN sleeve/bracket. Also of note with these double DIN Kenwood's is that they have a security PIN code that YOU set so that if the unit is stolen and power is interrupted to the unit, it won't start again until you key in the correct PIN.

If you are worried about a double DIN being stolen, I suggest something like the JVC KW-AVX810 which has a detachable screen.

All the best with your search

Cheers,
Lok

[teK--]

Thanks Lok I have added the Kenwood to my wishlist in that case; a few other toys in the pipeline atm I also gotta get suspension work done as a priority since the stock is driving me

Perhaps by the time I'm ready the price will be hiting firesales

p.s. Thieves never care about taking off trims the proper way, they just use screwdrivers and pry their way through to anything they want! After all they don't need to put the car back together afterwards and have to look at it every day

[gumbyy]

Alpine units have the ability to set the dials/buttons to whatever colour you want.

Not my IVA-W202E stuck on blue illumination
Also I've had my Alpine double din DVD for a while now and *knock on wood* have not had any issue with security.. Just be wary of where you park and for how long.

[nytrojen]

If you want something that really looks almost stock: try the Alpine CDE-102 or CDE-103.

Here's mine:

http://forum.liberty.asn.au/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=4934

The colours match up exactly to in dash colours

[loweart]

Thanks Lok I have added the Kenwood to my wishlist in that case; a few other toys in the pipeline atm I also gotta get suspension work done as a priority since the stock is driving me

Perhaps by the time I'm ready the price will be hiting firesales

p.s. Thieves never care about taking off trims the proper way, they just use screwdrivers and pry their way through to anything they want! After all they don't need to put the car back together afterwards and have to look at it every day

Sorry to temp you , but I've just gone MAD and listed this -> viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5480&p=78841#p78841

[Drew]

I really like the look of the Alpine CDE-103EBTi.... built in Bluetooth, iPod Full Speed, 4x50w ...

i just need the $$'s for the unit and the dash kit now... LOL

[teK--]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

For the meantime I will stick with the Panasonic I have; I just remembered that it has a REALLY good black-out mode where the screen and surround, buttons etc all switch off until you press a button again when it comes back on for about 10secs. This is great for when driving on dark highways etc and don't want blue glaring in my face.

I also kept looking and found the Eclipse CD-5030 which has just been released and has ALL the features I need plus it has switchable red/blue illumination and very nice minimalistic panel design. Going for $450.00 now but I have just ordered heaps of other toys so will wait to see how well received this new HU is by the market (so far user reviews have shown lots of annoying bugs and quirks with it).

[adz2.0r]

JVC KD-AVX33 single DIN in my previous 2.5 Lib






Kenwood DDX5032 double DIN my current 3.0R Lib

abit off topic im sorry but where can you get plastic bit (sorry not to sure what it is called) to fit in a double din head unit?

[teK--]

adz: go to www.japanparts.com and order part #107-209-006. There are a few variants of that part you need to get the right one. If you aren't sure just let me know I am happy to guide you.

[loweart]

There's one for sale in the For Sale forums at the moment, but please check with seller if this is the correct one for your model ->

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5442