Need some head unit advice

[1 Slow Z]

I am interested in putting a touch screen head unit in the wife's truck, but I'd like it to have a back-up with it. I have been out of the car audio game for a long time so I was wondering if anyone had some insight on decent units on the market, or actual personal experience with one? The unit I get also has to work with Sirius radio. Due to my Jewish tendencies I'm not looking at spending a ton of cash. Would like to stay under $500 if possible? Thanks in advanced for any help!

-Mike

[1998ta__1991rs]

i paid a little over $500 for my clarion in my truck, it came with all the harnesses, backup camera, DVD, Nav, bluetooth etc. It was on sale at crutchfield\

heres a few nice ones if you don't want navigation, by the time you buy the backup camera youll be right at $500

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_020VX40....html?tp=20217

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130P240....html?tp=20217

[Kwiksilver]

I've been doing a lot of research here lately and the pioneer units seem to be the cats meow. The avhp4400 is the new one to have. The 4300 is last years model that is just as good minus a few doo dads.

[minytrker]

I have pioneer 4300's in everything. Its hard to beat for the price and features. It also works with pandora and your iphone. I have had 2 backup cameras on my dually in 5 years, the first one lasted 4 years and both cost under $50 a piece.

[PapaBear]

Yeah the new Pioneers are top notch. I'm running an AVIC X-920BT in the TBSS and it does just about everything. Can be had for about that money too. But it doesn't do Sirius or come with a backup cam, but can be added pretty cheap.

I think the 4300 is a little cheaper for almost the same functionality.

[BigdaddyDupree]

I have the 3300 and love it. I don't like full touch screen nor the motorized function to put a cd in. I also have the backup camera

[chrisheltra]

Current Pioneer top of the line model.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...rs/AVH-P8400BH

Ive always been a pioneer fan too. They can be had for around $500 BNIB on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PIONEER-AVH-...item1e6e7ae42b

[ShawnBoyMoody]

Super tuner ftw!

[04ctd]

Mike, FWIW, I went cheap and got a AVIC-d3 Navi unit for my truck.

it's so crap-tac-ular, that the navigation can't get me from church to home.
usually, we run the AVIC Navi & a Garmin on the windshield...it's THAT bad.

in others word, i should have spent another $100 on a better unit, than spending the extra $100 on the Garmin.

so, being cheap on this buy, may not work out. i would step up to one of the units someone personally recommends, esp if they can let you put your mitts on it & check it out.

i love the back up camera & all other stuff is ok, but the Navi portion is FRUSTATING on my bottom of the line unit. but, it's a few years old, so the newer ones may be better.

i got all mine from crutchfield, and they replaced the camera free when it died (year warranty?) (of course, i got a clearance head unit)

YMMV, but do your homework.

[chrisheltra]

Originally Posted by 04ctd

Mike, FWIW, I went cheap and got a AVIC-d3 Navi unit for my truck.

it's so crap-tac-ular, that the navigation can't get me from church to home.
usually, we run the AVIC Navi & a Garmin on the windshield...it's THAT bad.

in others word, i should have spent another $100 on a better unit, than spending the extra $100 on the Garmin.

so, being cheap on this buy, may not work out. i would step up to one of the units someone personally recommends, esp if they can let you put your mitts on it & check it out.

i love the back up camera & all other stuff is ok, but the Navi portion is FRUSTATING on my bottom of the line unit. but, it's a few years old, so the newer ones may be better.

i got all mine from crutchfield, and they replaced the camera free when it died (year warranty?) (of course, i got a clearance head unit)

YMMV, but do your homework.

Id personally never buy nor trust an in dash nav. Id much rather buy a garmin that I can use in my car or carry on foot. Cant take your radio out of your dash and carry it with you. I dont expect my radio to be a GPS and I dont expect my GPS to be a radio.

[ShawnBoyMoody]

I just use my smartphone for navigation. Garmin runs me shittin with what they want for updates.

[Mike]

I like the Kenwoods. They use Garmin for their Nav.

I'll be getting the DNX6990HD in a month or two.

[Derek]

Shawn if you are running android I saw a new unit in Crutchfield that uses your phone for everything even the Google navigation.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

[bwelch]

Originally Posted by 1998ta__1991rs

i paid a little over $500 for my clarion in my truck, it came with all the harnesses, backup camera, DVD, Nav, bluetooth etc. It was on sale at crutchfield\

heres a few nice ones if you don't want navigation, by the time you buy the backup camera youll be right at $500

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_020VX40....html?tp=20217

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130P240....html?tp=20217

x2 on clarion head units. My Clarion is a little over three years old without any problems. It still works as good as it did new.

[1 Slow Z]

Do none of these units come with the backup camera, or is it something you have to buy separate?

Since I'm kinda dreaming, does anyone have/make/sell a kit that includes 2 monitors for the head rests? It would be awesome to have a complete system so the kids can watch in the back. Thanks for the help folks!

[PapaBear]

Some do come with backup cameras, but for most it's an "add-on" feature. FWIW, I am using a backup camera from eBay that cost $11 and it is perfect, no problems whatsoever. Even came with the hole saw to mount the damned thing.

There are lots of headrest kits. Most touch screen HU's will support them, but not allow two functions at once (i.e. you listening to radio and kids watching DVD).

Your best bet for those type functions are to buy headrest DVD players. That way, each headrest is it's own system, so kids can watch what they want with headphones and you can do what you want to do up front. Surely Dodge makes a kit, but probably pricey. Lots of aftermarket companies make them too, that come made for YOUR truck with your upholstery, etc.

[1 Slow Z]

Anyone have any input on some good headrest units? I would like to get the units mounted in the headrests so I guess keep that in mind when making recommendations. Thanks for all the inputs!

-Mike

[minytrker]

I went through 4 sets of headrest tv's before finally just putting my stock headrest back in. The mounts broke on all of them, every time. Then the headrest would just move around. Good luck finding some good ones. My tv in the ceiling works way better IMO.