I was wondering what people changed their head units to. I have the Bose option in my Tahoe. Ive looked on Crutchfield and such but it seems that a lot of people have complaints about the headunits being slow and/or buggy. I thought about something with Android Auto but don't want to have to have my phone tethered to it just to be able to use navigation. Just looking for some input since tax time is coming up and will be able to replace the stock radio. Its not that I dont like the stock sound I just want some more functionality with a more reliable nav since it has put me in some wrong places at times. lol. Thanks.
New System Options
- Thread starter byrds6
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PaulS63
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Kenwood DDX9902s with Idatalink Maestro RR. Like it a lot. Kept the Bose amp, use+ a new SiriusXM and replaced the speakers with Focal. I added the usb outlet in the dash, use Android Auto occasionally for nav, but ordinarily just the Bluetooth.
They recently released google maps with an offline mode, haven't had a chance to use it, but it might work with the android units and has me wanting to give one a try. If only there weren't some many other things that I want to get/do to the 'Burban first.
I just havent seen anything that jumps out at me. Some of the ones Ive looked at looked nice but it seems a lot of people have complained about them in some form or another. Im not very good with change to begin with but I would like more functionality out of my system. Not to mention for it to read the whole disc lol.
PaulS63
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Nav only works with either usb or mhl, but Kenwood has a lot of models with built in nav.
Factory speakers were 8 years old, very cheesy. The Focals are a big improvement.
Factory speakers were 8 years old, very cheesy. The Focals are a big improvement.
PaulS63
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This one does nav, android auto, apple car play bluetooth all in one:
http://www.kenwood.com/usa/car/navigation_multimedia/dnx773s/
http://www.kenwood.com/usa/car/navigation_multimedia/dnx773s/
Didnt see that one listed as compatible on Crutchfield's website. I saw some others but when I checked other places for reviews is when it started getting ugly. I did notice that the Kenwood systems put out more than the Alpine though as far as RMS power. Anyone know what the stock system puts out?
I just read that the Pioneer 8100nex has its own maps and doesnt have to have your phone connected to nav. I did notice too though that the RMS output of the radio is much lower than the Kenwood. Anyone have ideas on the Pioneer compared to Stock system?
PaulS63
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Why not just use the existing Bose amp? Easiest solution.
I plan on leaving the Bose amp in place. I just meant the actual output of the stock system vs aftermarket. I did notice too that the sensitivity of the Kenwood headunits for the FM radio exceed the Pioneers. Its so hard to decide what to do lol. I surely do not want a laggy/buggy unit nor one that sounds worse than stock. Almost any nav should be better as there have been many times the stock nav has sent me to the wrong address or did not tell me the absolute best/fastest route to take.
mr tahoe
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I went with android double din and ill make it really easy after using my deck i wouldnt trade it with any name brand i just love, having google maps and wifi in your own car radio is just frkn awesome
Honestly I probably wouldnt use Google maps from my phone. I do not think I like the idea of my phone having to be plugged in all the time. However I do know that both the Pioneer and Kenwood have built in maps as well. I think the Kenwood has Garmin and Here and the Pioneer only has Here.
PaulS63
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Radio sensitivity of the Kenwood is awesome. Bose doesn't provide any specs for the amp, but it's way loud, even with the 4 ohm aftermarket speakers. I'm using a Maestro rr with gm5+ and it's very easy to set up. Only snag with aftermarket head unit is the depth. Have to remove plastic piece behind to make room for it. Also the metra dash kit is too wide for the bezel, have to sand off 1/16 each side.
Whenever I figure out what unit I want I'll probably just have it installed. That way if something happens they are responsible for fixing it. I meant output of the actual head unit. The amp will increase whatever it's given to the max of its ability. Of course if it's given less there will be less output. I do think I'm leaning more to the Kenwood though. I just don't want a paperweight. Lol. Is Kenwood owned by jvc now?
PaulS63
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I believe the bose system head unit output is line level.
PaulS63
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Not the bose head unit, just the separate amplifier.
This is not for everybody of course, but there's always the tablet approach using the stock radio, etc. I've done this in my last couple vehicles and it works great for navigation, music, etc. Just depends if you're bothered by the appearance I suppose. My setup is reasonably clean and when it's time to trade/sell the Burb, I can get it back to stock in a few minutes. Not to mention that to me, at least, having the navigation screen higher up and more in your line of sight is really helpful. The iPad has its own SIM so it doesn't rely on connecting to another device for nav/music streaming.
