I am looking at getting a DVD player with the GPS system as well. I have read a lot of good things about the Pioneer AVIC D3 and the Kenwood DDX - 7015. I am leaning towards the Pioneer more because the GPS is already part of the unit. Are there any other units out there that you guys recommend or maybe you can sway me towards one or the other of the 2 I am looking at now? I would like to stay in price range of 1,000 or less. Also I want a double din unit and not the flip up screen. It is for a 2005 F150. Thanks for you any input.

 

Well...other then the cheaper, less reliable brands...those are both pretty good. If anything, just check all the "better" brand websites, and see what they have. Other then Pioneer and Kenwood, there's JVC, JL Audio, Sony, Emerson (?), Harmon Kardon, Eclipse, Jenson (?), Alpine are what I can think of off the top of my head. The (?) mean I'm not sure if they're too good of brands, but I'm not a professional either. Duel make DVD in-dash, but they're like a Wal-Mart brand from what I've been told...so just do some research I guess. I have the D-3, and I like it. You have many options you can get as well, like Blue-tooth, XM or Sirius Satellite Radio, IPOD, and whatever else. I would probably go with either the D-3 or 7015. Weigh their options and pick the best one that fits what you want. Good Luck

 

I forgot to mention that the Ipod option and its intregation and ease of use on the touchscreen are something i am concerned about. I will mostly be using my Ipod for listening to music. Anyone with the pioneer and have any complaints about the Navigation system and having to leave the DVD in?

 

With the AVIC-D3 you have to have the navigation DVD in to do any changes to your route such as picking new destinations, finding fuel or food stops along the way etc. Other than that I have heard it is a very solid unit.

The Kenwood units have an external Navigation unit so you don't have to swap out the discs (except for the new 7100). I assume you mean the DDX-7019 as the 7015 is a few years old and I don't think it works with the new navigation unit.

I have the Kenwood DDX-6019 with add on Navigation unit (KNA-G510) and I love it. I can set my destination and have the navigation going on the dash screeen while playing dvds in the background. I can change my route, make stops, etc without swapping out discs. The map updates can also be purchased and downloaded to an SD card to update the unit for around $100 (I have been told that updated map DVDs for the Pioneer units run around $400, but I'm not sure). The 6019 is nice, but the 7019 and 8019 are a year newer and have much nicer background and menu systems along with other features. They are also video iPod compatable. I personally would recommend the Kenwood over the Pioneer, but I think they are both good units.

Check out http://www.sonicelectronix.com for better pricing than most places. You won't get a factory warranty but they warranty it for 1 year themselves and sell much cheaper than factory approved dealers. With electorincs, if it doesn't go bad in the first year it probably isn't going to go bad unless it is mistreated.

 

It doesn't bother me...the only thing that I didn't realize was...you put in your destination, it will save it in memory. But, which I guess if I would have thought about, I removed the disk to listen to a CD during my destination. Though, I didn't follow the exact directions, only because I knew of a better way (testing the deck). Well, since I didn't follow it turn for turn, it basically told me you're SOL, because you took out the disk, and now I can't tell you where to go from here because you didn't listen to me to start with. That would be the only reason you need to leave the disk in. If you don't follow it's exact directions, it won't figure a different route after you pass the original turn or whatever. If you have an IPOD though...leaving in a disk wouldn't matter. If you wanted to watch a movie...then it would become a problem. Hope this helps.

 

I guess the update disks for Pioneer are $250, but avic411.com knows how to get them for free I guess. Of course, new disks won't be out until next spring or so.

 

I would also recommend looking at the Eclipse units. The Pioneer is a good unit, a buddy of mine has it and he has no problems with it, however if you were to go with the Pioneer I would seriously consider the AVIC-Z2 with the hard drive. I have the Eclipse AVN5495 with the hard drive and love it, the ability to store songs on the hard drive is definitely worth the extra money not to mention that the route calculations are basically instant with the map on the hard drive as opposed to a delay with the DVD based maps. Either way I would say go with Pioneer or Eclipse, the Kenwood doesn't have as good of mapping software as the others.

 

The ipod integration to the D3 is great, it's easier than using the controls on the ipod itself and you have all the song info displayed on the screen.

I have all my music on the ipod so I just leave the nav disc in all the time unless I want to play a dvd movie that isn't on my ipod.

If you do listen to cd's alot you can hook up a cd changer to the D3, then you wouldn't need to remove the nav disc.

 

Check out avic411.com before you purchase a pioneer. You will get lots of reviews and where to get the best price on all the AVIC units. Also from what I've read the Z2 has a issue with the software freezing up.

After reading that the D3 has to have the nav dvd swapped out everytime you want to enter directions I scratched it off my list. I'm now looking into the Eclipse units with the hard drive or 2 dvd slots.

 

I am selling my Pioneer N2 with navi antenna and navi west CD and small remote. All in good condition. $560 shipped to your door. If you want the TV tuner, i will let go for $100 plus shipping

 

Kenwood uses Garmin navigation, I find it very easy to use and read. 200Proof if the first person I have heard not like it.

 

Thanks for all the responses guys. I have read some reviews on the Eclipse Units and it seems like a lot of people are really disappointed with them and the navigation on them.

 

I have the AVIC Z2 in my F250. It is a very good unit. Voice control and bluetooth. I recomment the AVIC Z2 It has a hard drive that needs no disc to operate.

 

I also have the Z2 and it is top o the line in my book. System kicks ***!!,

 

Ive got the Avic D3 and love it. I installed mine in my 2004 F150 and it looks perfect in the dash. The install is pretty easy too. I recommend it.