I'm in the market for a double DIN unit but I'm having trouble finding exactly what I'm looking for.

The features I want:
- GPS Navigation (on fixed storage so optical drive is free)
- Touch Screen
- Plays CDs (duh)
- AM/FM tuners
- MP3/WMA functionality (either built-in storage or SD/SDHC)
--- If built-in storage, some way to get music on there without ripping all my CDs again

Preferable but not necessary:
- DVD playback
- Voice command
- Bluetooth hands-free
- HD radio tuner
- Auxiliary inputs

Don't care for:
- XM/Serius
- Onscreen iPod controls


The closest thing I could find is the Pioneer Avic-Z1 or Avic-Z2. But that's a little more than I want to spend, does not have the ability to copy MP3s to the hard drive (but it does rip CDs).
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_9006_Pioneer+AVIC-Z2.html


I'm trying not to spend more than a grand. I'm fairly confident I can install it myself. I went to Circuit City and saw some models that cost twice as much for less or similar functionality. I just really don't know where to look.

Please help a guy out. Please do not post and tell me I'm wasting money. It's my money to waste.

10/10/2007 5:11:09 PM

I know this goes against what you want to hear, but there is a reason why only the 2k+ in dash units support Music storage and playback via onboard storage. Because iPod integration is better, cheaper and in demand.

If you only have a grand to spend, you should get any one of the ~700-900 dollar options that meet your other criteria, and then get an ipod + connection kit. It solves all of your music issues, will still be in your price range and will get you the best solution for your budget.

10/10/2007 5:29:31 PM

I was thinking of doing that. I would prefer an entirely in-dash solution because theft or damage will be covered by insurance. The ipod audio/video integration is a nice feature, but more than half the iPod owners I know have had one stolen in the past.

As far as I know there are no similar features for other branded MP3 players, meaning I'd have to operate the MP3 player itself instead of being able to control it through the much more convenient to use (especially while driving) head unit.

I was considering getting an iPod Touch, but the functionality is just too limited.


But, in that spirit, do you know of any in-dash GPS units that have hard-drive based navigation besides these really expensive ones? I may end up buying one of those double DIN bare-bones computerrs and adding a USB gps

[Edited on October 10, 2007 at 6:15 PM. Reason : ]

10/10/2007 6:03:09 PM

nope.

Here's the theft solution that no one ever thinks about:

Get the ipod kit, route the ipod into the GLOVEBOX. Lock the glovebox. Problem solved. All of the head units that feature ipod interoperability work REALLY well through the in dash touchscreen.

Plus you can get a 4G or 5G iPod for not much scratch on ebay, connect it and go. Get the 40 or 60gb, doesn't matter how shitty the battery is on it, because its powered by the dock.

10/10/2007 6:59:28 PM

i bought a boss a few months ago that does everything you want, except fixed storage and:

- Voice command
- Bluetooth hands-free
- HD radio tuner

it has/does everything else, and was only about $400. it's def. not a top of the line brand, but everything i read at the time indicated it wasn't cheap junk either.

it also didn't come with a gps antenna, but you can add it.

[Edited on October 10, 2007 at 7:20 PM. Reason : oh, it's got a tv tuner too... ]

10/10/2007 7:17:42 PM

what's the model? i'm gonna go do a search.

Quote :

"Plus you can get a 4G or 5G iPod for not much scratch on ebay, connect it and go. Get the 40 or 60gb, doesn't matter how shitty the battery is on it, because its powered by the dock."

I didn't even think of that. Naturally I would put the iPod in the glove box, but it doesn't have a lock. But I suppose they'd only steal it if they broke in for the head unit.

10/10/2007 8:35:00 PM

check out the pioneer avic-d3. i love mine.

Quote :

"- MP3/WMA functionality (either built-in storage or SD/SDHC)"

i went ahead and burned all of my music onto dvd's. i have appox. 800 songs on one dvd. no need for big bulky cd cases anymore.

[Edited on October 10, 2007 at 9:40 PM. Reason : -]

10/10/2007 9:33:05 PM

^as easy as that sounds, management is a pain in the ass compared to the ipod interface.

10/11/2007 9:53:33 AM

Have they made the ipod interface on the pioneer units any better than they used to be?? I had an avic-n2 and added the ipod interface..it was fucking TERRIBLE. As in, if you didn't have playlists and/or almost no music then there was absolutely no good way to browse through it all.

[Edited on October 11, 2007 at 10:27 AM. Reason : nvm, yeah, it's a hell of a lot better now]

10/11/2007 10:25:06 AM

anyone know of such systems that have screens for use in convertibles? that's the biggest bitch for me right now

10/11/2007 12:30:48 PM

do any aftermarket head units have SD card slots?

I know the newer Audis have SD slots in the factory stereo, which is awesome.

10/11/2007 12:40:27 PM

^^what do you mean? as far as glare?

10/11/2007 1:54:22 PM

Quote :

"as easy as that sounds, management is a pain in the ass compared to the ipod interface."

how so? mine are all in order by artist and song title. i actually ripped all my cd's to my hard drive and burned them to dvd. all the "loose" music or single songs are in a folder marked "various" so i just scroll through that folder and pick the song i want. you can even scroll through each page so it's not like i have to manually scroll through each song.

10/12/2007 10:46:56 AM

Quote :

"i went ahead and burned all of my music onto dvd's"

uggh

ipod ftw

10/12/2007 11:47:18 AM

dvd's can hold a shit-ton of music you know...

10/12/2007 1:16:02 PM

because a lot of people like the ability to make these things called playlists.

on dvd's you either have to put music on there by genre, artist or playlist. you make a choice and you are done. on an ipod, you can change how you organize your music on the fly. maybe you don't use that capability, but it's pretty well used by the general consumer

10/12/2007 4:39:32 PM