What Head Unit?

[Murty]

Hey guys,

I have a VX S Commodore. I love it!
I am looking to upgrade the current stock audio system to something decent and am wanting recommendations for a head unit.
These are my requirements:
- CD Compatible
- MP3 Compatible
- iPod Compatible
- Control iPod from the deck
- Can hook up to my steering wheel controls
- Compatible/Optimal with the Pioneer TS-G1642R Speakers
- Around the $300 - $400 mark
- Don't mind if its standard size or double size (as the current stock one is double size)

I have my eye on the 'Pioneer DEH-3100UB', but I am hearing that I should be avoiding Pioneer Head Units...

Also, I currently have a Pioneer TS-W302R Sub-Woofer, what Amp would be recommended?

Cheers

[holdenboy]

Mate youve got a ton of options here, even if you leave Pioneer out of the equation....heres a few i got off Ryda, plus an Alpine.
I have a soft spot for Kenwood, have used them for over 10 years and i still have my first HQ head-unit from them, still works A1. Although i have noticed with the new models they are lacking a little with their style and functionality.
Ive fitted a few different JVC and Clarion head-units, including the ones ive suggested.....The JVC "looks" the best of them all IMO, and has good GUI and features etc. I havent personally owned one for any decent amount of time so i cannot comment on the build quality etc. They just seem "too good to be true" i think.
Alpine is not the most sexy looking unit, but it makes up for this in build quality.....which i reckon is the best of all the units ive suggested.
The only thing i can suggest to you is to take into consideration the units below, then go into your local car audio store and ask to have a play with them, plus any others that catch your eye or the salesman suggests.
As i said, theres HEAPS of units out there with the features you want.....so an easy task it wont be


Kenwood:
Ryda Car Audio - Kenwood KDC-MP6043IP USB Car CD MP3 Tuner ($284.85)

Clarion:
Ryda Car Audio - Clarion CZ309A Car CD MP3 USB Ipod Player($239.95)

JVC:
Ryda Car Audio - JVC KD-R805 Car MP3 Bluetooth Ipod Tuner($389.85)

Alpine:
Alpine Electronics of Australia

You'll also need the steering wheel adaptor, STEREO STEERING WHEEL CONTROL ADAPTOR suits VT VX VY VZ - eBay, Other Car Parts, Accessories, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 03-Jan-10 12:52:32 AEDST)
Like that one, but there will be others around too.

I personally dont like the new Pioneer units, as they are too hard to control / adjust settings with the "all in one" jogstick or whatever you call it. But then again, some people ive talked to love it.....just like most things in car audio, it comes down to what YOU want, and not what other people tell you.

As far as an amp for your sub goes, its 4 ohm and has a power handlng of 150wrms. So this means an amp with a power output of 150-250wrms at 4 ohm is suitable. Heres a few suggestions:
Option Audio OAX502, a great little monoblock thats a tad more power than you'll need, but if you add a second TS-W302R, it'll be perfect for those subs.
Shopping Secure - Car Audio Specialists - Option Audio OAX502

Kenwood monoblock, very similar power output to the OA amp above....so again if you want to upgrade or add another sub to your system this will work great too:
Ryda Car Audio - Kenwood Car Audio KAC-8104D Car Amplifier($208.85)

Pioneer monoblock, same sort of story as above.....just added this one too as you might have a preference for Pioneer
Ryda Car Audio - Pioneer Car Audio GM-D7400M Car Amplifier($278.85)

The reason for me suggesting monoblocks for a single 4 ohm voice coil is that if you want more bass, you dont need to upgrade th amplifier, just add a second sub or upgrade to a better DVC sub.

Hope this gives you a better idea on what you should be looking at etc

[VjamesY]

Alpine Electronics of Australia

I got this for $400 in september, down from $500.
Great headunit and Is compatible with ipod.

[10oxr]

Go for an Alpine you wont be disapointed.......ALPINE CDA-105E, I paid $340 about 2 or 3 weeks ago, awsome head unit for the price, go to JB HI FI they had the best price, nothfield wanted about $470.......... 3 pre outs, ipod connection and bluetooth, you will need to buy a single din pocket, $40

[holdenboy]

Single DIN pockets can be had for around $15, if you paid $40 for one then youve been ripped off.
An example:
VT VX COMMODRE POCKET / FORD / MAZDA - eBay Accessories, Cables, Audio, Video, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 31-Dec-09 20:55:30 AEDST)


But i do agree with the guys when they suggest an Alpine unit, great quality

[10oxr]

i paid $29 for mine but they retail for around $40, plue mine goes around the whole unit, that one from ebay looks crap.

[holdenboy]

They fit and look fine, ive done tons of VT-VXs and used those pockets everytime. What you have is the facia kit, not a single DIN pocket.

[10oxr]

[10oxr]

sorry my mistake, that's what the guy an jb was calling them

[holdenboy]

No worries, you have a VY, the VT-VX actually have a different stereo. The facia kit you have is made for the VY-VZ and is the only option when installing a single DIN unit to a VY-VZ.

Anyways, sorry for going OT......

[Murty]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Looks like Alpine is the way to go.
Has anyone got this one: Alpine Electronics of Australia
(I do have an iPhone 3G)

[holdenboy]

Dont know too much about that model but have played with a few models down the line, only problem is it dosent have a CD player, assuming you already knew that

[Murty]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Looks like Alpine is the way to go.
Has anyone got this one: Alpine Electronics of Australia
(I do have an iPhone 3G)

Does anyone else have any experience or opinions with this head unit?

[MR_VX]

i have a vx and i installed a pioneer head unit with direct ipod control and i also installed a little divice to be ablt to use my steering wheel control buttoms, like every car i own theres never been any problems with any pioneer items thats all i often use

[Murty]

Hey guys,

I have a VX S Commodore. I love it!
I am looking to upgrade the current stock audio system to something decent and am wanting recommendations for a head unit.
These are my requirements:
- CD Compatible
- MP3 Compatible
- iPod/iPhone Compatible
- Control iPod/iPhone from the deck
- Can hook up to my steering wheel controls
- Around the $300 - $400 mark
- Don't mind if its standard size or double size (as the current stock one is double size)

Also, I currently have a Pioneer TS-W302R Sub-Woofer, what Amp would be recommended?

Cheers

Hey guys,

I want to resurrect this post again as I am back on the market for a headunit. I really need something that ticks all those boxes. I have had my eye on the alpine IDA-X305S for a while which does check every box for me.

[kanter]

I'm also thinking of changing the head unit on my VX SS. Same requirements as Murty, ipod connection and control, and keep steering wheel controls.

Brand new or used, I don't care, and I prefer the look of a double din unit. What about those cheap double din touchscreen unit we find by hundreds in ebay?
Thanks,