Bright, flashy things are big distractions at night...Just like cell phones are distractions during the day...In fact, statistics have shown that talking on youre cell phone or playing music really loud is far more dangerous than drunk driving. Eyes constantly on the road, two hands on the steering wheel...That's the safest way to drive. In fact, I knew a guy who was killed in a collision with a police officer because he had his music up too loud and could not hear the police car coming through the intersection at 110mph. Police and fire truck sirens are only 90dB in volume, designed to be heard long before the vehicle is seen.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mnaines &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Bright, flashy things are big distractions at night...Just like cell phones are distractions during the day...In fact, statistics have shown that talking on youre cell phone or playing music really loud is far more dangerous than drunk driving. Eyes constantly on the road, two hands on the steering wheel...That's the safest way to drive.</TD></TR></TABLE>

talking on the phone is a different story. But having a good looking headunit? You don't have to be looking at it all the time while driving, you know? And how would an ugly-looking headunit be any less of a distraction?

 

See...You're not getting my point...People will almost always turn their head towards a bright, flashing light in their peripheral vision. It is a natural reaction to turn towards a bright lightr in your peripheral vision, but turn away from a bright light in your direct LOS. Plus, if it sounds good, then it shouldn't matter how it looks. Besides, "good looking" expensive head units are magnets for theives.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mnaines &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That's just the problem..."It looks real good at night"...More like a severe driving distraction at night.</TD></TR></TABLE>

This is what I'm talking about. I know that lights can be a distraction. But what difference does it make if the headunit looks real good at night or looks ugly? If it has lights, it can be a distraction.

 

Another point I'm trying to make is "good looking", yet very expensive head units are magnets to thieves. I like the Sony Xplod head units because they have a low profile and are not as bright and flashy as some of the more expensive head units, and I like Sony because it has a removeable faceplate for added security. Plus, Sony is well-known as the best company in the electronics industry. Reliability and number of defects are things I consider when I choose a brand of electronics, and Sony, Sharp, Insignia, and Toshiba all have very good reliability and very few defects. I like Sony because Sony products usually last 5 to 10 years at a time and have very few defects.

 

Most headunits now have removable faceplates. Sony isn't special to have that feature.

 

See, that's standard equipment nowadays, but again, I have yet to see any electronics company match or beat the reliability and quality of Sony products. I want something that will last years, not months and something that is relatively maintenance-free. I have this firm belief that anything which does not work correctly should be destroyed. It either works flawlessly or it does not work at all...That is how I see things. I do not settle for anything less than the best, and my time as an electronics engineer has given me plenty of insight as to which electronics companies can truthfully claim they are the best.


Modified by mnaines at 4:43 PM 8/16/2006

 

Your either a hardcore sony rep or trying to get your post count up aguring that sony is better. What ever it is it not helping the op on getting a radio. Go to shows and look at what everyone else is running. I was At battle of the imports and was helping with the judging. I only seen 4 sony radios in cars that were up in the judgeing lanes. Most were alpine and pioneer and keenwood. So go figure. I not saying sony sucks it just not my cup of tea. I think the sony Sony CDX-GT805DX is a decint radio. And how can you say that radio is safer then the 9800? Both can be hooked up to your dimmer lights to tone the brightness down at night. Both have flashy screens with moving objects. So were are you going with this I say?
Don't hate or flame a headunit because you can't afford it. Like I said do you. And you cant compare your radio against that one anyway.
Here are your features
Details:

» CD player with built-in amplifier (17 watts RMS/52 peak x 4 channels)
» plays CDs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs (including discs loaded with MP3, WMA, and ATRAC3plus music files)
» 3-band equalizer
» switchable rear/subwoofer preamp output
» front-panel auxiliary input
» detachable face
» CEA-2006 Compliant amplifier
» clock
» 18 FM/12 AM presets
» seek tuning
» remote control
» CD frequency response: 10-20,000 Hz
» CD signal-to-noise ratio: 120 dB
» FM sensitivity: 9 dBf
» warranty: 1 year
And the pioneer.
Bluetooth Wireless Technology for "Hands-Free" Calling - Built In!
The DEH-P9800BT is Pioneer's first CD receiver to use Bluetooth wireless technology. Using the handset with a cell phone compatible with Bluetooth wireless technology lets you make/accept calls (including call waiting), talk, and hang up without touching the phone at all. You can talk into the unit's included microphone while listening through your in-car speakers. Other features included are Voice Dial, Auto Answering, Phone Book Transfer and ABC Search.

Customizable Full-Color OEL Display
The DEH-P9800BT offers a first for CD receivers, a Full-Color (65,000-color*) OEL (Organic Electro luminescent) with animated graphics that retain amazing brightness. It's an innovation that, for the first time, allows the projection of motion and 3D animated graphics in multiple colors.

Like to customize the graphics on your OEL Display? No problem. Pioneer makes it easy to personalize your display. From a Pioneer website, you can download the necessary software that allows you to edit and create BMP, JPEG or PNG images. You can add animation, special effects, titles and more. Once the data is completed, burn it onto CD-R and insert into headunit. Custom images are uploaded and visible on your display. Download the OEL Screensaver Studio software and new display content at the following site: OEL Screensaver Studio website

Multi-Language Display
For extra convenience, selected OEL models now come with a multi-language display, which can show information in three different languages-English, French, or Spanish. Using the Rotary Commander, allows the user to change default language for all screen displays and menus.

iTunes® AAC Playback Compatibility!
Here's an important world's first from Pioneer: Apple iTunes AAC compatibility! The DEH-P9800BT can play CDs with AAC files ripped using Apple's iTunes Media Player. Now you can make iTunes your one-stop music player for your PC, iPod and CDs as well.
(Note: Not compatible with DRM-protected music purchased from Apple iTunes Music Store)

MP3 and WMA Playback
Enjoy your favorite music downloads and burn onto CD-R or CD-RW and play them on our MP3 and WMA compatible headunits. You'll also be surprised to find that our players support ID3 Tags and WMA text, which display artist, title, track and album information.

Built-in Auxiliary Input
The DEH-P9800BT features a new built-in AUX input, which can be easily connected with a wide range of external devices, such as digital audio players. Simply connect a mini-jack cable to the connector on the front of the unit.

Auto-Flap Motorized Face
Loading a CD into the Auto-Flap Motorized Face is actually fun. Push the OPEN button and the motorized face plate slides out of the way to expose the CD slot, and back again when the CD's loaded. Just for fun, do it again. And when you leave the vehicle, the face can go with you. Just push the OPEN button, pull the face toward you, and pop it into the included face case. And out you go. Another advantage with this design: the face protects the CD slot from dust.

Hi-Volt (5V) Pre-Outs
If you decide to connect an amplifier to the DEH-P9800BT, its three Hi-Volt (5V) pre-outs will deliver a clean, powerful signal path. The higher the volts that a pre-out provides, the better the signal strength to your amp, and then your amp doesn't have to work as hard. These Hi-Volt pre-outs help give you better dynamics, crisper highs, and big, deep bass.

Satellite Radio Ready? Ready.
Satellite Radio. It's digital, high-quality programming beamed from satellites. And the signal that doesn't fade, no matter where you drive. It offers commercial-free music of nearly every genre, plus talk, news, sports, weather, and more. There are two companies that offer this great product — XM Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio — and the DEH-P9800BT is compatible with both of these subscription-based services. So you choose. You'll just need a Pioneer digital satellite tuner to match the satellite service you select.

iPod Adapter Ready with New Full Control
Attention current and future iPod owners: this deck can be your gateway to taking your iPod music collection on the road! The CD-IB100II (or CD-IB100) iPod Adapter is available to add to your Pioneer headunit. Once you connect this adapter, you can control your iPod through the headunit and even view album, artist, and other music info on its display. iPod interface has improved with "Full iPod Control" with key features including control by Rotary Commander which is similar to actual iPod control. You can easily scroll through lists and there is also a multi-line display and list search available. The Pioneer iPod adapter powers your iPod and even re-charges its internal battery. Just think: now you can play all of your iPod tunes via a powerful Pioneer mobile audio system!



and one more thing if you are so hardcore sony why do you have mtx amp running your suppose sony explode system? May be because they are better. So that makes for sony explode system a hybrid. Mtx/sony. Not a true sony system

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mnaines &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I can get all those features and that level of quality for less than $200 by buying Japanese technology. If it isn't "Made in Japan", then it isn't the quality I desire.


Modified by mnaines at 4:08 PM 8/16/2006</TD></TR></TABLE>

What about thoses mtx amps in your trunk? How could you put thoses cheap amps in your trunk that are not made in japan but in the good ole usa.

Mtx is not cheap

 

Is it a requirement?

It has all the features you want + more.

Top of the line based on what? All their sales are down, except their tv's.

All these are very common features. Nothing is out of this world on your list.

Then don't even bother listening to music while driving - it distracts.

What's so special?

So does Pioneer make home audio and commercial equipment. I still don't understand what's so special about Sony. And by the way, their home audio is total crap. They left out the sound quality in it...must be a feature too.

Here goes the parent talk...

Awesome. So you don't even send your stuff for warranty serivce, you simply destroy it.


Glad you like your Sony, but you talk too much cheap propaganda.

 

ok well i still need a headunit haha..
im probally thinking of the pioneer 9800 looks like a good unit. if you guys have any other suggestions lmk thanks looking to buy this next week maybe tuesday

 

Alpine 9857 would be my choice but the built-in Bluetotth feature on the Pioneer is hard to pass up.

 

Its really up to you, and how much you want to spend...

why bother us for info?

all we're going to say is our useless opinions...

if u really want a simple way of doing it..

make a poll...

unbaised...well not really...

and ppl just LOVE clicking things :-P

in the end it just comes down to...

how much u want to spend.. and what do u really like...

all heads from the big quality brands.... do about the same thing in each price range...they are desgined to compete with each other...
apline, pioneer, clarion, kenwood, sony, blaupunkt, nakamichi, etc. etc. (no biased listing, just typing what comes to mind.. also some brands don't compete.. they just make something and put it there)

--------

so how much do u want to spend?

 

are there any mid to upper level HU's that use regular treble & bass adjustments instead of EQ freq's? i've had an alpine 9831 the past couple years but could never get a good EQ setting.

 

If you're going for sq, keep the eq flat. Integrate the sub with the mids nicely, and you will not need bass control.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fcm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> So stop wasting your breath.
I have worked for more then a few Pioneer dealers including the last one, that dropped Pioneer because of problems with their HUs, so I have tried it, probably many more times then you have, I also said it was a biased opinion, and I was speaking of Pioneer HUs in general, I also said they are prone to noise when connected to other brand processors and amps not that they would have noise, or had to be connected to processors 94

Modified by fcm at 6:41 PM 8/15/2006</TD></TR></TABLE>
hey thats the same reason we stopped carrying alpine, reliability problems. I dont understand why you cant look at hard facts and realize that pioneers are much better heasdunits for the $. but whatever its ur decision. I have had 8 pioneer head units and never had a bit of sound caused by the headunit, so I will dismiss your claim.
From customer's feedback I have been generally told that the learning curve for a pioneer is shorter than an alpine which is shorter than a kenwood.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mnaines &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Another point I'm trying to make is "good looking", yet very expensive head units are magnets to thieves. I like the Sony Xplod head units because they have a low profile and are not as bright and flashy as some of the more expensive head units, and I like Sony because it has a removeable faceplate for added security. Plus, Sony is well-known as the best company in the electronics industry. Reliability and number of defects are things I consider when I choose a brand of electronics, and Sony, Sharp, Insignia, and Toshiba all have very good reliability and very few defects. I like Sony because Sony products usually last 5 to 10 years at a time and have very few defects.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Sold sony, hated it, i think of it as a ricers stereo. Sony is a jack of all trades a master of none. The only thing I liked about them when I sold them were the headunits that came with the eq8 feature, it was an 8 band eq. However it was hidden and most people didnt even know thier headunit had it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by incubus &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I dont understand why you cant look at hard facts and realize that pioneers are much better heasdunits for the $. </TD></TR></TABLE> What hard facts?
Because you say so? Brahahahahahaha 94

 

Alpine vs. Pioneer: the argument as to which is better will always be there but that means that we are the winners because these compnaies will continue to put out great products to compete against each other and give us something to debate over. So whether you're on the Alpine side or Pioneer side we all AGREE that SONY SUCKS. And the OP can't go wrong as long as he gets a Alipne or Pioneer HU that has the features that he wants and fits within his budget.

 

What review have you guys heard about JVC's Arsenal lineup?

I have been eyeing the KD-AR870 model because it has the front USB support and that is the feature I have been looking for in a HU. I tried it out at a local audio shop and it works pretty straight forward.

I am not much into hardcore audio but I just wanted to know where they stand in the whole plethora of headunits. The op and I are in the same boat I guess

 

JVC is middle of the road IMHO. The problem I had with them is that the cd loading mechanism went bad on both of the units I had, so I am so-so with JVC.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SiRGDC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Alpine vs. Pioneer: the argument as to which is better will always be there but that means that we are the winners because these compnaies will continue to put out great products to compete against each other and give us something to debate over. So whether you're on the Alpine side or Pioneer side we all AGREE that SONY SUCKS. And the OP can't go wrong as long as he gets a Alipne or Pioneer HU that has the features that he wants and fits within his budget. </TD></TR></TABLE> Now that I do agree with. 94

 

thanks everyone but i just bought the pioneer 680 unit

 

SONY SUCKS! Sony = pepboys = ****

 

i bought this

it's prolly not the best but i'm happy with it.

if the display distracts you don't look at it or turn it off.