Hi all

Vehicle: 1999 KH Verada

I am looking at purchasing a 2-DIN media centre with a budget of about $2k or there abouts
I have never owned an all in one Sat Nav, ipod, camera media player before so I am hoping there is someone out there that can help me narrow down to a few to choose from
Doddski has one and has given good advice thanks mate
I am looking for one that has a flush fit against the facia, is relatively easy to bolt in and maps can be updated eaisly etc. Looking for something that looks the part to match the verada interior - classy
Anyway, those of you that have these have the experience I don't and if you are willing to share that would be great. Even better post up photo's of the fitment within the facia as this is crucial for me as I want it flush not sticking out - I hate that
Thanks all
Rod

$2000 is a lot for just a deck mate. Dont go for one that has a brand name over one which is generic. I have a single din Axis and it sh*ts all over my mates Soundstream single din. Basically it is better to buy a 2011 generic over a 2009/2010 brand name. Ebay has a few that suit all your needs and range anywhere from $350 to $700. You could always spend more but I wouldn't. I would do head unit and a full speaker upgrade and you could easily do it yourself for around $1000. I would not use generic speakers. Install by a professional is where the money is going to be wasted. If you need a hand let me know and I will give you a hand. If you also want to hear my system before you do any upgrades let me know and I am sure I can pop round one night and show you.

In car pc?

$2000 is a lot for just a deck mate. Dont go for one that has a brand name over one which is generic. I have a single din Axis and it sh*ts all over my mates Soundstream single din. Basically it is better to buy a 2011 generic over a 2009/2010 brand name. Ebay has a few that suit all your needs and range anywhere from $350 to $700. You could always spend more but I wouldn't. I would do head unit and a full speaker upgrade and you could easily do it yourself for around $1000. I would not use generic speakers. Install by a professional is where the money is going to be wasted. If you need a hand let me know and I will give you a hand. If you also want to hear my system before you do any upgrades let me know and I am sure I can pop round one night and show you.

You have to be kidding?

Don't use a generic head unit, the sound quality is appalling.

Best be looking at the JVC KW-AVX846NAV ($1300) - It will give you anything you ask of it, integrated satnav, bluetooth, 4v preouts, motion sensor, iPhone support, etc...

If you're not phased about satnav, go for the JVC KW-AVX846 ($800ish).

The Eclipse AVN827GA is about the best on the market atm, however the price is a bit out of your range at $2499.

Flush fitment will be possible with either, but you will need to drill a few new holes in the mounting bracket to recess it. This is a Magna/Verada thing, not a head unit thing.

In car pc?

Don't do it, mine was nothing but trouble.

Thanks Life, much appreciate the reply there. I was looking at the JVC and also the latest Pioneer have to offer.

Do you have the JVC??

sorry, TJ appreciate your input too there mate but might go for the JVC or the Eclipse but will also have a look at a Pioneer too before I buy.
Any other responses, photos, suggestions will be much appreciated.

I have a couple of mates with the JVC. I wouldn't touch the Pioneer. Value for money is just nowhere near as good, they are region locked (JVC is not), interface is not very intuitive, and the 7" model retails at $2500. For that money you could buy the Eclipse.

I've had 3 or 4 JVCs and they've all been TOPS.

Value for Money
Performance
User Interface is GREAT
Feature Packed

They're brilliant.. Only reason I dont have one anymore, is because I've got myself an Eclipse D/Din now.

For the money you're looking to spend.. I'd keep an eye out for a ripper deal on an Eclipse.. You may get lucky!

I've got the Single Din Eclipse from the RalliFART in the GTV too and sound quality wise, you'd be hard pressed to say that its 8yrs old.

SuFz :ninja:

Thanks SuFz. Yeah I have the ralliart Eclipse issue in my VR-X now and the sound is awesome for a circa 2002 issue I must say. I will go by your advice on the JVC but keep an eye out for the Eclipse also.
Thanks so much for the replys, I now have shopping confidence!!! Does anyone have any install pics they could post of a JVC??? GONE do you have any old pics saved on your HD to post??
Again thanks for the advice and giving me a direction on this one.

GT-Pete had a JVC, but it was not recessed.

If you recess them flush with the facia does this foul the screen movement to insert a disc/SD card or even when you want to remove the screen for security. Im thinking it should be OK but I dont know

Dont see how sound quality comes into it anyways. If you do a sound system correctly your speakers shouldnt be powered off of the deck. With the new decks out now they have multiple RCA plugs. Your speakers should be running off an amp. At the moment mine is running off of the deck and yes it isnt 100% but when I get around to wiring up my 4ch amp for my speakers it should be sweet. But at the end of the day it wouldnt matter if I had a brand name or generic as neither would give my speakers sufficient power. If you are only going to run standard speakers then I am guessing sound quality isnt important as factory speakers are fairly poor.

I have alpine 4 way speakers fitted in the rear so no I dont run factory speakers as yes they are crap. I am also installing new speakers in the front doors tomorrow. I dont drive around these days with the music blasting so I dont see the need for an amp. The HU wattage will be fine for what I use it for. I am after the functionallity of a media centre especially with sat nav.

Yeh I understand that Rod. Was basically saying it in relation to the sound quality comment. At the end of the day there are always ways to get better sound quality and you could go in excess of $10,000 but that is just overboard. And you dont have to have your speakers turned all the way up to notice clearer sound through an amplifier. But I am sure you will pick what is best for you. Just trying to give you a different viewpoint so you have all options open when you decide to make your choice.

yeah no dramas mate cheers for that. I havent used amp's in the past but you are right, I will be able to achieve a much more crisper sound. I am looking forward to trying one of these media centre style units out for a change

You will get terrible sound quality from generic decks even when using RCAs to an amp, found that out the hard way.

Not sure if this sits flush, but is crazy cheap at JB at the moment until Friday:
http://www.jbhifi.com.au/car-sound-gps-navigation/av-navigation/alpine/2din-7-inch-wvga-led-navigation-station-sku-99900/
http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=188

Supposedly does everything.

Thanks for that. cant seem to see how you update the maps with the Alpine though. I will keep reading on the Alpine page, must be there somewhere but that is not too bad of a price

Yeh no dramas Rod. Just dont get started on Dynamat lol. Its addictive and when you start you dont want to stop until there is a big hole in your wallet lol. And definitely check out that Alpine deck. And look at Alpines price on their page. Definitely a big gap.

Also. You can update maps on that Alpine unit. Just type "can you update maps on INA-W900E" into google. This is a good one

http://www.alpine.com.au/files/LMG/latest_map_guarantee_for_ina_w900e.pdf

Yeah it looks to be a good price but I cant see how much it is to update the maps. I have found that the device uses maps provided through www.navteq.com.au but cannot see this devie (Alpine) in the model list or the JVC that Life has suggested for that matter
I am expecting map updates to be very expensive as they are for the Genuine Blaupunkt system I have in the VR-X which is useless but none the less nostalgic which is why I have it :)
The JVC appeals to me as you can upload your own wallpaper so I want to go for something Mitsubishi or even verada (or both)
I will go into JB's tomorrow and have a look.

thanks for the link, you beat me too it :)

No probs mate.

I've had 3 or 4 JVCs and they've all been TOPS.

Value for Money
Performance
User Interface is GREAT
Feature Packed

They're brilliant.. Only reason I dont have one anymore, is because I've got myself an Eclipse D/Din now.

For the money you're looking to spend.. I'd keep an eye out for a ripper deal on an Eclipse.. You may get lucky!

I've got the Single Din Eclipse from the RalliFART in the GTV too and sound quality wise, you'd be hard pressed to say that its 8yrs old.

SuFz :ninja:

Hey SuFz what would I need to buy in the way of a reverse camera for the JVC. Cant see this as an accessory on their website like the Alpine has as a direct connect accessory

TJ are you delusional? I dare you to sign up to MEA and try to tell them the head unit will not affect sound quality if you are using an amplifier... What do you think provides signal to those RCAs?

Your head unit is the thing controlling the EQ.

TJ are you delusional? I dare you to sign up to MEA and try to tell them the head unit will not affect sound quality if you are using an amplifier... What do you think provides signal to those RCAs?

Your head unit is the thing controlling the EQ.

No I am not delusional. I am also not going to argue in this thread. I was giving Rod an alternative view so he knew all his options. I was showing him an option that could save him a few dollars. The decision in the end is his. As he stated though he is not going to crank the volume and I am sure he is not going to end a sound-off competition so I am sure 100% clarity isnt essential as long as it sounds crisp. Isnt the whole point of asking for advice to get as much feedback as possible before you make your decision? So no, I do not need to sign up to any forums as I have nothing to prove.