Okay, so when I first got my Magna the first thing I did was rip the crappy tape deck out and chuck in a el-cheapo JVC headunit. It's a decent unit, but I'm outgrowing it. Once I have the available funds I'll buy a new headunit, but need reccomendations first.

So basically, I'd like it to be a decent brand/quality (none of those crappy no name brands on eBay) and have:
Rear USB
Option for steering wheel controls
A remote (a plan B option if I can't source steering wheel controls :P )

Cheers for any suggestions.

JVC KW-AVX846? Awesome unit, decent price (see ebay).

Anything Alpine. I've used Alpine (obviously), Pioneer, Sony, JVC, Kenwood, Clarion, a bunch of generics and probably a couple of others I've forgotten, and nothing compares to the Alpine units in a practical price range. Find one that suits your needs and go for it. They will be more expensive for what you get compared to what else you look at, it's for a reason.

If you want a single Din, and reckon the windows are enough, so you don't need DVD..... I can recommend mine....
JVC KD-R 926BT (http://www.jvc.com.au/car-av/head-units/kd-r926bt) priced at $288.00 from Ryda online (RRP 399.00) most ppl can do 300 tho, just incase you want an over the counter warranty...They are 30 day Swap over DOA tho.....Autobahn did 300 for me... More Specs (http://www.jvc.com.au/SiteMedia/w3svc104/Uploads/Documents/KD-R926BT-Specifications.pdf)

Its got 2 usb's, rear off a cable so you can hide the drive, reads them in about 15 secs.... Front USB for tiny BT module (not biult in)
6 RCA out's. Burr Brown DAC 's, Ipod, Iphone support. MP3, WMA and WAV. via usb. Front 3.5mm...
Multicolour display... Dual Phone support.....
Remote Supplied, Steering Remote Control Ready
And a very simple but effective time alignment.....
Picture (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z467/Shootmarty/2012-01-04123314.jpg)

Rated by MEA as 'the most amazing 'budget highend' source unit ever released on the australian market'...
I dunno wether its that good, but its pretty darn good.....
Alpine for BT, and time alignment will cost alotta....

Anything Alpine. I've used Alpine (obviously), Pioneer, Sony, JVC, Kenwood, Clarion, a bunch of generics and probably a couple of others I've forgotten, and nothing compares to the Alpine units in a practical price range. Find one that suits your needs and go for it. They will be more expensive for what you get compared to what else you look at, it's for a reason.

You're kidding right? Maybe 5 years ago... Market has changed, a lot of Alpine's stuff in rubbish now. Eclipse (Fujitsu Ten) units are much higher quality then Alpine, the JVC range is better then almost everything alpine (until you get up to the SQ decks, but who has $700+ for a single din).

Oh, Life, you forgot all the alpine addons, BT, Rux this...Sure the high end is nice, But Exxy.. the low end... well, you're dead right, Quality has slipped... And I rip albums to wav. for lossless audio on usb (same quality as a 25 discs stacker on 16 GB)... Alpine dont support that

JVC KW-AVX846? Awesome unit, decent price (see ebay).

I've been considering this unit, it looks damn awesome and seems like a great unit. Have you used one?

I'm about to buy a Kenwood KIV-700. Retail $599, Autobarn will do $499, Soundmaster (Online Aussie disty) will do $439 shipped to Adelaide. I've tried it out in a store and it is hands down the best unit I've used in possibly any price range for interface. Most of the high end units you see with colour screens, especially the double DIN's, have absolutely garbage interfaces, ugly and/or slow, the KIV-700 is very clean and well thought out, and the unit is very responsive and clean. Click below for product link, and no I'm not affiliated, I just reckon the unit is ****ing sweet. The price is awesome but seriously I like it better than units above one grand.

http://au.kenwood.com/Images/Cache/1659_800_338.jpg (http://au.kenwood.com/Car_Entertainment/1DIN_Receivers/KIV-700)

Market has changed, a lot of Alpine's stuff in rubbish now.

Build up a quality name, them sell cheap stuff under that name, profit?

You're kidding right? Maybe 5 years ago... Market has changed, a lot of Alpine's stuff in rubbish now. Eclipse (Fujitsu Ten) units are much higher quality then Alpine, the JVC range is better then almost everything alpine (until you get up to the SQ decks, but who has $700+ for a single din).

A bit of hasty call on saying alot of Alpine's stuff is rubbish now. If we are talking about head units I can't really fault the head units that ive crossed in my time, Eclipse is a good brand but its also more expensive generally across the board, but in all honesty without the OP giving us a budget or letting us know what he wants out of his system (somethings that sounds nice but wont cost $$$, or something that will last a long time, nice aesthetics and happy to pay $$$)

I also wouldn't say that JVC isn't better than almost anything Alpine, however for entry level mainstream I feel no one makes it easier than JVC, especially since it seems like they want to put Bluetooth on most of there head units now.

Also what do you want USB for? Strictly USB or Ipod??

Have a read below, this article is for Headunits below $300, most of these units however are in favour of the Front USB so if you could live with that it will defiantly open many more options up.

http://www.mobileelectronics.com.au/products/reviews/cd_tuners_with_ipod_control_under_300_rrp/

KENWOOD DDX7036BT BLUETOOTH DOUBLE DIN 7" CAR DVD PLAYER

http://www.elite-electronics.com.au/incar/kenwood/ddx7036bt_gal1.jpg

This is an older (& now discontinued, but still avail - see link) unit, but features are quite good - if you're looking for a non JB HiFi brand:

http://www.elite-electronics.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=79_66&products_id=303

Pro's:
- decent EQ
- high quality DACs
- USB & Aux inputs (both of which are rear mounted)
- Expandable - 6x RCAs
- in built bluetooth
- unlikely every man + dog has one!

Con's:
- looks are a bit so-so... don't like all of the text / logos on the faceplate, but that's subjective.

It's probably similar in features to the JVC that Shoot recommended.

Actually, we can have a hundred people recommend a hundred different units. In the end you will buy what you want.

Check out what is available, read reviews, choose one, then shop for the lowest price. Depending on your financial status of course, but get the best you can afford.

Actually, we can have a hundred people recommend a hundred different units. In the end you will buy what you want.


Yes, but he did ask the qu which suggests he is actually looking for advice! And frankly, unless you're embedded in the car audio scene, or do a lot of online reading, the average person would struggle to differentiate a lot of the brands / models out there, other than by basic features.