Head Unit

Which brand makes the better head units?

I know this is a matter of personal choice and I've always been a fan of Alpine. But since time has come to change it, I have a variety of options from Alpine and Clarion and this one from JVC (link below)
http://mobile.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL028484&pathId=133&page=1

Anyone has any idea which brand makes the better head unit?

these days, it has mostly to do with options the HU has.

I didn't see any votes come in... :smile:
Maybe you guys are still thinking.....

I voted for Alpine 'coz they even provide an adapter that makes the head unit compatible with whatever standard steering controls you have on your car; whatever make it is.
I haven't looked completely at Clarion. Perhaps it is there for them too. But I cannot imagine JVC or Kenwood having it.

Clarion's headunit designs seem a little less busy than that Alpine. JVC makes smooth and good looking ones, but there are complaints about durability.
I haven't looked in on Kenwood and Pioneer.

So I'm looking for the experts on this site to vote...... :iceslolan

these days, it has mostly to do with options the HU has.
Which ones have the most options???

it's not about the "most" options ..... it's the one with the options you want the most. No one can answer that but you. Some have better interfaces for ipod, some have better features for sound tuning, no one will have the best of all things.

it's not about the "most" options ..... it's the one with the options you want the most. No one can answer that but you. Some have better interfaces for ipod, some have better features for sound tuning, no one will have the best of all things.

Thanks. I'm looking for a head unit that is a single din.
Since I want navigation I'm guessing it is probably going to have a flip up screen.
The most I want from the unit is the ability to play CD/CD-RW/MP3/AAC.
It should have features for good sound to make good use of the Bose speakers I've got.
For the navigation, I've seen head units that can be connected to another unit which can be mounted in the back which can be upgraded / updated via USB.

That said, the best ones I've seen are from Alpine and Clarion. Which of two, I'm still deciding. Any tips?

once you have narrowed it down to 2 or 3 brands, you just need to go bargain hunting. Since you won't be able to tell the difference in sound quality, especially with the stock speakers.

once you have narrowed it down to 2 or 3 brands, you just need to go bargain hunting. Since you won't be able to tell the difference in sound quality, especially with the stock speakers.

I know you might have installed quite a few systems. Which out of my two chioces has the better touch screen. I'm talking about look & feel and ease of use.

I managed to locate two models that I like from both Clarion and Alpine.
Here is their comparison chart... http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/CompareTo.aspx?g=168550&cc=01&compareItems=01%7C020VZ509&compareItems=01%7C500IVAD106

I appears that the Alpine is the better equipped, but the Clarion by looks has a nicer touchscreen interface. Any opinions??

I'm an alpine guy for headunits, but that's a personal preference. And I am NOT a professional installer so I have only done stuff mostly on my own vehicles.

The link (http://www.sonicelectronix.com/compare_items.php?sort_order=%2Fviewcat.php%3Fcate gory_id%3D178%26items_per_page%3D100%26sort_order% 3Dname_asc&product_id[]=12355&product_id[]=17852&product_id[]=22896 )shows another comparison done.
Over here it says that non of my choices have audio playback when the navigation is in use.....
However there is another head unit from Clarion that does....
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_17844_Clarion+NZ409+-NZ-409-.html

I haven't yet seen anything from Alpine with the same features.

Sorry I was wrong. The Alpine unit I chose does not have built in navigation and that features lies with whatever Navigation unit you install.