Im in the market for a HU and lookin at the Alpine W205. Anyone have any exp with this particular HU or Alpine in general. Ive heard wonders about thier HU but Id like to hear it from G owners. Im lookin to have it installed with a 10'' Alpine type X sub/amp/box to get it outta the way. LMK what you guys think and if im going the right way as far as quality and ease of use for the HU.

 

I have it, love it.

 

WERD... looks like you got 2

 

only one alpine user here?

 

I have a D310 and love it.

 

As far as Alpine goes, am I lookin in the right direction? It's between eclipse and Alpine but I heard Alpine is more user friendly??

 

eclipse is better bang for the buck, I find the Alpine interfaces to be a little more intuitive

 

Im torn now

 

I have the IVA-W200(same as the W205 in general) and absolutely love it. Its user interface is real easy to use, especially the iPod control....best in the industry by far in my opinion. You can even put your own created background images on the unit if you go here http://www.pride-rock.com/forum/index.php and submit your image for him to post. You should be able to get the W205 for a decent price online if you shop around. So go with the Alpine. You can't go wrong.

But in saying that now, wait for the IVA-W505 to come out. Bigger and higher resolution screen, even nicer GUI with iPod album art display and iPod video capable now too. But a little more money than the 205, so not as good value compared to what the W205 wil be able to be had for once the 505 comes out. But also again, you can't go wrong with either and you won't be dissapointed with either. Real nice units to operate.

 

I have factory navigation, but I can play DVDs on both.

If iPod is something you are after, you have to get an Alpine Full Speed unit. I would wait for the W505, but it may cause the W205 to a lower price, whic would be awesome. I love the 205, especially the iPod control.

 

I've got the W205 and couldn't be happier.

 

why does your navigation look as good as it does? you have an 03-04, correct? did you mod it somehow? or maybe there is just a "nightmode" for the stock navigation?

 

Yeah, it's in night mode. It actually matches pretty well with the Alpine background.

 

I've got a 200 and love it. The ipod interface is great.

 

I had the 200 and loved it, Step over to the 205 for the Nav feat. and I loves that too. iPod features are great!!

Now this is the first I've seen on this IVA-W505 time to start research my next HU

edit: This is going to be nice!!



IVA-W505 Double-DIN Mobile Multimedia Station
New for 2008, the double-DIN IVA-W505 is a full-featured DVD/CD/MP3/AAC/WMA/DivX audio/video head unit. Its large, crisp 7-inch WVGA touch-screen monitor enables users to easily access and command all their favorite media sources. The IVA-W505 features an all-new Graphical User Interface (GUI) with two display modes, “Professional” and “Stylish,” to give consumers a choice of what and how much information is displayed on the monitor.

Built on Alpine’s proprietary Ai-NET BUS platform, the IVA-W505 can connect to and control a multitude of digital media sources and formats, such as XM® or SIRIUS® satellite radio (including XM Mini-Tuner and SIRIUS Plug And Play devices); HD Radio™ with multicasting; and Bluetooth devices, with voice-activated dialing. (Separate adapters and/or subscriptions required.) MP3/WMA players with MTP protocol and mass storage devices can easily be added via a direct USB connection. The IVA-W505 also has a high quality auxiliary input via the KCE-236B Full Speed™ to mini-jack cable (sold separately), for additional system building flexibility.

The IVA-W505 is one of two 2008 Alpine head units that feature iTunes® Tagging when the TUA-T550HD HD Radio Tuner is connected. When users hear a song they like from an HD Radio station that is broadcasting metadata, they simply press a special button on the IVA-W505. Information about these Tagged songs is stored by the TUA-T550HD and transferred to the iPod®. When the iPod is connected to the computer, iTunes automatically presents the songs in a new Tagged playlist so the user has the option to preview, buy and download the songs.

iPod music lovers who use the iPod classic (fifth and sixth generations) or iPod nano (first through third generations) can link to the IVA-W505 via a direct high-speed USB connection, resulting in fast data transfer, quick command response and superior iPod sound. If the iPod displays album art, the art also will be displayed on the IVA-W505’s screen. For earlier-generation iPods with a dock connector, the IVA-W505 retains Alpine’s Full Speed Connection for iPod capabilities through the KCE-422i cable.