Hey man.. i'm in the market to buy a new G35.
I see that you're from CA, you norcal or socal?
Where you getting your stuff done?

I'm having a hard time trying to decide if i'll go stock navi or go Aftermarket.

 

Thanks for the head up lorinserbenz

I currently have the 8053, and I am itching to change to the kenwood... I am wondering which will sound better though...

I will probably upgrade later on once I get new rims...

G35c, 5AT, NAV
INJEN CAI, Borla TD Exhaust, Grounding Kit
Kinetix Plenum, Hi-Flow CAT, Front Lip Spoiler
8000K HID, PIAA 7500K SPARK BLUE
Focal 165K2P, E10A.22, Eclipse HU, Nav-Tuner

 

You wont be disappointed with the Kenwood. It sounds great and is loaded with features.

 

When I was deciding on a headunit, it came down to these same 2, AVN2454 vs DDX-7015 + nav. But when I wrote down the pros and cons of each, the Kenwood was the easy winner.

DDX-7015 Pros:
Can switch video between nav and dvd w/o changing disks
5.1 dsp add on module available
5 volt preouts vs .8 for Eclipse (.8!?)
Remote control included
Dual zone audio (separate source to rear)
Voice control nav add on available
Add-on TV tuner controlled by HU
Input video signal detection
RDS
Accepts Joliet and Romeo file formats for long filenames
HD Radio add on available
24 FM presets vs. 6
Sirius Satellite Radio


AVN2454 Pros
Built in navigation (easier, cleaner install)
Can switch audio between CD & DVD w/o changing disks
Faster navigation operation (I've heard but can't confirm)
Separate reverse cam input (using Eclipse brand cam only)

I also believe that the Kenwood can play MP3s off of DVD but I haven't yet had a chance to confirm it. That would be a huge plus in my opinion.

So I ended up getting the Kenwood and add-on nav (for about $1000 each).

 

How good is the picture quality? i herd the kenwood is 336,960 Pixels. What unit has the best picture quality?

 

To paintballbitch - Your 8053 will sound better than the kenwood. The 8053 is one of the best SQ decks on the market. If anything, upgrade to the 8454 with Mp3 and you will have the best of everything.

Keep in mind that the 8454 does not have balanced outputs so it is an 8V hu vs. the 8053 which can be 16V. Not a big deal imo.

I can guarantee you that with your TRU amps, the 8053 will give you better SQ than anything kenwood has to offer. Not that kenwood isn't a great brand, but they are not as SQ oriented as Eclipse's high end units. Not yet anyway.

 

I was playing with the idea of upgrading but after much thought... I am not going too....

I am using my nav screen for DVD already...

G35c, 5AT, NAV
INJEN CAI, Borla TD Exhaust, Grounding Kit
Kinetix Plenum, Hi-Flow CAT, Front Lip Spoiler
8000K HID, PIAA 7500K SPARK BLUE
Focal 165K2P, E10A.22, Eclipse HU, Nav-Tuner

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

How good is the picture quality? i herd the kenwood is 336,960 Pixels. What unit has the best picture quality?

<hr></blockquote>

Yeah, that's the number of pixels in the specs. I think the picture quality is very good. This is the first screen I've had in my car, however, but I have messed with a buncha displays. The unit w/ the best picture quality is definitely the Alpine IVA-d900 but the ddx-7015 is comparable to some of the other Alpine monitors such as the iva-d300 and cva1004.

~John

 

I was seriously thinking about getting this Kenwood double-din system, but the only reason I didn't was because of what you stated - no navi. If I'm going to pay that kind of money, I would want a navi with it... but I loved all the other features on it. I guess now, I'll just put in a "hidden" DVD player in the 2nd din if I decide to do that later on. The only other thing I didn't like was the fact that the face was always VISIBLE to lurking thieves. I wish the faceplate would reverse or have something to hide the LCD screen when not in use. That's the one advantage I really like about the retractable DVD screens though..... guess there are pros and cons to everything though...... But I still like that Kenwood piece regardless. Nice.

The Bamadog
BAMADOG.COM
2004 G35 Coupe - Black/Black 6MT - Chrome 7-Spoke Wheels - Aero Kit & Package w/spoiler - Tint - Alpine System - Body Side Molding

 

The Kenwood does have navigation available with the external unit. It's about $1k without the add-on nav and about another $1k for the nav. The nav is touchscreen and integration with the headunit is pretty seamless. It isn't physically integrated into the headunit, which is a big plus with the eclipse, but I think the other features outweigh that. I love being able to switch between nav and a dvd movie or play mp3s off of dvd while using nav.

I do wish I could hide the face somehow though. On my other car I have a fake face of the factory stereo which fits nicely over the aftermarket stereo. But I usually try to make a point of not parking my G in areas where it might get violated.

~John