im planning on getting a head unit and i narrowed it down to this two. which of the two would you guys prefer any opinions and input i would greatly appreciate.

 

The only reason to get the 9960 is the free lifetime traffic updates, which has been knocked fairly heavily due to all the ads with it.

If you want that kenwood's style of voice commands for iPod, and garmin navigation, get the 9140.

If you don't want the voice commands for iPod, but do want garmin navigation, get the 7160.

If you want great iPod voice control, the best iPhone integration and not-quite-garmin-good navigation, do the Z120BT.

So here's my quick list:
Sound quality: 5/5s all around.
Navigation: 9960 - 5/5, 9160 - 5/5, 7160 - 5/5, Z120BT - 4/5.
Voice control of iPod: 9960 2/5, Z120BT - 4/5.
Interface: Z120BT - 4/5, Kenwoods all 3/5.
iPod/iPhone interface: Z120BT - 5/5, kenwoods 3/5.


Edit: Just noticed you're in Pearl City... jealous of your access to Maui Mike's Fire-Roasted Chicken out there... I miss that place.

 

hey wrathernaut thanks for your input. im mainly looking for sound quality the ipod/iphone hook up and easy controllable interface. And the Z120BT sounds like the winner navigation im not too worried about i know the kenwood has a partner ship with garmin but Z120BT's nav should be alright?

You know i never been there before. you lived on oahu before?

 

Yeah, spent 6 years on oahu. Good place, would be better if it weren't such a small island.

I don't have any complaints as far as the Z110's navigation goes (and the Z120's only gets better). The voice control is good too, anything that's in a category can be found with voice prompts "Find nearest chili's" "get directions to #1".

If iPhone/iPod is a priority, and good interface is desired, Z120 is the hands-down winner.

Four places you must absolutely eat at on Oahu:
Maui Mike's (Chicken, duh!), Big Kahunas (Kanaka pizza is too damn good), Teddy's (Cajun burger, spicy fires!) and Little Village (everything, but I'm partial to their Hot & Sour Soup, and Szechuan Spicy Chicken).

 

are you military thats why? ive been here all my life and i never did eat at any of the four places. but i tired moes and the chicken club nachos are awesome.

so i have a 07 coupe and if i get the Z120BT id need to get dash kit like this http://cgi.ebay.com/JDM-INFINITI-DOU...#ht_805wt_1137

i also have a rockford amp and one 10" L7 kicker. is there anything else i need?

 

Yep, that dash kit and the rest of the stuff that I list in my DDin shopping list sticky.

 

For adding the amp, you'll want to run your own RCAs to the rear, if you go down the center console, you can do it with 16' RCAs with plenty to spare so you can route it wherever you need in the trunk, as well as a regular amp wiring kit.

 

alright thanks man. i guess i got my Christmas list setup already haha

 

Wrathernaut! This is great info. I must pick your brain!

I was just looking into getting the z120bt. I have a few questions about installation:
Note: 2006 G35 6MT Coupe Sport
1) Installation: I know it's not going to be very easy, but could you rate it on a scale from 1-10, with regard to disassembly of the consol, wire routing, splicing (hope not too much). I will be putting in a basic amp/sub combo as well. Tips are very welcome.

2) Do the steering wheel controls and Bluetooth buttons work with this unit?

3) I understand that you need to tap the speedometer for some nav functions, is this straight forward? How about tapping the other features, (parking break sensor, etc.)?

4) Where did you mount the GPS receiver? I heard it needed to be open to sky? I was thinking the back window (can the cable reach, or be extended?)

5) Where did you mount the Bluetooth mic? I thinking about putting it where the current car mic is, but am unsure if this is an option!? I haven’t opened that up and am not sure what is inside…

6) Did you put in a back up camera, and if so, how did that go?

Anything else you can let us G35 owners know about the installation would be great!!

I can do a pictoral installation guide for the site when I get everything organized. I want ot approch this with all the information I need before even purchasing anything. That way there are no/few surprises.

Thank you so much, in advance!

Dice

 

1) Headunit install in 06, it's about a 4/10. Amp/sub combo, 3/10. For comparison, I'd put 03-04s at about a 6/10 based on the video (never had my hands on one myself), a 94-ish honda accord at a 3, and a 95 dodge avenger at a 2.
2) Yes, just need the PAC SWI-PS.
3) Speed sensor wire is right behind the radio, green/white wire. Easy to splice. Parking brake wire... well go on avic411.com and look up the bypass, as it's easier than taping the wire. Keep in mind that this allows you to do things that may be illegal in your state, like watch DVDs, but can be useful for having your passenger enter changes to navigation or look for gas stations while you drive. But with this headunit, you can just tell it to find the nearest gas station for you (it's usually faster than my wife at such things anyway )
4) Here is mine, and every other G35 I've installed a navi unit in. So long as there's metal directly beneath it (the metal bracket) and no metal above it, you're good. The stock GPS antenna is behind the analog clock in the 05-06, under the same amount of plastic/rubber dash material as in this location.

5) Bluetooth mic is right in front and above the rear view mirror, just a corner of the mic holder shoved under the sunglasses/sunroof control panel.
No photo of it, but the arrow points whereabouts I mounted it:

6) No backup camera in mine. My mirrors and turning my head has gotten me through 14 years of driving without hitting anything so far.

Here's a link to my install gallery, most are my install, with a few other helpful photos from others that I've picked up on the site here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Avenger9...Las3rTJneu3GA#

I've made a lot of comments and annotations on the photos to help out.

Good luck.

 

I could never get my Pioneer headunits to sound the way I wanted them to.

When I slipped the Kenwood in it was a huge change.

Everyone has personal preference and I really prefer the Kenwood.

You can do time alignment on a Kenwood, if thats your kinda thing =)

Plus a 13 band EQ for the front and a separate 13band EQ for the Rear

Also the kenwood can be crossed over at 180/160/120/100/80/60 all at either 6db/12db/or 18db. So a ton of possibles for sound tuning

 

pioneer has a very good interface. very easy to navigate.

i wouldn't trust kenwood, had bad experience with their headunits.

both pioneer and kenwood sound quality are so-so compared to the eclipse's 5v preouts. if you are looking for the best sounding dd nav unit go with one of the eclipse avn.

however eclipse headunits have a very sucky interface plus slow mp3 playack along with very frustrating ipod controls. The navigation is good enough that lexus uses them for their factory navs.

 

Well gents, I have my JDM double din kit ordered and a sub box on the way from carjamz
Soon i will be purchasing the headunit and wiring parts. (save the expensive stuff for last) I'm looking for a z120bt.
Anyone know where i can get them for a decient price send me a PM!

Wrathernaut,
Your assisance and treads have been the best resource and have given me the confidence to do this myself. Thank you.

I do have some questions about the PAC SWI-PS.

Watching your video, why did you use the programmed functions that you did. Vol up/down, Mute, etc.

How come you didn't use the Voice Activation or End call functions, or the Preset Up/Down?

Is there a reason or personal preference? This is my first after market unit in this car with this deck, so maybe I might missing little details.

Thank you,

Dice

 

Vol up/down, no brainer.
Power set to mute, as it's the closest thing to power that is supported.
Mode set to voice, since you can change source, album, artist... all with voice, so you gotta have that button.
Seek up/down - track up/down. It's the only setting that lets you change songs playing on iPod via the steering wheel controls. You could set to preset up/down if you use radio more than iPod, but that's the only function it does. I really, really wish Pioneer would set it so that track up/down did preset up/down in radio mode, and seek when holding up/down for a sec like *every* vehicle manufacturer does.

I don't use the phone that much, so giving up one of the above functions for hanging up wasn't worth it. Answering the phone, I look to see the caller ID anyway, so since my eyes glance there, they can direct my finger to the answer anyway. End call?, not a big deal, since once the other caller hangs up, I don't have to push anything.

 

I sell both of those where I work. By far the Pioneer is more user friendly. The touch sensitive buttons are the worst part of the Kenwood and creates lag in making your selections. That alone is enough to make it get on your nerves after about 5 minutes messing with it. I currently have the AVIC-Z110 in my G and love it.

If you must have a Kenwood then go with last years model DNX-9140 where it still had actual buttons. The one thing I do like about the Kenwood's are the Garmin based nav maps, they are easier to read and navigate.

Just sharing my opinion