hello all
just purchased the new clarion DD unit, nx-501. going to install it in my 04 coupe. has anyone else installed this unit or heard anything about it? its getting good reviews on crutchfield but i figured id ask you guys as well!

thanks

 

Looks ok, but you're stuck with blue illumination on it, which looks bad in our amber-lit interiors. The interface is OK for iPod and such, but that needlessly animated and flashy source selection screen is really over the top.

It's kinda nit-picky, but there also is no RDS for the tuner.

For the $615 it's going on amazon it's not bad, but if you're a Pandora addict, the Pioneer 4300DVD + a $100 garmin would be a better choice.

 

the blue illumination were the only thing that was steering me away. do you know if you can change the lights at all? also, i was looking for a unit with bluetooth and almost all others need an external microphone. im VERY picky about aftermarket mods and having a microphone hanging around would drive me mad! this has a built-in mic so it wont show. plus, i got this for $555 shipped on ebay. great deal since it retails for close to $1000.

 

The lights could be changed out if you're willing to void your warranty and know somebody good at soldering - if it's decent-sized LEDs, it's a simple job, but if they're the very tiny ones like our A/C control buttons are, it's something you need pixie tools to swap.

I'd be concerned about how well the built-in microphone works, as the radio mounts quite low in our cars to try and get a direct line between yourself and the mic. I've got mine mounted up at the top-and-center of my car, and don't even notice it there.

 

by changing the lights i meant it may have a setting to change the leds. physically taking the unit apart to switch out the lights may be an option though. and we will see how it goes with the bluetooth.
the other unit i was looking at was the kenwood dnx9980HD but the pricing is way over the top.

 

There's no color change for that headunit, Pioneer and Kenwood typically do have the multi-color settings on theirs.

Kenwood's got some good units, but I don't think they're worth the premium over other units. Garmin navigation is good and all, but when you charge 2-5x the price of the equivalent standalone garmin functionality just to have it inside your headunit... well, that's just silly.

 

thats exactly what im saying. the nice fully touchscreen kenwood units are over $1000... ridiculous... and even the other nice units are expensive, even though the leds can be set to the perfect amber color. i already purchased all the extra accessories for the clarion (swi jack, ipod cable etc) so maybe ill bring it to a professional and see if they can mod the light color. Definitely will be a one of a kind unit!

 

also was just checking out this new jvc unit. JVC KW-NT3HDT... i dont know how well jvc performs but this has the simple interface, changeable light colors, rds and it looks like it works well on youtube videos.