So far I've been seeing the pioneer 4000nex is the main choice of DDIN unit.
Is there any direct competitors to that system that is possibly better or cheaper?

So far the 4000nex I've been finding are pretty pricey. But it seems potentially worth it asides from the lack of GPS.

And on a side note, where can I find a JDM DDIN kit? (Shipping to canada is a huge +)

 

From a previous member. OEM been is so-so lately (corrected) and pricy.

 

The nice thing about the NEX units is mirroring your (supported) smartphone, so you get the best navigation around instead of the garbage one included with the headunit.

JDM DDin are backordered right now, so keep your eye out for a used one.

 

Thats one of the main selling point for me on the NEX aside from it's pure sexiness. Only downside I could find was if you're roaming on your phone.

Now time to play the waiting game with the JDM units...

EDIT: What are some vendors that sell the JDM units? Only ones that I found were nissaninfinitiparts and an older older one on ebay.

 

The reliable sources are in my shopping list.

 

Funny how it's on sale at the nissan race shop and it's all back-ordered with no ETA.

 

The JVC KW V50BT looks like a viable competitor for almost $200 less than the 4000nex. Also does smartphone mirroring via MHL. Reviews for both seem pretty good. I'm currently on the fence between the two. If anybody has experience with either of these (and especially with mirroring an android phone) I'd love to hear about it.

I'm also frustrated by the lack of JDM DDIN kits and I think I'm just going to go with the Metra.

 

The JVC looks pretty good for this, but information on supported apps and phones and such seems limited:



But for under $400 on amazon (currently), it looks like a nice option.

 

I'm still on the lookout for the DDIN as well. I'll rather wait and have the same high quality look than downgrade the entirety of the center dash for the DDIN radio. I guess I want to do things right the first time you know what I mean.

 

Totally understand. I really hope that a new batch of the trim gets produced. I'm thinking the best option may be for somebody (who am I kidding, it'll probably be me...) to put together a quick vector-based drawing that can be followed by any shop with a cutting laser (trophy shops frequently do) to cut the factory trim as close as possible to a DDIn opening. So long as the JDM climate controls remain available, there's at least that option. Some people have done manual cutting methods on their trim, with mixed results:

Done pretty well, but you can clearly see the opening is a bit larger than DDin:







Cut lower for a single din + opening:

 

I actually think that looks really really good. I would take that over the metra any day. I still need to buy the a/c controls separately for that setup though correct?

 

Yes. Hopefully you can still find some. I'd like to try retrofitting stock buttons onto a metra climate control board though, but nobody's sent me their parts to experiment with.