Has anyone here have experience with an aftermarket head unit? I'm looking to upgrade my unit with a navi/bt/iPod connection combo. I have the basic CD/AM/FM combo. Lol. Is there a brand you would recommend over another? Pioneer? Kenwood? Thanks for your help.

 

The known names are fine, and there's plenty of threads about brands. The electrical systems's on new cars are too interconnected to play around with or you can end up with any number of gremlins. Use a reputable, experienced shop to help you with the process and do the install who can make sure your complete audio system is compatible (head unit, amp, speakers..)

 

After doing all my research I decided to go with the Pioneer. The unit is very user friendly and works well with my iphone. The only thing I wish it had was a remote but its no big deal.

 

I went with Pioneer Z120BT with Alpine PDX-5 amp. The system now sounds like what you would expect in a high-end car. The Amp takes power directly from the battery when powered on through the switched power circuit from my missing car phone. I don't think the power requirements for the Pioneer head unit differ much from the OEM Nav unit that I replaced.

 

OP,

Which shop did you use for the install?

 

you can try the astroid from parrot, it does lot for the money, app based model runs on andriod OS, comes all bells and whistles just for 500 bucks. they are releasing end of October. there is a video on youtube showing how it works... check it out.

http://www.parrot.com/asteroid-range/coming-soon_usa

 

I use to have a remote back in the day when Pioneer came out with them. It was "cool" to have, but found to be silly once your driving around trying to use it. Drop it and then you can use it until you stop. In the end...dropped the whole remote thing. With steering wheel controls, Voice Activation remotes don't really have a purpose any longer....then there is the batteries...grrrr