AVIC-Z140BH or DNX9990HD?

[SS Drifter]

Thinking about a Navigation receiver upgrade. Any thoughts on the VIC-Z140BH or DNX9990HD? Any pros and cons between these two units? How well do they fit in the dash and did you have to do any cutting? Any similar units out there? The Kenwood was my first choice but then I read that the NAVTEQ traffic navigation is ad based and I think that would really bug me.

Things that are important to me are; high quality DAC, high/low pass filters, 7 band EQ minimum, distance/timing adjustment, 6 channel 4-5V outputs, iphone compatibility & control, one or more video inputs and good fitment The unimportant features are Bootooth, sat radio and remote control since I won't use them.

My current head unit is an Alpine CDA-117 with a Metra adapter thats failing. If I'm going to upgrade I should do it when replacing the Metra. I do want to maintain the same or better audio quality while adding rear or front cameras.

[darkrider01]

I just pulled the trigger last night on the Pioneer AVH-P8400BH and a Socsche kit. It should be just like the AVIC-Z140BH except without Navigation. The audio features should be identical.

The Pioneer AVH-P8400BH has an 8-band EQ and does have some crossover settings, but I believe they are for subwoofer only. I was tempted by the JVC KW-NT700 because it has a 13 band EQ and low/mid/high crossovers as well as sub settings. I ultimately chose the Pioneer because I have had the best luck with Pioneer head units in the past and have never been terribly impressed by JVC anything.

Have you thought about trying the Alpine INA-W910 with Imprint?

[Zapote21]

Another one to consider... The JVC NT-800HDT... Its amazing...
Chose it over Kenwood just because JVC makes Kenwood anyway, so why go to the second brand...lol
Seriously though... The sound settings are extensive to say the least...And the 13 band EQ is awesome

[montej23]

I love the Pioneer AVIC-140BH that i have in my car, very nice and has a little lip on the bottom to rest your finger on while making a selection. overall it was easy to install and perfect for me

[jeepguy_1980]

I have been researching HUs recently. My verdict is to wait for the Alpine INE-S920HD or the Clarion NX702.

The Kenwood is probably the better of the two radios. But the nav software on it is rather dated. It doesn't do 3D nav, or some of the other features the 9980 had. They updated the hardware and downgraded the software.

[SS Drifter]

Originally Posted by darkrider01

I just pulled the trigger last night on the Pioneer AVH-P8400BH and a Socsche kit. It should be just like the AVIC-Z140BH except without Navigation. The audio features should be identical.

The Pioneer AVH-P8400BH has an 8-band EQ and does have some crossover settings, but I believe they are for subwoofer only. I was tempted by the JVC KW-NT700 because it has a 13 band EQ and low/mid/high crossovers as well as sub settings. I ultimately chose the Pioneer because I have had the best luck with Pioneer head units in the past and have never been terribly impressed by JVC anything.

Have you thought about trying the Alpine INA-W910 with Imprint?

Good advise on the AVH-P8400BH, the NAV features on the VIC-Z140BH are probably not worth the price difference. The app-control feature looks real interesting and I'll have to find a unit that I can demo with one of my iphones in hand. the disappointment is that so far I haven't seen any 2DD units that use the Burr Brown A/D and that was a big factor when I originally bought the Cda-117.

I was talking to an Alpine dealer earlier this year and he told me the new Alpine units are using very low end A/D converters. I don't remember what brand he is pitching now but, he won't recommend Alpine for high-end applications this year. My Older CDA-117 sounds great but the B/T was definitely sub-standard. (Apparently, Alpine does not have the best agreement with Parrot and they get older B/T versions.) Anyway, between GM and my aftermarket experiences I won't waste any more $$ on B/T technology. The Imprint also gets mixed reviews and you can do just as well or better by tuning the timing manually.

Thanks for the tips.

[SS Drifter]

Jeepguy,
How is the software on the Clarion unit? I had some bad Clarion s/w experiences a few years ago. I'll do some homework on the Alpine 920. I do like my existing Alpine and once they get off their current el cheapo trend I may go back.

[jeepguy_1980]

Originally Posted by SS Drifter

Jeepguy,
How is the software on the Clarion unit? I had some bad Clarion s/w experiences a few years ago. I'll do some homework on the Alpine 920. I do like my existing Alpine and once they get off their current el cheapo trend I may go back.

Of the two radios I mentioned, I'm leaning more towards the Alpine 920. But, if you can look past the annoying narrator, this video shows what the Software of the NX702 is like.

[darkrider01]

Originally Posted by jeepguy_1980

Of the two radios I mentioned, I'm leaning more towards the Alpine 920. But, if you can look past the annoying narrator, this video shows what the Software of the NX702 is like.

You and I disagree on several things, but that reviewer is one thing we wholeheartedly agree on. If you watch his review of the JVC KW-NT800HDT, you'll be ready to scream.

[jeepguy_1980]

Looks like the 920 is out now.