Purchasing Advice

[davem2421]

Good Afternoon,

I'm just now starting to research and looking into replacing my factory radio with an Android Auto head unit. I am curious to know what your opinions are on Pioneer 4100NEX and Kenwood DDX9702s. I've compared them on crutchfield's website and from specs it looks like Kenwood would be a better choice. however, I'd like to know if there are any better options out there or what other recommendations you all have.

It will be going into a 2012 Ram 1500 Quad Cab w/o Alpine audio.

thanks
Dave

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

I can't recall what it was, but there was one thing that Pioneer did better than Kenwood that swayed me....

And why not get the 4200NEX?

 

[davem2421]

Thanks! I'll look at the 4200NEX. when I searched crutchfield I didn't see it but could have easily overlooked it.

 

[Aquila]

Thanks! I'll look at the 4200NEX. when I searched crutchfield I didn't see it but could have easily overlooked it.

Pioneer AVH-4200NEX DVD receiver at Crutchfield.com

 

[Aquila]

Also cheaper on Amazon Amazon.com: Pioneer AVH-4100NEX In-Dash Multimedia DVD Receiver with 7" WVGA Touchscreen Display: Car Electronics

 

[davem2421]

Thank you.

I like the 4200 and just reading up on it now. I also see that Kenwood has their DDX9903S too. I'm comparing the 4200 and the 9903 at the moment.

 

[scott_0]

I have no experience with those two particular headunits, but I recently had a Kenwood DNX890HD and now have a Pioneer AVIC 8100nex, Pioneer makes a better head unit imo

 

[davem2421]

Thanks scott_0. could you elaborate on that please? just my own curiosity if it's hardware or software or both.

 

[stefanoooo]

4200NEX yes that is good

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

Thanks scott_0. could you elaborate on that please? just my own curiosity if it's hardware or software or both.

I like their UI better and performance seems better too.

 

[davem2421]

that seems to be what I've been reading online as well that the UI is better with the Pioneer.

Thanks

 

[fragilemn]

I have a Sonata with the factory system that includes Android Auto. An annoyance that I have with it, is if you are using Google Maps through AA and then go to use a music app through AA , you still get the Google Maps voice guidance which is good and as it should be, but the voice volume and the music volume are tied to the same audio channel so you cannot change them independently. I have no idea if these aftermarket units do this or not, but I thought I would mention it as something to look out for while shopping.

 

[Dr Claw]

After almost a year with the 8100NEX I'm a fan of Pioneer's head units after years of using Kenwood nav units. I like their UI for the non-Android Auto sections. All of their models also have 2 USB ports so say (like me) if you use an iPod, you can have it running while Android Auto runs.

The new Kenwoods: DNX893 (a true competitor to the 8100/8200NEX), and DDX9903S have dual USB, which I assume will allow the kind of functionality I describe above. The 9703S has a single USB like the DDX99 and DDX97 models from last year. If all you do media wise is your phone I would recommend that. Otherwise, ether the DDX9903S, DNX893, 4200NEX or 8200NEX depending on needs/budget is a good buy. I personally like the Pioneers.

 

[Tom Westrick]

I have a Sonata with the factory system that includes Android Auto. An annoyance that I have with it, is if you are using Google Maps through AA and then go to use a music app through AA , you still get the Google Maps voice guidance which is good and as it should be, but the voice volume and the music volume are tied to the same audio channel so you cannot change them independently. I have no idea if these aftermarket units do this or not, but I thought I would mention it as something to look out for while shopping.

Some do. My Pioneer 4100NEX allows you to set the music and alert volumes at different levels.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Tom Westrick]

One thing I've noticed about most Kenwood models is they don't have hardware forward/back buttons for audio. So say you're navigating and want to change the song, you'd have to go to the music screen, click next/back, then go back to the Maps screen. With hardware buttons you can skip songs from any screen.

 

[Dr Claw]

One thing I've noticed about most Kenwood models is they don't have hardware forward/back buttons for audio. So say you're navigating and want to change the song, you'd have to go to the music screen, click /next/next, then go back to the Maps screen. With hardware buttons you can skip songs from any screen.

This is exactly why I like the Pioneers.

 

[fragilemn]

just be prepared for a never ending stream of bugs being introduced, being fixed, new ones introduced, and so on. You never know if issues are being worked on or not and suddenly they are fixed oh but then another one pops up from nowhere.

 

[davem2421]

Thanks for all the replies and info. I ended up purchasing (aka pre-ordering) this Kenwood DDX9703S | Navigation and Multimedia | CAR ENTERTAINMENT | KENWOOD USA

I like that it has rapid charging capability as I have a note 5 and my, round trip, drive to and from work is 2hrs. I also like that it will play music through bluetooth but honestly I mostly listen to Sirius radio so not sure how much I'd use music apps.

Lastly, this also has a single USB cable and though it would have been nice to have two, not so much a deal breaker.

My only problem now is the unit is on pre-order with no ETA and it's driving me nuts.....

Appreciate all the help - Thank you!