Head Unit suggestions? Prius II

Although I ready like the Garmin in the kenwood, I went with the JVC KW-NT1. It was close to $400 less than the Kenwood as well.

 

Kenwood eXcelon DNX-9960 should fit your need. I have DNX-6960 with smaller screen but with REAL buttons and volume knot and I love it. I'll post bad and good things about Kenwood unit.

*BAD Stuffs*

All units have some issues and none of them is perfect. Kenwood units boot slower (takes about 25 seconds) but you only boot once per drive. If you do a lot of short trips, a fast boot unit is better for you. If you have an hour drive one way like me, the boot time really doesn't matter. By the time I started driving, the unit is ready for me. The other not-so-good thing about Kenwood unit is the user interface. They have a bunch of configuration options and you need to dig through many levels in the menu. You'll get used to it but it is not very intuitive.

*GOOD Stuffs*

How important is the GPS for you? Once you install it, you are stuck with it for as long as you keep the car, unless you replace the entire new head unit (a big hassle unlike potable units). Pay a little extra and get the unit with the Navigation system you really want! Kenwood units come with Garmin Navigation and they have map updates every 3 months. You can get a lifetime map updates for about $100. Garmin also post frequent firmware updates. It is hackable too with many hidden functions. You can load red light camera locations, etc...

Backup camera. I think Kenwood has the best camera. It has CCD sensor that can do split screen view. The backup camera can come on before the unit is fully booted.

eXcelon audio quality is damn good! It has 5v preamp out (3v for competition) including the sub-woofer and it comes with 2 years warranty (1 year for competition). To take advantage of better sound quality, it is better to get new speakers. I can't comment on gen3 stock speakers but gen2 stocks are worthless (tiny magnet with paper material).

For bluetooth phone compatibility, see this link.

Good luck with your choice.

 

I forgot to mention about the Dual Zone. You can play DVD audio in the rear and navigation or bluetooth phone audio in the front.

I think Garmin Navigation also has a dedicated processor since the Nav does not bog down from watching DVD, playing 320kbps MP3 files, etc...

 

There are car kits available from multiple sources. Kenwoods, JVC, and Pioneer all are good, and all have some little problems. I think the 7" touch screens of the flagship models give the prius dash a much better look even though the dash kits don't match the texture.

All the top units have voice controlled nav, can take any rear camera, and will improve your sound. The front speakers are components with 6x9 woofers and 65mm "squawkers". Most upgrade with 6.5" components. The rear speaker is a 6.5" coaxial.

I have a pioneer z110bt. It is probably the best integrated unit with the iphone and ipod. The unit offers voice navigation, voice dialing, and voice control of the ipod (song, artist, albumn, or playlist). The voice controlled navigation is slow but works. The nav also lets you put in partial street names so you can set location fairly quickly if you pull over. You can also add your own points of interest and customize the interface. THere will be a for pay software upgrade to make it a z120bt that has some nice features like pandora control on the iphone and eco modeling of trips.

The maps are good, and the unit hooks to the speed sensor and has accelerometers for dead reckoning. The unit also does not have a remote if that is important to you, but you can buy one. The traffic information service runs out in 2012, and is not accurate at least in Austin. I have used the service for movie times, and to find cheaper gas stations, but either of the other units should have better traffic information. Kenwood should be better with nav and map updates because of the garmin software.

I think usbseawolf2000 gave a good description of the kenwood systems. Let us know what is important to your decission.

 

I'm using this guy (look elsewhere for better pricing): JVC KW-NT3HDT Navigation receiver at Crutchfield Signature

 

Not sure how much you paid for it but DNX6960 with iPod cable is now $750 with free shipping after rebate.

 

I am wondering about the Nav performance in Pioneer and JVC units. Are they just as fast if you are multi-tasking?

 

I'm not using Bluetooth (or Ipod connectivity) so couldn't tell you how fast it is when used in conjunction with associated features. However, the system menus are just as responsive during music playback (from USB drive or CD) and GPS navigation instruction as when both are inactive. Switching between audio sources (FM, HD Radio, USB, CD/DVD) is also zippy (what feels like no more than a second, though that time increases when playing back music from a data disc due to the necessary scanning by the laser involved).

 

did this install myself and am happy with it, using my iPhone for GPS & tunes:
head unit
front speakers
camera
steering wheel adapter

upgrading the head unit was a significant improvement in sound quality, as was upgrading the front speakers. sounds pretty good now, but when i have time i'm going to upgrade the squakers and rears, then add an under seat sub and sound processor to equalise the eq.