Kenwood or Eclipse?

Neaners · #1 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 06:34 PM

First off, let me start off by saying that I am am totally mobile DVD/NAV ignorant... Now with that being said ...

I have been shopping for the Eclipse 5510 .. Went by the local "authorized dealer" in town to get a quote. All and all, it turns out to run about $1800. But the guy was REALLY trying to sell me on the Kenwood NAV6019. If I went that way, I was looking to save about $500 (well I found the unit on the net for $879 so I might just buy that and have them install it.. but thats another story -). I surfed around trying to find like a side by side comparison of the features of the two, but to no avail. Was hoping that someone might be able to tell me (in layman's terms) the pros/cons of either or their experiences?

Thanks in advance!

greybeards22 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 07:09 PM

I just installed the KENWOOD unit, Easy install and happy with it so far

czechm8 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-17-2007, 09:03 PM

I have an Eclipse unit so I'm kind of partial to them. However, I have a few friends that use the Alpine IVA-W205 and they seem to be really good units. You might check them out.

Ragin Cajun · #4 (**permalink**) 09-23-2007, 07:37 PM

Look at ebay. I have the 7019 now in my truck. You can get the 6019 and a nav addon for less than 750. I like my kenwood.

Puffnstuff · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 11:43 AM

If you want the eclipse 5510 look at cartronixplus.com as they've got it pretty cheap. Also if you're electrically inclined you can install it with no problem. I soldered the wires from the unit to the schoshe toyota adaptor wires and that was probably the hardest part of the installation besides tapping into the speed/reverse wires.

LGL002 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 12:14 PM

You can try Tristateaudio a ebay seller also. I just bought my new in the box AVN5510 for $828 + $40 shipping from them.
While I'm here Puffnstuff what was the part # for the Scosche adapter you used for your AVN5500 so I can see if it would work on my 04 with the 6 disc type 3 radio.

Larry

Puffnstuff · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 05:56 PM

I used a TAO21 harness to connect my eclipse to the non jbl factory toyota harness.

LGL002 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffnstuff

I used a TAO21 harness to connect my eclipse to the non jbl factory toyota harness.

Thanks a lot I appreciate it.

Larry

Neaners · #9 (**permalink**) 10-01-2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puffnstuff

If you want the eclipse 5510 look at cartronixplus.com as they've got it pretty cheap. Also if you're electrically inclined you can install it with no problem. I soldered the wires from the unit to the schoshe toyota adaptor wires and that was probably the hardest part of the installation besides tapping into the speed/reverse wires.

What is the process for tapping into the speed/reverse wires? I have always installed my own stereos in the past, but to be honest with you, I was a little scared to do it this time as I know nothing about how this truck is constructed, and am damn scared to break anything. The local Eclipse dealer up here wants $1499 for the unit, and like $200 to install it (not including the kit or adapter, etc). I know you can get it for cheaper online, but they told me, "we generally don't install stuff that you don't buy from us. We WILL do it, but the labor rate for the install will be $300-$350." and of course, that is totally outrageous. But if i could fairly easily do it myself .... hmmm ....

Puffnstuff · #10 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 09:13 AM

I just used small wire taps to bind them together and they are included with the unit. It takes like 5 minutes to get the instrument cluster out and you don't have to completely remove the lower trim panel either. I tapped the wires then ran them over to behind the head unit to give myself extra wire length to play with instead of tapping directly to the nav unit wire harness.

Neaners · #11 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007, 04:10 PM

does anyone know of a write up or anything about taking out the radio? or anything close?

Tundrav8yamaha · #12 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neaners

First off, let me start off by saying that I am am totally mobile DVD/NAV ignorant... Now with that being said ...

I have been shopping for the Eclipse 5510 .. Went by the local "authorized dealer" in town to get a quote. All and all, it turns out to run about $1800. But the guy was REALLY trying to sell me on the Kenwood NAV6019. If I went that way, I was looking to save about $500 (well I found the unit on the net for $879 so I might just buy that and have them install it.. but thats another story -). I surfed around trying to find like a side by side comparison of the features of the two, but to no avail. Was hoping that someone might be able to tell me (in layman's terms) the pros/cons of either or their experiences?

Thanks in advance!

Eclipse is a decent unit and if I too to chose between that and Kenwood I would buy the Eclipse over that anyday . To be very honest I skipped Eclipse to the Better Hdd Pioneer Z1/Z2 because the overall content was a lot better. Hdd is Hard drive technology and a lot better for storage and having everything as a mulit tasking Unit. The pro's on a Hdd Unit is just like a computer Music is ripped and burned into the 30 gig Hard drive (10 gig) is used for map's sofeware and 20 gig is used for Music. The advanges on this system is also voice commands I can talk to my navi system and say this simple command Like Music search Play "Top Gun" and the system's plays that vs looking for that and pressing a button. Hdd is also nice because unlike the dvd based system's you dont have to carry Dvd around for the maps nor have any Cd's which might waste space.Yea this units dont run cheap try $1,500 but if you look hard on ebay you might find some used around $900 or so.

hear is a picture on a Crewmax Install in Georgia