I hope i am not out of line. A few months back I purchased a Clarion NX 500 for my '03 Tundra. I had replaced the stock 6 CD unit with a later model Scion unit that had Sirius capabilities,. I used a TomTom GPS for navigation. After some time I decided to purchase a unit that would combine everything, AM/FM / CD / Sat / GPS and if possible a rear view camera. I wasn't interested in dumping thousands into a new HU, thus the Clarion unit seemed OK for the price. I replaced the speakers, installed Dynamat throughout. Then installed the new NX 500. Boo Hoo. The washout on the screen is worse than that of the Scion unit. The GPS mapping is a few years old and at as of early October there was no update available. (I will check again). However, the older map is not a big deal. Of course one cannot see the map because of the washout (Yes, I look at it before I start to drive). My iPhone seems to periodically interrupt the radio signal, the Sat pre-sets periodically are erased when I start Tundra. There has been one s/w : f/w update that did correct the ability for my phone to consistently work properly via bluetooth. clarion seems to be little or no help - the little help was the bluetooth update. Well, that is it in a "nutshell".

so what exactly is your problem?

as for the sat radio brain is the connection solid and not able to come looose? where do you have it mounted?

I was whining more than anything about the disappointment of the unit. Regarding the intermittence of the Sat Radio, it is clearly a s/w : f/w issue. I am going to tint my windows in hopes it will reduce the washout of the screen.
B

yea on the screen thing they all suck it doesnt matter.

thanks for the reply. i was surprised that the Clarion was worse than the Scion one. I think tinting will help.

tinting will help tremendously depending on the percentage you get, but even my alipine with the amoled screen is hard as hell to see. they are alllllllll like that.

thanks zapco

no prob bud!!!

I have the same HU in my truck, and I think for the price, it's a decent unit. You are right, tho Clarion is no help whatsoever if you have a problem. A few months ago the unit started acting weird during phone calls using bluetooth, and I had to reset the unit. There are map upgrades available now, but for 100$, I'll pass. The washout will be helped tremendously by tinting. I have 80% on the two fronts and 30% on the three rears and washout is not really a problem. I cant tell from your avatar, but if you have a sunroof, that will make it much worse.

Thanks for the feedback. Yesterday was an interesting day with the Clarion HU. I tried using my GPS with an IPOD plugged in -- no GPS volume. Unplugged the IPOD, volume returns. Also my presets were erased twice this week. I agree that for the money, the unit is fine. It is very acceptable when it is working properly. Slim chance thought that i would recommend Clarion to anyone. THere support is non existent.

clarion went downhill when they got rid of their pro audio line, after that their products were never on the top tier like they used to be