I was reading through some of the older threads here and it seems that most recommend a double-DIN unit over a standard/single. Is there a particular reason for that?

I finally drove up to Ohio on Saturday to buy the truck and drove it down to SC yesterday and the audio was abysmal, so that's my top priority. I am coming from an '09 Escape with Sync, though, so maybe I'm spoiled.

I'll be replacing the speakers, too, but I can probably find my own. I knew a bit about car audio 15 years ago but the head units & their technology have advanced exponentially quicker than speakers so that's where I need help.

What I know I do want is a USB port for a flash drive to alleviate the need for discs, an auxiliary/iPod port (whether it's on the front or back of the unit isn't really that big of a concern to me; this truck won't be winning any beauty shows), and bluetooth/hands-free compatibility (though this is a secondary desire, as I don't really use the phone much to begin with).

I don't need navigation and I don't need DVD playback. With these two options not being a factor, is a double-DIN still preferred?

I appreciate any assistance/suggestions. Thank you

 

Why double-din instead of single din? Looks, performance, cool things double dins do that single dins don't.

 

I agree a double-DIN looks better than excessive space/mounting kit fascia/pocket, but what does a double-DIN head unit offer in the way of 'cool things' and performance that singles don't?

 

For example, mine has Navigation, I can play movies off of my ipod, can listen to my ipod off of it and can view everything on the ipod just by using the headunit, You can view things like elevation and your speed and direction. There's other little things. Screen size is bigger, better. I can put things on an SD card and put the SD card into my headunit. In my opinion you're just better off spending the money up front and getting something that you really want rather than getting a single din and getting tired of it after awhile.

 

Rangerboy101 What deck do you have?

Ceezar I was looking at this deck.

Kenwood Excelon KDC-X993

 

Pioneer Avic-F700BT

 

I guess the difference with me is that I don't need options just for the sake of having options: function > fashion. As I mentioned initially, navigation isn't necessary and I can't see a need to distract myself with movies while I'm driving (and the speedometer already tells me how fast I'm going). All I need it to do is play music and podcasts, and perform those functions effectively and efficiently. And it meets these expectations, I can't imagine why I'd get tired of it.

Most single-DIN units have iPod direct control features and some also have SD card slots.

But I do thank you for your insight. I was just wondering if the favor here for double-DIN units was due to the features that you highlighted in your response, or if there was something I was overlooking in my own research.

 

I didn't get mine for the sake of having the options. Navigation will surely come in handy. It already has so I'm sure it's bound to again. I guess I just like fancy stuff haha

 

Not to hjiack, but are there any affordable dd's (under 500) that allows you to control an iPod touch with 3.0+ software, have the usb in the back, and are touchscreen preferably?

 

Pioneer Avic-F700BT

 

I ended up ordering a Kenwood Excelon KDC-X993 (and 2 sets of Pioneer TS-A6882R 6x8s). Thanks again for the help!

 

F700/F900/F90 can all be hacked and update to 3.0.

They aren't the best out there by far, but you can get them for pretty cheap online.

 

They have a hell of an aftermarket though.

 

Its not even a hack, Pioneer has a legit update for them. I got my 3.0 update from Pioneer

What do the others have that the F90BT doesn't? I haven't found anything yet

 

Sweet please let me know how you like. It. I am about to order mine at the end of the month.

 

F90BT = F900BT, just branded as Premier, comes with a 2 year warranty instead of a 1 year, and includes iPod cable.

F900BT/F90BT = DVD
F700BT = CD Only

Yes your right, you can order the 3.0 update from Pioneer, but there is also everything you need at avic411 on how to do it for free.

 

???

 

There is a good bit of mods that you can do to them.

 

Yes most certainly. Avic411 contains a wealth of knowledge, I have a few mods on my own. GPS mute, trip computers, better images, speedcam/redlightcam warnings, better button layouts, ect.

 

I didn't get into changing those kinds of things up. I can't afford to have a bricked unit.

 

With a working testmode SD card and a backup of your OS, you can't easily brick your unit.

 

Its so worth it. GPS mute is amazing, I got tired of her voice so fast. I don't see how you could brick it either, just find one of the mods that has it all in one folder. All you have to do is copy like 4 folders over and your done, no messing with individual folders or anything.

 

No I meant the other brands, not the other models. I know all the differences, I've had my F90BT for going on a year and a half now. It also has 4v outputs not 2v like the others but I don't even know the point of that haha. I just got a good deal on one on ebay so thats why I got it.

 

You will like those speakers amped up a bit.

 

I have been a long time fan of Clarion. I have a DXZ835 in my truck now, single-din. All the lights in my Grand Prix were red, so I had the faceplate color to the red setting. When I moved to the Ranger, I could change the color to green to match all the other lights. It is an old model, but reads MP3 and CD-RW. A couple of discs and you are set for the longest road trip you'd want to drive in a Ranger.