I'm looking to get a new head unit for my truck. You can see the current setup I'm running in my sig. My door speakers currently run off my head unit. I already bought an amp for the door speakers but haven't hooked it up.

I'm looking at the Alpine head units, I would like to stay around $200 or so. If anyone has any suggestions of other units in that range feel free to let me know.

My question: Are there specific features I need to look for to hook up more than one amp?

Also: I want to be able to control the ipod from the head unit, and would like a remote.

Any suggestions are welcome.

BTW: These are the two head units I've been looking at

Alpine CDE-102 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com
Alpine CDA-105 CD receiver at Crutchfield Signature

 

believe me, you dont wanna control the ipod through your headunit. i have an alpine that i have to do that with and its a *****. you HAVE to do it through the headunit and cant use the remote. it takes forever to find a song, especially when you have 3k songs on there. sound quality is better than an AUX jack but controling the songs through the actual ipod is so much easier. so id reccomend one with the AUX port on the front and just make sure it has all the sub controls on it

 

Do either one of the units I was looking at have those features?

 

The Pioneers have pretty decent iPod control through them, pretty much the same as using an iPod itself and just as fast once you get used to it. The only awkward thing with them is pressing the center button with the joystick thing is hard to do sometimes. Sometimes it does left or down instead of pressing the button in. Just go play with them at a store.

AUX ports suck, they don't charge and you can't keep the iPod hidden

 

Do you have the option to control it with the ipod still?

 

Yep, I forget which model my friend has but look on their website and most models are similar

 

As long as I can still use the ipod to control it then I'll use it. I'll look at some Pioneers too

 

Can all head units hook up more than one amp?

 

I think this is the head unit I'm gonna get Alpine CDA-105 CD receiver at Crutchfield Signature

Any have this or know someone with it?

It's got pretty good reviews and it comes with the ipod cable.

If I use the ipod cable can I still switch songs with the ipod itself?

 

prolly not. at least not with the one i have or any of my friends. maybe the brand new models?