Aftermarket Radio

vibrtor · Post by **vibrtor** » Tue May 13, 2008 5:49 am

Came across this HU. Looks pretty nice, good specs, excellent user reviews. Has anyone purchased this unit. Would appreciate feedback. [IMG][/IMG] http://www.crutchfield.com/App...GX700

nygiantzz1 · Post by **nygiantzz1** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:01 am

I'm sure the audio gurus on the board will comment soon, but personally, I own a lot of JVC gear and have never had a problem with any of it. Most of what I own now is home audio/video gear, but I've had JVC head units in previous cars and really liked them. The unit you're looking at is pretty sweet. You can't go wrong with Crutchfield, great online store!!

vibrtor · Post by **vibrtor** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:12 am

Yep, it's a nice unit and Crutchfield is a good outfit. But I can purchase it for about $70 less (incl. shipping) than Crutchfield. The harness/antenna adapter is at Walmart for 7.50 and the faceplate kit is $6 online (not even sure if it's needed). Installation is not at all difficult, so I'm saving $55 over Crutchfield's price.

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:50 pm

Quote, originally posted by vibrtor Â»Yep, it's a nice unit and Crutchfield is a good outfit. But I can purchase it for about $70 less (incl. shipping) than Crutchfield. The harness/antenna adapter is at Walmart for 7.50 and the faceplate kit is $6 online (not even sure if it's needed). Installation is not at all difficult, so I'm saving $55 over Crutchfield's price.JVC's are nice... I used to do repairs on them, and I liked them the best for there un-amplified sound over all the others that crossed my bench (this was 10+years ago though, mind that) I'm NOT a fan of double DIN units... they SCREAM...But if I were to get a Double D unit, I would get one, at least with DVD playback, otherwise, you can get the same or more in a single DIN unit... As it is, over half the case on that will be empty.. just the nature of the beast.. For the 55$ that you might save getting it from walmart, IIRC you ALSO lose any sort of warentee on it, where as Crutchfield you SHOULD get the warentee, plus you get all of the install bits and instructions (not that it's difficult)I don't have any "recent" experiance with them, just from old... You might consider going the Crutchfield route to get the warentee though... just my .02$ on that..

nygiantzz1 · Post by **nygiantzz1** » Wed May 14, 2008 1:08 am

I was thinking the same thing about Crutchfield, you get all the installation items free and no hassles if you need warranty repairs.

vibrtor · Post by **vibrtor** » Wed May 14, 2008 2:03 am

I think you're misunderstanding something, guys - I'm not getting the HD at Walmart, just the harness/antenna adapter kit and the dash kit there. Beach Audio has the radio for $182 including shipping. However, having just checked their return policy, I'm not going to get it there either.How about this unit: http://www.crutchfield.com/App...RX400I haven't been able to find much in the way of owner feedback about this unit, other than that on Crutchfield's site (it's fairly new), but it's well equipped. And it has NO red backlighting, which makes my day.

vibrtor · Post by **vibrtor** » Wed May 14, 2008 2:41 am

I should clarify something. I'm not after an HU with all the bells and whistles. I'm mainly after a unit with a front USB port for my flash drive. DVD capability not desired and satellite not a priority. I use my flash drive thru an fm modulator now and it's adequate, but features and sound quality are so-so. Also want cd/cdrw-mp3 capability. (It goes without saying, anything is better than the factory unit).

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Wed May 14, 2008 5:56 am

Get it from where ever you like, just be for warned, that MOST places will not honer the warentee, if not purchased through an authorized dealer... Crutchfield has gone to great leingths to get authorizations from most all of the manufactures it sells.. and another reason why they are more expensive than other places...

Joli · Post by **Joli** » Wed May 14, 2008 1:29 pm

I have this unit in my '05 Platinum AWD and it looks and sounds great. I have the stock speakers and I did get it from Crutchfield. I was looking for a decent setup with a front USB port. I'd post a pic but I'm away from home and my baby till next week.

vibrtor · Post by **vibrtor** » Thu May 15, 2008 2:54 am

Are you referring to the JVC or the Panasonic HU? Have you had any problems leaving the flash drive plugged in when you start the car and the source is set on USB? (In another posting, I'd noted that mfrs' user manuals say to not start the car with the flash drive connected).

Joli · Post by **Joli** » Thu May 15, 2008 7:39 am

Sorry bout that, I have the JVC, have had no problems with leaving the USB drive in when starting.

vibrtor · Post by **vibrtor** » Tue May 27, 2008 12:21 am

Would really like to see pics of the unit in the car. I'm torn between the JVC and the Clarion DUZ385SAT.

Joli · Post by **Joli** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:09 am

Ask and ye shall receive I will try to get one of it lit up tonight and post it as well. JVC XW-XG700 purchased from Crutchfield with install kit for faceplate and wiring harness. Note that if you do buy this from Crutchfield the wiring harness from the included car harness must be connected to the harness for the radio, which means either (removed) splices or soldering and heat shrink tubing. I soldered mine to avoid the clump look and to get a better connection all around. Took about 30 min to do the soldering ( about 15 wires or so ) Had to also take some mounting points off the faceplate with a dremel tool ( only plastic so you COULD use a razor knife) and it was really easy to do .. All total about a hour. And I did NOT disconnect everything from the cover panel that you need to remove to get the radio out of the console. If your careful you can move it around and avoid disconnects if you want to.Good Luck with it if you deceide to go with it. I love mine 2005 Silver Vibe AWDSome MODS to Follow

Attached files

vibrtor · Post by **vibrtor** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:10 am

I stumbled on a photo of the JVC last night - pure luck (see attachment). But I'd still like to see pics of yours in the Vibe. I'm familiar with all the connections/mods that have to be made. A few questions: 1. When you connect the orange/White (illumination) wire on the HU to the blk/wht(?) wire on the factory harness, does the dimmer rheostat on the dash still dim the radio? 2. When using a flash drive (1g or less): a. does the artist/title scrolling leave off letters? b. Do the songs resume where you left off when you restart the car?BTW, I also have an '05 silver Vibe (2WD) and, while I now reside in FL, I used to live not to far from you (Reading, PA).

Attached files

Joli · Post by **Joli** » Wed May 28, 2008 11:06 am

See my previous post to see the radio installed in daylight. This attachment I just took tonight. To answer your questions. 1. While I think I hooked up the dimmer wire, I cant be sure, but the display does not dim currently, I'll have to check now that you reminded me 2a. I've used 512 meg up to 8 Gig sticks and no problems so far. Seemsd to be qwerky as far as shutting off while using the USB and resating it back at the same place. I think it's best if you change to another source before turning off the car and then after starting go back to the usb, either that or removing it before and then inserting after you start. 2b. THere is a limit to the # of characters but there are like 5 different ways to display info so you do have a choice as to what is displayed. Hope this helps

Attached files

Joli · Post by **Joli** » Wed May 28, 2008 11:09 am

another pic

Attached files

vibrtor · Post by **vibrtor** » Wed May 28, 2008 11:30 am

OOoooooo, that's purty. Red buttons go well with the rest of the dash.

vibrtor · Post by **vibrtor** » Wed May 28, 2008 11:34 am

Thanks for the info. I'm pretty much sold on the unit. I don't think there's anything better out there in a DDin radio. Even tho the Clarion includes an XM tuner, I don't subscribe to XM, so it's no biggie. My factory unit has XM too. May try to sell it.

Joli · Post by **Joli** » Wed May 28, 2008 1:49 pm

Good luck with it, posta reply and pic's when you're done...

vibrtor · Post by **vibrtor** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 6:11 am

Just installed the JVC radio. Big problem - the display lens is so reflective, I can't see the display. And the display isn't bright enough in the daylight either. Now I know why Pontiac put a polarized lens on the factory unit. I would think you're having the same problem.

kunkstyle · Post by **kunkstyle** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:07 am

you could always fashion a little plexiglass hood over it...

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:09 pm

Quote, originally posted by vibrtor Â»Just installed the JVC radio. Big problem - the display lens is so reflective, I can't see the display. And the display isn't bright enough in the daylight either. Now I know why Pontiac put a polarized lens on the factory unit. I would think you're having the same problem.You "should" be able to buy a lens cover for it, an anti-reflective one, you might have to MacGyver it from one for a computer monitor, but you "should" be able to get one.. I would think that you could get a lens protector for like a GPS unit that would come close in screen size..

Joli · Post by **Joli** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 1:02 pm

Well I have to admit it is a bit reflective. not so much for me that I can't see it save for direct sunlight on it. But now that you mentioned it, I'll have to see if I can get something to cut it down and see if improves it... It didn't seem to be a problem for me so I did not think to mention it

vibrtor · Post by **vibrtor** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 6:30 am

See my further comments on the JVC in the Radio Upgrade topic. I returned the unit to Crutchfield - absolutely no hassle and they paid return shipping. Kudos to them - they're a good outfit to do business with. Not the cheapest place, but, in situations like this, it's worth the added expense. Most other places charge a 15% restocking fee... and you pay return shipping. That alone more than made up for the higher cost.

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