Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I've used this unit since Feb '10, purchased it from Crutchfield when it came out.
Pros:
1) The Garmin based GPS navigation is far and away better than most factory navigation programs that I've seen. Secondly, the unit is essentially a Garmin Nuvi. One look at the file structure on the unit (hooking your computer up to the mini-USB port in the back of the unit) shows a typical Garmin based directory which also means that the maps should be upgradeable using the Navteq updates Garmin sells - or using the version you have if you bought a Garmin GPS unit recently. I don't see why you would have to wait for the unit-specific upgrade, the normal GPS data should work just fine. We'll see when I upgrade it myself.
2) The unit comes with a rolling color scheme. It's a small thing, but the option to match your interior lights in your car is nice.
3) I have had zero problems with the unit since February. I have not fiddled with any firmware or other major software updates. My wife plugged her iPhone into the unit and it worked just fine as well. Bottom line, 10 months of use and no problems. If you want to bypass the video lock feature so your passenger can watch movies as you drive, just look on the kenwood USA forums. It's easier than on the Pioneer units, from what I understand.
Cons:
1) Boot up time is pretty slow. The unit is, naturally hooked up to your car power, so if you drive a manual tranny, and you happen to stall in slow traffic, driveway, etc., when you restart the engine, the GPS will go on/off. However, it will resume navigation from the last set destination immediately upon reboot.
2) I'm thinking of purchasing the KNA-NT100, which is the Navteq FM based traffic information source. Frankly, the unit should comes with this. Combined with the DVD player and the aux-in and iPod/iPhone connection, you have everything that you and your passenger could use during a long drive. However, you will have to pay for the wiring for the apple products and the FM traffic receiver. El cheapo mp3 players, like the one I have, can be plugged into the USB port, but I don't think players like Microsoft's zune or more advanced ones which hide the directories on the device will work with the USB function on the receiver. You can, however, plug an aux-in cable in and just play your audio through that (as I do).
3) Menus are slow and the UI looks pretty dated. However, you have a user upgradeable GPS unit, with a nice big touch screen (which is resistive, so you can use it with your gloves on - something you can't do with a capacitative screen such as your smartphone during the winter in the Northeast) which has quite a few nice features.
The unit only got 4 stars because my brother's HTC HD2 simply won't get detected by this unit. My blackberry bold 9650 and the wife's iphone 4 (and her old LG KF900) were detected just fine, but apparently there are some bluetooth incompatabilities, and the HD2 is one of them. If you want to use that phone in particular with your navigation unit...well, SOL. Since this unit is in my car and not his, however, it's a great unit for me.
No complaints here.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Brand New Kenwood Excelon Dnx6960 All-in-one Double Din 6.1" Touch-screen Monitor/dvd/player/navigation Combo Receiver with Dual Zone, Ipod Interface, Advanced Garmin Gps, and Remote
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