Pioneer DEH-P5900IB - Radio / CD / MP3 player - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Overall, this unit sounds and looks pretty good for the price. You have to spend some $$$ to get all of the use out of it ($99 for Sirius adapter and $149 for Bluetooth hands free cell use... plus installation) I really got this unit for the iPod control with the additional cable. I got tired of using a radio channel to be able to use my ipod on the road, mainly because of the loss of sound quality and constant channel interference.
So here is my main disappointments in the unit:
1. If you have a large capacity iPod (30-60-80 GB) you must have a lot of songs/artists, right? When you scroll through large lists through the pioneer interface, it takes FOREVER! Start on "A" in artists, and it will a long time to get to "M" and the whole time you cant just hold down the selector control, you have to click to advance each and every one separately. Fun, right? NOT! Why couldn't they have made a quick scroll like apple or made it where you could at least just hold down the button. I will wear out the remote in no time!
2. You know how on an iPod, when you navigate lets say, to the "M" part of your artists, you can click on a tune, listen to it, then push up and go right back to where you left off? Forget it on this Pioneer. You spend all of that time navigating to the middle of you artist list, listen to a song, then have to start from scratch to continue navigating. What an oversight for Pioneer, they eliminate an iPod function that in my opinion makes the iPod great. Now I have to redesign my iPod to create shorter browsing lists (still trying to figure that one out).
3. The removable face is a pain in the butt to put back on.
4. The manual was written by a 5-year old with little command of the English language. Please, how much extra would it cost to hire a English proficient copy editor?
5. Aux input on the back? HUH? This isn't a home stereo unit. Are you going to tear apart your dash and un-install your head unit to plug in that extra device? I know it is possible to put an input on the front, I have seen it in their other units.
The good points:
1. Sound quality is great with 7 band EQ. I use my truck's stock speakers and this head makes them sound better than I thought they could.
2.The way the iPod connector is routed allows me to keep the iPod hidden in the glove box or console. (No visible wires)
3. You can change the display with ease at your whim.
4. A MAJOR plus:... You can beef up the sound level of your iPod and turn down the level of your CD to make all of your input devices approx the same volume level with some adjustment. This is probably the best feature.
All in all, a good unit. Pioneer could have made this unit outstanding with a few seemingly minor design fixes. I was hoping there was a way to download a firmware update because I would think that there are many others with the same complaints.


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Kenwood DNX5160 6.1" In-Dash Double-DIN Navigation DVD Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Kenwood is pretty nice. I had it installed in my Benz and its OMG!! the clarity of it is simply astounding. I also had a rear camera installed and when its active you would think your watching a movie in 1080... The monitor is a very nice size and since it was nicely installed it looks like it came standard. When the Navigation is on and you have music playing it really does practically mute the music to give the directions that are required. In that aspect it is much better than the previous Kenwood (the one with the flipout screen). It was definately worth the purchase. Just make sure you dont get it at Car toys directly the best price was here on amazon. I also got the steering wheel control and that works great also...Make sure you add the ipod connector. I havent figured out how to do the split screen yet....but it does show semi nav on the bottom of the screen when you have it on audio and vice versa on Nav it shows the music at the bottom.

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The DNX5160 is an all-in-one navigation/DVD entertainment system with built-in navigation by Garmin technology to get you safely to your destination. A high-resolution, customizable 6.1-inch touchscreen provides you with crisp, clear images. High-speed access to iPod/iPhone audio and video delivers the added benefit of advanced search features designed to let you spend more time listening to your favorite songs, instead of hunting for them.

6.1-Inch Touchscreen with Variable Illumination The DNX5160 puts intuitive control right at your fingertips with its 6.1" QVGA TFT Active Matrix Display and powerful, easy-to-use graphical user interface. Customize the unit's front panel illumination by choosing from a large palette of colors--match your interior tones, dash lighting, or whatever tickles your fancy. Selectable wallpapers and customizable backgrounds offer further personalization.
Improved Interface The DNX5160 features an easy and intuitive GUI (graphical user interface) with several refinements, including a vivid three-dimensional appearance.
Improved split-screen operation makes accessing features a snap. For example, the split-screen displays two different screens side by side, allowing you to toggle between two frequently used screens.
Built-In Navigation--Guidance by Garmin This integrated navigation system guides you everywhere with ease on the DNX5160's 6.1" screen. All functions are intuitively controlled by touchscreen menus, and voice guidance works over the vehicle's speaker system. There is no need to swap map discs since it comes with a built-in full-memory Garmin Navigation board that features maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Navigation feature include:
Easy-To-Use GUI (Graphic User Interface)
Over 6 million points of interest
Program Up To 500 waypoints For long trips
Text-To-Speech (TTS) Voice Guidance (English, French, Spanish)
Lane Assist with Junction View:
Selectable 2D or 3D Map Display
Track Log Display
Trip Computer
ecoRoute

Add the KNA-NT100 for live traffic updates from NAVTEQ. NAVTEQ provides real-time traffic data for over 80 major cities in North America, meaning that if traffic is congested up ahead, the DNX7160 will automatically re-navigate the route to get you to your destination in the shortest amount of time.
Enjoy Your Favorite Media The DNX5160 is a media powerhouse, letting you play your favorite CDs and DVDs, along with several digital audio and video formats. The unit accepts DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW, VCD and CD-DA discs. It plays back AAC-LC, MP3 and WMA audio files; MPEG1 and MPEG2 video files; and can display JPG images. Throw your files on a disc or a USB device and enjoy them in your vehicle wherever you are.
And of course, you can still listen to the AM/FM radio. Use Auto Memory to automatically add stations with good reception to presets, or enter them manually. The DNX5160 displays FM radio text when available, traffic information, and allows you to enter station names.
Seamless Connection with iPod Video/Audio Connect an iPod using the optional KCA-iP301V cable to enable full video (for iPods with video capability) and/or audio control. You'll supply power to your iPod as well as charge it while you enjoy your music. Kenwood AV navigation systems are compatible with iPhone and iPod models, and offer video playback for iPod. Search functions include playlist, artist, album, and genre, as well as the new intuitive Direct Search.
USB Direct Control You can enjoy your favorite music, video or images from USB devices like flash drives or MP3 players. When connecting a USB device, playback starts automatically. When a battery-powered USB device like an MP3 player is connected to this unit, it also gets a charge, so it's ready to go with you when you exit the vehicle.
Input and Output In addition to the iPod and USB support, you can use the DNX5160's front auxiliary A/V input to connect external audio/video sources like video game systems.
The unit also features an A/V output for sending content to an additional screen in the vehicle.
Plenty of Power, Room to Grow The DNX5160 features an on-board 50W x 4 MOSFET amplifier, but also offers three sets of 2V preamp outputs (front/rear/subwoofer) for building your system.
System E's+ Crossover System A single IC that allows the user to select from 8 different high-pass filter crossover frequencies plus pass-through, with independent selection for front and rear outputs. This makes it easy to optimize the performance of all amps and speakers in a car audio system without needing an external electronic crossover. System E's+ also incorporates a phase switch and low-pass filter for the non-fading output. The low-pass filter has selectable cutoff frequencies of 50Hz, 80Hz, 120Hz and Through.
System Q EX Sound Control Five factory pre-set equalization curves (Rock, Top40, Pops, Jazz and Easy, plus a flat setting) and three speaker matching curves (OEM, 6x9, 5/4 plus a flat setting) that can be combined to give the user extreme flexibility over the sound's tonal character. The preset curves include midrange contouring, giving music more clarity and presence. System Q EX allows the user to modify the preset curves by changing the amplitude of the bass, midrange and treble compensation, and the Q of the bass and midrange compensation. The new curves can then be saved as presets for future recall
Bluetooth Ready Add the optional KCA-BT200 to enjoy hands-free phone operation or to listen to audio stored on Bluetooth devices.
HD and SAT Radio Ready The DNX5160 allows you to enjoy SIRIUS (requires CA-SR20V cable + Sirius Tuner) or XM (requires KCA-XM100V + XM Mini Tuner) radio in your vehicle. Enjoy a multitude of channels featuring music, news, talk shows, sports and traffic information with CD quality sound.
You can also add an HD Radio tuner (requires KTC-HR300). When you connect an HD Radio, Tuner features of the unit are disabled and changed to HD Radio tuner features.
Rear Camera Input The DNX5160 is ready for a rear camera, allowing you to monitor behind your vehicle as you back up.
What's in the Box Kenwood DNX5160, GPS Antenna, Sleeve, Trim Ring, Wiring Harness, Installation Tools/Hardware, Installation Manual, User's Manual, Navigation Manual, Warranty Card.

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VIZIO VSB210WS Universal HD Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've tested sound bars from Sony, Yamaha, Philips, Samsung and Polk Audio. Was not able to find the Marantz and Denon models. These products encompass a wide range of price points. The one I bought was the Vizio: great sound and convenience at a price near the bottom of the range.
The wireless subwoofer is an amazing convenience. Its range is at least 20 feet, and it sounds terrific in a variety of placements.
I connected the soundbar to my HDTV console with an optical cable, which works extremely well with one caveat--to activate the audio, the TV must be set on a digital channel. After that, analog audio (including from a DVD player) comes through as normal. If you use the included conventional cable, no issues.
You have limited control options to tailor the sound, but that's to be expected at the price. Vizio uses SRS Labs' surround virtualization chip and also throws in its volume stabilizer to knock down loud commercial breaks. This is a cost sacrifice, as the Dolby and DTS HD audio codecs are much more expensive. No problem; the others sound thin, while the Vizio washes you with clear, powerful sound.
It's not true surround sound, but unlike some rivals, the audio experience isn't overly directional (sounds good throughout the room) and is much better than basic stereo. If you can't run wire through your walls to deploy full surround, this is a fine compromise.

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Product Overview Be the envy of all your friends! Continuing to raise the bar in home electronics, VIZIO brings you the NEW VSB210WS Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer. Designed for home theater enthusiasts, this Sound Bar is the complete audio solution giving you a Wireless Subwoofer that can be placed anywhere* and cutting edge sound technologies such as SRS TruSurroundHD SRS TruVolume delivering the High Definition experience you've always desired! Your friends will be so green with envy they may never go home. VIZIO - Where Vision Meets Value!Subwoofer can be placed up to 60ft with clear line of sight Additional Features of the Sound Bar with Subwoofer: SRSTruSurround HD - Experience rich bass and clear dialog SRSTruVolume - Monitors and balances sound levels so you no longer have to experience volume ups and downs Four 3-Inch High-Efficiency hand built mid/bass transducers Two 3/4-Inch High Performance aluminum dome neodymium tweeters Subwoofer Frequency Response: 35Hz up to 80Hz 6.5-Inch long throw (high excursion) driver Subwoofer placement anywhere within 60 ft of sound bar - clear line of sight High-Performance 32-Bit 150MHz DSP Audio Engine Impressive Sound Pressure Level measuring 90dB SPL (1W @ 1M)SPEAKER BAR DIMENSIONS 39.95-Inch (W) X 4.82-Inch (H) X 4.33-Inch (D) SUBWOOFER DIMENSIONS 11.18-Inch (W) X 12.77-Inch (H) X 11.84-Inch (D)

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Clarion PXW1252 12-Inch Dual 4 Ohm Voice Coil Subwoofer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a sub not for people that don"t want a true high quailty sub that produces perfect tone and super spl,iam a musician and have done live sound for over 27 year at 43 years old i have a good ear.for what true bass sounds like and a hard person to please with sound quailty because after years of being in the stage with guitiars and keyboards and bass ,witch is what i play ,so when go for what sounds real to me in low end reperduction i think i this sub kills!!
it has all the tone and punch. and kick this sub is being powered by a elcipse xa 1000 running this sub at a 2 ohm load the amp pushes 480 rms true watts ,. it is in a 1cubic ft sealed box made of 3/4 high densty mfd
.the quailty off this subb is aaaa+as you would expect from Clarion it shows why they are a leader in high end car audio
so if you like true bass and spl and over the top sq buy this sub it is a no brainer it truely kills and leaves other subs behind!! its in a class of its own...
SMALL SPACE KILLER BASS!!!!!!

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Garmin GPS 10x Sensor for Blackberry Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It works fine and is just as accurate as any other GPS I have had. The only "problem" I have is with the Blackberry, not the Garmin. The Blackberry doesn't give any indication if it is connected. You know it is connected when whatever program you are using starts to work.

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Turn your BlackBerry into a world-class GPS navigator with a Garmin Mobile subscription and the GPS 10x Bluetooth device--a wireless package that combines server-based navigation and a high-sensitivity GPS receiver. It's easy to get started: simply purchase a subscription through the Garmin Mobile Buyer's Guide, then activate and install the Garmin Mobile software on your BlackBerry. Finally, synchronize your BlackBerry with the portable Garmin Mobile 10x receiver and start navigating. Once the package is installed, you'll have access to detailed directions, maps, and points of interest, including voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions with audible street names. The intuitive user interface, moving maps, and off-route recalculation, meanwhile, are must-haves for people who get lost easily.
The GPS 10x Bluetooth receiver is both portable and wearable, with the ability to install in your car for vehicle navigation or clip to your clothes for strolls through the city. The Garmin Mobile subscription even gives you access to free wireless data services, with dynamic content for routing around traffic tie-ups, viewing the local weather, and finding the least expensive gas prices. And thanks to the extra-long 22-hour battery life, the compact, lightweight receiver is ideal for mobile executives and professionals. Other details include more than 1,000 waypoints, several route choices (fastest time, shortest distance, etc.), and route avoidance (to elude busy highways, tolls, and more). The GPS 10x measures 3.04 by 1.65 by 0.7 inches (W x H x D), weighs 2.1 ounces, and is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box GPS 10x receiver, one-year Garmin Mobile subscription, lithium-ion battery, belt clip, vehicle power cable, quick start guide.

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Magellan Premium Car Kit for iPhone and iPod touch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Well I have been using this for a bit over a week now and here are my impressions:
Pros:
-Excellent build quality; very solid and holds my iPhone (in a Speck PixelSkin case) very sturdily.
-Good mounting of iPhone with swivelling dock connector and flexible/adjustable top clip.
-Fits iPhone perfectly with my Speck PixelSkin case. But be warned - it was adjusted to its highest point, so it wont fit a case larger than the PixelSkin.
-GPS fix more accurate than iPhone's internal GPS. This resulted in less jerky movements and less jumping around during GPS application usage.
Cons:
-GPS signal dropped out far more often than my standalone TomTom PND. This is unacceptable in a product meant to improve GPS reception that actually uses the same GPS chip as the TomTom PND I am comparing it with.
-With kit mounted on windscreen the iPhone overheated and stopped working (displayed a temperature warning message and forced itself into sleep mode) once. Mind you this was after three hours of driving, directly towards the Australian summer sun on a 35C/95F day. This is not a shortcoming of this Magellan kit, but rather an issue with mounting iPhones in car windscreens in general.
-When switching the car ignition from 'accessories' to 'run' and then to 'on', the Magellan kit naturally loses power momentarily. However when it powers back on, it often would not sync with the iPhone's Bluetooth as the power cycle was too fast. I would need to manually power cycle the Magellan kit (ie. remove power plug, then reconnect) allowing enough time for the iPhone to lose Bluetooth sync before re-establishing the power.
MAJOR MAJOR CON:
-When you plug a 3.5mm audio cable into the AUX connector on the Magellan kit (for attaching to a car stereo, or external powered speakers, etc.), the music and application sounds CONTINUE COMING OUT OF THE BUILT-IN SPEAKER!!! This is a ridiculous design, as it means to listen to music through your car stereo without the crappy built-in speaker ruining the music for you, you need to turn down the volume on the Magellan Kit (as this only controls the volume of the built-in speaker). But then if you receive a call, the call audio (via Bluetooth) cannot be heard (as you have turned the volume down on the built-in speaker, which is where the call audio is sent), so you have to manually turn the volume up on the Magellan kit again (using a fiddly little dial that is difficult and dangerous to find while trying to concentrate on driving). You have to do this EVERY TIME a call arrives... STUPID!
Why oh why was the kit designed like this? We will never know. However Magellan have responded to my question about it and have indicated that they will release some sort of firmware/software/application fix for this speaker problem in the near future.

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The Magellan Premium Car Kit transforms your iPhone into a complete in-car solution for GPS navigation. Simply place your iPhone in the cradle and connect the power. There's no need to remove your protective case--the cradle adjusts to your needs.








Magellan Premium Car Kit for iPhone / iPod Touch
Requires purchase of a navigation app. Sold separately.
The Premium Car Kit lets you use great navigation apps like the Magellan RoadMate App for iPhone and iPod touch (2nd generation) and instantly enhances your navigation experience.

This powerful, built-in receiver boosts GPS reception, ensuring accurate directions. Simply place your iPhone or iPod touch into the cradle and connect the power. The cradle even works with most turn- by-turn routing applications available today, including the Magellan RoadMate App for iPhone (sold separately).

The Premium Car Kit connects via Bluetooth (iPhone only) to deliver a superior hands-free calling experience. The powerful, amplified speaker delivers crystal clear calls and turn-by-turn directions. No need to even remove your protective cover--the cradle adjusts to accommodate most cases or skins.

Navigate in confidence with the Magellan Premium Car Kit!

Features
Built-in GPS receiver enhances performance A powerful, sensitive built-in GPS receiver provides faster and more accurate location information to your iPhone or iPod touch
Turns your iPod touch into a GPS navigator The built-in GPS receiver adds GPS capability to your iPod touch (2nd generation)
Fits hard shell cases or silicon skins Accommodates most cases or skins for maximum flexibility when inserting into the cradle
Works with most navigation or location-based apps While optimized for the Magellan RoadMate app for iPhone, the cradle is compatible with most GPS navigation apps
In-car charging The cradle automatically powers and charges when connected. No need to worry about running out of battery.
Noise-canceling, hands-free speakerphone Full duplex speakerphone for crystal clear calls
Powerful, amplified speaker Use the volume control for loud and clear voice guidance
Secure, adjustable vehicle mounting Quickly secure the cradle to your windshield or dashboard and easily adjust for portrait or landscape viewing
Audio line out for music playback on your car stereo Listen to your favorite tunes through your car's audio system

Car Kit Compatibility

iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4
iPod touch 2G, 3G
Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later and purchase of navigation app (sold separately).

What's in the Box Premium GPS Car Kit, Vehicle Mount, Adhesive Disc, Vehicle Power Adapter, Getting Started Guide

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Sony XA 110IP - Car headunit adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I wish I had read the reviews here before buying my Sony car stereo with this adapter, which I am having uninstalled and returned tomorrow.
One aspect of the "ignition reset" not mentioned by other writers is that the iPod interface mode changes when the ignition is turned off. What this means is that there are three ways to navigate through your iPod songs: Album, Artist, and Playlist. Like many people, I prefer to navigate by Playlist. Well, every time the ignition is turned off (basically, as soon as the warning beeps sound, telling you to take off the face plate if you don't want your radio stolen), the unit reverts to Album navigation.
That wouldn't be as much of a pain, except for another funky glitch: switching from Album->Artist->Playlist will cause the iPod to restart at the first playlist on your iPod! So, if you go to the trouble of disconnecting your iPod when you shut off your vehicle, you'll still end up resetting to the beginning the second you want to navigate by anything other than album.
Oh, and that warning tone I mentioned? It's just annoying. Really, now -- how many people remove the face plate of their system every time? I'm sure there are some, but why not provide the ability to disable the warning chimes?
All in all this interface unit is barely adequate. The only reason I would use it over the AUX jack would be to have my iPod charge while playing. The navigation and usability are about as anti-iPod as you can get.

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iLuv i199 High-Fidelity Bluetooth Speaker System with AM/FM, CD, Dual Alarm, and Dock for iPod (White) Review

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(More customer reviews)Cumbersome, slabby, placticky design. USB port secured under a pop-up panel that's hard to open without a pen or coin. Startlingly bad FM reception. Unable to access content on my jump drive; locked up when accessing content on my MP3 player, so that the off button didn't function and I needed to unplug the unit. Overpriced even had those features worked. I returned and went with the JVC EP-25, a less expensive, far superior product with approximately the same features.

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Samsung HT-Z310T 5.1-Channel Home Theater Surround Sound System (Set of Seven, Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this surround sound system with my Samsung LCD 46in 750 series HDTV.
This is a great surround sound system for the price. I was not looking to spend a crazy amount of $$ for a surround sound system. Some go for over $1000.
I am overall extremely satisfied with this product. Setup was easy, but the manual is somewhat confusing.
Sound is great. I use an optical digital audio cable (NOT included--about $30-$50 depending on length) from this system to HDTV. This is the best way for me, as I then don't have to connect anything else to the surround system. Any device that I use (Cable, Wii, XBOX 360), gets connected to the TV & the sound goes from the TV to the system via the optical audio cable.
Also, has anynet+. Which means that any other Samsung device's remote with anynet+ can operate the system (& vice versa) without programming.
Had built in up-converting DVD player. Is not an HD-DVD, but will up-convert any DVD to a better digital looking & sounding DVD. The built in DVD player gives you one less device in your home theater
Issues that could be better (therefore 4 star):
Wires for rear speakers could be longer. They are only about 30ft. Need to be at least 50 feet, or maybe even longer, to adequately run the wires over doors so they don't run across the room
Also, the speaker wires that connect to the samsung system itself are attached to a special connector. Therefore, you can't just run your own speaker wire from the system. You need to "splice" additional wire to the wires provided (Samsung doesn't sell longer wires, I called them).
The wires that do come with the system are not great in terms of gauge (samsung doesn't even known what gauge they are--level 2 support had no idea), but based on the size, I'm guessing about 18, maybe even 20 gauge)
You can go wireless for the rear speakers, but that's an additional $100 for a wireless receiver. ALSO, BE AWARE, that with any wireless speaker device, it WILL INTERFERE with wireless internet (you will get bumped off router if using in same room when receiver is on), certain cordless phones & certain microwaves. For this reason, I didn't purchase the wireless receiver.
Others have mentioned issues with mounting, as the mounts cannot be turned towards a specified direction. This is NOT an issue for me, as my speakers are not mounted, so I can't comment
OVERALL, This is a great sounding system for an unbelievable price!!
If you are an audiophile, this is NOT for you. Spend over $1000 for something else. If you want great sound at a great price, then this is for you

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The Samsung HT-Z310T 5.1-channel single disc home theater surround sound system is high performance and high style. Now there are more ways to enjoy your home theater system. Got an iPod? It also has a dock so you can listen to music from your iPod whenever you want. This home theater system is also wireless ready, so there's no need to hide wires or trip over them. Hear the amazing sound, enjoy more capabilities with the SAMSUNG HT-Z310T.

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JVC KD-A805 - Radio / CD / MP3 player / USB flash player - Arsenal - Full-DIN - in-dash - 50 Watts x 4 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I love this stereo. You cannot beat the price for all the functions it has. The Bluetooth is soooo useful since I hate those ear things - I love how my car answers the phone for me now. The dual USB is really nice. I don't even bother with CDs anymore, I just use my 8GB USB stick. I can also use the bluetooth to connect to the music on my phone which is another 8GB. That gives me 16GB of music space in the car... awesome!
Small complaints. When showing artist it first shows the album title in the text line. Maybe that's just the way I have my ID3 tags setup but it's annoying. For having so many colors, none match the other colors in my car but I like being able to change it every few weeks.

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TomTom XXL 540S 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)History with GPS Navigation:
I've used built-in Honda (Alpine), standalone Garmin, and Ford 'Sync' audio GPS navigation devices.
I loved the Honda navi for its size, and I hated it because updates were sparse and expensive.
I loved the Garmin for being up-to-date but I hated it because it always seemed to change its mind a lot, or direct me into strange areas.
I didn't really care for the Ford Sync navigation, as it wasn't a visual navi. Included for free with the car, but I choose not to use it. Maybe only good as a 'back-up' in case the TomTom fails-- though I don't think it ever will.
I sold my Honda and needed a new navigation system.
I bought the XXL 540TM for...
1) Screen size
2) Frequent map updates (4x a year + Map Share)
3) Ability to customize it (lots of settings to play with)
4) Well Known & Quality (I've always heard 'Garmin' is the best, but when I've tried Garmin, I didn't like it!)
5) Lane Guidance
6) IQ Routes (figuring out which roads were best to use)
By the way, in case you were wondering the "TM" stands for "Traffic" and "Maps", indicating there are free traffic and map updates. I had NO problems entering the "Lifetime Maps & Traffic" code provided.
What's in the box:
-> GPS device itself
-> Window mount (with suction cup)
-> Dashboard 'sticky' pad
-> USB cable (to connect to PC)
-> Car Power adapter
-> Set Up Guide
-> Slip of paper with 1 code, valid for Lifetime Map/Traffic updates
The first thing I did was hook it up to my PC and run all the updates. (A newer map was available + GPSFix + Map Share.) It took about 1.5 hours to update all of it. After it was done, it took up about 96% of the 2GB built-in memory. (I didn't check how much it used before updating.) Not a lot of 'wiggle room' to add more features. No built-in SD slot to add memory, either.
One major downside is that I don't like how easily the device 'pops off' the windshield mount. (See further explanation under "The BAD" below.) I am considering getting a (non-adhesive) weighted/padded mount to put on the dashboard.
The GOOD:
+ Screen size met my expectations. Easy to see everything on the screen
+ Startup time (including time to lock onto satellites) seemed fairly quick
+ Roads were up-to-date and labeled properly. Didn't find any errors
+ Allowed me to customize just about everything I wanted to.
+ It functioned perfectly as a Navigation device. This is where I felt Garmin was lacking. With all the features a Garmin has, it never seemed to 'navigate' the way I liked. Of all the features, the 'Navigation' is the most important, and TomTom does it well from what I've seen.
+ It pronounced some 'hard to say' roads perfectly! I'm sure I'll find some that are not right, but Garmin/Sync had a hard time saying road names.
The "OK":
+- Traffic is only updated by RDS (sent by local FM radio stations). This is what I paid for. RDS updated only major roadways (Interstates) and marked some accidents / road construction / road closures. It only worked when the power cord was plugged into the accessory power port on the car (as the cord functions as the antenna.) I would have preferred TomTom's GO/Live line of products which has a built-in 'cell phone' to grab more detailed and current traffic information. But, these were out of my price range. The XXL 540TM does "just enough" traffic to make it useful.
+- It takes some time to calculate a long distance route. But, I also know that it is using IQ Routes to choose the best roads. It seemed 1 or 2 seconds longer than it needed to be, but certainly not a huge problem.
The BAD:
- Internal memory not expandable. 96% used up without any 'extras' installed? Hope I don't need more...
- When browsing maps (dragging my finger) it is a bit 'laggy'. I don't expect perfection, but it seemed sluggish. Fortunately, I don't plan to browse maps often, so I'll deal with it. I tried turning off Points Of Interest (POIs), and turning off 3D maps (using 2D maps instead), and it really didn't seem to make a difference. I'm impressed with the detail it showed, but wasn't thrilled about waiting 10 seconds for the entire screen to finish 'drawing'.
- Windshield mount seemed to 'pop off' too easily. When suctioned to the windshield, I have to use 2 hands to 'hold' the GPS and keep it attached to the mount while I adjust. I suppose it is useful for people who leave the mount stuck on the windshield. I prefer to remove the device AND the mount and hide them when not in use. (I figure a thief will know that the mount is for a GPS, and that the GPS is hidden in the car somewhere.)I have yet to try this out on a LONG or COMPLEX road trip, but I have no doubts from what I've seen so far that it will be just fine.
OVERALL, I'm happy with the device. Happier than I was with Sync, Alpine, or Garmin. I consider myself an 'Average' navigation user (not a beginner, not an expert) and will update the review after using it more.
Sidenote: I ordered through Amazon, using "Beach Camera" seller. It was delivered ONE (1) business day after I ordered it! I used 'Standard' shipping, and FedEx (Home service) had it delivered fast. Very pleased with Beach Camera's shipping emails and speed!
=========================
UPDATE 11/18/2010:
I thought I'd provide an update after 6 months of using this TomTom device:
1) I am still very happy! It's the 1st GPS I've used that "just works" and I'm glad I don't have to mess with it.
2) I've mastered the technique of adjusting the screen position while simultaneously holding the suction base. Back in May when I first reviewed it, I was concerned about how 'easily' it popped off. Now, it is still annoying, but I've minimized the amount of times it happens by holding it appropriately. It doesn't annoy me enough to buy a different stand/holder.
3) The suction cup still holds on quite well. It hasn't fallen off yet. (I attach/detach from the windshield every time I use it.)
4) Traffic Receiver: I've been satisfied with alternate directions/road closings. It is quite accurate, even in rural areas where I didn't expect road closures to be displayed.
5) Long-distance travel: I've used it for a few long trips (1000+ miles) and had no problems whatsoever with it. I found the 'estimate' of time to be extremely accurate. It was no more than 10 minutes off. (I calculated the time I stopped for gas and added it to the original estimate.)
6) Battery life: I've found the battery life to be holding a little less charge than it used to, but nothing that I feel is alarming. Most of the time, I have the power cord connected anyway (so I can grab the traffic updates with the antenna built into the cord.)
Overall, this is my favorite GPS. I've been hooking it up to the computer less and less (meaning I am forfeiting new 'map share' corrections). I even decided NOT to get the latest map update. Why? Well, I feel everything is working just fine the way it is. I may update if I have the free time. This is in sharp contrast to my previous GPS experience, where I'd pray for updates to fix stubborn issues. The TomTom is just fine and I have had no major complaints. I am NOT in the market to buy a new GPS because I'm finally satisfied.
=========================
UPDATE 06/03/2011:
Here is an update after 1 year of using this device!
1) The battery is holding less charge than last year, but it still lasts 6-8 hours without needing a charge. Not a problem for me, because I use the car adapter most of the time.
2) I drove to Canada, and the maps were accurate! In fact, I liked that TomTom still told me the speed limits of the roads. (Sign said 100kph speed limit, TomTom showed 60 mph limit.) I found this helpful so I didn't have to squint at the tiny "kph" on my car's speedometer. I've made this trip before in the past (without my TomTom), and I chose to "Avoid Tolls" on this trip. TomTom found a very nice route that I had not known about. It used IQ Routes to get me around the rush-hour traffic too! I used the "Itinerary" feature for the first time, and found it worked quite well. I programmed 6-7 destinations the night before my trip. The next day, I simply opened the Itinerary and it asked me if I wanted to travel to the 1st one. I also ended up re-ordering a destination to later in the trip, and found an option to re-order. Very helpful!
3) I updated my map just once (right before my trip to Canada). I installed this on a new computer. I was worried that TomTom wouldn't 'know' that I was eligible for free maps on my new computer. But, I had no problem whatsoever! For those of you who don't know, all your map updates, downloadable color schemes, icons (etc) are done through the TomTom HOME software. You create an account with TomTom, and the TomTom HOME software uses that account to 'know' you're eligible for Lifetime Map updates.
4) I did discover 1 piece that doesn't work for me. I cannot use the "Safety Cameras" add-in from TomTom HOME. I haven't researched it though. I got an error message when trying to add it. No big deal for me, since I only planned to add it for curiosity. A quick Google search didn't reveal it as a widespread problem. I'll update this review if I find a cause/solution.
5) Yes, the GPS still "pops off" the mount too easily. It bugs me from time to time, but still not enough to buy a different mount/base.
6) Am I in the market for a new GPS? Nope! Still very happy with this one. (I got sick of every other GPS within 6 months of using it. But, knowing I still love this TomTom after 1 year says a lot!)
Good job TomTom, you exceeded my high expectations. Thank you!

Click Here to see more reviews about: TomTom XXL 540S 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

The TomTom XXL 540S is complete navigation in a XXL widescreen device. Switch on and it's ready right out of the box. Spoken turn-by-turn instructions, including street names, will guide you to any address in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico--including more than 7 million pre-loaded points of interest.




Complete XXL Widescreen Navigation and Spoken Street Names
IQ Routes IQ Routes technology* gives you the fastest route every time by using actual average speeds of travel on your route to calculate your trip rather than only posted speed limits, so you'll always travel the smartest route.

Advanced Lane Guidance Advanced Lane Guidance** uses photorealistic images to bring even more clarity to complex multi-lane exits so you can be more confident on the road.

5-Inch Touchscreen An extra-wide 5-inch touchscreen helps you find your way, worry-free.

TomTom Map Share TomTom has the most accurate maps, and with TomTom Map Share technology, you can instantly modify street names, street direction, POIs, road speeds, and turn restrictions on your own device.

Get Help With the "Help Me!" menu, there are added safety features so you can easily access local emergency providers.

EasyPort Mount The award-winning Fold and Go EasyPort mount folds flat against the device, making it easy to take with you from car to car.

The XXL 540S is complete, widescreen navigation.

*Feature only available in the U.S. and Canada**Feature available in the U.S. only

What's in the Box TomTom XL 540S device, EasyPort mount, USB cable, adhesive disk, car charger, and user's guide.

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Jensen VM9423 Double DIN 6.5 Touchscreen Multimedia System Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was drawn by the low price tag with the features packed into this unit. Once I installed this unit, the unit would not load a DVD/CD. So, did a little research to try to diagnose the problem and discovered that Jensen isn't that great of a brand. Couldn't get the DVD/CD to work, so I return the item. If you decide to buy the unit, one thing that you should do is add about a half inch or so to the depth of the unit. The unit has about 18 wires hardwired into the back left. In order to not bend the wires, it would be wise to ensure that there is more clearance for these wires. The installation manual is available at Jensen's web site so you can see what I'm talking about.

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TomTom GO 2435TM 4.3-Inch Portable Bluetooth GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic & Maps Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First the positive:
The bluetooth connectivity to a cell phone (although this is not suppose to be the core feature of the product) turns out to be the most useful feature. When driving, talking through TomTom is much easier than using the bluetooth ear piece.
The traffic monitoring feature has saved me time couple of times over the past three weeks of use. When TomTom detects a heavy traffic on 101, it informs me of the heavy traffic and suggests an alternative route. On those two occassions I followed the suggestion, I learned that I actually did save about 10 minutes on typical 40 minute route. The realization came from the traffic updated provided on the radio. From my detour to the destination, the traffic reported average delay of 25 minutes while the alternative route from TomTom took 15 minutes.
Now the not so good:
The onboard map does not seem to be comprihensive. Of about 15 addresses I tried to used for navigation, about 5 were not in the map. Several different variation like 7th, Seventh, 7 th, etc. informed that such address did not exist. On one occassion where the street was split across a highway, it look me to a wrong side. When the map has the information on the address, it works great. But, I found myself getting frustrated a bit too frequently and pulling out my iPhone to get the map I need.
The web interface has a bit of problem as well. TomTom website indicates that it has an update. When I connect TomTom, it tells me that the device has the latest update. A week or so later, I see on the website again that it has an update. When I connect TomTom, again I got informed that the device is up to date.
Overall, I do like TomTom because of the bluetooth phone connectivity, good traffic monitoring, and useful interface (interface works well when address is known). But, I gave only three stars for the frustration I encounter because TomTom does not have the necessary information too frequently and website fools too often.

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MTRS9 - Bluetooth Headset, 5x52, Red/Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It looks cool but two things;
1) It doesn't fit everyone's head and there is ZERO adjustability
2) It skips!!! When you walk around (or even bicycling) it skips! The bluetooth connectivity does not stream smoothly with music. You pretty much have to stand still for it to work, lame!
Don't get tricked by its look!!!

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TomTom GO 930 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Bought the GPS on Jan 14th 09. I did realize that I would get a unit that was repacked, maybe even used but fully functional. That I only get 6 months guarantee is mentioned in the description.
What I did NOT know at this point - and what is certainly not mentioned in the description - is the fact that TomTom does not give Latest Map Guarantee (LMG) on refurbished units! The LMG is a nice feature that (AFAIK) goes with every unit and gives you the opportunity to update the installed maps for free in the 30 days after purchase.
That means that you get the newest map for free in case right after your purchase a new map is released by TomTom, which is normally the case every 3 months.
This you do NOT get with the refurbished units. OK, I would accept that when the maps that I got with the unit would be fairly new. What I got are maps from spring 2008! And after talking to TomTom Support I realized that it is a game of luck what versions may come with the device, depending alone on the time when the unit was refurbished.
The feature I was looking forward to was Active Lane Guidance(ALG). I'm driving up and down I-95 and I have not yet seen a single ALG image! So the map version is pretty useless to me. The coverage with ALG surely gets better with every map version, ergo: by new maps.
The new maps will cost you at the moment 110$ for North America and another 160$ for Central and Western Europe.
Unit cost me 289 add both maps and you are at 559$.
New units sell currently for around 400$.
Think about it. Does that make sense?
BTW: Calling TomTom Support didn't change a thing: "...yes, no, very sorry, but no, no LMG on refurbished units..."

Click Here to see more reviews about: TomTom GO 930 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)

TomTom GO 930 REFURB 4.3 Inch GPS Navigator. If you're looking for the ultimate portable GPS navigator, you've got to consider the 930 series. TomTom's 2008 flagship models bring all of their technological advancements together with ease of use and a sleek design to present a severely cool device. For a couple of year's now, TomTom's been driving forward community-driven navigation features. They began by introducing with Map Share, which lets you instantly modify street names, street direction, and custom locations called points of interest (POIs) on your own device, then upload them to TomTom's HOME network and download changes made by all of the other users. When you do this, TomTom gets to find out what routes your device has been taking. The data is anonymous, but it's given TomTom an enormous pile of route and speed data, which they've used to tie community data to routing with their new IQ Routes feature, which calculates routes using the actual recorded average speeds of travel to calculate your trip rather than posted speed limits, giving you an extremely accurate prediction of how long any given route will actually take at any given time. There are a host of other interesting features, and you can read about them here. Refurbished.

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Power Acoustik NAVIBOX-1 Navigation Add-On Module Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This review is in conjunction with:
Power Acoustik PTID-8970NRB 7-Inch In-Dash Widescreen TFT/LCD Monitor with DVD
The reason I'm writing this is because I scoured the 'net looking for reviews on this unit to give me piece of mind. Well I'm glad I took the plunge. It's $200 extra, but well worth it. It's well programmed, you won't have a problem switching from a Garmin or a TomTom. It finds the satellites a lot quicker than my Garmin too, and I assume (though I don't have many tall buildings or mountains around me that it will hold on signal better there as well. And I have the antenna buried behind my glovebox. I imagine if I gave it more prominent positioning, the signal would be even better. The maps seem to be better than my garmin: it has less unnamed streets in my experience. And the fact that it's built into your dash and you don't have to sucker it onto your windshield is great. I'm really interested if anyone knows about software updates for it (just because I'm geeky that way). The website it points to doesn't seem to exist. You can quickly switch between your nav screen and your audio screens. You can continue listening to your source audio while in the nav screen and you can continue to get audio nav directions when off of the nav screen.
Added: and with my PTID-8970 it plays the audio from whatever source just fine while in nav mode.

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DICE i-FM-RDS-USB (PRO) FM Modulator for iPod, USB and Satellite connection (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I feel the two other reviews are harsh and probably will deter people from buying this product. The product arrived in excellent, like new condition without any signs of cheapness or disrepair. The modulator is small enough to place inside a typical vehicle glovebox (the only challenge I had was routing the cables from the glovebox to the radio cavity and elsewhere). The USB cable is at least 10 feet long, so you can run it to just about anywhere. The constant, ignition, and ground wire leads are only 2 feet long (as are the antenna input and output wires), so you have to place the modulator within 2 feet of your radio. The sound quality is better than my old Scosche FM-MOD01 (your typical inexpensive FM modulator) without any background noise. The iPod and USB functions work great so far, with the RDS text scrolling smoothly on my radio's display. The display shows messages from the modulator, as well as artist, song title, and album title (iPod) or folder title (USB flash drive) information during playback. The infrared receiver is about the size of a quarter and comes with 3M double-sided tape for easy mounting. The remote and receiver work well together. The RDS display will show messages when you press certain buttons on the remote to indicate response by the modulator. Also, for example, if you are listening to your iPod and enable shuffle, the RDS text will scroll normally, but at the end there will be an additional message in the scroll to the effect of "SHUF ON" to indicate that shuffle mode is enabled.
The lone disappointment I have encountered is that the unit seems to be iPod-exclusive in its playback of audio when you are not listening through the USB flash drive or satellite radio. For example, when I attempted to listen to Pandora, the iPod function on my iPhone pauses and Pandora begins to play. When the iPod pauses, the FM modulator stops its playback automatically because the iPod "syncs" to the modulator. In other words, this is a "smart" device as opposed to your typical 3.5mm audio jack modulator. The upsides of the syncing that occurs are (1) the remote controls the iPod's functions and (2) the iPod will charge and provide audio playback simultaneously through a docking cable. (For clarity, the docking cable is not included, but will interface easily with the USB cable provided.)
I experienced no issues whatsoever with static or fluctuating volume levels during playback. Make sure to install the device properly to ensure it will work like it's supposed to. This is a "pro" install device, meaning wire splicing is necessary. Neat, clean, insulated splices will ensure a proper installation
I recommend this product highly to anyone who wants to greatly expand the capabilities of an OEM Radio Data System radio!

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