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View Full Version : aftermarket headunit advice.


marwanni
03-24-2011, 02:15 AM
Hi,
I want to upgrade my stock stereo. I have a 2010 Mazda 3 gs sport. I want to get a nav headunit with a nice screen. I am leaning towards kenwood excelon.

I added a sub and amp to my stock stereo and I'm not satisfied with the stock speakers anymore. My plan is to change the head unit first and change the front speakers with components later and later after that get rid of the mono sub amp and get a 5 channel amp or maybe even a 3 channel.

the only thing that makes me hesitate is:

1. Is there any way to retain the factory bluetooth steering wheel buttons? Will they be able to control the new unit's bluetooth interface?

2. what will happen to the clock and temp screen? I also like how this screen shows the phone icon when the phone is hooked up, its nice when you wonder if you have your phone with you or not. All not a huge deal but i hope that the clock and temp will still work.

These are the units that I am considering, Kenwood excelon dnx-6980 $1100.00 without shipping, or kvt-696 +kna-610 + bluetooth module ($1010.00 sonic electronix incl.shipping)

What do you think?
JayJay18
03-24-2011, 09:37 AM
Pioneer Z120bt or the Z130 if you can wait for.
IMO the best bang for buck headunit. Interface is nice, GUI is easy to use, Nav is more than satisfying.
Very simple headunit. As for changing your speakers, after you install the new headunit your speakers will get a lot more power than before and if you set you EQ and high pass filter correctly im pretty sure you will be satisfied.
But as you said go with the heaunit first.
As for the bluetooth if McGuyver sees this thread he can let you know because he has done this
marwanni
03-25-2011, 12:28 PM
What about keeping the lcd screen with time and temp? Has anyone tried that on a 2010? One more thing I would love to know, Is it possible to hook up the aux. in in the arm rest to the new aftermarket stereo?
JayJay18
03-25-2011, 02:00 PM
What about keeping the lcd screen with time and temp? Has anyone tried that on a 2010? One more thing I would love to know, Is it possible to hook up the aux. in in the arm rest to the new aftermarket stereo?

Aftermarket decks have RCA inputs for Audio In so if they are RCA on the stock deck end then yes if not you will have to do some splicing to the AUX