head unit recomendation?

[campbellj25]

that doenst look too bad at all. is that blue light bright at night? is the mic wireless or does it run a cable to the back of the unit? pre out for sub? might have to pull the trigger on this one if the sound quality is good.

The blue light is fairly bright but not overwhelming. It can be dimmed if needed. The mic is not wireless, it plugs into the back of the head unit. It has 2 sets of pre outs front/rear, but the rear can be dedicated sub control if you want.

[Danny]

A side note, I have the JVC HDR61 (predecessor of the HDR71BT you're looking at I think) in my E30 and my MINI. I love it to death.

[aaron325ix]

that doenst look too bad at all. is that blue light bright at night? is the mic wireless or does it run a cable to the back of the unit? pre out for sub? might have to pull the trigger on this one if the sound quality is good.

[campbellj25]

There is the alpine installed to give you an idea. Sorry about the shitty pic

[campbellj25]

so youre saying despite what it says in the description, you dont really have to plug in your iphone into the usb port on the head unit in order to play music from the iPhone or listen to pandora?

Correct

[aaron325ix]

I just got this radio installed in my car tonight, I think it looks pretty damn good, but I like the blue light. I drilled a hole and mounted the BT Mic in one of the square dummy plugs next to the hazard switch. Made a few test calls, works perfectly and also works with Siri through the unit.

I tried out everything, Bluetooth streams my music library, pandora and I heart radio just fine from my iphone. Only thing is I can't choose between them with the head unit, I have to pick the program with my phone, but then the head unit can scroll through songs from there.

I will get a pic posted up here tomorrow when I get some light in my car outside.

so youre saying despite what it says in the description, you dont really have to plug in your iphone into the usb port on the head unit in order to play music from the iPhone or listen to pandora?

[StereoInstaller1]

What a crock of shit...fucking apple

[campbellj25]

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-XU0HDlm...&stop_mobi=yes

looks like bluetooth works for calls with the iPhone, but if i want to listen to music from it or even pandora, I have to plug into the usb in the front.

I just got this radio installed in my car tonight, I think it looks pretty damn good, but I like the blue light. I drilled a hole and mounted the BT Mic in one of the square dummy plugs next to the hazard switch. Made a few test calls, works perfectly and also works with Siri through the unit.

I tried out everything, Bluetooth streams my music library, pandora and I heart radio just fine from my iphone. Only thing is I can't choose between them with the head unit, I have to pick the program with my phone, but then the head unit can scroll through songs from there.

I will get a pic posted up here tomorrow when I get some light in my car outside.

[aaron325ix]

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-XU0HDlmmrhT/p_500UTE42BT/Alpine-UTE-42BT.html?tp=5684&stop_mobi=yes

looks like bluetooth works for calls with the iPhone, but if i want to listen to music from it or even pandora, I have to plug into the usb in the front.

[StereoInstaller1]

Huh? Should do A2DP fine with your phone, gotta be a typo. I have paired 3's, 4's 4Ss' adn 5s with new Alpine, should be no issues for anything.

As far as the new Alpines like the one you showed, they are all 100% made by Panasonic. Inside and out, 100% Pana-freaking-sonic, and another part of the riddle of why Panasonic quit making car audio.

Except for the stupid blue lights, I love them.

Luke

[aaron325ix]

I think i like the look of that alpine unit that campbell posted, just not sure about that blue source button. whats your opinion on that one Luke? I know you dont like Alpine so I'm kind of afraid to ask.

EDIT: looks like only blackberry users are able to connect wirelessly. I guess I'm SOL with my iPhone. WTF is up with that?

[CB-M3]

i installed my pioneer unit yesterday. will post pics when it's all cleaned up. i bought it based on reviews of other members saying color was close to the stock orange.

[StereoInstaller1]

i hear what youre saying Luke. i like the that the JVC has good color options, but I still think it just has a goofy look to it.

I won't disagree...like I said, all head units suck in one way or another IMO.

[aaron325ix]

i hear what youre saying Luke. i like the that the JVC has good color options, but I still think it just has a goofy look to it. Also where do you mount that damn microphone?

[MrGeekFreak]

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500UTE4...&stop_mobi=yes

Alpine UTE-42BT

This one seems to fit what your looking for. Doesn't have a CD player though. I just ordered one for myself a few days ago.

I absolutely LOVE the square, boxy look of these Alpines. It matches the cockpit of the E30 so damn well.

But, the lack of color customization sort of bugged me. Beyond that, my main selling point was Bluetooth, so I went for the Pioneer DEH-6400BT. It can color-match the interior lights really well, sounds great, and was less than $100 at the time.