Great price on the Clarion DXZ785USB

[Eric Giles]

Newegg.com's Shellshocker deal of the day is the Clarion DXZ785USB for only $117 with free shipping. These are $299 from Crutchfield, and around $200 on average from ebay. Here is a link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882647014

Tons of features, fully adjustable illumination to match the BMW amber, USB port, time alignment, crossovers, etc. Personally, I had the predecessor to this model a few years ago, and wasn't terribly impressed with it. However, improvements may have been made and at this price it's hard to go wrong.

Just remember-this is for today 1/1/2009 only and there are only a few hours left. Just thought this might help someone find a headunit.

[E30 Cabrio]

Great deal on a very good HU

I got mine from Fry's for $150.00 when it was on sale last summer.

The sale at Newegg is now over and the "regular" price is $169.99 with free shipping.

Still well worth it IMO

I'm quite happy with mine and would recommend this HU, especially for $170 bucks shipped.

[E30 Cabrio]

newegg.com has dropped the price down to $159.99 with free shipping:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882647014&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-In-Dash+Car+Audio-_-Clarion-_-82647014

Note the description states the USB and AUX are in the back, but they are actually 36" cords that originate from the back of the unit so you can run them to your glovebox to hide and control your iPod.

I have mine come out under the HVAC controls so I can plug my iPod/Sansa/USB drive into the USB cord and it even reaches the USB drive I have on my key ring, which is what I use the most.

This is now considered last years model, thus the discounted price.

I've had mine for about 4 months now and would give it a 4 out of 5 rating.

Lots of features, but the screen is hard to see with the top down and sun shining and the slider controls take a while to get used to.

[Mtriple]

newegg.com has dropped the price down to $159.99 with free shipping:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882647014&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-In-Dash+Car+Audio-_-Clarion-_-82647014

Note the description states the USB and AUX are in the back, but they are actually 36" cords that originate from the back of the unit so you can run them to your glovebox to hide and control your iPod.

I have mine come out under the HVAC controls so I can plug my iPod/Sansa/USB drive into the USB cord and it even reaches the USB drive I have on my key ring, which is what I use the most.

This is now considered last years model, thus the discounted price.

I've had mine for about 4 months now and would give it a 4 out of 5 rating.

Lots of features, but the screen is hard to see with the top down and sun shining and the slider controls take a while to get used to.

Can you post some pics of it installed? It would be cool to see what it looks like in an E30...

[guibo09]

is it just me that finds this HU hideous? people keep recommending it, i think im really missing something. maybe some real in car pics would help.

[Mtriple]

is it just me that finds this HU hideous? people keep recommending it, i think im really missing something. maybe some real in car pics would help.

I'm with you, that's why I want to see pics installed in an E30.

[E30 Cabrio]

is it just me that finds this HU hideous? people keep recommending it, i think im really missing something. maybe some real in car pics would help.

Maybe I'll take some pics if I ever get a good digicam.

The HU looks nice because it is Black w/white lettering and the LCD and buttons can be adjusted to 768 different colors, so it matches the BMW Amber

Perhaps its a matter of personal choice, but IMO, it looks far better then all the HU's that are silver, red, blue and a whole mish mash of different colors that appeal to the ricer crowd.

Plus it sounds great and has lots of features.

The only negative on the looks is that it does not mount flush with the dash.
Other then that, it looks right at home with the color scheme and the Amber LCD/buttons.

You want to see hideous?: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-QsMfXTa...?tp=5684&wm=cl

[Eric Giles]

is it just me that finds this HU hideous? people keep recommending it, i think im really missing something. maybe some real in car pics would help.

Even though I am the one that posted the special price on this unit, I had an earlier but similar Clarion model a few years ago that didn't look that great in an E30. It had the amber illumination, but the shiny accents and the way the face stuck out wasn't to my taste.

However, this unit has an all black face and looks to be a slightly cleaner design. I figured it probably did still stick out a bit like E30 Cabrio mentioned, but honestly-where are you going to find another head unit with all of these features and overall quality-plus matching BMW illumination-for such a low price? Unless it is used, you won't.

Did I order one of these? Yes. Do I need it? No. I have an Alpine CDA-9835 and a CDA-9855 that fit much more flush with the dash, but even used they cost a good bit more than the Clarion. However, the Clarion still has the same and possibly a few more features than these previous top model Alpine's.

This Clarion may not be the prettiest thing out there, but it is definitely not hideous.

Note: Mine will be coming in today, and I might go ahead and install it in my M3 to try it out. I will take a few pics if I do.

[Mtriple]

Note: Mine will be coming in today, and I might go ahead and install it in my M3 to try it out. I will take a few pics if I do.

yes please.

[guibo09]

i guess the lack of a classic volume knob gets to me.

but you guys are right, finding a classy simply HU is next to impossible. Im probably gonna go with this and modify the lighting to amber (fuck warranties)

[E30 Cabrio]

The slider controls take a little getting used to, but as far as price, features and color scheme and illumination options, the Clarion HU was the best choice IMO

I originally wanted an Alpine, but couldn't find one that met all of my requirements.

It's hard to find something that matches the E30 interior.

I wouldn't pay $300 for it like at Crutchfields, but the current deal is a good one and is a little less then what I paid for mine due when considering I paid shipping costs. ($170 total cost delivered)

I was looking at a later model BMW Business CD player, but it doesn't play MP3's nor does it have the other features I wanted and is 2x the cost.

[guibo09]

lets see in car pics of the clarion! day/night

[E30 Cabrio]

Shitty Camera phone pics:




The display is overexposed in the 2nd pic, but you can see the USB cable that is routed from under the HVAC controls that I attach to the thumbdrive on my keyring.

It would be cool if BavAuto made a HU that looked like the stock unit, but played CD's, MP3's, had USB, AUX, RCA outs for AMPS, etc...

I pay $300.00 for that.

[Mtriple]

Not bad, but as Eric mentioned, it sticks out kind of far. Thanks for posting pics.

I ended up buying the Alpine 9887. It sits very flush with the dash and it can be switched to Amber, although the smaller buttons light up red. My 9855 was the same way and they were so small it really didnt stick out.

[Schniddy]

Thiss one

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_105KDAVX44/JVC-El-Kameleon-KD-AVX44.html?o=p&showAll=Y&tp=5684&tab=review