Recommend a new Head Unit

1196 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by wrenrj1, Jan 5, 2017

wrenrj1

Discussion Starter · Dec 25, 2016

My radio is suffering from the display lighting going out when the headlights are on. The fix is posted here somewhere but I'd just prefer to get a new head unit for my 2007 RTX.

My requirements are:
-Works with factory harness/speakers, i.e. plug and play.
-Bluetooth for phone
-XM ready, or compatible with the XM plug in unit (cant recall the model from Crutchfield)
-At least some knobs, I hate total touch screen
-Double Din
-Aux Input, but starting to question the need if Bluetooth is available.
-Iphone compatible, hands free.

Don't need:
-DVD/CD
-pretty graphics
-Nav
-Steering wheel controls
-Subwoofer

Looking at a budget under $400.00. Any ideas or suggestions would be welcome, even radios to stay away from. Thanks.

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1 - 6 of 6 Posts

S.T.U.V

· #2 · Dec 26, 2016 (Edited)

I have bought a few of the pioneer x720bt for family members and they love it. Simple and gets the job done. But it looks to be discontinued. So I recommend anythign pioneer.. This might suit your needs...

Pioneer MVH-X690BS Digital media receiver (does not play CDs) at Crutchfield.com

or

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130290BT/Pioneer-MVH-AV290BT.html?avf=Y

Nothing is plug and play. Everything will always require some wiring to connect the radio harness to the converter harness that plugs into the factory wiring. Basically reading a chart and connecting the wires it tells you to correctly. Not rocket science.

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roakey

· #3 · Jan 3, 2017

Pretty much same question, same year and same reason:

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/...ics/148017-suggestions-radio-replacement.html

Roak

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OhSix

· #4 · Jan 4, 2017

wrenrj1 said:
My radio is suffering from the display lighting going out when the headlights are on. The fix is posted here somewhere but I'd just prefer to get a new head unit for my 2007 RTX.

My requirements are:
-Works with factory harness/speakers, i.e. plug and play.
-Bluetooth for phone
-XM ready, or compatible with the XM plug in unit (cant recall the model from Crutchfield)
-At least some knobs, I hate total touch screen
-Double Din
-Aux Input, but starting to question the need if Bluetooth is available.
-Iphone compatible, hands free.

Don't need:
-DVD/CD
-pretty graphics
-Nav
-Steering wheel controls
-Subwoofer

Looking at a budget under $400.00. Any ideas or suggestions would be welcome, even radios to stay away from. Thanks.

roakey said:
Pretty much same question, same year and same reason:

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/...ics/148017-suggestions-radio-replacement.html

Roak

Personally, I'm a huge fan of Pioneer products. As far as install goes, dash and wiring kits are out there. Pretty sure sonicelectronx.com and crutchfield.com include install goodies free. You'll still need to join head unit pig tail to vehicle adapter pig tail but other than that you are plug and play.

If omitting disc playback is a hard requirement, this one seems to fit your criteria. @ $120 MSRP, street price is probably very attractive.
https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/Digital+Media+Receivers/MVH-X690BS

I'm the opposite of you as far as touch screen, preferring them over hard key designs with nested menus. But that's neither here nor there.
Just in case its of interest, here's the only touch screen DD non-disc (they call them media receivers) &200 MSRP
https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-MVH-AV290BT-Double-DIN-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B01LXHZ3X1

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wrenrj1

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 5, 2017

Ended up going with this:
Alpine CDE-W265BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

Amazing how much better an aftermarket sound system sounds than the OEM unit.

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wrenrj1

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 5, 2017

OhSix said:
Personally, I'm a huge fan of Pioneer products. As far as install goes, dash and wiring kits are out there. Pretty sure sonicelectronx.com and crutchfield.com include install goodies free. You'll still need to join head unit pig tail to vehicle adapter pig tail but other than that you are plug and play.

If omitting disc playback is a hard requirement, this one seems to fit your criteria. @ $120 MSRP, street price is probably very attractive.
https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/Digital+Media+Receivers/MVH-X690BS

I'm the opposite of you as far as touch screen, preferring them over hard key designs with nested menus. But that's neither here nor there.
Just in case its of interest, here's the only touch screen DD non-disc (they call them media receivers) &200 MSRP
https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-MVH-AV290BT-Double-DIN-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B01LXHZ3X1

My issue with touch screens is that you have to take your eyes off the road to scroll/find what you are looking for. My wife's 2016 Subaru has a touch screen that mixes channels/settings between all of the inputs i.e. AM, FM, XM etc. that IMHO takes attention off the road and fine motor skills to drive and touch/scroll etc. But as you said, it's neither here nor there, just a preference.

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