Bluetooth + ipod headunits..

[minky monkey]

So, my Pioneer H/U has for some random reason gone up the wall.

Working absolutely fine until tonight, I've lost the display, the volume doesn't really do anything now and over a certain pretty quiet volume it crackles and hisses.

I think I can safetly say, it's kapput.

This will be the third Pioneer BT head unit I've had, and the 2nd to go faulty so needless to say I'm not overly keen on having another.

Have you guys/gals got any recommendations?

It needs BT and the ability to control the ipod from the H/U. I've seen a couple of Kenwood units that will do the job, have any of you got/used one?

The Pioneer interface was spot on, but their reliability concerns me.

[NiceCupOfTea]

I've got an Alpine CDE-103BT and a Kenwood BT60U, both were around the £150 mark. The Kenwood seems to have more features and is a bit more flashy, but if I'm honest the Alpine is a bit easier to use. Only had the Kenwood a week though.

The BT works perfectly with both, I don't use an iPod but USB support is good and I have had good reports of iPod compatibility with both.

[anonymous-user]

http://www.jvcmobile.co.uk/product.php?pr=236

I had one of these fitted a few weeks ago. On the site it says £200 but I'm sure I paid less through an authorised dealer. It has USB ports on the front and back, an 'aux' jack and bluetooth as well (plus you can upload your phonebook and dial through voice control), plus you can scroll through the iPod menu's through the head unit. It also can connect to steering wheel controls so that I can skip songs, etc.

Another neat feature is you can change the display colour to match the dash.

[AndrewW-G]

For me the parrott headunits are a little too bulky, in that they stick out from the dashboard far more than normal HU's do.

I'm currently using a Sony MEXBT3800U and love it, bluetooth setup was a doddle and the quality of music playback and telephone calls is good so far

[minky monkey]

Cheers all, I'm going to have a look at some this morning. I'll check out your suggestions.

[Mazdarese]

As above, Alpine CDE-103BT is an excellent bit of kit. Until recently we had one in each of our cars. You should be able to get one for around £150.

[anonymous-user]

I know you've not had much luck with Alpine units, but I am really enjoying my IDA-X311 mechless no-CD HU. There is a bluetooth box that connects to these units - and they do sell a version with it included...

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpine-idax313-blu...

[minky monkey]

Picked up the Kenwood bt60 in the end. All installed. It seems pretty good, still getting used to the interface atm. Sound quality's more than good enough for me.

[NiceCupOfTea]

minky monkey said:

Picked up the Kenwood bt60 in the end. All installed. It seems pretty good, still getting used to the interface atm. Sound quality's more than good enough for me.

Good choice - I still have some questions with the user interface too! Worst manual ever...