jleidel

anyone have any experience with the Kenwood KDC-BT742U?
http://outlet.crutchfield.com/p_613B...?cc=01&tp=5684

I found it in the Crutchfield outlet store, but it has the major features I'm looking for. The two big ones are built-in bluetooth and front mounted ipod/usb ports. Bluetooth is negotiable, but I really want the ipod adapter [ipad junkie]. I really didn't want to mess with ancillary usb cables strewn about in the cabin.

I've had great luck with Kendwood Excelon gear in the past... just curious if anyone had tried this unit.

sweet928

Check out the Alpine 103BT. I have seen them for about the same price. i think might look slightly better in the dash IMHO.

jleidel

sweet, thanks for the tip. I agree, the Kenwood is a bit fugly... The Excelon units are much better looking, but they didn't do what I wanted w/o lots of "accessories."

dr bob

The reviews scare me. We have a kenwood outlet store in driving range, so I'd be there looking at the unit live with support, maybe I wouldn't be so concerned.

Old age is wreaking havoc on me these days. I like the radio to be simple enough to operate at a glance, and not take five steps just to change sources or find a playlist. I use a BT headset so the sound quality is always predictable-- no little microphones down in the head unit under the AC vent please. But that's just old technophobic dr bob talking...

jleidel

I'm not terribly worried about the reviews. I'm used to complicated head units from previous experience, so the myriad of controls doesn't scare me much.
On the bluetooth... I have a two year old and a four year old in the household. An urban cowboy would last longer on a bull than a bluetooth earpiece would last in my household :-)

Nicole

I just got a new Pioneer DEH-P6200BT with blue tooth installed in the 928. I'm still trying to get used to it - it sure isn't as intuitive as my previous stereo, or the one in the Saab. The reason why I picked it was that it had the least amount of metal of any of the units I was considering, and is supposed to be more reliable than the new Blaupunkt units.

It replaces a much better looking Blaupunkt Toronto, which has a non-functioning display. Blaupunkt USA no longer supplies the part. Blaupunkt Germany wants to see the unit before they will tell me, if they have a display for it. I would then have to pay $50 to get it shipped back to the US, or leave it with them...

911tracker85

I just installed a Blaupuntk Dearborn with a iPod jack. simple, clean look, and sounds great with my stock amp/speakers. simple direct replacement for my old monterys, yep two of them and neither works well.

but I understand those who want a lot of 'bells and wistles'. good luck.

Cosmo Kramer

Ya that Kenwood looks way to ricey for the 928 interior. There are other offerings available that look much cleaner. I have a silver Pioneer unit that looks like it came from a Japanimation cartoon and I can't wait to ditch it!

VehiGAZ

I have the Eclipse head unit and iPod interface from this set of gear available.

I give you good price! Very good price! Like I give my cousin...

LT Texan

sorry for the hijack, but do people still use cd's?

VehiGAZ

See deez NUTS!!!!

S4ordie

Why yes. I'm currently getting a reasonable interest rate.

jleidel

i still have cd's... [i actually still have LP's]... but i digitize almost everything these days such that it gets backed up several times on my home network. [sans by blue-ray collection which doesn't get backed up]

LT Texan

ha ha! right, what 25bps?

Nicole

My interest in CDs is still reasonable. I usually have a few in the car.