A thread about car stereo headunits. Now with new developments involving other things

Ramen Noodle

I recently got a new car (2003 Nissan Xterra) and since the stock head unit sucks, I want to replace it with a new one. I've been looking on Crutchfield since I think I can easily install it myself (pretty much everything I've seen online says that it's really easy for this car) and they offer free install gear. I've been looking at a few different units, the Sony CDX-GT540UI and Pioneer DEH-220UB. I'm really happy with the Sony unit that we put in the car that my sister and I shared, but there's a good Pioneer one on special that I've been looking at. I really want to spend the least amount possible (140 probably being my max) and the Sony and Pioneer are pretty much the same price. I want to (possibly) be able to plug my iPod classic or iPhone into it via USB, but if I have to go by 3.5mm cable that's alright too. Does anyone have experience with either of these brands (although I'm mainly interested in Pioneer since I've used a Sony one forever) and have any good insight as to which one is a better unit?

Sir Carcass

Honestly, they're both good brands. I had a Pioneer in my old car and was really happy with it.

And definitely go with Crutchfield. If you're just installing the head unit, it's very easy. You can even do most of the wiring sitting at a table. It's when you start wiring up amps that it gets complicated.

Rderdall

I just put this in my truck (96 Dodge Ram 1500)

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/pioneer-pioneer-mp3-wma-cd-car-deck-deh-1200mp-deh-1200mp/10137556.aspx?path=ff93860d2830c07d5b3a6431bfbba28cen02

Although it appears to have gone up in price (I got it at $99.99 CDN).

I'm a Zune user, so the Aux input is a Godsend, and it really sounds quite nice. For what I needed it for, I couldn't be happier.

Ramen Noodle

Yeah, I don't have an amp or anything that complicated. I just got back from Best Buy, talked to the guy about those exact two headunits and he said that he would probably go with the Pioneer. The Crutchfield deal is too awesome to pass up since Best Buy would also charge an additional 40 bucks for the mounting stuff and wire harness.

Ramen Noodle

Well, just ordered the Pioneer off Crutchfield. This thread can be closed.

Ramen Noodle

Alright, I got it in yesterday and installed it today. I did everything right and even called Crutchfield just to make absolute sure on a few things in regards to wiring. My car was fine after I did it, save for my keyless entry via remote not working. I drove it to do a swim lesson, and when I was done teaching the lesson I just used my car key to open the door since I couldn't use my remote. My alarm went off, and now I can't even get my car to ignition. If I just turn on the electrial system, everything's fine but it somewhat defeats the purpose of having a car and new stereo. Anybody have an idea of what this could be? Is it possible that a fuse or something could have blown while I was doing the installation? During the installation, I disconnected the negative terminal from the battery so I wouldn't get shocked, and I got it back on pretty tight. My friend and I tried taking it back off and redoing it, and same thing.

Sir Carcass

You could have blown a fuse, so check them. I don't think it's really good to leave the positive terminal hooked up to a battery with no ground....

You'll probably have 2 fuseboxes, one in the car, probably in the floorboard, and one inside the hood.

Ramen Noodle

Yeah, that's what I'm gonna check tomorrow night when I get back up to my car. Everything I read said that you just have to disconnect the negative terminal while you're working on it.