Head unit advice

[geosynch]

I'm ready to upgrade my audio. I know what I want to do in speakers, and was ready to spring for a Alpine iDA-X100 head unit, then found out it needs a $200+ unit for HD radio and another $150+ unit for bluetooth. Then I read the reviews of the bluetooth attachment on Amazon, and it sounds like the Alpine bluetooth simply sucks.

I put myself through school installing Alpine car units, and am a fan, but after reading the bluetooth reviews, I'm back to the drawing board.

Any advice? Here's what I want:

iPod control
USB thumb drive support
HD Radio
Bluetooth
+ all the bells and whistles that comes with a high-end head unit
Backup camera might be nice
I don't care about GPS for this car

Thanks,

geosynch

[cubefx]

I have this unit for almost 6 month and very happy with it.

New Pioneer FHP 8000BT


CUBE

[iconpyro]

Pioneer AVIC F90BT... You can get it for $750. I did my install last week.

It has the following:
1) Ipod Direct connect +cable
2) bluetooth (It works with my nokia e71)
3) DVD (You can ground it and instantly have DVD video
4) HD radio (If you want to fork out for satellite it will cost you)
5) Backup camera compatible (again this is an extra)

The customizability and the unit are badass. I have changed several stock items already using my computer and avic411.com.

[geosynch]

I think I'm going to go for the AVIC-F700BT, but haven't made up my mind.

The DVD means nothing to me in this car, so there's no point in spending the money. I don't need the GPS, either, but I would like a back up camera (this car's blind spot is just plain criminal).

As for satellite radio... I have that in my other car. Great on trips, but I found around town, I'm either listening to my own stuff or NPR. The smart hasn't been more than abuot 50 miles from my house and probably never will.

I guess I don't really need the HD, but a friend is in the industry and I want to see what the fuss is about.

Thanks for the advice!

geosynch

[iconpyro]

The F700bt is a couple of dollars cheaper. It uses the same engine. You'll like the Avic series though. I have a kenwood in my other car and the interface on the avic is better. The only reason I didnt go with the avic for my other car was that they use to use a DVD nav map in which you would have to swap discs. Not the case anymore.