Kenwood DNX5120 install & comments. - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Arch · 12-10-2008, 12:42 PM

Did my research and just installed a Kenwood DNX5120 into our '08 passion coupe. As others have mentioned, Garmin navigation weighs heavily in the Kenwood's corner. Been a Garmin user since their first GPS III and have owned perhaps a half dozen of their units since. The Garmins have always proved to be easy to use, robust (hard to kill even on dirtbikes), with simple & cheap updates. Garmin Map/software updates on the 5120 are via CD/DVD. Just did the latest firmware updates (1.5.1 for the unit and 2.5 for the nav) with no worries. On the 5120 the Garmin nav works as one would expect it to. If you've ever played with a Nuvi, for example, then you can hop right into this one. Configurable many different ways, quick screen draws and route calculations/recalculations, plenty of screen real estate, excellent brightness and contrast. Garmin rocks, period.

As for other Kenwood units, I went with the 5120 because, IMHO, some functions are still best served by simple physical knobs and buttons. The 5120 comes so equipped.

Grounded the e-brake wire so everything works while the car's in motion. I've read complaints about the learning curve relating to Kenwood's various functions and setup screens, but it's proven to be a complete non-issue/no-brainer for my wife and I. FWIW, she's smart, I'm dumb.

Had a problem with the aftermarket mounting kit from 4smartcar.com, but I did manage to finally hear back from them about it. Yea, it took a few tries. Phone calls went nowhere, but email eventually worked and the replacement arrived about a week later. Overall it's a good kit, mine just had two right side mounting tabs, as opposed to a left and right side. I'd already removed the stock radio and finished the harness when I noticed the mounting tab glitch, so I modded the redundant right side tab to work on the left side as a temp fix. It's all hidden and works, but I'll be swapping in the new tab. It's not a difficult install.

On the other hand, their harness kit was a complete cinch to use. Just wire it up with the Kenwood's harness and plug it into the stock smart harness. (Ditto on their antenna adaptor.) I used Posi-Lock in-line butt connectors to be able to easily undo the harness for possible transfer into a future vehicle. Nothing gets permanently changed on the smart, so the stock radio can be popped back in at any time.

I also used Kenwood's iPod cable (KCA-iP300V). It simply plugs into the Kenwood's rear USB cable and audio/video inputs. Our 32gb Touch can now just sit in the glove box (drilled a small hole to port the cable into there) and be easily controlled/charged via the Kenwood's on-screen interface. My 3G iPhone works with the cable, too, but like the Touch, only with audio. Earlier iPods can also port video via the cable. It's not a problem in my family. We just want to get at the music. If you wanna watch videos off of an iPod with your Kenwood, you'll need an earlier iPod. No biggie even if that's your cuppa tea.

A few pics. First of all, in direct sunlight...

Night view...

iPod control...

5120 with mounting kit and harness all built up...

Kenwood DNX5120 = So far, so good.
Now I just gotta get around to tossing in the Polk DB651s that've been sitting around.

Cheers,
Arch

satxbiker · 01-02-2009, 12:13 PM

Thanks for the nice notes and tips on the install. I really like the posi-locks... I will certainly use those next time I need to work with stripping wires.

b2fortwo · 12-05-2009, 07:46 AM

I'm a little late in the game here, but I really like the DNX5120, primarily because of the volume knob and the external DVD slot. So, I'm hoping I can still get one.

If anyone reads this and can answer I have one question regarding the Garmin Navigation. Once the unit is installed how does one upgrade the base map software? Does it have an external USB port so a laptop can be plugged in or is it accomplished with the DVD?

Also, anyone know where I can still get one?

IH8OPEC · 12-05-2009, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2fortwo

I'm a little late in the game here, but I really like the DNX5120, primarily because of the volume knob and the external DVD slot. So, I'm hoping I can still get one.

If anyone reads this and can answer I have one question regarding the Garmin Navigation. Once the unit is installed how does one upgrade the base map software? Does it have an external USB port so a laptop can be plugged in or is it accomplished with the DVD?

Also, anyone know where I can still get one?

I think that one's been discontinued but here's a link:

Crutchfield.com - Navigation receiver

You can do like I did and find the one you want then shop around, Crutchfield is nice because you can actually see the unit from many sides before you buy.

**jwight** · 12-05-2009, 09:01 AM

Info from 2008 but apparently the upgrades come directly from Garmin:

http://community.crutchfield.com/forums/t/10327.asp

Dunerunner · 12-05-2009, 09:48 AM

Actually, if you go to Garmin/Kenwood Garmin | Kenwood Software and Map Updates

Arch · 12-05-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2fortwo

I'm a little late in the game here, but I really like the DNX5120, primarily because of the volume knob and the external DVD slot. So, I'm hoping I can still get one.

If anyone reads this and can answer I have one question regarding the Garmin Navigation. Once the unit is installed how does one upgrade the base map software? Does it have an external USB port so a laptop can be plugged in or is it accomplished with the DVD?

Also, anyone know where I can still get one?

The 5120 has been superseded by the 5140. Not sure what technical differences there might be between them (if any, the specs look the same as far as I can tell), but the overall layout remains exactly the same...

Our 5120 has been flawless.

Cheers,
Arch

b2fortwo · 12-07-2009, 09:32 AM

Thanks guys for the comments. I have a couple more questions though.
1) When I order the dash kit from 4smartcar.com I believe I need to order the cable kit separately, am I correct? Meaning it doesn't come with the plastic bezel does it? I assume you need to tell them which radio you're installing?
2) Where did you put the GPS antenna?

Arch · 12-08-2009, 03:15 PM

Yea, three different bits are required...
SMART CAR STEREO / RADIO INSTALLATION DASH KIT BLK
SMART CAR STEREO RADIO INSTALLATION WIRE HARNESS
SMART CAR 451 STEREO RADIO ANTENNA ADAPTOR

This just happens to be what I used back then. Other companies sell this stuff, too, and might even provide a better buying experience.

I put the Kenwood's magnetic GPS antenna (on it's included stick on metal backing) in between the gauge pods. Just a small notch in the car's plastic center dash cover lets the cable pass. I'll take a picture when I get a chance.

Cheers,
Arch

b2fortwo · 12-09-2009, 07:24 AM

Thanks Arch. All the stuff's been ordered so should be arriving soon.