Trying to choose: Pioneer AVIC-Z3, Kenwood DNX8120

[NCC1701]

I know there are other threads on Navigation head units, I've read a lot of them. Hopefully, I'll be forgiven for starting another one.

First, what is not important to me: Satellite radio, DVD, bluetooth, or iPod compatibility. Those capabilities are probably featured in both units. But, just in case one or the other is lacking ... not important to me.

I like the large display and clean design the two units have in common.

I like that the Pioneer is HDD based with 10 GB for music. Don't like that the music must be ripped from audio CDs. Can I assume said audio CDs can be audio CDs I custom burned, or not?

I read the Kenwood has an SD slot, don't know about the Pioneer. Apparently the Kenwood's SD slot is only used for map updates?
It would be nice if mp3s could be played from SD card. Some massive ones are now available.

Don't know if the Pioneer has USB input, the Kenwood does. It would be so great if Pioneer had a USB port and allowed loading of mp3s to the HDD. I don't think that's the case though.
Can the Kenwood's USB be used to play mp3s from a thumb drive?

Which unit is better suited for installing in a smart? I mean, ease of installation and installed appearance.

I'd like to be able to use a rear view camera while in forward motion. I think both units allow this ... but, the Pioneer might only be in split screen with Navigation?

The street prices seem to be in the same neighborhood, so that's not going to be a deciding factor.

Audiophiles seem to give the Kenwood the edge. Some users have also given Kenwood the edge for its navigation system. I doubt the navigation difference would be a big deal to me, since I'm sure the Pioneer's is just fine. Display quality and overall appearance would most likely be more important from my view.

It's a fair chunk of change, and I am undecided (although I like the Pioneer for some reason). I've never had an in dash Nav unit, and opinions from experienced users would be appreciated.

[tbone28]

If bluetooth is not important, you may want to consider the Kenwood 7120. that will save you quite a bit of money

[Dunerunner]

NCC - The Pioneer is more expensive also when it comes time to upgrade the maps in the NAV. When I researched, it was over $200 for the Pioneer (DVD based) and $99 for the Kenwood (SD card).

I too was initially drawn to the Pioneer because of the internal HD, but my installer told me you can install a HD on the Kenwood, and get the same thing.

I use my Ipod nano, set it to shuffle prior to connecting in the car and it plays random selections for 8 hours.

The cost of the NAV upgrade was a deal breaker for me!!

[smartHHO]

Not sure about either system. I went for the ALL out Pioneer AVIC 90BT that has everything. I found it for 549 but when all was said and done, ended up paying 730 for it. Which considering locally they run 1200, well I saved a ton. It does have SD card and I do believe usb also. Forgot if it has a HDD, it has so much stuff, a bit over whelming. I am installing it on Sunday after I get it UPS on Friday. Will post picks of install. I just got my infinity 6022si speakers in, and with the Radio 10, way big improvement.

[vpkb1998]

imo, don't go without bluetooth, i hate ear pieces. depends on how you look at it, the only gripe i have with kenwood/garmin gps is the cartoonish look, whereas pioneer is more oem-ish; but they work and will get you where you need to go

[ccdsmart]

I have the Pioneer AVIC-Z3 in my truck. Unit is nice for DVD and maps but very slow ipod interface, it does load copied Cd's, the hard drive for music is nice also. For my smart i went with the AVIC 90BT they have made some great improvements to this unit, screen is a little smaller but is still great for dvd and maps, ipod interface is very fast, it also has SD card slot which is very nice i use an 8 gb card so almost as much as the AVIC-Z3, the voice recognition is very much improved on this unit also, plus built in bluetooth, this unit rocks. I also have the Kenwood unit in our van but i would go with the pioneer AVIC 90BT over the other two, may even change the other ones out when money gets a little better. If you go with the Pioneer AVIC 90BT make sure you get the 2.0 software upgrade. Have fun.

[NCC1701]

I still haven't decided, but time is getting near.

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

I too was initially drawn to the Pioneer because of the internal HD, but my installer told me you can install a HD on the Kenwood, and get the same thing.

I use my Ipod nano, set it to shuffle prior to connecting in the car and it plays random selections for 8 hours.

The cost of the NAV upgrade was a deal breaker for me!!

I don't anticipate having to upgrade the maps more than every other year at most, so that's not necessarily a deal breaker to me. But, I'd like to know more about adding a HD to the Kenwood. Would that be like an external USB HDD? It would be too cool if only one of these head units had USB input which accepted something like a WD Passport loaded with mp3s and play them. Yeah, that would be cool.

Originally Posted by vpkb1998

imo, don't go without bluetooth, i hate ear pieces. depends on how you look at it, the only gripe i have with kenwood/garmin gps is the cartoonish look, whereas pioneer is more oem-ish; but they work and will get you where you need to go

I like OEM-ish. No interest in blue tooth. No cell phone. What else might I need bluetooth for?

Originally Posted by ccdsmart

I have the Pioneer AVIC-Z3 in my truck. Unit is nice for DVD and maps but very slow ipod interface, it does load copied Cd's, the hard drive for music is nice also. For my smart i went with the AVIC 90BT they have made some great improvements to this unit, screen is a little smaller but is still great for dvd and maps, ipod interface is very fast, it also has SD card slot which is very nice i use an 8 gb card so almost as much as the AVIC-Z3, the voice recognition is very much improved on this unit also, plus built in bluetooth, this unit rocks. I also have the Kenwood unit in our van but i would go with the pioneer AVIC 90BT over the other two, may even change the other ones out when money gets a little better. If you go with the Pioneer AVIC 90BT make sure you get the 2.0 software upgrade. Have fun.

If I ever get an mp3 player, it may or may not be an iPod. In ether case I'll probably use it as Dunerunner suggests, in shuffle mode. So, slow iPod interface isn't an issue for me. Thanks for the info about loading CD-Rs. And, if I understand you correctly, with the 90BT you can play mp3s directly from an SD card? That is a great feature, and I wonder if the other two units share it. Would eliminate the need for the mp3 player and/or HDD.

I might make my purchase decision this weekend. I'm drawn to the large displays on the two units I headlined here. But, the 90BT is less expensive, and since it plays mp3s from SD that may be even more attractive than the 10 GB available on the HDD based Z3.

Then there are the big beautiful displays of the Z3 and 8120 ... I've having a tough time deciding. But, I'm going to do it, dang it.
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Then there is the choice of surrounds, and where are they available.
Like this one from drewh. I like the silver.

Or this one from smartHHO's installation

Too bad these upgrade head units are smaller than the original radio. It would be better if they filled the whole space instead of needing a bezel.

[Dunerunner]

My 7120 has a USB connector in the glove box along with the Ipod interface. Not sure where they took the other end of the cable but I know it is connected to the 7120 somewhere. I would guess that a 40 gig HD could be connected there but I would check with the techies at Kenwood. Look here Kenwood Corporation | Technical Information


USB devices that the PC can recognize as an external storage without using any special driver or application software.Contact the sales agent as to whether your USB device conforms to the USB mass storage class specs.Using an unsupported USB device can result in abnormal playback or display of the audio file.
Even if you use the USB device conforming to the above specs, audio files cannot be played normally depending on the type or condition of the USB device.Some of the functions are limited with a certain USB device.Normal operation and power supply are not guaranteed against every USB devices.

[tbone28]

I can't comment on the Pioneer (have never used it), but now that my 8120 is installed, I LOVE it!

[smartHHO]

My pioneer has a USB connector which is part of the Control for the Ipod. I have tried it and it worked fine. I had an 8 gig USB drive hooked to it. Seemed to read it just fine. I have yet to make my glove box like Dune's, but when I get time, I am going to do it. It has a yellow, white , red RCA connectors, so if you want to hook up a game system to it, you can. I bought a little Dig Dug, pacman kind of thingy off ebay for like 20 bucks. So when we travel, my wife can watch dvd, play a game or we can just listen to music. Again, I have no clue about the kenwood. I do have the 90BT which online, I found it for 549. But do not go thru Camera Giant. They force you to pay a 3% insurance on the item. Better to just go and pay the 600 price for it. Good luck on your decision.