Hey Guys,

Now that the car is close to coming out of storage I'm starting to think again about installing a nav system in the car.

Last year I was pumped about the Pioneer Avic-D3: it provides the function I wanted and a rotary volume **** which is key for me. However, the shiny plastic turned me off so I decided to wait it out (plus money was tight!).

I'm looking back into it and just found the Kenwood DNX5120.

It seems similar to the Avic-D3, but the material finish looks like it would fit with the Mustang IP better.

So, anyone have any info or reviews on the system? I did a search but couldn't find anything on this site...there's very little info on the Kenwood site. I'm curious if it does the changing colour thing that the Avic-D3 does.

TIA!

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entert...gation/DNX5120
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...ures_and_specs

Kristina

 

Anybody have info on this?

 

Nobody seems to be answering!!

From what I can gather, it's VERY new to the market. I believe it DOES have colour changing buttons/interface to match your car's look. It also does everything the Avic-D3 does as well (DVD, MP3, IPod, Sat radio, Backup camera etc). The navigation is powered by Garmin software, which is great in my opinion.

It's a bit more expensive because it's newer, but in the same price range as the Avic.

I'm super keen on this unit but can't find any reviews. Any of our forum audio gurus heard of this nav system?!

Help a sister out

Kristina

 

Just googled the DNX5120 and found this image as well as this page



http://www.my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=328722

Some good information there. Looks like some of the 350Z guys are getting some and should be installing them any day now.

We should see some info there soon.

 

Google to the rescue again!!

Check this out. The unit gets sweeter by the minute.

1) Built in navigation means you do NOT need Nav DVDs. That means the single CD/DVD slot can be used for anything you want, not just hijacked by the nav disc. Also means is very very quick

2) It's "ready" for just about anything, including bluetooth adapter (optional) made by Parrot so you can read your cell's battery power and reception from the nav screen

3) It has these external switches (I don't quite get it) that works just like Homelink, so you can open garage doors or turn on remote controlled lights from the unit directly once they have been programmed.

4) Totally customizable: front panel colour and you can set a background wallpaper and startup sequence

Found another site with some info:
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=19414

Here`s the instruction manual too:
http://inform3.kenwoodusa.com/manuals/ddx512.pdf

Horray!
K

 

I saw that the 7120 had homelink but did not see that on the 5120.

I just looked at the Kenwood site and only the 7120 lists the external button features - not the 5120.
And you need to have an external device that it can control. Might as well just install a homelink button, would probably be easier.

 

Oh, where you thinking about getting yours from? Crutchfield or somewhere else?

I am leaning towards Crutchfield as I trust them more. I have gotten things in the past from them with no problems. Install instuctions where perfect.

 

Hey - that link I posted from onlinecarstereos.com lists the external switches as a feature for the 5120. The issues is that the kenwood site only lists a few of the features, not the entire array of options. The one thing is that I did not find a reference to external switches in the online PDF instruction manual. I guess we will have to wait and see.

I've generally had good luck with places like eBay and the units are listed at approx. $699 vs. $999 at Crutchfield. I like helpful service and all, but $300 is a big difference.

I also found a source for a backup camera built into a license plate frame that you could wire to the Kenwood unit - I like the idea of the bullet cam replacing the trunk lock (per that other post a while back) but I am not a fan of hacking up the car. http://www.mitocorp.com/flash/backupcameras.htm

Anyway, I'm still trying to pay back my tuition for my MBA so this isn't the smartest thing for me to be buying at the moment. I do really REALLY want to get it though...

Kristina

 

Hmm... starting to think that this is just going to be us.

Oh, and your website keeps asking for passwords when I go to browse around, Just an FYI

(Never mind, just saw your blog)

NP

 

Ya I know, I am starting to hear crickets in here

Thanks. user: anna, pwd: mustang. It's only to block out the work people that crept in. I'm not trying to hide them, it just felt weird that they were looking at them behind my back..

K

PS - I'll keep watching the Z and G forums for more updates.

 

What software do you use to create those index thumbnails? That is awesome!

 

I am hearing crickets.

Anyone?

 

I use to use a program called Thumbs Plus. It created a contact sheet with embedded links to the actual pictures.

 

Interesting article on the 350Z forums on these. Looks like they might not have been ready for prime time yet.

Need to watch it some more and see what the outcome is.

 

Was that a cricket that I just heard?

 

Anybody?

 

Anybody?

 

I saw this at a local cartronics yesterday. It looks really good, got to play with it for a bit. The navigation was hooked up so got to play with it. I see it only from 730 - 1000, I may order it and install it myself. It looks a lot more solid than the AVIC-D3, and now the DNX7100 has skyrocketed in price for some reason.

 

What has my attention with this over the Avic is that the maps are on a Flash chip in the unit. Ie - you can nav and listen to cds.

Waiting to see more info on this before i make the investment / expense.

 

the more I read about it the more problems I see with it