Nav / In Dash Help??

I have been looking around for a new in dash unit.... Problem is I can't pick between the bouble din and the flip out...

Any pros and cons to the two? So far I'm looking at Alpine and Pioneer...

I did a quick search but came up with nothing... Any Links would be appreciated...

 

It is just my opinion but I like the looks of the double din ones. I also wonder about the long term reliability of the flip out style...

 

Thanks for the imput... I checked out your truck pics and it helped me get an idea as to how high it's gonna be...

 

I am also currently deciding on the two styles.

My father has a 2001 Tundra and installed a really nice flip out screen almost immediately. It worked great, but about two years after he installed it, the screen started making noises whenever we hit a bump or rough patch on the road. The sounds that plastic makes when its being stressed, similar to a fast paced ticking sound.

He took it into the place that installed the unit and they somehow got the noise to stop for about a month. Needless to say it got worse, and I think it really bothers my dad. Now he will pick a radio station or cd, and close the screen because of the noise. This also causes a problem because you can't change the station or cd unless the screen is open.

I'm sure this doesn't happen to all flip out screens, but its something to think about.

 

Yeah, I'm not sure what brand my dad has but I noticed design flaws from the beginning, like not being able to change channels/inputs when the screen is closed. Also, his flip out was too far forward to touch the dash for stability. And you have to take into account that he's had it for 6 years now.

I'm still debating between the flip out screen and a fixed screen. I'm also trying to justify the cost to my wife while we are trying to renovate our house. So it might be a while.

 

In my experience, the flip out units have caused many problems. It seems that there is more mechanical parts on the flip outs. If you notice, there are less and less new units with the flip out option. Thats probably because they are not as dependable as double dins. I have installed a few flip outs and they have been problamatic. The pros with buying a flip out is that they are less expensive than the double dins of the same category. They also look less expensive when they are tucked int the dash when not in use. Makes it a good theft deterent.

The cons with flipouts is that most of them come with a seperate attachment which receives the signals from your Audio and Video Sources. Thats more work on the installation side of it and takes up more space. Most double dins with navigation units come as one unit.

 

For some reason I like the flip out still... Maybe I'm still old school..
Anybody have any input on the Pioneer AVIC-N4?

 

I struggled with this issue for awhile and did quite a bit of research and found out a few things. As mentioned above the slide out tends to woble and can be difficult to touch and just plain flimsy at times. Also the flip screens have 2 motors one to push the display out and one to fold it up. The more mechanical moving parts in these things the more likely they are too fail from repetative use. I think think the double dins just have a better look to them. Unfortunetely that better looking might screem "HEY YOU CROOK COME STEEL ME". I had a heck of a struggle with this. But this is how I justify.

I talked with a guy around my area who custom installes alarm systems. My Kenwood installed really nice and securely. In fact I was able to use the factory brackets and bolts and put 6 screws from the deck frame right to the chassis. That thing aint commin out unless you take the time to uninstall and unscrew. Thats what about 5-10mins if your good. It would probably take less then a minute for them to just steel the truck entirely, so what difference does it make what kind of system you have. Its all gone now. This guy tell me that for about $600.00 he can make it take 20minutes to disarm an alarm and and hotwire the ignition. Thats good compared to 20 seconds I guess.

Long story short, If someone wants your sh*t there gonna get it. I would recommmend to everyone just buy what you really want not what you think a theif is not gonna want or what you can hide from them, then just take care of it and enjoy it.

By the way another pro is that this unit has a 4 digit code that must be entered after power is interupted. So even if it was stollen it couldnt be used again without the code. That helps a little I guess.

 

Very good point.

I really like the way that Kenwood looks in those pics. What model is it?

 

Thanks, It is the excelon DDX8019.