Ordered The New Kenwood DNX7140

Just ordered one of the new Kenwood in-dash units.
Some nice new features from the DNX8120.
I am hoping to use the factory XM antenna and existing AUX input. I
also plan on using one of the blanks next to the AUX input to run the iPhone cable.

Is it worth buying the steering wheel control adapter?
I hit the buttons by mistake while making turn all the time.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DNX7140/Kenwood-DNX7140.html?search=Kenwood+VENDORID113&searchdisplay=Kenwood&tp=144

 

Yes...get the steering wheel control....otherwise you have to reach over to turn up and down or use the remote.

 

I'm thinking of purchasing this head unit as well in the next few weeks. Jonathan, can you tell me whether you are able to adjust the lighting for the buttons? All the pictures show the lighting being neon blue and I'm curious of whether the variable color illumination will allow me to change the lighting of the button row to match the amber in my tacoma. Also, are you still able to ground out the parking brake wire to override video playback while driving? And if anyone else has any comments on this, they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

black sand, I have a bunch of LEDs to change the taco gauges. IMO the amber is gross

 

Thanks but I'm alright with the amber lighting. I'm more interested in changing the lighting of the head unit. Thanks anyway.

 

Unfortunately even though the website says they are in stock they do not have them yet. As soon as they get a display up i will take some photos and post them. My salesman has been saying "any day now" since january

 

Not sure where you are purchasing from but I think SonicElectronix.com and AudioVideoDimension.com have them in stock. Sonic has it for $1399.99 right now which is still pretty high but $300 off MSRP. AudioVideo has it for $1099.99 which is a great price, but I'm not sure of their reputation. Those are the two sites that I've been watching. Do you know of a better deal?

 

I just got my dnx7140 in yesterday from AudioVideoDimension.com Lowest price on the web right now that I could find and super fast shipping. Guess I'll keep my fingers crossed that it works when I hook it up.

 

What are you waiting for, get that baby installed and
write us a review!

I'm looking at this one or the 9140.

Looking forward to some pics.

 

I know right. I can hardly wait myself. I rent an apartment and I'm not fond of the idea of all my neighbors seeing me install this expensive piece of equipment. I'm taking it to my parents this weekend to tackle it their. The less people that know the better. I'll let you all know what I think. Looks sharp as hell out of the box, I will say that.

 

Okay, so after numerous attempts to install in I finally got it mounted to where there are no hangups while using the 7 different tilt angles. When I first got it in, I could only get it to hit a few angles without the screen getting caught on the trim piece. I used the Scosche kit but had to mount the brackets as far forward as possible to make it work. Everything works great but I noticed a few things that I wasn't happy with.

1. While the treble is noticeably better, the bass is not. In fact this head unit seems to put out less bass than the tacoma stock radio. I've played around with the bass extension, bass boost, equalizer, speaker setup and everything else I can think of, but can't seem to get anymore bass. Seems like I have to turn the bass setting on the EQ all the way up but never had to take it higher than +3 on the stock radio. Has anyone else had this problem with the Kenwood DNX models?

2. The bluetooth syncs well with my phone but I can't get the SMS function to work and the volume output from the speakers is very low. Again, I've messed with every setting possible but can't figure it out. I guess I can just turn it up to full volume when talking to people but I wouldn't figure a person should have to do that in order to use a "handsfree" function like this.

3. While it is advertised that this model allows upgradeable map data for GPS via SD card, the manual says that this option is only available for the DNX9140. Apparently the 7140 requires updates via DVD. Does anyone know whether this is true?

4. While listeing to music on a CD, the screen shows an option to transition to a full screen, blue background with a couple little flashy star looking things (don't know how else to describe it). I'm guessing this is the default background when there is no album art available. Just wondering if anyone has noticed anything different than the boring, oldschool blue background and whether you can change it by uploading your own pic or album art.

While the last problem is really minor, I'm very disappointed in the first 3 issues. I would think that by spending this much money, the head unit would leave me no room for disatisfaction. If anyone else has experienced anything like this I would appreciate hearing your thoughts.

 

Sorry for the Delay!
My install is set for Weds June 3rd, I have been away for work until now.
I will write a full review with photos ASAP.
I purchased the unit from a local shop in NJ for $1099.99 (plus tax) and $100 install.
I also purchased the iPhone/iPod wire and XM adapter.
I skipped on the steering wheel controls because I find that I hit them by mistake too often.
I also chose the Black dash kit instead of the factory silver.
I also already installed the wire to use the factory shark fin XM antenna.
I just hope the installer will ground out the safety for watching DVDs so I don't have to rip everything open again. I forgot to ask.
OK will post photos/review asap on Weds.

 

The problem is your idea of the proper level of bass. I have to keep the stock unit at -2 or -3 to sound somewhat correct. The fact is that the stock units grossly exaggerate the bass and now that you have something that is closer to a flat frequency response, it sounds to you like a lack of bass.

I have this same unit in another vehicle and it is outputting the bass signal as it should.

 

I really like the use of the knock out for the iPhone wire and USB input.

 

Looks good! Did they modify the knock out plate or did they just remove it? I like that set up, I'm planning on installing my 5120 very soon so I'm searching for some cool ideas.

Did they wire the DVD feature the way you wanted it?

Rob

 

We just removed it, the usb female and the block of the iPhone/Pod wire pushed together fit perfect and leave easy access to plug in a jump drive or other devices, and yes he just grounded out the safety so I can watch DVDs, talk on the bluetooth, surf the forum on my iPhone, and drive

 

I stuck with the Orange color

 

very nice, Im sold on the 8120, you do know that you can download NG Topo maps in there ?

DO you happen to have a good pic of the USB ?

 

Wow, Topo? via the DVD or usb? I have the topo maps on my Garmin handheld I hope I can figure it out. That would be awesome for off roading.
I really need to mess around with this thing more, I wish it had the SD card like originally stated.

I will take a few more shots of the USB set up. with a real camera not my iphone

 

yea, I thought that was soo cool, to load TOPO maos directly to the stereo, herees a good place to start reading http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...ut-topo-maps-your-garmin-kenwood-dnx7100.html