Aftermarket HU and Sync Technology?

[SCcobra4me 10+ year member]

I'm looking to put a system in my 2010 Milan without sacrificing my Sync Technology, what are my options? I just have the Sony setup right now, no touch screen or anything and I know I can put one in but the installer at Best Buy said I'd lose most to all its functionality. If this is true, I'm sure it's possible to return it all to stock when needed correct?

I really only use the hands free and bluetooth anyways and the HU I'd get would have that so what is the good and or bad of doing this?

Thanks.

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[DARKHART 10+ year member]

Kenwood's Excelon line in conjuction with the Mestro pieces are made just for the Sync setups.....

 

[SCcobra4me 10+ year member]

I'm a little behind the times in the car audio department, what are the maestro pieces? I really don't even use the Sync except for what most these new units will provide, bluetooth, hands free, etc. I've always used Alpine in the past and I know you get what you pay for so I'm looking at $300 or more for a nice unit, doesn't have to be top of the line.

 

[KINGDELL91 10+ year member]

The Kenwood DNX HUs with Mestro Would be best but IMO Kenwood units are too slow i have a 2010 expedition and went with this Pac-Audio.com Product Details | iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future works fine for me keep my free Sirius radio and everything just need to get separate product to maintain steering wheel controls

 

[DARKHART 10+ year member]

IMO Kenwood units are too slow

I agree with that statement up through last years model....The 2012 Excelon units though are pretty quick, I think Kenwood listened to the feedback from customers and shops and fixed the speed issue.....

To the OP, the Mestro pieces are intergration pieces designed just for the Sync units to add aftermarket equipment.....

 

[KINGDELL91 10+ year member]

I agree with that statement up through last years model....The 2012 Excelon units though are pretty quick, I think Kenwood listened to the feedback from customers and shops and fixed the speed issue.....
To the OP, the Mestro pieces are intergration pieces designed just for the Sync units to add aftermarket equipment.....

i recently installed a Kenwood 2012 unit it still was pretty slow compared to my Pioneer AVH P8400. The source switching and even changing songs and movies when iPod is hard wired $ucked Bluetooth is ok though

 

[DARKHART 10+ year member]

The Pioneer's are pretty dang quick. I also like the speed on the Clarion's as well....What I did notice on the Kenwood's is that if I use the USB port that it's faster than using the ipod connector piece.....strange..

 

[KINGDELL91 10+ year member]

The Pioneer's are pretty dang quick. I also like the speed on the Clarion's as well....What I did notice on the Kenwood's is that if I use the USB port that it's faster than using the ipod connector piece.....strange..

yeah very quick. maybe i should have him try it that way. right now he just uses Bluetooth.

 

[SCcobra4me 10+ year member]

But can I return everything to complete stock if/when needed? I'm not one to need the fastest unit out there, hell by the time I figure out what I want it to do, it'll be doing it I'm sure, lol. I wouldn't mind keeping my steering wheel controls but for as little as I use them, I could use the HU instead if I had to. What about sound quality though, I had the best of the best in the past or close to it for front stage (ADS components, PPI amps, etc) and would be very interested in a HU that can provide that or close to it without spending $700-1200 for one. I will piece the front stage compontents and amp later. It ***** cuz I sold an old school Punch 240 not too long ago that I thought I'd never use, oh well.

I've been on PAC's site (currently running their LOC with stock unit) and seen they have some nice plug and play equipment.

 

[DARKHART 10+ year member]

The Kenwood/Mestro would definetly be the way to go, and as long as it's installed properly you shouldn't have any trouble returning it to stock when it's time to get rid of the vehicle.....

 

[KINGDELL91 10+ year member]

Yeah either unit u pick will be easy to return to stock

 

[SCcobra4me 10+ year member]

Thanks guys, I'll definitely be looking into this soon. My kid works at Best Buy so I'll have to see what his discount is.