Best head unit in the $250 price range

[stylez777 10+ year member]

I was offered a pretty sweet deal i think... A friend of a friend told me he could get me a Panasonic CQ-C9801W for $280. I read the specs and it looked very impressive. Only thing I couldn;t find was if it had ipod control. Anyone know? Anyone seen or heard this model?

I am narrowing down my selections and it looking like Pioneer or ALpine are front runners for me, but this panasonic unit looks pretty **** hot for the price. ARGH why so many choices //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wallbash.gif.1310150c49dd52e0fbe1813a0681e5c3.gif

 

[BRZguy 10+ year member]

Eclipse cd5000

 

[GemaRastem 10+ year member]

my eclipse 8443 that I'm selling

 

[WantedIsHere]

Eclipse cd5000

x2 no question

 

[genxx 10+ year member]

x3 CD5000 you find them all day for like 215.00 plus shipping. I like the Pioneer's also

 

[stylez777 10+ year member]

Hey Genxx,

Went looking for the Eclipse CD5000 i can only find 1 listed on Ebay. Was curious where you found them for $215 plus shipping?

 

[BRZguy 10+ year member]

Hey Genxx,
Went looking for the Eclipse CD5000 i can only find 1 listed on Ebay. Was curious where you found them for $215 plus shipping?

i have seen some on ebay for 215 plus shipping. here one

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

kenwood x891 or x991

How you figure making a recommendation on the x991 seeing as it's not even available for purchase yet (slated for a july release //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif) and once it is I'll wager you won't find them for $250 even on eBay...

 

[genxx 10+ year member]

Hey Genxx,
Went looking for the Eclipse CD5000 i can only find 1 listed on Ebay. Was curious where you found them for $215 plus shipping?

There is one on there now 214.99 + shipping. Just have to check on there give it about a week or so you they come and go. Check the classifieds on here and other forums also.

 

[Corollacrazy42 10+ year member]

Kenwood x979 I have fits your desciption. Plus I have the Ipod connection as well

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ISMBYZAHKc3/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?print=Y&g=300&tab=detailed_info&i=113KDCX979

^ Here is a link to the specs

 

[stylez777 10+ year member]

After alot of reading and searching the Eclipse CD5000 does look like a great deal at $215 plus shipping. Though barring the 8 volt outputs and HD radio ready, the Pioneer 590IB I seen on ebay for like $140 for shipping. So is the Eclipse CD5000 Really worh the extra $75 (plus cost of ipod cable) if I might not put an Amp in my car and coudl car less about HD radio??

 

[DejaWiz 5,000+ posts]

Depends on your needs and preference, really. I'm still going to stick with my recommendation for the DEH-P690UB I linked a ways up, even though the CD5000 is a damn nice unit. I think the real value with the Pioneer is the cables for USB and iPod support are included.

 

[genxx 10+ year member]

Depends on your needs and preference, really. I'm still going to stick with my recommendation for the DEH-P690UB I linked a ways up, even though the CD5000 is a damn nice unit. I think the real value with the Pioneer is the cables for USB and iPod support are included.

True very true. A very nice HU indeed. The cables is a plus on the Pioneer.

 

[garrettpf 10+ year member]

the Pioneer DEH-P880PRS is the only way to go. With the Burr Brown DAC and time alignment, what more could you want. Of course the 7800 is close save the auto Time alignment and warrantee of only 1 year. Of course you could get teh 780 with 2 year and get teh cool OEL face.

For me it is the 880 since it will be replacing my McIntosh MX406 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif man i hate to get rid of that HU but I really want my XM and time alignment //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif and to me the OEL is no big deal, I drive a silver VW Jetta TDI and the 880 fits perfect.

 

[scootinZ 10+ year member]

I would like to pipe in here. In the market for a deck myself and have been looking at the pioneers. I looked up the EclipseCD5000 and it looks like it's pretty hard to find. Is looks like it's being discontinued. If so should I stick with the Pioneer? I think it's more of a HU than I need for the application (69 Vette and not a daily driver) but I found it for 240.00 shipped. I can get the DEH-P6900UB for 223.00 shipped.

I hate all the decisions out there and I have been out of the loop on car decks for quite a while. I want something easy to navigate since it's a 4 speed car...and the pioneers always seem to be pretty easy to get around. How is the Eclipse to navigate? Anyone know?

One more question. Anyone know if a AUX input will run a MP3 player OTHER than a iPOD? I have an older ZEN Sleek that I would like to use. I know I can use the FM tuner deal and have it, but what does the AUX input I see on on some of these decks do?

Thanks....