Help me decide Eclipse CD7200mk2 or 3200

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

My eclipse CD5444 was stolen 2 nights ago. I caught the guy stealing it but he got away //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

So now I'm looking for a replacement. WTF happend to eclipse! I really need a HU with functional Bluetooth due to california hands free laws starting next month.

However it seems they no longer manufacture a comparable HU audio wise. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

In order to get a 24 bit DAC now I have to buy their top of the line model (7200mk2). I was going to go for the 3200 but I noticed it is missing key features my last Hu has. Like TA, EQ, 24bit DAC, Harmonizer, and Especialy the adjustable Non Fader output (Sub Level Controll). WTH!

My insurance will only cover the price of my old HU which is $262, plus I need to have about $800 worth of repairs done to the vehicle, new paint etc (which will also be covered).

So I guess I have to opt for the 7200MKII then? The problem is that its going to cost me a ton of extra cash and there is no built in amp to power my rear fill speakers. I'd say screw it and buy a little amp for them but I am completely out of practicle locations to mount another amp....

I'm also looking for a HU that will work with steering wheel controlls (theif destroyed my PAC SWI-X) and has some way to connect up my Zune. Open to suggestions.

Click to read more...

 

[Zxcvtypo 10+ year member]

My eclipse CD5444 was stolen 2 nights ago. I caught the guy stealing it but he got away //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif
So now I'm looking for a replacement. WTF happend to eclipse! I really need a HU with functional Bluetooth due to california hands free laws starting next month.

However it seems they no longer manufacture a comparable HU audio wise. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

In order to get a 24 bit DAC now I have to buy their top of the line model (7200mk2). I was going to go for the 3200 but I noticed it is missing key features my last Hu has. Like TA, EQ, 24bit DAC, Harmonizer, and Especialy the adjustable Non Fader output (Sub Level Controll). WTH!

My insurance will only cover the price of my old HU which is $262, plus I need to have about $800 worth of repairs done to the vehicle, new paint etc (which will also be covered).

So I guess I have to opt for the 7200MKII then? The problem is that its going to cost me a ton of extra cash and there is no built in amp to power my rear fill speakers. I'd say screw it and buy a little amp for them but I am completely out of practicle locations to mount another amp....

I'm also looking for a HU that will work with steering wheel controlls (theif destroyed my PAC SWI-X) and has some way to connect up my Zune. Open to suggestions.

sorry to hear about that man. thieves don't deserve to be alive //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/verymad.gif.3f39c5c2fd57527b671fad3efdfac756.gif

i only have experience with the 8445 and CD7000, which is similar in comparison to the 7200MKII, but had a built in amp, etc..that thing was awesome though //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif if you do get the 7200MKII, make sure to post up a good review! looks like it's a very capable unit, although you may not need to get something that advanced if you're not going to be taking full advantage of the active x-overs and full T/A..

 

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

sorry to hear about that man. thieves don't deserve to be alive //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/verymad.gif.3f39c5c2fd57527b671fad3efdfac756.gif
i only have experience with the 8445 and CD7000, which is similar in comparison to the 7200MKII, but had a built in amp, etc..that thing was awesome though //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif if you do get the 7200MKII, make sure to post up a good review! looks like it's a very capable unit, although you may not need to get something that advanced if you're not going to be taking full advantage of the active x-overs and full T/A..

Thinking about it I listen to mostly MP3's these days, CD are not practical and most of mine were stolen 6 months ago.

An my review would **** since I'm not running active. But I would use many of the features the 3200 lacks. Car audio really went downhill since I was into it a few years ago. Everyone with there **** Ipods and Finger Sandwitches.

 

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

Wow I went to check this Head unit out in the store and the feel of cheap plastic was all I could think of. every single Hu I looked at had the same POS cheap plastic made in china feel to it. I want my old Hu back //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif I guess they dont make them like they used to.

However I need to buy a new one so I can claim on insurance. I found a pioneer D3 for $100 less than the 7200 so I'm tempted to just go with that. How hard in the eclipse menu system is it to get to the subwoofer controll? The one at the shop had broken LCD (not a good sign of the cheap *** quality of these eclipse units...)So I was not able to navigate around. Is it only one click and a turn of the knob like my old CD5444 or is it a series of button presses to get to the sub level controll?

 

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

Oh yea anyone know if this head unit has a pause button? (7200)?

 

[nismos14 5,000+ posts]

Sub is controlled by non-fade, hit the middle button till non-f comes up. There is no pause.

 

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

Sub is controlled by non-fade, hit the middle button till non-f comes up. There is no pause.

Thanks for the response!

OMG, 4 years later and still no pause button WTF! That used to drive me crazy with my old unit made me wish I had spent the extra $400 for the 8454 instead.

I guess eclipse is right out then, any other good sounding detachable face HU's that have decent TA crossovers bluetooth, USB, and adjustable sub/non-fader? I was really set on eclipse but having no pause button....SHAME ON THEM...this is 2008! I hardly consider "pause" to be a feature, even a $50 wallmart HU has this. Wake up eclipse!

 

[MyPoison1 10+ year member]

Alpine has good build quality, doesn't feel cheap, why do you need a pause button anyway are you listening to audio books?

I guess the Cda-9887 will be something you prolly like.

 

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

Alpine has good build quality, doesn't feel cheap, why do you need a pause button anyway are you listening to audio books?

Actualy yea, plus I like to pause CD's when pulling up to parking tendents, getting phone calls or calls over my Ham Radio etc, sucks having to mute and rewind. I'm sick of the lame *** work around (switch to FM, then mute). even if the work around works with my steeringwheel controlls.

Does this HU even support any steeringwheel controlls or a decent non-IR PAC unit I can solder in? Theifs tore out my Pac-SWIX which worked poorly anyways. If I would wear a black shirt my steeringwheel controlls would not work //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

I guess I could go without "Pause" feature again but I might punch myself in the face for it later,esp since I prefer top bun CD's or DVD's since this HU does not integrate with my zune (I hate Ipods cause they sound like crap and over overpriced POS, and I hate I-tunes, buts thats anotehr can of worms).

I haven't been fond of the new Alpines since they cut cots in 2003-04 and made a bunch of, IMO, shit decks. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif They used to be my second favorite. (I can't afford the F1 which is probably the only HU I would try from them that appears to be decent). Then again I havent looked into them in 3 years. Which HU do they make that is comparable? I'd go with a double din since thats what the bezel in my truck is made for, but I'm sick of people prying the locks off my truck with crowbars. I still belive detachable face is a little less theft prone, my old eclipse only has ESN no detachable face //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif .

 

[MyPoison1 10+ year member]

Actualy yea, plus I like to pause CD's when pulling up to parking tendents, getting phone calls or calls over my Ham Radio etc, sucks having to mute and rewind. I'm sick of the lame *** work around (switch to FM, then mute). even if the work around works with my steeringwheel controlls.
Does this HU even support any steeringwheel controlls or a decent non-IR PAC unit I can solder in? Theifs tore out my Pac-SWIX which worked poorly anyways. If I would wear a black shirt my steeringwheel controlls would not work //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

I guess I could go without "Pause" feature again but I might punch myself in the face for it later,esp since I prefer top bun CD's or DVD's since this HU does not integrate with my zune (I hate Ipods cause they sound like crap and over overpriced POS, and I hate I-tunes, buts thats anotehr can of worms).

I haven't been fond of the new Alpines since they cut cots in 2003-04 and made a bunch of, IMO, shit decks. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif They used to be my second favorite. (I can't afford the F1 which is probably the only HU I would try from them that appears to be decent). Then again I havent looked into them in 3 years. Which HU do they make that is comparable? I'd go with a double din since thats what the bezel in my truck is made for, but I'm sick of people prying the locks off my truck with crowbars. I still belive detachable face is a little less theft prone, my old eclipse only has ESN no detachable face //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif .

The Cda-9887 has nice features and you can get a sound processor with their new imprint technology, have you tried a "limo tint" for your windows?

 

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

The Cda-9887 has nice features and you can get a sound processor with their new imprint technology, have you tried a "limo tint" for your windows?

Thanks looking into it now. Limo tint or pretty much anything dark enough to do anyting is illegal here in Cali. Guess that keeps the police buisy...

 

[Zxcvtypo 10+ year member]

Thanks looking into it now. Limo tint or pretty much anything dark enough to do anyting is illegal here in Cali. Guess that keeps the police buisy...

the 9887 is a very nice unit, can't go wrong with it. have you looked into a pioneer 880prs? or the 980bt? that would solve your bluetooth issues.

 

[Justintoxicated 10+ year member]

the 9887 is a very nice unit, can't go wrong with it. have you looked into a pioneer 880prs? or the 980bt? that would solve your bluetooth issues.

Pioneer:

It would appear that the 980bt has bluetooth but lacks USB, while the 880prs has both bluetooth and USB support but adapters need to be purchased seperately? In both cases the Eclipse seems to win here having both built in. I have NO idea which one has the best bluetooth (Important do to California Hands Free Laws) and which will have easiest song navigation using the USB port? Also neither unit actualy supports HD radio? WTF!

Alpine:

The alpine seems to do the best of everything (looking at specs) but im questioning the SQ and downgrading to 4v preouts? However the steering wheel control ready is plus since I will be taking advantage of that feature for sure!. Is Bluetooth Ready the same as having bluetooth built in or is it another marketing ploy like HDTV's that are HD Ready meaning you still need to purchase a tuner?

So far:

Eclipse: 7200 MKII

+1 Bluetooth works with my phone

+1 8v low impedence outputs

+1 USB port

+1 HD Radio

?-1 Is there a way to wire steering wheel controls via unit or a PAC?

-.5 no Pause Button

-1 No Built in Amp for my rear fill

-.5 No more aluminum face and rubberized knobs, feels cheap so it must be cheap?

Apline: 9887

+1 Steering hweel control Friendly

+1 HD Radio

?+1 Bluetooth ready ?

+1 USB Support

+1 built in amp for rear fill

?-1 4v preouts

?-1 how well does the TA work?

How is the sound quality?

Pioneer: DEH-P800PRS

-1 USB Adapter Required

-1 HD Radio Not Included

-1 Bluetooth Not included (How does this work?)

?-1 Steering Wheel controll?

Wait, is there any reason to buy this HU other than its nice clean look? Seems more capable than the 980BT but needs a boatload of adapters which makes me question the usability snd functionality and usability since it is requiring additional purchaes.

Pioneer: DEH-P980BT

+1 Built in Bluetooth Support

+1 best display out of these units selected

-2 No USB support

-2 no HD Radio Support

7200MKII Score = 2 or 1 pending there is a simple way to connect it to steering wheel controlls (not the PAC SWIX but hardwired version is cool)

9887 = score 4-5 but potentionaly a 2 or 1 (pending Questions above BT ready? etc)

DEH-P800PRS = -3 or -4 (not a bad unit necessarily but missing some features I want., perhpas if it didn't need adapters or the adpaters worked remarkably well I would change my mind. Seems kinda outdated by the apline and eclipse.

DEH-P980BT = -2 What can I say lack of features...

 

[nismos14 5,000+ posts]

What kind of sound do you like? 9887 to me was the most natural when I had it in my car, the 7100 was too peaky for me in certain bands, but overall didn't sound bad, was very in your face so to speak. The 880/800 is very much more warm and I love the SQ on this deck right out of the box versus any of the other 2. I've owned a 9887, 2 7100's, and an 880 and 800.

 

[Zxcvtypo 10+ year member]

the 9887 can be used with alpines kce-300bt bluetooth adapter. alpines bluetooth isn't bad at all...i haven't used their new adapter, but the old one worked pretty well..can't vouch for the eclipse or pioneer bluetooth capabilities though..you'll also need the HD tuner for the 9887, but HD radio isn't really worth it yet imo.