I want to start by thanking in advance, anyone that decides to help me out on the below questions. So here I go.
1 - I currently have an Premier
DEH-860MP which is about 3 years old. I just switched vehicles so I am thinking up upgrading to something with DEDICATED iPod control and Bluetooth. I have had no luck in my search. I did find an HU that has a seamless iPod Integration the
iDA-X001 from Alpine, however it has no Bluetooth and the Bluetooth add-on for the alpine HUs is crazy priced. I also found a Premier HU that has what seems to be an excellent Bluetooth interface built in, the
DEH-P980BT, however it does not have a built in iPod control. I know you can purchase the cable/interface unit for this HU but the reviews on Pioneers iPod functions for all HUs **** to put it lightly. So in my research did I miss a really great head unit somewhere that has both of these features and still maintains pretty high sound quality and features? I do know that the Alpine HU I mentioned above
iDA-X001 doesn't come out for about a month and does not have a CD player. As long as the iPod integration is seamless I will be willing to part with having a CD as an option. I am willing to at least look at some of the flip screen CD/DVD HUs but they will have to be single DIN. The vehicle this HU will go in is a 2007 Grand Caravan, and they only have the Din and 1/2.
2 - If I cannot find that perfect combination of iPod integration and Bluetooth capabilities (Including Caller ID, Phone Book Storage, etc...) as well as good to very good audio functions/quality. I am willing to keep my
DEH-P860MP as I am not unhappy with it. It has actually been a wonderful HU. I am just looking to add a couple features. With that said would it be possible to add the
CD-BTB100 Bluetooth add-on to my
DEH-P860MP? If that is not possible I may have to compromise and purchase the
DEH-P980BT and forget about iPod control for now and continue to use the AUX in as I am currently using on my
DEH-P860MP. However If I were able to add on Bluetooth to my current
DEH-P860MP how good would it actually be? Would I be able to have Caller ID show up on the HU and would it auto mute the HU when a call came in? Would there be phone book functionality.
3 - No matter what HU I decide to put in this 2007 Grand Caravan I would like to know if there is a company that makes wiring harnesses with the ability to keep the steering wheel controls active for an aftermarket HU, or at least some functionality.
4 - Also who makes the best installation kit for the Grand Caravan? I would like the HU to be mostly recessed so it's not sticking way out from the cage. Someone told me that
Metra was about the best option?
5 - Bottom line, I'm looking for the following:
a. Seamless iPod integration (Dedicated) not one of these units that have me connect the iPod through a CD changer port but rather an USB port maybe. Something that has more communication bandwidth than the cd changer port.
b. Bluetooth capabilities mainly Bluetooth phone integration including phone book, caller ID, and ability to make and receive calls without actually picking up the phone itself.
c. I would sorely miss the crossover functions and 13 band eq currently in my
DEH-P860MP so keeping those types of functions would be a huge plus.
I think that is it for now. Thanks to all who reply in advance!!! Feel free to contact me on AIM (see below) if you would like.
Paul
AIM = NuclearBier
