PANASONIC CQ-VD6505U, Clairion MAX385VD, or Pioneer AVH-P4000VD?

[bumpnzx3 10+ year member]

Anyone have any seat time with any of these? Can you offer up some suggestions or persuade me in one direction or the other with one of these?

My past two vehicles I've owned over my 10 years of driving, have all used Panasonic head units. One of them was purashed in 2000 to put in my Focus daily driver- and it still working very well today. The other was I bought to put in my first car (GrandAm) in 1998. When I sold the car, I sold the Panasonic deck to a friend of mine- who is also still using it today. I've found their decks to be of good quality, with pretty good features for a fair price. However- I know the Pioneer unit listed above is tried and true. I don't have to much time with Clarion goods- but it seems pretty nice, as does the brand overall.

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[R/T Pimp 10+ year member]

Panasonic is not what it used to be. Pioneer I just do not really care for. They are nice and solid units but do not have the features I want and are not user friendly. In that paticular Pioneer unit you are looking at does not have a dedicated sub pre out. The Clarion is a very very nice piece. With out a doubt I would go with the Clarion. Better picture, better features, user friendly. Hope that helps.

 

[bumpnzx3 10+ year member]

how much does the S/N ratio matter? the clarion is down ~20-25db on the pioneer and panasonic.

 

[bones444]

I recently purchased the Clarion and LOVED it. Well, up until the motorized screen failed to open/close. Exchanged it for another unit. A week later, same problem. Refunded my money and now i am looking at either the same Pioneer you are or the Kenwood DDX-512.

Other than the problems i had, the clarion is a great unit. I may have just had bad luck.

 

[bumpnzx3 10+ year member]

that's what scares me about all of the HU's with motorized faceplates- the panasonic included.

 

[spenman47 10+ year member]

just bought the clarion 685maxbt best hu i have owned very user friendly over alpine and such. my friends use pioneer and i just cant stand the functions. all are quality units all i can say is play before you buy it because just cause it has the good features or specs doesnt mean youll like it. i was set on the alpine double din till i used it. clarion makes an amazing product tho

 

[datboiroy]

i would look into the ddx512 from kenwood.

 

[BASS_WARRIOR 10+ year member]

i would look into the ddx512 from kenwood.

I'm getting a 512 as well, and for the price, with the amount of expandability it has, it's hard to beat.