USB input vs i-pod input?

[2wheeler 10+ year member]

I'm looking at new HUs, the two units that are looking the best to me are the Pioneer 5900ib and 6900ub. Slightly different cosmetically, biggest functional difference I can find is that the 5900 has an i-pod input, the 6900 has a USB input. Both inputs work with the i-pod, but what else can the USB do? MP3? The site mentions flash drives, wth could I do with those?

Any other HUs in the $200-250 range that are better IYO than the Pioneers??

Thanks

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[foreman400x 10+ year member]

if u dont have an ipod u can store music on the flashdrive like i do..and it works great

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

I'm not sure whats the capabilities of the usb input, but being able to hook an external hard driver to it would be really nice.

 

[2wheeler 10+ year member]

if u dont have an ipod u can store music on the flashdrive like i do..and it works great

Can you play songs from your flashdrive directly thru your HU?

 

[foreman400x 10+ year member]

yeah i have a 4 gig flash drive with over 400 songs on it and it plays great

 

[phy]

I heard it's a 500mA powered USB. To spin up a portable 1" USB drive, it needs about 300mA. I have tried to plug in a 1" USB drive through a JVC USB car audio player and it worked perfectly ok.