A few weeks ago, I told you about my desire to update my Jaguar XK-R’s 1990’s sound and navigation system. I now have installed a new system and spent close to $5,000. But the sound is better, the navigation is far better, the back-up camera works, and my Android smartphone can integrate with features in the car. In the process of upgrading, I learned many things I’ll share below that may save you some money and misery.
Kenwood DNX 9990HD
By far the best high-end car stereo in the market is the Kenwood DNX 9990HD. Before I selected this system, I spoke with folks who had been installing products in this class, and they recommended the Kenwood. At the end of the project, my installer was so impressed with my new Kenwood that he decided to pull out his new Pioneer AVIC-Z140BH, the second in this class, and replace it with the Kenwood. One nice feature: the Kenwood allows you to adjust the screen angle, which helps readability when you experience glare on the screen. (If you drive a convertible with the top down, sun glare can make a screen nearly invisible).
A relatively high level of smartphone integration and a number of advanced features define this top class of in-car A/V devices and make the number of products in it small. Let’s look at two of Kenwood’s competitors.
The Pioneer AVIC-Z140BH is underpowered – not in sound output, but in computational power. That makes it slow. Pioneer appears to be aggressive with the technology, but the resulting product is annoying to use.
Alpine is coming out with an 8-inch screen product, but it is light on smartphone features and requires extra dash real estate that many older cars such as mine lack. The new Alpine INEZ928HD won a number of awards at the Consumer Electronics Show, so it may be worth checking out. Just realize that to get to an eight-inch display, Alpine had to get creative with the design, which requires clearance underneath the display – clearance my car didn’t have. Installing the new Alpine would have added an additional $500 to $1,000 in installation charges to modify my car’s dash.
Picking a car that can be upgraded
If you cycle your car every two or three years and buy new, upgrading technology likely won’t be an issue. Technology in a car typically takes three to five years to develop, and then it remains unchanged for two to five years. If you keep a car longer than three years, buy used cars, or care about navigation and in-car entertainment, avoid cars that have tightly integrated media and navigation systems that you cannot easily replace with aftermarket units.
Single-DIN systems, even those with motorized screens, are a generation behind double-DIN models, which have features such as back up cameras (which you need if you are backing out of a parking slot). Current German cars manufacturers, in particular, like high integration, making upgrading their stereos and navigation systems nearly impossible. Also, although owning a unique car is cool, my experience is that cars which sell in small numbers get few software updates (maps for navigation, software for newer phones, etc.). That can render the car company-supplied systems obsolete even if you have no plans to upgrade.
Still no smartphones
Car sound and navigation systems are still undergoing transition, and none of the products are yet demonstrating the power of the current generation of smartphones. Of the systems on the market, the Kenwood is the clear leader. The good news is that once you install one, switching brands later is far less expensive and is easier than the first installation.
If you have steering wheel controls, virtually all current-generation systems can integrate with them.
Unless you are removing a standard double-DIN radio (Chrysler often defaults to this, which will save a ton of money) make sure you hire a good installer; a bad installer can ruin your car.
Automobile sound and navigation technology will be going through massive changes in the next few years because car computer features and smartphone integration are still in their infancy. If you aren’t really upset (which I was) about the technology you have, wait at least until next year before changing your car’s sound and navigation systems, because the next generation will be vastly improved.
Guest contributor Rob Enderle is the founder and principal analyst for the Enderle Group, and one of the most frequently quoted tech pundits in the world. Opinion pieces denote the opinions of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views of Digital Trends.
The installation of computers in cars was, and still is, a bad idea, First of all, cars don’t have control/alt/delete buttons, and lap-tops aren’t doing eighty mph in the fast lane. I was a G.M. mechanic for over 15 years, and then worked for AAA. High end vehicles are so smart, they’re stupid. Most AAA providers will not jump start a Corvette, for fear of thousands of dollars in computer damage. BMW, and Mercedes, auto shut-down, (to prevent fuel pump damage) when the fuel level runs too low, it requires a min of 5 gallons of fuel to reset the sensor, and AAA only provides 2 gallons of fuel for roadside service, not too mention the diminished capacity mode of less than 20 mph for less than 50 miles if the compu-tater even thinks there might be a problem. “HAL, please re-start the car…. I’m sorry Dave, I cannot, you forgot to change the oil.”
I’m with you, my 68 XK-E used to blow fuses but it never coded out, nor did it ever decide to lock the car in part or turn of bake functions. Fuses I can replace, finding codes and then clearing the ECU is often a much bigger pain. Though I’m still not sure why the folks that installed the stereo felt the need to move one of the relays. Let me tell you, that was one long afternoon. Thanks for the comments!
stupid or not, carputers are here. i’ve been shopping for a new car and more than half of em already have touch screens and voice integration. after you’ve used them, there is no going back. good retrofits for voice navigation and phone is a good idea. i fear for my life driving with my sister while she’s typing into her Tom Tom and dialing on her iphone. much safer to simply ask Hal where the nearest Wendys is and to tell it to “call Mom”. coconutz247
I agree with you, that the modern conveniences are, convenient, and safer for the user. My perspective is from the mechanics point of view, for years it became harder and harder to diagnose an electronic problem with a car, eventually, I just couldn’t keep up with the technology, $3000 every other year to update a smog machine, every three to five years another $1200-$1500 for diagnostic software updates. The manufacturers of cars have gone out of their way to over engineer every vehicle in their fleets to prevent the individual from being able to repair their own car, Let alone the private sector mechanic. So after 15 years of being a Dealer level, and private mechanic, I hung it up, and got a job working for AAA, tag’em and Drag’em, and let the dealer figure it out.
hackers and good electronic mechanics got us by the balls. you are so right about attempting to repair your own car. it’s one of the things i simply ‘sub out’.
i’ve come to the conclusion that not having a tablet in the dash has become a deal breaker for us baby boomers. if you buy a new car to last 10 years, then retro-fitting or being able to flash the unit is a must. when electronic devices are obsolete within a matter of months, having a dumb Hal stuck in your dash might get a tad irritating….think? coconutz247
I’ve heard, from other Scion owners, that you can “Mod” your car with a lap-top, my comment is cool for you,(My 20 something neighbor with the same Scion TC)… is that why yours now gets only 12 miles to the gallon, and your on your third set of tires? I bought the car because the engine is mounted upside down and backwards, with all the parts on top, alternator, starter and so on are readily accessable, and I can take it apart with a crescent wrench, but I won’t have to, cause deep down inside, it is a Toyota
Author, rather than “authaor”
Thanks, and for once it is a mistake I didn’t make!