Very close... but not perfect.
Strengths:Lots and lots of features: Navigation, Bluetooth, DVD, Tuner. Expandable: HD Radio, XM, Sirius, FM Traffic, Relay Switches. Easily installed. Large screen.
Weaknesses:Interface could needs to be updated. Bluetooth doesn't sound that great. Physical buttons are tiny.
Posted 1 year ago - I did a lot of research before buying this unit and overall it delivers pretty much everything most people would need/want in an in-dash unit. However, in this price range and being Kenwood's top-of-the-line, I expected it to be pretty close to perfect, but it's not. First, this system takes about 30 seconds to fully boot up, which compared to other systems with this many features it is really fast (The latest Pioneer model take well over two minutes), but the 30 second startup is still nonetheless a little annoying. Secondly, the interface is pretty archaic looking for something designed in 2008, my 1999 GPS system looked better than this. The new Pioneers have a far more slick looking interface. Thirdly, the Garmin Navigation interface could be a plus or a minus. I personally feel the Garmin interface is a little too simplified, but at the same time it makes it extremely readable. Another small, but annoying thing about the Garmin interface is that when you are avigating to a location it will tell you your ETA but it will NOT tell you the current time. Also since Garmin created the interface, the information for your music comes up an an overlayed image (that often blocks out on-screen buttons) in ugly text reminiscent of an Atari 2600. Comparatively, the new Pioneers shows all the street names, has the ETA and current time, and will show you all the song information as well as a little thumbnail of the album. Fourthly, the physical buttons are the size of watch buttons and are indistinguishable from each other, which more of less makes the impossible to use unless you look at the stereo. Finally, the bluetooth is a nice included feature and does pair up quite easily and consistently, however for me I could barely hear anything anyone was saying and the other person on the phone could barely understand what I was saying. This however maybe a problem that's more related to my phone (HTC Touch) and the placement of the microphone in my car (on the steering column, as recommended by Kenwood). Don't get me wrong, this is probably the most feature rich in-dash GPS system out there but just don't expect it to be perfect.
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