Kenwood DNX-5120 Auto GPS with DVD Receiver

Comments:

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<br>The 5120 is fantastic, I am very pleased with my purchase. I thought that the previous reviewer was a bit, how do you say, technically inept.
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<br>Sorry for the following rant, but this is a fair review, not like unhappy the retard in the previous post.
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<br>IN RESPONSE TO THE FIRST REVIEWER:
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<br>"Requires too many steps to see maps or change to tuner function; frequently have to pull over to operate"
<br> - too many steps??? ITS JUST 1 BUTTON! If you can afford a boxter, I would hope that you could manage a simple device like radio and gps...
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<br>"Does not dim adequately at night, can't see screen to change from nite to day dim"
<br>-I would agree that it doesn't dim automatically, but it is easy to see. Geriatric people do not need this deck.
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<br>"AM radio is practically non-functional" - who cares, its AM radio...
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<br>"XM radio is accessed thru Navigation. Can't see XM radio when maps show."
<br>- wrong again... accessed by hitting SOURCE->XM. not that hard.
<br>- if you want to see the song thats playing, its 1 button to get back to the radio, and 1 button to get back to gps..
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<br>"Most POI that I want are not in database. Many arcane steps to find location"
<br>-It has found most of what I wanted and gotten me out of a bind several times. Arcane steps???? Garmin is the most user friendly gps to date, i believe you are arcane.
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<br>"High cost of updating maps" - I downloaded them for free..
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<br>"Bulky antenna on top of dash looks like homemade crud."
<br>- ? it is about .5" tall and slightly bigger than a quarter. It has a long ass wire, you can put it anywhere. You can't notice mine at all.
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<br>"Do not understand what some audio functions do; dealer didn't know either."
<br>-No, the dealer knew, but probably didn't want to tell your whiny ass anything. Just wanted you to leave. Also, its amazing that electronics come with INSTRUCTION MANUALS! Read it, then see what problems you have.
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<br> If you are not good with electronics, then by all means stick with your stock stereo. I got it for $617 w/ free shipping from a dealer on eBay. As far as options go, I just have the ipod controls which work very well for navigating thru mp3's and videos. The integrated garmin GPS is kick ass. I also bought the XM adapter, and I would advise you NOT to buy it. XM sounds like dog shit.. no really, dog shit. My FM radio has better sound quality than XM. Soon I am going to get the bluetooth adapter for it.
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<br>I also considered the Avic d3, and the kenwood dnx7120. The d3 is nice, but the dvd navigation is dumb. The 7120 is another cool unit with a bigger screen, but I wanted the volume know to be easily accessible.
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<br>Pros:
<br>1. Garmin GPS is awesome - installed on internal memory, no dvd required!
<br>2. Ipod functionality (mp3's and videos) - can watch videos while in motion (not that i've ever done that tho ;)
<br>3. Can adjust color of lights to match your interior
<br>4. Updating unit is easy
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<br>Cons:
<br>1. Only 1 set of preamp outs. Fine if you just have a subwoofer, but if you want 4 ch amp for the rest of the speakers, you can't use the rca cables.
<br>2. No remote control. Sounds silly, but it would be handy. There is no way to Fastfwd videos on the ipod or dvd controls. An extra $30 part, no biggie.
<br>3. 1 USB input. I would suggest getting a cheap usb 3 in 1 box and running that into your glovebox. Will come in handy if you want to update your background, which you can only do w/ a usb jump drive. I have my ipod hidden in my glove box, and it rocks.
<br>4. Installation is expensive, as would be with a big job like this. My local shop estimated ~$650. I installed my system myself and it wasn't too bad, minimally more difficult than a regular head unit install.
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<br>Hope this can help in peoples decision.
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<br>@ guy w/ boxter, stick with you sony cassette walkman.
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Comments:
Installed in Boxter, required supplemental amplifier. Requires too many steps to see maps or change to tuner function; frequently have to pull over to operate. Does not dim adequately at night, can't see screen to change from nite to day dim. AM radio is practically non-functional. Dealer says that just the way it is. XM radio is accessed thru Navigation. Can't see XM radio when maps show. Most POI that I want are not in database. Many arcane steps to find location. High cost of updating maps. FM controls non-intuitive and complicated--has three screens to find stations. Needs dimmer push button on face of unit. Bulky antenna on top of dash looks like homemade crud. Had to get replacement bluetooth adapter, works okay now. Do not understand what some audio functions do; dealer didn't know either. Couldn't get auto dim to work, must set manually, too many steps and requires hitting small spots on touch screen. Dealer could not configure to play until door is opened. Does not have speed-volume control.
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<br><br>Next time I will stick with unit in car, and use suction cup Lowrance on winshield.
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<br><br>L J Maloney