valmont2008 Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 I received a call from Pioneer this morning. They told me not to hold my breath on firmware updates anytime in the next 3 months for this unit (F900BT). They are still in the lengthy process of allocating all of the problems with the unit from consumers and dealers. This is absolutely ludicrous so I have decided to bid via con dios to Pioneer, only...if the Z3 does not turn out to be the hot ticket it claims to be. But I need your help. I have done some moderate research on Kenwood's impressive DNX8120 and am leaning towards that direction. I would like to know what you think I should bank on. In detail if you please. Z3 Vs. DNX8120 ROUND 1. FIGHT! -Mat QUICK UPDATE! I just spoke to my dealer who said he does not stock "That crap" when I asked him about Kenwood units. He was adamant that they are way behind in the NAV technology and that Pioneer and Alpine are the first names in premiere navs. What gives!? Link to post Share on other sites
capper Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 yeah Garmin is crap, what a moron Link to post Share on other sites
dmann33 Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 I am still deabting b/t these 2 and the f-series. I had it narrowed down to the F-90 and the 8120. Then this rash of issues with the f-series and now I am back to considering the Z3 vs the 8120. Logic would say the 8120 - and I am leaning that way strongly. I am still a week or 2 out, so I'll keep reading and learning. Thoughts on Z3: I really like the maps of the Z3 - but it seems to be a bit slower overall than the 8120 and there has been some question if Pioneer's routing accuracy. Thoughts on 8120: Seems pretty solid - not the best user interface - but fast and Garmin is proven to be effective (even if it is not the coolest maps). Very effecient POI search tools. If it weren't for the COOL Z3 maps - it would be a done deal. There have been some conflicting reports on which unit my iPhone will work the best on. This may be the deciding factor. I have heard the the only time the iPhone call quality is bad is when you have wi-fi turned on, but I don't know. Anybody know the answer??? Link to post Share on other sites
kirkelli Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 i sent mine back,, got worried over these bad reporssss... Now looking at the Kenwood 8120.. Will be looking for the best deal through an authorized dealer. If anyone can point me, please help. Link to post Share on other sites
dmann33 Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Use the Avic411 code at all & eds for 18% off til the end of the month. Link to post Share on other sites
m48xhp Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 8120 wins. Link to post Share on other sites
psklenar Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 8120 costs significantly more than the F90. I have no interest in BT/Voice Control (open windows and sunroof don't make for a good speaker phone environment. I'm not going to be using external amps. I'm therefore giving serious consideration to the DNX5120. It plus the Garmin FM Traffic antenna will be about the same price as the F90BT and have a slightly larger screen than the F90BT. It'll support USB, Ipod, satellite and traffic. pat---- Link to post Share on other sites
capper Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 The 8120 can only cost $100 more than the F90. Link to post Share on other sites
mikeinnj Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Finally got my 8120 in today and I LOVE it, 15 seconds to FULL BOOT, BT connects about 8 seconds after that. iPod control works, Nav is perfect, finding POI is easy, very, very responsive interface, and the amount of controls over the sound field is down right nutty. You can set independent 15 band cross overs for the front and rear speakers, as well as the speaker diameter, tweeter elevation, focus, subwoofer diameter, it is just sick. I finally have found a worthy successor to the D3. After using the D3, the Kenwood 5120, the F700BT, the 90BT and now finally the Kenwood 8120, I can say without a doubt that the 7120/8120 is the way to go. 5120 comes a close second. When the F series gets it's problems worked out then that would be second place. I still can't get over how terrible the F series routing is. (in my area atleast) Also note, I'm not missing the volume knob nearly as much as I thought I would. I used to have volume buttons on my old Scion stock radio and hated it. These you can hold it down and the volume slopes up at a good rate or use the touch screen which is equally effective. Also, if you need to lower and raise quickly, the ATT (Attenuate, basically a Mute button) comes in handy. I'll post pics up later on. Link to post Share on other sites
psklenar Posted June 18, 2008 Report Share Posted June 18, 2008 The 8120 can only cost $100 more than the F90. capper, With careful mail-order shopping and self-install ... I haven't seen it that cheap, but I'd imagine it's findable. But if you need to have it installed for you, that means buying from a local retailer and while many of the non-big box stores will offer a discount, most charge MSRP or darn close. I like the 8120, but ... the 5120 still has a larger screen than the F series and I have no use for the built in bluetooth of the 8120 ... it's paying more for something I'll never use. mikeinnj, Excellent news! thanks for the quick report on the Kenwood! pat---- Link to post Share on other sites
clock109 Posted June 18, 2008 Report Share Posted June 18, 2008 Finally got my 8120 in today and I LOVE it, 15 seconds to FULL BOOT, BT connects about 8 seconds after that. iPod control works, Nav is perfect, finding POI is easy, very, very responsive interface, and the amount of controls over the sound field is down right nutty. You can set independent 15 band cross overs for the front and rear speakers, as well as the speaker diameter, tweeter elevation, focus, subwoofer diameter, it is just sick. I finally have found a worthy successor to the D3. After using the D3, the Kenwood 5120, the F700BT, the 90BT and now finally the Kenwood 8120, I can say without a doubt that the 7120/8120 is the way to go. 5120 comes a close second. When the F series gets it's problems worked out then that would be second place. I still can't get over how terrible the F series routing is. (in my area atleast) Also note, I'm not missing the volume knob nearly as much as I thought I would. I used to have volume buttons on my old Scion stock radio and hated it. These you can hold it down and the volume slopes up at a good rate or use the touch screen which is equally effective. Also, if you need to lower and raise quickly, the ATT (Attenuate, basically a Mute button) comes in handy. I'll post pics up later on. Thanks for the update Mike. Whats the sound quality of the bluetooth? Link to post Share on other sites
mikeinnj Posted June 18, 2008 Report Share Posted June 18, 2008 I just sent this in a PM to another member asking about the sound quality, so here you go: I JUST got done calling like 8 people on the BT. All 8 of them could not tell that I was even using handsfree and said that it was crystal clear. Also, the voice dialing is SPOT ON every. time. Seriously, I've been almost giddy over this unit all day. I drive. A LOT. So I have a lot of time to stress every nook and crannie of these units and so far this Kenwood has been absolutely perfect. No freeze ups. No restarts. No quirks. It just works and it works great. Link to post Share on other sites
HiFiSi Posted June 18, 2008 Report Share Posted June 18, 2008 Wait... why is a topic titled "Kenwood DNX8120 VS. Z3" on the F-series board? Seems like it would make more sense on the Z series board... Link to post Share on other sites
valmont2008 Posted June 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2008 Sorry chaps. Could the admin move this to the Z troubleshooting forum? Much obliged. Link to post Share on other sites
GTI Chooch Posted June 18, 2008 Report Share Posted June 18, 2008 With all of these problems that the F-Series is seeing we should go ahead and start a different forum for the Kenwood units. I for one, am very interested in them and there isn't another forum like AVIC411 for Kenwood products. Link to post Share on other sites
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