| |
 |
 |
 |
|
SWEET Unit! |
March 30, 2008 |
| Reviewer:
Billy
from East Coast, USA
|
|
First System I installed ever, took me a long time (e.g. 30 hours?!), mainly because i wanted to conceal all the wires and make it look professional. I also installed the Kenwood rear view camera and GPS, and removed paneling all the way to the back of the car to hide those wires.
Overall, crutchfield support was excellent. Highly recommended.
Use is fairly easy, except there is no display when the unit is closed. Thankfully my car has another clock. If you memorize the "source" sequence, then you don't need a display.
My only concern now is a stolen unit, but there is an auto-screen hide feature, as well as a security lock code if it is disconnected (the later doesn't help me any, just prevents open market selling).
One comment - navigation of a DVD of MP3s is more intuitive than using the iPod connection (and 4.5gigs of MP3s is a lot!)
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
KVT 617DVD installed in a 2001 Yukon Denali |
March 16, 2008 |
| Reviewer:
BK's account
from Montgomery Alabama
|
|
Overall, I love the unit. It took a few minutes to figure everything out. Don't be fooled into thinking some of the functions aren't working. It's a matter of figuring out which source is being selected, which display is selected and which audio source is selected (for instance, the video select has a video 1 and video 2. If you're plugged into 1 but 2 is selected, you won't see anything. Sounds obvious but it won't be intuitive the first time you try it). Here are some other considerations for your review:
Installed in a 2001 Yukon Denali with Onstar. This requires the Bose adapter kit to run the unit through the stock stereo equipment. The amplifier box of the conversion kit is not required (added too much engine noise to the sound so I removed it with no issues). Installed in about two hours, putting the "brain" behind the glove compartment, the GPS unit and Sirius unit under and behind the ashtray console. The GPS unit is still accessible for map updates.
Goods:
Great display. Big and clear. The map dims automatically at dusk too. Easy control while driving and the labels are clear. Lots of available inputs. I"m running a set of RCA's to an MP3 player and another is set up to plug in my Camcorder (great for dash cam or rear viewing!)
The navigation gear is awesome! Clear directions, quick updates, nice (female) voice. Stores favorites and knows where "home" is. Navigation can occur at the same time as DVD, CD or Sirius playback. Switching between displays is easy.
Reset button is helpful. When it seems like things aren't working right, hit the reset button. I've only had to use it twice in three months as I was learning the unit, but it puts you back at the start.
Controlling the radio, CD, map and Sirius are easy to do while driving with very little time spent looking at the display. Volume controls are on the main console and can be controlled while resting your hand on the shift lever. Buttons are large, easy to find and easy to select. make sure you do a good display calibration before you start.
As for the screen calibration, touch the display quickly during calibration as this will prevent repetitive touching while using the controls. The longer you touch, during calibration, the longer the touch required to control functions.
Others:
Steering wheel controls are inop. Requires a separate RF remote control which I haven't bought yet.
CD player does not automatically read CD information (track name, artist, album, etc.) Can only manually enter the CD name, which it will store but not very useful.
Sirius tuner does not store any sirius data so you cannot replay as you can with the Sportster or Starmate units.
No information can be displayed with the screen closed. It would be nice to have some basic information (source, time, at least)
Time does not update automatically from the GPS. This would seem like a given but you have to change it manually when you cross time zones.
Sirius display i
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 31, 2008 |
| Reviewer:
Eric
from Marin Co. CA
|
|
took 4 hours to figure out which piece went where, took 2 hours to install, my son did the work. DVD/FM/AM-iPod-bluetooth-rear camera
took me three days of reading the manual and pushing buttons to get everything to work.
everything went together as instructed in the instruction manuals. everything worked first time, just took me time to figure out how.
thanks to Hank,
Eric
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Full System Install |
January 16, 2008 |
| Reviewer:
James
from Anchorage, AK
|
|
I purchased this unit (Kenwood KVT-617DVD), a Kenwood KNA-G510 Navigation Unit, a Kenwood CCD-2000 rearview camera, a Kenwood KCA-iP500 iPod plug in unit, and four Kenwood KFC-6880ie 6"x8" speakers for my Ford F350 Crew Cab.
This is my third car stereo install and by and far the most complicated. The DVD player has too many options, but once you get the hang of them it becomes easier, but not easy to use. I am satisfied with the unit, except for the location of the small buttons on the face. In addition, the letters on the buttons are hard to see (I'm not old either) and to feel which one you are pushing. I use the ATT button a lot for cell phone calls, conversations, and for when I leave it up cranked up too loud for my wife and kids. The manuals for the navigation system and monitor unit leave a huge gap in explaining how to get from one interface to the other. I had to revert to the caveman technique and just started hitting buttons until the correct screen came up.
Overall the install went well, but I cannot give Crutchfield as much credit as I did with my last installation. This time the installation instructions were incomplete on how to take apart my dash. It would seem to me that when you have a hide away receiver unit and an in-dash monitor unit that you may want to hide some of the wires connecting the two. The instructions that came with the DVD player showed how to install the monitor unit without attaching the receiver. Opps, now how do you hide the 10 wires from the processing unit that connect to the monitor unit?
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2007 |
| Reviewer:
Deborah
from Ecru, MS
|
|
Good receiver although it doesn't offer much selection for wallpapers. Installation was pretty straight forward. I had a really hard time finding the parking break wire for it. But once found I loved it. It has really good picture to it. I thought all the controls and setting were pretty simple to figure out as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
