HU choices

well my alpine IVA touchscreen has seen better days. it's old, interface looks old, and wants to play my dvd mp3 disc whenever it feels like it. Since my tax season is gonna start next week instead of january, i've been approved, by the wifey, a 500 bucks budget :twisted: so i've figured i'll spend 300 on the new HU and 200 to replace my front 6" speakers.

speakers i'm going with
JL Audio VR600-CXi
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/pro...VR600CX-f.jpeg
60 w RMS
$190

HeadUnit choices
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/pro...B-o_mt_fl.jpeg
Pioneer DEH-P6000
+CD/MP3
+USB connection for USB drives and iPod
+4V x 6channels
+$250

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/pro...X592-f_mt.jpeg
Kenwood KDC X592
+CD/MP3
+USB connection for USB drives and iPod
+4V x 6channels
+$199

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/pro...3200-F_dg.jpeg
Eclipse CD3200
+CD/MP3
+USB connection for USB drives and iPod
+5V x 6channels
+$279

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/pro...75BB-o_FL.jpeg
Clarion FB275BT
+Digital Media (no CD)
+SD card slot
+$149

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/pro...-o-wfr_mt.jpeg
Alpine iDa-X100
+Digital Media (no CD)
+USB connection for USB drives and iPod
+2V x 6channels
+299

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/pro...X200-f_dg.jpeg
Alpine iDa-X200
+Digital Media (no CD)
+USB connection for USB drives and iPod
+2V x 6channels
+199

why not a car pc? provably cus i already know i'm not going to take full advantage of it just like i did with my dvd flip out. i could provably put one together for 300 too. so i got 6 choices, 3 cd/mp3 and 3 digital media. I like the digital media players convenience of not having to burn cds but there are not alot of choices and they are fairly new. the clarion has the advantage of the SD card reader. now a days you can get a 2g SD card for 20 bucks or so. but on the negative side it only has 2 outputs unlike the 3 the alpine models have. i'm already splitting the sub out three ways. i wouldnt mind getting an eq for the clarion but then again the price would be the same as the high end alpine. what i don't like about the alpine HUs are the cables. they go through the back of the HU and usually routed to the glove box. my car does not have a glove box so i would need to either buy one or mold the usb/ipod plugs to the dash.
as far as the cd/mp3 HU goes, the only big differences are price and brand. all 3 have 6 channel outputs, read cdr and cd rw, usb/ipod connections, and sleek blue screens. i'm gonna hit the local circuit city, best buy and stereo shops to test out the HUs

Alpine iDa-X100

I would seriously consider the digital media only units w/ipod connectors. CDs are really a 90s thing now and since the digital only units have no moving parts, you don't have to worry about the drive going out.

I got the Pioneer DEH-P5000, Its really good. And the only thing different is the screen and its $100 cheaper. Highly recommend it

I like the Pioneer HU. I have a pioneer and love it

I like Pioneers Units. CD's are up to you. I personally enjoy having the option of iPod and CD's. Whether its an idea of sound response, or just the satisfaction of a mix CD.
Pioneers are very user friendly.

I have an Alpine ida-x001 digital media head unit,which is the older one I like it, especially if you have a ipod, you can still hook up a cd changer if you would like, and 2gb flash drives are going for super cheap.
I would say go with one of the Alpines, and as far as the cable i just routed it down the center console and it comes up next to the cup holder.

i just got this for $155 after taxes and free installation from circuit city.

Sony CDX-GT630

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/pro...GT630UI.CN.JPG