Manaray

Ok, I read some previous posts about this unit and people have been recommending it or the Alpine system...has Alpine made a touchscreen version yet? Anyways, if someone has some more information or a review of the Kenwood system, I would appricaite it...

Also, the Kenwood KVT-910DVD or the 911DVD have FULLY motorized screens (like the M700)?

I'm lookin at the DVD-ROM (doesn't play regular DVD's) unit with one of their flip up touchscreens (like the KVT-M700) and their 10-disc DVD/CD changer...for a 95-97 LS400 (UCF20/21 ~MC).

Does anyone have experience with a stereo install on that particular Lexus?

Do any aftermarket DVD/CD changers fit into the "factory" changer location?

Has anyone install a "fixed" screen into the radio location? It seems like it's too small to support any decent size screen (I'm thinking 6.5" to 8" LCD)

TIA...

vicpai

I'm considering installing the Kenwood DVD Navigation system (KNA-DV2100) in my 2003 Corolla. - It' the exact same as the Lexus/Toyota units made by DENSO. - see my post in the RX 300 model forum! "DVD Navigation update" - The Alpine DVD unit does not have touchscreen and it's user interface is one of the worst - TRUST ME - I had it installed on my 4-runner and now will be selling it on ebay. The Kenwood KVT910 and KVT911 monitors are not FULLY motorized, it slides out and then you must manually push them up (which is GOOD because there is less chances of damage).......I can't answer most of the other questions, but I know installation of these is almost impossible on Lexus models because of their NON-STANDARD openings for the audio system - might require a lot of custom work!!

LS007

After owning both the Honda/Acura (made by Alpine) navigation system for our Honda Odyssey van and Lexus/Denso in my LS430, I'd get the Alpine unit. In fact, I'm doing an Alpine NVE-N852 install for our RV. The reason is simple and has little to do with a better user interface - The Alpine DVD also includes several million business listings from InfoUSA database (www.infoUSA.com) compared to the ~90K POI's in the NavTech Denso/Lexus/Kenwood/Pioneer database. If you use navigaiton systems a lot you will constantly find you want to navigate to a place of business by name, not just an address. With the Denso/Lexus/Kenwood systems you simply won't find the name in the database. Try looking up Radio Shack stores for example and sorting by distance to travel.

Do your research and hope you come to the same conclusion.

vicpai

BEWARE!!!.....the Acura and Alpine units are not same in operation even though Alpine makes the DVD Nav system for Acura. The very reason I got the Alpine unit in my 4-Runner was for its 5 million + POIs (and because I simply loved my the DVD NAV system in my 2000 Acura 3.2TL).....but I was totally dissapointed because these POIs are just put there....THE SORTING FUNCTION IS TOTALLY USELESS....I cannot sort them like I could with the unit in my Acura !!!

The ACURA unit is possiby the BEST IN THE WORLD. Trust me , I'm in Real Estate Financing. I used the ACURA NAVI in my 2000 Acura 3.2TL/Navi to locate and sort POIs (real estate agents) by category first (I would go to the "ADVANCED" tab and then select "REAL ESTATE AGENTS" from the SUB-CATEGORY and then.... voila.... the nearest real estate agents would appear SORTED BY DISTANCE - NEAREST TO FARTHEST - this was a godsend!!!!. The NVE-851A DVD unit (which was supposed to be identical to the Acura unit has turned out totally useless for me......Not only does it not have the additional sub-catagories like Real Estate Agents, Mortgage Brokers, Health & Fitness Clubs, Beauty Shops.....and the list goes on and on......under a separate "ADVANCED SEARCH" tab, but it does not even do a good job searching for the existing listings. Let me give an example:

Being in the mortgage industry, I often visit clients places and have the need to eat on the go and I'm very picky about food places. Sometimes I specifically want to eat at a Burger King....at other times I specifically want to find a Taco Bell.
Now, in the Acura all I had to do was punch in "FIND POI by PLACE NAME" and then "TACO BELL" and it sorted out by distance - closest to farthest several of the nearest Taco Bells in the vicinity (sometimes a business closes, so if the first one, was not in existence, I just went on to the second -closest one and so on and so forth)........
BUT in the Alpine unit you cannot sort by PLACE NAME and distance AT THE SAME TIME In the Alpine unit if you chose PLACE NAME it, then, sorts it out only ALPHABETICALLY....not by distance. By the same token WHEN YOU CHOOSE SORT BY DISTANCE (LOCAL POIs) IT ONLY ALLOWS YOU TO SEARCH BY CATEGORY - and only lists for example THE NEAREST RESTAURANTS and NOT the nearest TACO BELL RESTAURANTS......or as you might say "the nearest RADIO SHACKs" for example

BOTTOM LINE: Nothing I REPEAT Nothing comes close to the ACURA/HONDA DVD Nav system........Don't be fooled the Alpine unit is just not the same....WEIRD.....because Alpine makes it for Acura. When I called alpine and asked for an explanation, they told me that ONLY THE HARDWARE AND DATABASE INFO IS SUPPLIED TO ACURA.......HONDA/ACURA writes it's own software for the Navi and has done ONE HELL OF AN EXCELLENT JOB WITH IT!!!!! and ALPINE writes it's own software and has done ONE HELL OF A LOUSY JOB with their version!!

ALSO TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU that the Lexus/Denso units POI database is a JOKE....experienced it briefly on my close friend's RX 300. Another TOTALLY UNCACCEPTABLE thing: The Lexus Navi cannot be operated while the vehicle is moving - This is totally ludicrous!!!!!!!!!!!! What if a passenger wanted to operate it for the driver???????????.....like a spouse or friend??

vicpai

.............another AMBITIOUS project I've embarked upon for my 2003 Toyota corolla commuter car is this:

I have obtained the costs for the individual ACURA NAVIGATION PARTS from a 3.2TL sedan (DVD NAV unit, ACURA Monitor screen, GPS antenna and all the wiring harnesses) (AROUND $4,200)......I'm in the process of obtaining the SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM FOR WIRING THE SPEED SENSOR and other electrical connections from Acura/Honda. I have discussed the whole project with a Navigation system installation specialist in my area and he has said that it's definitely do-able. Only thing, is they will have to custom-fabricate out of fiberglass an enclosure for the monitor-screen which will slot neatly in the DOUBLE-DIN enclosure where the AM/FM/CD/Cassette used to sit. Installation will cost me another $1500 or so........So at a total cost of about $6,000-6,500 it's certainly not inexpensive......BUT DEFINITELY WORTH IT!!!
..........Oh, and I'll have to find a place for a CD Changer/AM/FM Tuner - maybe in the CENTER CONSOLE

LS007

Great description of how these products are different. I've had very little time with the Alpine NVE-N852a, only giving it the once over in the store to examine it's POI database. Since I'm going to use it in a RV it should be OK. Besides it kind of difficult to get the RV into Taco Bell and Burger King drive-thrus :}.

Let me know if I can help you on any of the Honda/Acura navigation pin outs. I've engineered video on the navigation computer (see www.odyclub.com) videonavi the gallary.

supercoupes

I've got the Kenwood KVC-1000 (Touchscreen headunit) and the KNA-DV2200 (Nav computer) in my SC.

The KVC-1000 is not much more than a (fully motorized) touchscreen with TV tuner. It can be used to control all other Kenwood components, such as nav, CD, tuner ...
The KNA-DV2200 is the DVD-based nav computer.

The main reason why I chose this setup over Alpine, Blaupunkt or anything else is the touchscreen. This means I don't have to use any kind of remote or some other toy to control the system. Also, the touchscreen makes it VERY easy to use.

I dunno if Blaupunkt is a popular brand where you guys live, but just in case ... they're now building the exact same thing as Kenwood KVC-1000, just with a Blaupunkt logo on it. One major difference though: it can't be used to control the nav computer. For that, you need a remote control again. What a joke.

In terms of features, accuracy, user interface etc. I have yet to see a nav system that I like better than the Kenwood. The only problem I have is that Kenwood's Nav software isn't very detailed for my country. I guess that's better for the US, but I recommend to check that before buying any Kenwood Nav.

PS: I understand the models I mentioned are not necessarily the same in the US, but I guess they're at least similar.

Manaray

Hey guys, thanks for the all the information. Vic, a special thanks to you for the detail post! But I gotta say, if you eat at Burger King and Taco Bell, you're not a very picky eater!

Looks like I'm going to do the KDV-C810 (CD/DVD/MP3 changer) with a KVT-M700 Screen/Headunit (Or a LZ-800W if I can fit it in the dash) and the KNA-DV2100 DVD Nav unit...what do you guys think of that setup?

Oh, a question about the Nav antenna...does it have have to be located OUTSIDE of the car? Can I stick it to the inside or get one that's less conspicuous?

Anyways, do any of you have experience with their DVD/CD Changer? Are they any good?

Acctis - How's the headunit holding up? I ask because you must obviously be pushing on it a lot (using the nav and other functions), I was wonder if they're durable enough for everyday use or if I should try to get a fixed screen (like the LZ-800W)

VideoNavi - Is there anything for the 2001 GS navigation system yet in terms of playing DVD's or anything to mod the system (TV tuner, whatever) w/o ripping it out?

supercoupes

Manaray,

I guess you're asking me how's the moving mechanism holding up to the frequent usage?

Well, I can't tell you. I separated the screen from the actual DIN unit so it wouldn't move anymore. The screen is now flush mounted in the console where the original stereo was. Looks like an OEM nav / stereo system. The DIN unit is hidden in the console.

This modification was a pain in the a$$ (had to solder approx. 80 tiny wires to make them long enough, apart from completely modifying all the mechanical stuff in there). I understand Kenwood now has a new touchscreen without the DIN unit. So if you're thinking about making the install look like OEM, I'd definitely recommend you look at that new screen.

Manaray

Acctis - Ah...yes, that would prevent you from giving me an accurate idea about the durability of the hinge mechanism...

I was thinking about the same mod but after reading your post, I think I'll skip it...I wish the screens could act as a head unit (the fixed screens)...I don 't need AM/FM really...with the CD/DVD changer and Sirius Satellite radio (once it's available here), that's all I need...but I heard the screens can't control the CD/DVD changer w/o a head unit...that sucks!

hubbard316

Acctis,

do you have any pictures of your install? Could it be done on a 98 GS300?

supercoupes

Pics, no. Need to get a digi cam. Can it be done on a GS300? If I knew what a GS300 center console looks like, maybe I could help. All I can say is that you should make sure you have enough room to completely hide the DIN unit (was actually very, very thight in the SC) and that the screen isn't bigger than the OEM stereo. Then, be prepared for some MAJOR modifications of the head unit (remove mechanical parts, modify the wiring ...).

Maybe the hardest part is to get a custom faceplate to cover the gaps in the console. Right now, I don't have the final faceplate in. I only have a temporary one which looks crappy and doesn't match the rest of the console.
The final one is currently being manufactured exactly to my specs. It'll cover the entire console, not just the area with the display. ($$$$$$$$ !!!!!!)

Btw ... gonna get a new sub and discrete digital amp installed with the faceplate

I know I'm not being very helpful, but I really don't know too much about GS - so it's kind of hard to tell. Maybe someone could post a closeup of a GS console ... that could help.

ezlyf

Hey manaray,

I have this current install in my GS. I used to have the Alpine DVD Nav system but I upgraded to the LZ-800W touch screen and Dv2100 DVD nav unit about a month ago. And let me tell ya, the kenwood system is by far much user friendly when it comes to user promts and just the idea of ridding myself the the damn annoying remote from the Alpine is a blessing. You will love the touch screen interface. You will be able to enter new destinations, especially complex adresses with lightning speed as opposed to the snail pace of a infrared remote. You will sacrifice some business listings in the point of interests but personally I think it's worth the sacrifice for the ease of use. The big bonus of the kenwood too is the 3D aspect ratio dislay. It just makes visualizing the approaching manuever much easier. Being able to change the voice accent to me is a bonus. I have mine set on the UK English mode. The girl just sounds more refined Anyways. Go to a local stereo shop which carries both models and I guarantee you that they will recommend the Kenwood. I post pics on my system when i get a hold of my digital camera.