Kenwood DNX5120 - navigation system with DVD player, LCD monitor, digital player and radio

Summary: I bought the dnx5120 on Saturday at Best Buy for $850, and they installed it and the ipod adaptor for about $230 (I wouldn't even know where to begin ...

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Summary: I bought the dnx5120 on Saturday at Best Buy for $850, and they installed it and the ipod adaptor for about $230 (I wouldn't even know where to begin to install myself - like, how do you get behind the stereo?). Anyway, I have a Mazda Protege5, and a big FYI, the Best Buy website said the 5120 would NOT fit in my car, but the Best Buy installer told me he could make it work, and he was right, it fits perfectly!

I mainly bought it for the navigation. I wanted a permanent nav system with a little larger screen than all the portables I was looking at. I'm happy withe the Garmin system!

The rest of the UI seems a bit quirky, but it's manageable once I programmed my 3 favorite stations. I just wish it had a few more hard buttons for the stereo controls.

My iPod does NOT connect properly - I have a 4th generation ipod classic (20 gigs, monochrome screen). It plugs in and plays music from the ipod to the car stereo, but I have to control it all on the iPod, not the stereo interface - in fact, the stereo interface says "disonnected." This isn't a deal breaker for me because at least I can still connect the iPod without those awful transmitters, but I sure wish it would work as advertised.

Next to myiPod not connecting properly, my other disappointment was that the navigation system does not have any Traffic Update options - when the packaging said "optional" I thought that meant, I could opt to buy a subscription, but it doesn't, apparently it means you can opt to buy a Receiver and pay more to install it and pay even more to subscribe

I contacted Garmin and Kenwood, and learned that the only traffic receiver that is compatible is the GTM-10 receiver for the TMC traffic service. The XM and MSN Direct traffic services are not compatible with the DNX5120.

I ordered the KCA BT200 bluetooth adapter and the GTM 10 Traffic Receiver, and I'll edit this review once I get them installed.

Overall, I love the big nice screen and navigation, and the stereo is a nice upgrade from my factory model. Even though my ipod doesn't connect right, I'm still happy to be able to plug it in anyway. I highly recommend this if you're like me and don't like the portable nav systems hanging on your dashboard tempting thieves.

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Summary: Kenwood DNX5120
I June 5, 2008, I purchased and had Platinum Audio in Corona, California install my DNX5120. I have had Sony, Alpine, and Kenwood stereos prior and have experimented
...

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Summary: Kenwood DNX5120
I June 5, 2008, I purchased and had Platinum Audio in Corona, California install my DNX5120. I have had Sony, Alpine, and Kenwood stereos prior and have experimented with iPod connections to these stereos. The stereo?s killed two of my iPods. The DNX5120 broke all the rules and really exceeded my expectations as far as the iPod interface. The integration is clean, easy to understand, and faster to use than the iPod itself. Here is an example. I have countless artists on my iPod. Using the scroll wheel it take time to scroll through the artist until letters come up and to be honest with you, it takes me a least two tries to land on the right letter. Using the DNX5120, I can scroll down by multiple artist and even click on slide bar to go half the way down my list or all the way down. All this at the speed of just pressing button and not waiting for the iPod or the stereo to catch up.
The navigation is dummy proof. I have used the BMW, Toyota, Magellan, Tom Tom, and Honda navigation and the DNX5120 blows them out of the water. It does not get any easier than this. I have read that it takes a long time to start up. I don?t see that problem. Once I start my vehicle, the Kenwood screen appears for about 5 seconds and I am off to the races. After all, it is not good for the vehicle if you start and immediately drive.
I don?t have any complaints about the stereo. Here are some things I really like;
? Knob for volume. It feel sturdy and I like touching the screen less than I have too
? Clean font, easy to read
? Quick/easy/instant access from user interface to navigation and back
? Easy to understand hierarchy of menu
? Garmin Nav. is easy to use and easy to upgrade
? No need for second DVD box for nav.
? Excellent GPS signal quality
? Ability to watch iPod movies on screen
? USB connection?I like putting my on photo as a background
The bottom line is the shop did an outstanding job the installation and the DNX5120 works better than what I had expected. When you put this stereo in perspective, it is combining a tuner, a DVD player, an audio iPod, a video ipod, XM, and CD/MP3 player together into one unit with none to little glitches. And if you are an Apple fan like myself, this works perfectly with the iPod.
That is my two cents and five out of five starts??

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Summary: I just installed this system in my car, which was running last years KVT-617DVD system with SIR-KEN1 sirrius radio adapter, and a 6-disc CD changer.

Unfortunately...the 2008 in-dash DVD

...

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Summary: I just installed this system in my car, which was running last years KVT-617DVD system with SIR-KEN1 sirrius radio adapter, and a 6-disc CD changer.

Unfortunately...the 2008 in-dash DVD systems are not compatible with those previous accessories. BAD MOVE KENWOOD! This is a bit irritiating for someone who loves his 6DISC changer. The answer of course is the incredibly fast ipod adpater that is no longer a separate brain unit, but a cheap cable hook up.

Of course... if you want everything...an external hard drive is the way to go... until you load it up 230GB worth and it takes more than 5 minutes to load everything.

All of those are minor gripes... and in fact the only gripes I have with this product specifically. (Their bluetooth is another story if you own a blackberry...but fixes are coming).

The Sound quality is pretty decent for an entry level unit (I know it's $1000...but it's still entry level since your getting a whole wack of features at the expense of low audio quality). In hindsight I think I shoulda spent the extra cash for the next model up so that the mid-highs are clearer and less harsh.

The navigation system is REALLY easy to use, but unlike other Garmin units...its not able to let you download new 'vehicles' for your maps.

Getting around the different menus and really taking control is really awesome though! Being able to change the lighting is great. You can even make it cycle colors. Getting around to different modes is a breeze...and I love the trip computer!

The install is a breeze, easier than the KVT-617, and the whole function couldn't be easier.

Overall it's a much faster operating unit than past Kenwoods, and it has a great look to it. If you do not own any Kenwood accessories or expansions yet, I highly recommend this unit for the person who wants a good all in one at a decent price.

For those that want a bit better audio quality, and a remote control... spend a lil extra cash.

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