Head Unit: Sony/Panasonic?

**OdoyleRules** · 06-09-2005, 03:45 AM

All I need to finish my project is a head unit that has an aux input in the rear. I took my entire dash from my '99 Grand Am and reformed it. I removed the old radio(stupid delco) and put a 7" Lilliput with a spot for my new head unit right below it and moved down the HVAC controllers down to where the storage part was originally. Thing is I now need the head unit to create the sound to my car speakers. I don't really care if this head unit plays MP3's(obviously) or has XM satellite or anything creative like that stuff. The problem the head units I find all come with most of that stuff and I was just wondering if I could drive the price down a little bit without all of that stuff.

All I want is a simple head unit with an aux input.

I found these on cardomain.com:
~ $160 Sony CDX-F5710 (cheapest on my wallet)
~ $205 Sony CDX-F7715X (I like this black color, accents my dash good)
~ $190 Panasonic CQ-C8301U (also a dark color, leaning here)
*Pioneer needs that crappy 30 dollar part to work with aux input

These all offer the rear aux input that I would like to have but from my understanding I would greatly appreciate the Panasonic over the Sony. They would all work but if I could get some suggestions on this I would greatly appreciate it. Even if it is an older HU I could find on ebay it would be a great help!

**Jahntassa** · 06-09-2005, 08:59 AM

You'd be happier with the pioneer, and it's possible to 'fabricate' the aux input for it. Sony headunits (especially the cheaper ones) have gone down quite a bit in quality over the years, and generally don't sound very good.

Panasonics are alright, as long as you don't play CDs in them and expect them to work properly. Pioneers seem to have the least number of problems out of Sony, Panasonic, and JVCs.

You can get the Pioneer DEH-P3700MP for $150 from Crutchfield (probably cheaper elsewhere), and either fabricate the aux input (not hard) or buy it, and be better off than the list you have there.

But, if you're stuck on those, i'd take the Panasonic over the Sonys you have there.

**Cris** · 06-09-2005, 09:23 AM

Sony's are not that great, if I were to choose I'd get a Panasonic, the only ones with an aux input from what I last looked, are from C7300 upwards. They do really nice, I have 2 of them, and no problems what so ever in more than 1 year since I have them. I drove on very very bumpy country roads, not once did the cd skip.
I do agree Pioneers are great units, but I only like the high end units from Pioneer, whch are rather expensive

.

**sdashiki** · 06-09-2005, 11:38 AM

Pioneer, tho some may argue otherwise, are the GOOD brand to buy for head units.

I say good because Ive had mine (the first one to have the OEL green/blue screen) for about 7 years and yes the rubber buttons wore off after about 6, but pioneer has fixed that by going back to rotary knobs and plastic buttons.

Pioneers dont crap out, as my friends Sony, Clarion and JVC have in the past.

I love my pioneer and if i was going to get another head unit it would be Pioneer. Tho since the buttons started rubbing off Im telling myself to get a comparable HU today would cost $500+ and why not spend that money on a carputer that does more than play CDs....

**Greeney** · 02-25-2006, 07:03 AM

Pioneer, tho some may argue otherwise, are the GOOD brand to buy for head units.

I say good because Ive had mine (the first one to have the OEL green/blue screen) for about 7 years and yes the rubber buttons wore off after about 6, but pioneer has fixed that by going back to rotary knobs and plastic buttons.

Pioneers dont crap out, as my friends Sony, Clarion and JVC have in the past.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
TRUE THAT. Look into these brands..
Alipine
Pioneer Primere
Eclipse