Best HU

[halo]

$250 and under. Thanks in advance. This is for my wife's car.

[exalted512]

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=15720

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=16991

The Alpine is a better unit but is a few bucks out of your price range. If youre not looking for major tuning options, go with the 680.
-Cody

[MacLeod]

I prefer authorized dealers and this Panasonic is the one Id choose for my wifes car as they offer about the best bang for the buck.

Its got a lot of tuning options and plenty of cool features plus its not very flashy looking which most chicks like. ;)

It also has plenty of room for upgrades in case you get the urge to play around!

Best of all, its a $500 HU that is on sale for $280 (I know thats over your budget but its still a smokin' deal).

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-1aw6FzozOOG/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=133CB8901

However, if you have to come in under $250 then go with Alpine. Those are my favorite HU's. Plenty or features and excellent build quality.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-1aw6FzozOOG/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=500CDA9820

[audiobliss]

In my opinion, this (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-cwH5K6c9O0v/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&tab=features_and_specs&i=099CD3000#Tab) is the best for your budget. I'd certainly have no qualms with running it.

Besides, it's from an authorized dealer that includes installation kits and extensive instructions with purchases, and has great customer service.

Nice looking HU that's not bland, but fairly understated, with tons of features and capabilites.
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2005/099/h099CD3000-f_mt.jpeg

[audiobliss]

Mac - That Panasonic's not very flashy?! I'd hate to see a HU you think IS flashy...

[MacLeod]

Yeah, its not very flashy. Its basically all black with blue lighting. The display is funky but thats it.

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2005/133/h133CB8901-f_mt-1.jpeg

This is one Id consider to be more flashy.

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2006/133/h133C3303-f.jpeg

or this

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2006/023/h023MEMMP66-f_mt.jpeg

[1996blackmax]

In my opinion, this (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-cwH5K6c9O0v/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&tab=features_and_specs&i=099CD3000#Tab) is the best for your budget. I'd certainly have no qualms with running it.

Besides, it's from an authorized dealer that includes installation kits and extensive instructions with purchases, and has great customer service.

Nice looking HU that's not bland, but fairly understated, with tons of features and capabilites.
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2005/099/h099CD3000-f_mt.jpeg


Good choice there. The only thing I do not like about these models is the scroll wheel to change tracks. Other than that it is a solid HU with one of the best preamp sections around (good thing if you have amps or ever plan to add some).

[halo]

Thanks for all the advice. I think that out of everything you've reccomended my wife is seriously considering the Pioneer. She likes the look of it and the price. She felt the Alpine was too plain looking. Definitly going with Crutchfield. No tax, free shipping, free kits and hardware, free tech support - it's a no brainer. Thanks again! :)

[brettw22]

I think those eclipse's are ugly as hell. I wouldn't ever consider a display with pixels that pronouned.......

[1996blackmax]

The other Eclipse I've had were not the pretiest things, but once I heard them in my car it made up for the looks. Function over form...

[Meeks32]

You could look for a older model eclipse deck thats still NIB on ebay that arent as flashy as the new ones.

[MacLeod]

Thanks for all the advice. I think that out of everything you've reccomended my wife is seriously considering the Pioneer. She likes the look of it and the price. She felt the Alpine was too plain looking. Definitly going with Crutchfield. No tax, free shipping, free kits and hardware, free tech support - it's a no brainer. Thanks again! :)

Good choice.

Cant go wrong with Pioneer.

[exalted512]

your wife has great taste:D

which pioneer was it?
-Cody

[audiobliss]

Can't you just scroll up and look at the one you recommended? :rolleyes:

[exalted512]

just making sure, besides, crutchfield doesnt carry the radio i listed
-Cody

[audiobliss]

Oh, well...maybe I should've scrolled up to check, then...:p

[cam5860]

I am starting to like this deck by Sony. It has all the features I need for good sound quality. 24 bit Burr Brown Converters, 7 Band EQ, 4 Volt preouts, BBE processing, CD signal to noise ratio 120 DB.

[halo]

We got the Pioneer (from Crutchfield) yesterday and my wife installed it today. Now she says it's up to me to figure out how to use it ;) So far I'm very impressed with it. All the different settings, displays, and tweakability for just over $200 aint bad.

[audiobliss]

You're wife installed it?!?!

Wow....where'd you find her? I just might have to move there after college! :D

[halo]

You're wife installed it?!?!Why are you surprised by that? :confused:

[audiobliss]

I've never heard of a wife doing it. And there's only been, like, maybe two females 'south of the border' before. When gals are mentioned, as I recall, it's usually something along the lines of "yeah, I spent my Saturday putting in a system for this girl I met....yada yada yada".