Head Unit Advice

[DBLDOSE]

Hey all.
I have some store credit at Alberts Osbourne Park, and I want to use it buy myself a new head unit for my new car audio install.

It must have 3 RCA pre outs, be able to play MP3s, have a direct iPod connection (Not aux), and have an easy to use interface.

So far I have short listed a few units from alpine and pioneer:

Pioneer DEH-7250SD http://www.pioneer.com.au/Products/Car%20Entertainment/CD%20DVD%20Players/DEH%207250SD.aspx
Pioneer
Pioneer DEH-5250SD http://www.pioneer.com.au/Products/Car%20Entertainment/CD%20DVD%20Players/DEH%205250SD.aspx

Im liking pioneers offering with the SD card input, would mean I don't need a new iPod to play my tunes off, and the 7250 is up there because its apparently the same unit, but with a music browser and flip down face.

Alpine iDA-X303 http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=38
Alpine CDA-105Ei http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=42
Alpine CDA-117E http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=164

Had a CDA-102e in my old system, really like alpines way of browsing files. Mate has a ida-303, and that seems pretty decent aswell. Not to sure of the differences between the 105 and 117 though, but for $50 in the rrp, cant go wrong can you? Only thing is alpine is a bit costly compared to pioneers RRPs.

Any advice, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated, heading down that way tomorrow, so going to head in and see if they got any of the above on display.

Cheers.

[Fukushima]

I've driven a mates car with the x303 - it had me regretting my purchase of a Kenwood last year.

It's very usable, very intuative and it works. Given the chance to upgrade I would buy one in a heartbeat.

[2LMILK]

only downside to the x303 etc are, there is no cd player, its all digital.

i would go a
eclipse cd5030-If you can find one becasue eclipse aus dont exist any more
JVC KD-R905
http://www.jvc-australia.com/JVC/client/c_products_details.jsp?catID=27&prodID=477

all of these you can get throught rob at volatile, details in my signiture below

[Volatile Rob]

Cheers Matty :)

DBLDOSE: I would go for the Alpine X303 if you are looking for a decent , easy to use headunit with the features you want.

How much credit have you got with Alberts... we might be able to do a deal :)

Rob

[DBLDOSE]

I've got $250 credit there, so was going to get the head unit first and build from there, but might get a pair of splits or something instead.

How much will a x303 and a pioneer 7250 cost me at Volatile Rob. Heard heaps about your work, was going to get all my other gear from you aswell.

[HANS YOLO]

+1 for Eclipse - more features, less coin