i went to best buy today to play with the 9851 and 9853 units. I'm leaning more toward the 9853 right now just cuz it looks nicer and the glidetouch thing is pretty cool, but i was wondering if anyone knows if these units have the ability to change button color.
i know the 9855 has 512 different color choices u can choose from, and the 2-3 year old 7894 that i had before had the option to switch from green buttons to amber.
mainly im looking for an alpine unit that can have amber buttons. i know that means i have to pick from the 7894 or the 9855... but im really hoping that there might be a way to do it on the 9853 or 9851
any help would be great. thanks

 

In that whole post, there was nothing about what it SOUNDED like.....





Well?

 

im getting my gear in next week.. i got the alpine cda-9855 hu, with the ipod controller.. i've heard mixed reviews on it, but with my simple playlists, timing isn't really a factor for me. here are the goodies that i will be putting in:

- Alpine 9855 Headunit
- PAC SWI-ALP Wired DCI (i wasn't diggin the IR version)
- Alpine MRV-345 4/3/2 Ch Amp (i'll be running 3ch.)
- Alpine SPR-17LS (6.5 separates, xovr, and 1" tweets)
- Apline KCA-420i (Ipod adapter for my 3rd gen 40gb ipod)
- JL 12W6 Sealed (1.2cuft^3) (from my old civic, it actually fits) (!!temporary since my box weighs 50lbs eeek!!)
- xtc foam baffles (to keep the rear of the 6.5s dry and sealed.)

i'll post a new thread when i do the install

cheers!

-e

 

get the F#1 status. you can pick blue, green, or amber i believe. it's a little more than the ones you mentioned, but it's okay. hehe...

 

Looking at the manual for the 9853 it does not have the color button feature. However, for the difference in price get the 9855.

 

I have heard that the glide touch thing is kinda tedious to operate. Just hear-say though. I am installing a 9851 in my car this week. I am going to probably end up posting a full review of all the stuff I got:

Alpine 9851
Blaupunkt OverDrive components (doors)
Blaupunkt TsC series (S-pods)
Clarion SW10X sub (might be late next week as box is being shipped from Washington)
Infinity 9820 amplifier for sub

Next I am saving for either an alarm with a proximity sensor (to keep the goodies safe) or an amplifier for the components (Sound Advice is going outta business in Tallahassee, so everything is CHEAP). It really depends on Sound Advice's selection and just how the Alpine makes the speakers sound. (looking for 4-way amp....either Alpine or JL)

John

 

I installed a 9851 a few months ago. I don't think there's any way to change the button colors.
One of these days, I want to post a full review of the setup (9851 + iPod controller), but here's the summary:

Sound is much improved over stock HU. I'm not teribly thrilled with the interface, but it's OK. You really need to read the manual.
Definitely go with the Modrify DCI. That thing rocks. The speed sensitive volume is worth the price alone.
Ipod interface is pretty good, and I have no major beefs with it. It is a bit slow, but it really doesn't bother me that much. You have to basically be prepared to only work from playlists. Trying to get to search through all your artists to get to Wham! or Yes or other groups at the end of the alphabet is basically impossible.

 

barsurfer ---> you can scroll backwards as well, "yes" and "xen cuts" are easy "the knack" is hard, not that i listen to the knack, ok, ok ... i did the other day, but it's not like i like them or anything. jeez

but i guess my point is that the bands in the middle are the PIA.

Playlists are definitly the way to go.

 

thanks for all the good advice. i know it sounds stupid, but the only reason i don't want to buy the 9851 or 9853 is because it wouldn't match the interior ofmy s2k.
i used to have an integra with amber interior and the 7894 unit looked great. i'd really like to have that again. i think i'm just gonna go on ebay and get a used 7894

 

honestly....how often is the radio door open in the car? Mine is almost closed all the time. Only time it is open is to change CD's. I like the different colors. IMO the amber color is tough to read.

John