Afternoon peeps and a happy new year to you all.....

Well, i'm considering (itching) to buy a new HU and have two on my mind and was wondering if anyone has used either of them and can provide some feedback?

Option 1: Alpine IDA-X305S
Option 2: Pioneer MVH-8300BT

I have enquired about the Alpine at a local radio shop who inform me that if installed, the radio flap will NOT close when the radio is in place but will be fine if the fascia is removed. Can anyone confirm if this is the case? Not the end of the world but nice to know. Also it looks like it might be worth buying the additional BT adaptor so you can make and receive phone calls hands free.

The Pioneer used to be my brand of choice back in the day and this one seems as good as they used to be. The pro with this one is that it has BT built in so i wouldn't have to buy an adaptor.

The Alpine i think is by far the prettier HU but i have owned Alpine in the past and i found the audio setup quite complicated, i'm sure it's fine for the advanced users but setting up frequencies and levels etc is just a PITA i think. This is where the Pioneer wins with its built in pre-sets and still giving you the option to customise.

Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance

 

Plenty of people have the IDA units and the door closes ok.

If you want help with setup of either unit, let me know. I've had plenty of practice.

 

If you have an iPhone and use pandora, the alpine CDE-122 or 123 is where it's at. I have one in my s2k and in my crv

 

I totally agree i think pioneer HU are easier systems to set up over alpine once you get into sound frequencies etc. I had an Alpine IDA unit which did fit but since then have gone back to pioneer. I prefer them but it is a personal preference thing. I wouldnt Really use anything other than these 2 brands.

 

Thanks for the replies guys:

Lovegroova, you may well be called upon so thank you for the offer, if that's the case a pint and a bacon sarny will be waiting for you (not necessarily in that order mind).

GTIWV, i thought Pandora was no longer available in the UK? Or maybe it is via jailbreak? (sorry if such things are not allowed to be mentioned on this forum).

 

kenwoods interest me, but the styling im not keen on.
i do like pioneer and the AVX JVC units.

depending on your requirements, what about a tablet?
i'm really considering a tablet for my next HU..
headphone > dual phono cable that connects to an amp
tablet will have SD card for plenty of storage (or even USB for a pen drive), navigation ability (plays through car speakers), 7" screen etc.
theres probably even an app that will allow you to pair it to your sim-card equipped phone and allow bluetooth calling via the car.

for me, it could be a good move as i dont do CDs or radio - it's all mp3's..

 

I have considered that as an option but more along the lines of buying either one of the mentioned units, and then plugging my iPad in to the unit and looking for a decent iPad mount. But that will require more research in to which HU is iPad friendly, if any of them are.

I think the easiest option for me is just buying an iPhone friendly HU, although............. i do quite like the idea of using my iPad as a satnav, hmmmmmmmm.

 

I have the Ida-x100 and the Bluetooth box.

Lots of phone pairing issues with iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 but iPhone 4gs is fine. That may be the latest OS rather than the handset though.