Thoughts on HUs

[Blackhawk]

I was thinking of using a line level converter until Christmas or so until I got a HU but decided that it would be too much work for such a short period. I am stuck between two HUs, the Alpine CDA-9883 and the Pioneer DEH-P580MP. Both are about the same price on eBay, but the Alpine actually has listings that are for new units. Would either have an advantage or should I just go the Alpine? Both have 2v outputs and red illumination, the last being a characteristic I have used to narrow my choices.

[cardude007617]

get the 2007 model for the pioneer, the 5900. i have the pioneer 5900IB and love it.....for 220 bucks about u really catn beat it. 4v outputs, amazing ipod control, easy to use, etc etc just a great solid deck

[Blackhawk]

I looked at the 5900 because there was a deal on caraudio.com on them, they look alright but I'm looking for at least some red to match the interior lighting. For 220 I'd but the 9885 off eBay, I'm looking at a bit lower than that, the two I'm looking at are about 150 shipped. I don't have an ipod, just a cheap mp3 player, so that's not an issue.

[PORTMAN96]

i have a cda-9883. ive owned 4 head units ranging from pioneer, eclipse, etc. alpine supplies awesome power with easy to learn buttons. looks awesome at night too. go for it.

[Blackhawk]

Sounds good. I have a week to make my decision because I want to wait til the next paycheck comes in.

[Twista89]

u can get a new 6900 from soniceletronics for 200 with a 1 year warranty from them. Thats where I bought mine from and no problems for the 2 months Ive had it so far. Its a real steal.

[HotShot]

Thats the same HU im looking at, the 6900.

[HotShot]

Wut do u guys think of the Panasonic CQ-C8403U? Does anyone have this HU? I cant decide between the Pioneer 6900 and this one.

[Blackhawk]

red illumination, the last being a characteristic I have used to narrow my choices.
I think I'm going to get the 9883, it has what I need for a good price. $200+ is a little steep for me right now, I just wanted a good HU that was easy to use, a good brand, and had at least some matching illumination.

[kuecker_dj09]

ive got the 9885, which is just a step above the 9883. so its very close in specs, which is why i would say go for it because i love mine.

[ChaunB3400]

Up the budget sum and get a Pioneer 7800. or a Premier 880prs or a 780mp

[Blackhawk]

Chaun, for the prices those go for either new or on eBay I'd be better off buying one of those flip ups on caraudio.com for $500. I'm not looking for the best HU out there, I'm looking for one in a good price range, with decent features, and sub preouts. It's not financially feasable to buy one of those at this time, I'm still working on getting the parts needed to fix my bumper. Because of school activities I work maybe 13 hours a week tops for another month, this HU will be fine for me.

Kuecker, I looked at the 9885, looked good, but a bit out of the price range, the 9883 should work fine, I tihnk the only real difference is the preout voltage.

[kuecker_dj09]

another difference is that the display is changed, and that the 9883 doesnt have the option of steering wheel control ready.

[Blackhawk]

I don't have steering wheel controls stock anyways so that's nothing big, I can just use the remote. Both displays look fine to me so that's nothing big.

EDIT: Looking at the 9883 specs it says that it is steering wheel control ready.

[DFizzle]

I used to run the standard version of that Pioneer deck, 5800mp, and was in the same boat you are in terms of trying to measure similar decks against eachother. I ended up going with the Pioneer because of a past Pioneer deck I had that lasted me 6+ years and only needed to be upgraded becuase I needed more pre-outs. The clincher was the red illumination. I've never been a fan of the look of Alpine decks. Not really trying to tell you one is better than the other, but to give you an idea of what the 580 would look like:

Day (http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/juggleboy720/Car/IMG_0640.jpg)
Night (http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/juggleboy720/Car/IMG_0639.jpg)
Night 2 (http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/juggleboy720/Car/Interiorlighting.jpg)

[Blackhawk]

I remeber you showing me the 5800 pictures, they looked good. I was looking for the premier version, mainly for looks because the 580 and the 9883 are both gunmetal or charcoal, it would look better. Since the 5800, the 580, the 9881, and the 9883 basically have the same features it comes down to looks for me.

Seth, any night pics of the 9885? Other than the slight screen difference they look the same.

[kuecker_dj09]

the 9885 can switch between 2 diff modes of color, and has 4 backgrounds to choose from. sorry for the blurry pics, i just took em with Razr.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f16/kuecker_dj09/red.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f16/kuecker_dj09/blue.jpg