Kenwood DDX6019+KCA-iP500 (similar DDX7017,8017,7015)

[GnatGoSplat]

One of many 2-DIN HU's I'm considering is the Kenwood DDX6019. What is its iPod integration like with the KCA-iP500? Can you browse playlists, albums, artists, titles while a song is playing? Can you skip up/down multiple tracks in a list, or do you have to go up and down one-by-one? How fast is the browsing?

I think the older touchscreen units like DDX7015, 7017, or 8017 are going to be similar, so if that's all you have experience with, I'm interested to hear. Thanks.

[GnatGoSplat]

Bump. Anyone? Anyone?

[FeelTheFire]

Well, FWIW, I've never used a 6109 with that setup. I've used the 8017, though. The browsing isn't as fast as it would be on the iPod itself, and tracks have to be scrolled through one by one. All browsing functions work while a song is playing but, much like using the iPod itself while driving, it's really easy to get distracted by choosing a song, even if you know exactly where it is.


FWIW, while I like the build quality and interface of Kenwood double dins on the whole, the new Alpina IVA-W200 with fullspeed is a pretty sharp headunit and requires no expensive iPod interface adapter, and the integration is pretty neat. In street price, it's about the same as a 6109, though I personally think the 6109 looks better in a dash slot.

[GnatGoSplat]

So the IVA-W200 is probably a lot faster than the 8017?
I could be wrong about the 6019 being similar to the 8017, but I have read nothing to indicate that any improvements were made on the iPod integration over the previous models.

Did the 8017 have any ability to skip up 10 or down 10 during browsing like my JVC can?

I do like the bigger 7" screen of the 6019 over the Alpine, but I really doubt I'll ever watch TV or DVD's in the car, so the slightly bigger screen is really not necessary. Refinement and ease of use of the iPod interface is probably my main concern.

[FeelTheFire]

cannot skip 10 up and 10 down, or at least, that's not a function I was able to find.

The interface isn't SLOW, persay, but the alpine's is a little more fluid. And since the alpine with cable can be had for about $850, it might be a little cheaper, since I know the kenwood interface is about $100.

The 7" screen does look smooth in a dash, but the alpine touch screen is really nice.

[scsi]

did you ever end up getting a new HU? which JVC did/do you have? the EXAD KW-AVX706 by any chance?

[GnatGoSplat]

No, I had the KD-AVX2 single DIN unit.

I ended up getting a Pioneer AVIC-D1. The Pioneer iPod interface stinks on this unit (too old to support titles or browsing without interrupting the currently playing track) so I use an iPod2Car which is quite a bit better (emulates an XM radio), but is by no means perfect, in fact, it's barely adequate. I'm sure Alpine and Kenwood's factory interfaces are much better, but the AVIC has built-in DVD navigation which combined with the price I was able to get it for is what sold me on it. It cost me less than either the Alpine or Kenwood, less than the AVX706 in fact.