Product Description With one-touch access to entertainment, navigation, and Bluetooth technology, Kenwood's DNX8120 is the ultimate all in one. A highly advanced in-dash system, the DNX8120 offers guidance by Garmin, premium NAVTEQ mapping, and built-in Bluetooth technology for hands-free cell phone operation and voice dialing. The DNX8120 provides superior sound quality, a 6.95" touchscreen with advanced GUI, and the industry's fastest access to iPod audio and video files.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent So FarSeptember 1, 2008 I researched the best Double DIN units for a couple of weeks. There isn't much on the web about this unit and where there is there is 1 review that says it's great to 1 review that says it's horrible. This unit was more available for me to get my hands on locally then any other. I played with the pioneer a bit and was fairly satisfied with it's interface. The clarion's review on the web was terrible so i don't even bother. So basically it was either the pioneer (forget the model but it's the one with all the bells and whistles that compare to this unit) or this kenwood.
The pioneer installer actually told me that they wouldn't/couldn't install the unit in my '07 vette. Said it was just too difficult and couldn't be done. These people have installed all my alarms/radios/speakers etc for 15 years now and i trust their opinion. However, i read a couple step by step forum posts that showed it be done. Instead of arguing and trying to talk them into it i went to another installer.
The second installer had the kenwood (8120 and 7120) with some other cheaper non-options for me (Dual and some other manufacturer). The kenwood had the built in bluetooth which was a huge plus for me. I'm very very skeptical of bluetooth units in any car. I have had many and have yet to find one that was sufficient to replace me having to hold the phone to my ear. The fact that this was built in gave me hope as all others are add-ons.
Many reviews said the kenwood interface is bad. I don't see why. It is plainly laid out and functional. I think it just has so many options (bells and whistles) that there are many nav keys to get into them it confuses people. It seems pretty good IMO. Could be flashier but i haven't gotten into all the custom skins etc that can be added so maybe it is.
I added the IPOD and Sirius accessories. They work great. The sirius has a better connection then my sirius handheld stiletto which isn't saying much but worth noting. The IPOD connection works good and clean sound. The interface is kind of bulky but when you're used to the iphone's simple interface what isn't going to be bulky compared to it? (Bulky = boring/simple not alot of features)
So everything works great except for the one thing that i knew probably wouldn't before i ever purchased it. The bluetooth phone. Everybody i've talked to on the other end said it sounded choppy and/or had static. I could hear them just fine and the voice dial seems to work ok. However, none of that matters if the other person can't hear you :P I will prob keep the phone to my ear.
Oh, the NAV works great. I've used several nav systems on phones and in rental cars and OEM version's and this is wonderful. It auto updates the routes instantly and doesn't yell at me for not following it's orders. It adapts rather than freaking out. So far so good.
Bottom line -- I would look at the pioneer a little harder if i went back through the purchase process but i doubt it's BT is any better and i don't like it's nav maps. However, for me, if the BT is better i'd swap in a heartbeat. The BT is very important to me though.
AwsoneJuly 8, 2008 This is the best audio system. All spec that your spected are included in it. Smart choice
Pretty NeatJune 9, 2008 Pretty great system, still getting use to the way it works. Great video, sound, Different GPS/Nav (I am use to my Garmin StreetPilot).
GARMIN is GARBAGEMay 31, 2008 5 out of 10 found this review helpful
I purchased the DNX 8120 two months ago. I liked the fact that it had integerated Audio/Video, Navigation, and had features like USB and Divx. I put in a rear view camera and tv tunner.
Based on the great review I expected a good product. I waited for the upgrade software after it was recalled.
I was looking at the Pioneer Model before and Kenwood model.
Here is my exprience so far with it
1. On the first week, when I was going to an interview with the Navigation system pointing the way, it stoped working, just had destination flag on the screen, could not find any roads and three tries to set the destination again resulted in just the desitnation no route found. I had to navigate by proximity and drive towards my destination.
2. The Naviagion system, made by Garmin does not show POIs on the map, I did some research no luck, I can see the POIs on a 2D map which is stationary the Icons don't help and you have to point at them to see the names. Needless to say its not useful to since I cant stop then go to 2 D map to view them.
3. Custom POIs can be loaded via a SD Data Card. I did so, the unit first could not load them. Then Crashed (Froze for 15 minutes!). After restarting the Searches for POI even for existing ones came back as no data found. Restarted again and said Custom POIs are loaded successfully. Regardless it still does not show POIs on the map when driving.
4. The text to speech is horrible, hard to understand the names the unit I had in my ML320 would speak as if it was a real person this unit talks as if its a computer or a female version of stephen hawkins. It also just has the audio on one of my car's speakers, it could be the installation.
5. Divx can only play from a CD/DVD not USB. The point of using USB is not to have to deal with a ton of CDs. So that feature is not what you would hope it would be.
6. Rear view camera takes a while to come on since the system takes a few seconds to power up. The tv tunner reception is average at best and will not work after feb 2009.
I paid $1079 with shiping was around $1100. Install cost $250. and $400 for the camera and TV Tunner from a different site.
If I had to do it over again I would buy a Pioneer model. The Naviagion on Pioneer is much more professionaly done. POIs have ICONs, the speach is good. Menus for the unit are easier to navigate. Only thing in favor of Kenwood/Garmin is the simplicity of Garmin menus.
I am looking to replace the Kenwood DNX with a PIONEER AVICZ2. I feel that Garmin is Garbage. Its crashed more than MS Windows has in the past two months. 3 times to far and counting.
I think you need to ask people who own the unit before you buy it.
Just a word of advice.
So many options!!May 7, 2008 7 out of 8 found this review helpful
I bought this a few weeks after it first went on sale. Works great, takes some time getting used to the controls and all the different setting you can choose. Bluetooth works good also, sends a request to my phone whenever I start my car. Only took seconds to upload my entire address book from my Katana. Navigation works well also, but havn't used that as much. I was very surprised it had a lot of the small unpaved roads that I sometimes travel on when I was driving. I also bought the Kenwood iP300V to play my iPod (80 GB Classic) through. Which works great, no glitches or freezing during any point. Plays the videos that are on my iPod also. Bottom line no problems so far it's a great product and would recommend this to anyone looking for all these features for a great price.
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