Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I received this as a Christmas gift. Installed the next day. Loved the idea of all the features (DVD, navigation, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth) as this replaced an existing GPS and iPod FM transmitter. Even better was the fact that it looked like a cheap in-dash CD player to potential thieves. All the features worked as expected. The DVD feature is nice for long trips but the built-in screen can't be used while the car is in motion (there's a connection for an external monitor). The navigation feature is nice, but the user interface is a bit 'clunky' in my opinion. The main reason for choosing this unit was the built-in iPod connectivity as I spend about 3 hours commuting daily. The on-screen iPod controls are much easier (and safer) to use than the iPod controls. However, don't expect it to mimic the controls from the iPod exactly. It's great for basic playback but is best used with playlists. Bluetooth phone connectivity is a great feature but the built-in mic makes it difficult for callers to hear you (even sitting still with the engine off). An external clip-on microphone would have been a much better choice and sadly there's no option to add one. Otherwise the phone book and caller display works well. After my initial impressions I would give this unit 4 of 5 stars.
Now for the long-term review...
After using this unit for nearly a year, I'd like to report how I feel about it, what I've experienced, and why I wouldn't recommend this product now.
The DVD feature is nice but I noticed that the unit has a tendency to overheat after a few hours of use. I've read on other sites that adequate ventilation was necessary for this unit. There's a small rear-facing fan that must be clear of any obstructions. I ensured that it wasn't blocked (my 2002 Intrepid has plenty of room behind the head unit). While the 'overheating' didn't affect playing the iPod, the Bluetooth, or the navigation, it did severely affect DVD playback. After about 45 minutes of playing a DVD the video would get blocky and studder, or the sound would cut out, as if the DVD was scratched. I tried several including a couple of brand new discs and had the same issue. Haven't used the DVD in a while now.
The navigation worked well until suddenly it just stopped one day. After getting the 'press here to accept' message I began getting some kind of error indicating that the GPS software couldn't load. On a side note, it appears that this unit uses an embedded version of Windows CE, as the dialog box from the error looked very much (read exactly) like error messages I'd seen before of CE-based devices. I tried restoring the navigation data from the DVD included with the unit but that didn't help. After exchanging e-mail with Dual's technical support I was told that I needed to send the CF card back and they'd check it. Would've been easier if they'd included the application software on the DVD instead of just the navigation data so that I could try a different card myself. Still haven't sent the card in but guess I will have to if I want my navigation back.
The main reason I wanted this unit was for the iPod connectivity. It works OK but the on-screen user interface is buggy. For whatever reason, when using my iPod Video and the on-screen pause, it locks the head unit up. For example, if you press pause while playing a song, the unit will pause the song but I can't resume it. I have to switch to the radio tuner and then back again to get it to play. And it skips to the next song, it doesn't resume the song I was listening to. I don't have these problems with my iPod Nano. Since I use it to listen to audiobooks and podcasts I don't pause that much. I've learned to use the mode button to switch to the tuner if I need to pause the audio. As I have the audiobook feature turned on on the iPod, it resumes where I left off when I switch back to it.
My biggest complaint, though, is when shutting off the car. If the radio, or iPod, is playing when I turn off the ignition there's no audio when I re-start the car! If I turn off the radio before shutting the car off this isn't a problem. To get audio back, I have to turn the radio off and back on again. And, no, it's not a wiring problem (I've checked and had it checked by a professional).
As I noted earlier, it appears this unit is running an embedded version of Windows CE. Dual has promised updates on their website since I bought the unit but as of this writing they haven't made updates available. I can only hope that sometime soon they will update the software and fix what is otherwise a great product for the price. Until they do, however, I'm sticking by my 2 star rating.
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Dual XDVDN8190N AM/FM/DVD Receiver with 7-Inch Motorized, Touch, Navigation,Bluetooth Interface (Black)
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