Alpine or Pioneer HU?

[cb7addict]

Ok so im new to audio stuff and I am wondering what you guys recommend. I am looking at these two decks right now, I noticed the RMS wattage was 18 on the alpine and 22 pioneer? Is that much of a difference? I want to get a 10 in sub and a nice set of speakers just wanted to start with a nice headunit first. Do yall recommend these?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pioneer+...&skuId=9197175

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Alpine+-...&skuId=9215413

[Brandoncb7]

Between those two I would go with the Alpine. It offers everything the Pioneer does and then some.

[Jon]

I've always like Pioneer's HUs better for a couple of reasons, but mostly navigation, features, and how they handle flash drives and iPods better the Alpine units. 18W vs 22W isn't a noticeable difference.

BTW, you can get the Pioneer HU for about $20-$30 less if you go searching. OnlineCarstereo has it for $190 shipped.

[cb7addict]

I was kinda looking at the Alpine because it also comes with the ipod cable. I have heard from my cousin Pioneer all the way, then everyone I talked to at bestbuy always recommend the Alpine so its hard for me to make my mind up.

[Jon]

I was kinda looking at the Alpine because it also comes with the ipod cable. I have heard from my cousin Pioneer all the way, then everyone I talked to at bestbuy always recommend the Alpine so its hard for me to make my mind up.

Now I will say that I've always bought the more expensive "Premier" Pioneer units, never their regular versions. So I might be somewhat jaded.

If you can, go down to Best Buy and try them out and see which one you like the feel of better. That's why I bought my Pioneer DEH-P690UB because I liked the way it handled my 16GB flash drive and felt when messing with it. I felt like I was going to break a JVC unit when I was playing with it at the store. Big hands + small electronics = broken, if you know what I mean.

[cb7addict]

Yea thats prolly what im gonna do lol I went yesterday but didnt mess with them much. How hard is it to use ipod/iphone with yours?

[Jon]

Yea thats prolly what im gonna do lol I went yesterday but didnt mess with them much. How hard is it to use ipod/iphone with yours?

I don't have an iPod, but when my brother comes over and I take him somewhere or we use my car his iPod works perfectly with it. Fast navigation and intuitive.

[cb7addict]

I don't have an iPod, but when my brother comes over and I take him somewhere or we use my car his iPod works perfectly with it. Fast navigation and intuitive.

can he find the songs using his ipod or does he have to search for them using the headunit?

[Jon]

can he find the songs using his ipod or does he have to search for them using the headunit?

Now that I don't remember. I was always driving while he was fiddling with the music...

[Jon]

The one you are looking at (the DEH-P5100UB) does allow you to play/control from the iPod.

[GenDBlade]

i say Alpine. their headunits are solid all the way around, whereas Pioneer i only seem to like their more expensive ones.

[foamypirate]

I'll put in a vote for Pioneer. I have an Alpine in my wife's car, and I don't like it nearly as much as my Pioneer, and they were both the same price.

[GenDBlade]

with headunits it really comes down to what you think looks good. imo. unless your going for a crazy setup

[Jon]

i say Alpine. their headunits are solid all the way around, whereas Pioneer i only seem to like their more expensive ones.

Exactly, that's why I think I'm a bit jaded. I've always bought the higher end HUs and speakers from Pioneer and enjoy them immensely.

Maybe next time I'll get a different brand HU just to break the cycle.

[GenDBlade]

haha. ive never run into the problem where ive needed to buy more than one headunit