Mobile Audio Suggestions

iugoodfella · 07-28-2002, 11:09 PM

Ok, so heres the deal. Im savin up money to get a mobile audio and video system for my car. I was deciding between Pioneers systems or Alpines and I need some opinions from people using both.

I have a 2002 X and wanted to go for a screen on the top with an in dash dvd player underneath. Now, first of all would this fit in the space provided from the stock radio? If so, which systems are the best made by both companies? Anyone have any good sites to check out or should I stick to ebay for the best prices? I know a bunch of people that are happy with the Alpine systems but dont know anyone with the Pioneers. Which give the best display? Would it be wise to go with two different brands for the two units?

Im planning on investing in the headunits first and then will get my subs and amp and set that all up. Please help me with some answers! Thanks.

-Kyle

*jimbo74* · 07-28-2002, 11:14 PM

well, both are good companies... i am not going to start taking sides...the reason being, everyone will say i have this and love it, the other sucks....and you will wind up more confused than before... i believe you have a 2 din openning, so you should be able to mount both units in that space

*Rscotts1* · 07-28-2002, 11:20 PM

Hey goodfella, good to see that you are still around. I too, am thinking about going with a DVD in my X sometime in the future. I personnaly prefer Alpine, have heard nothing but good things about the display. Just my thoughts. As far as the dash opening....I was just barely able to fit my Alpine (single DIN) and Lanzar EQ (1/2 DIN) into the opening. Not too sure if you can fit more. Maybe somebody else has some info on this.
check out my install:

http://members.cardomain.com/scotts1

iugoodfella · 07-28-2002, 11:41 PM

Thanks for the info guys...

Hey scotts, lol yah Im still around.
I definitely like your install, its so sweet. You box is tight, maybe you could hook me up with some specs on it so I can make one? Anyway, it does seem to me that a 2-din setup could be cuttin it close based on your setup. I dont know if the mobile units are all definitely 1-din or not, but Im assuming that if theyre a bit smaller they could fit with and in-dash dvd. Ill have to check it out. Anyway, its not like Im deciding right away on this, I still have to get a bit more cash, plus pay off a few bills for my grille guards and piaas, bout 900 bucks right there. Good thing I get 22.50 for my summer internship! hehe. Anyway, if anyone has anymore tips or suggestions, please let me know, thanks!

-Kyle

*Rscotts1* · 07-28-2002, 11:55 PM

Thanks for check'n out my X goodfella

. No prob on the box specs......anytime! (Think I still have the scratch paper taped to the wall. Actually....when I looked a little closer......you may be able to fit a double din. There is about 1/4" trim along the top and bottom....may be tight but I think it's possible. $$$$ sounds like good pay!! I make $18.00 per here at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (apprenticeship program). Got 2 years left....woohoo!!

. We get a dollar per hour raise every 6 months....when I make mechanic (2 more years) should be at about $25.00 per hour. Then the fun starts.

iugoodfella · 07-30-2002, 02:57 PM

Anyone else have some ideas?

-Kyle

Explorer94GV · 07-30-2002, 06:23 PM

Are there not any local audio places around you? Go and check out there stuff. Like i said I like alpine too great quality and they back up there warranties. Pioneer is just as good and there screens are 7" .5" bigger than Alpine. Its really not to hard to figure out which one is good. Both are! What you need to figure out is what Company will suit you for building up your system later on. Like you said subs and amps later well you kind of need to know what you are aiming for in that area and than build it off of your headunit. You cant go wrong with either company. I would just get the one that is cheaper and fits your needs.

*karl_burns* · 07-30-2002, 10:03 PM

When I had my lil 1987 Chevy 4x2 pick-up, I had a pioneer tape deck and an alpine amp. Gotta say, the Alpine amp NEVER gave me a problem, and I had all four channels running a 2 ohm load. (I didn't even know what ohms were when I got it installed) I like the Alpine 5.7 screens alot! they are second only to Eclipse in clarity IMHO. Pioneer will of course be cheaper and more readily available, and probably a few more options. Investigate on the head units, and if you can, purhcase one from a local audio shop. Of all the parts to a system for your Explorer, the HU has the smallest profit margin, so you won't be able to find it too terribly cheaper on eBay and the shop will back up their waranty MUCH better than what anyone says on eBay.
Do you really need a double din? If you're going for digital decoding/processing, or a DVD setup, many times the decoder will be a separate box altogether anyway. You don't necessarily HAVE to have the double in your dash.
Good luck!
Karl

07-28-2002, 11:09 PM	#1
iugoodfella Wannabe Elite Explorer Stamford, CT '02 XLT Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 81 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Mobile Audio Suggestions Ok, so heres the deal. Im savin up money to get a mobile audio and video system for my car. I was deciding between Pioneers systems or Alpines and I need some opinions from people using both. I have a 2002 X and wanted to go for a screen on the top with an in dash dvd player underneath. Now, first of all would this fit in the space provided from the stock radio? If so, which systems are the best made by both companies? Anyone have any good sites to check out or should I stick to ebay for the best prices? I know a bunch of people that are happy with the Alpine systems but dont know anyone with the Pioneers. Which give the best display? Would it be wise to go with two different brands for the two units? Im planning on investing in the headunits first and then will get my subs and amp and set that all up. Please help me with some answers! Thanks. -Kyle __________________ 2002 Silver XLT w/Gray leather. Pirelli Scorpion A/Ts 255/70/16s. K&N Air Filter. 20% Tints with 5% front windshield strip. Go Rhino 3000 series Grille Guard. Go Rhino Tail Light guards. High and Low Beam Sylvania Silverstars. PIAA 520 Chrome SMR Series fogs w/ PIAA 1400x Platinum fogs. Blue Plasma backup reverse lights and license plate bulbs. More to come soon!... http://members.cardomain.com/iugoodfella

07-28-2002, 11:14 PM	#2
jimbo74 Elite Ranger NorCal 98 XLT Supercab 4x2 Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 17,902 Vehicle Specs*	well, both are good companies... i am not going to start taking sides...the reason being, everyone will say i have this and love it, the other sucks....and you will wind up more confused than before... i believe you have a 2 din openning, so you should be able to mount both units in that space __________________ My Truck

07-28-2002, 11:20 PM	#3
Rscotts1 Elite Explorer Honolulu, Hawaii 2002 XLS Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 516 Vehicle Specs	System Hey goodfella, good to see that you are still around. I too, am thinking about going with a DVD in my X sometime in the future. I personnaly prefer Alpine, have heard nothing but good things about the display. Just my thoughts. As far as the dash opening....I was just barely able to fit my Alpine (single DIN) and Lanzar EQ (1/2 DIN) into the opening. Not too sure if you can fit more. Maybe somebody else has some info on this. check out my install: http://members.cardomain.com/scotts1

07-28-2002, 11:41 PM	#4
iugoodfella Wannabe Elite Explorer Stamford, CT '02 XLT Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 81 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks for the info guys... Hey scotts, lol yah Im still around. I definitely like your install, its so sweet. You box is tight, maybe you could hook me up with some specs on it so I can make one? Anyway, it does seem to me that a 2-din setup could be cuttin it close based on your setup. I dont know if the mobile units are all definitely 1-din or not, but Im assuming that if theyre a bit smaller they could fit with and in-dash dvd. Ill have to check it out. Anyway, its not like Im deciding right away on this, I still have to get a bit more cash, plus pay off a few bills for my grille guards and piaas, bout 900 bucks right there. Good thing I get 22.50 for my summer internship! hehe. Anyway, if anyone has anymore tips or suggestions, please let me know, thanks! -Kyle __________________ 2002 Silver XLT w/Gray leather. Pirelli Scorpion A/Ts 255/70/16s. K&N Air Filter. 20% Tints with 5% front windshield strip. Go Rhino 3000 series Grille Guard. Go Rhino Tail Light guards. High and Low Beam Sylvania Silverstars. PIAA 520 Chrome SMR Series fogs w/ PIAA 1400x Platinum fogs. Blue Plasma backup reverse lights and license plate bulbs. More to come soon!... http://members.cardomain.com/iugoodfella

07-28-2002, 11:55 PM	#5
Rscotts1 Elite Explorer Honolulu, Hawaii 2002 XLS Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 516 Vehicle Specs	System install Thanks for check'n out my X goodfella. No prob on the box specs......anytime! (Think I still have the scratch paper taped to the wall. Actually....when I looked a little closer......you may be able to fit a double din. There is about 1/4" trim along the top and bottom....may be tight but I think it's possible. $$$$ sounds like good pay!! I make $18.00 per here at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (apprenticeship program). Got 2 years left....woohoo!!. We get a dollar per hour raise every 6 months....when I make mechanic (2 more years) should be at about $25.00 per hour. Then the fun starts.

07-30-2002, 02:57 PM	#6
iugoodfella Wannabe Elite Explorer Stamford, CT '02 XLT Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 81 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Anyone else have some ideas? -Kyle __________________ 2002 Silver XLT w/Gray leather. Pirelli Scorpion A/Ts 255/70/16s. K&N Air Filter. 20% Tints with 5% front windshield strip. Go Rhino 3000 series Grille Guard. Go Rhino Tail Light guards. High and Low Beam Sylvania Silverstars. PIAA 520 Chrome SMR Series fogs w/ PIAA 1400x Platinum fogs. Blue Plasma backup reverse lights and license plate bulbs. More to come soon!... http://members.cardomain.com/iugoodfella

07-30-2002, 06:23 PM	#7
Explorer94GV Wannabe Elite Explorer Springdale, Arkansas 94' XLT 97' XLT AWD V8 Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 558 Vehicle Specs	Are there not any local audio places around you? Go and check out there stuff. Like i said I like alpine too great quality and they back up there warranties. Pioneer is just as good and there screens are 7" .5" bigger than Alpine. Its really not to hard to figure out which one is good. Both are! What you need to figure out is what Company will suit you for building up your system later on. Like you said subs and amps later well you kind of need to know what you are aiming for in that area and than build it off of your headunit. You cant go wrong with either company. I would just get the one that is cheaper and fits your needs. __________________ 97' Explorer XLT V8 AWD http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...page_id=392990 94' Explorer XLT V6 2WD http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...make%3DFord&am

07-30-2002, 10:03 PM	#8
karl_burns Elite Explorer Winston Salem, NC - Go Deacs! 98 Sport OHV 5speed Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,196 Vehicle Specs	My $.02 When I had my lil 1987 Chevy 4x2 pick-up, I had a pioneer tape deck and an alpine amp. Gotta say, the Alpine amp NEVER gave me a problem, and I had all four channels running a 2 ohm load. (I didn't even know what ohms were when I got it installed) I like the Alpine 5.7 screens alot! they are second only to Eclipse in clarity IMHO. Pioneer will of course be cheaper and more readily available, and probably a few more options. Investigate on the head units, and if you can, purhcase one from a local audio shop. Of all the parts to a system for your Explorer, the HU has the smallest profit margin, so you won't be able to find it too terribly cheaper on eBay and the shop will back up their waranty MUCH better than what anyone says on eBay. Do you really need a double din? If you're going for digital decoding/processing, or a DVD setup, many times the decoder will be a separate box altogether anyway. You don't necessarily HAVE to have the double in your dash. Good luck! Karl __________________ Karl Burns 2000 Explorer Sport: KKM, BBK 66mm TB, Granatelli 70mm MAF, 3" Intake, 31" BFG AT/KOs 1998 Explorer Sport: Spindle Lift, SOA, Rancho 9000s, powered by Apten, PIAA 1500s and 520s Eclipse, McIntosh, Focal and JL sound system