Been away from car audio for a long time - opinions on head unit?

[Casull]

Hey guys,

I just purchased the Pioneer DEHP7800MP (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pioneer-In-Dash-Player-DEH-P7800MP/sem/rpsm/oid/151434/catOid/-13089/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do) as a Christmas present for my brother. I will confess that I have been away from the car audio arena for quite some years and have, as a result, lost all knowledge. I remember from the days where I was interrested that Pioneer and Alpine were the 2 big name brands that made great Head units so I stuck with that knowledge when purchasing my brother's unit.

I just wanted to see if any of you had any experiences with this unit (or the 9800 as I understand they are virtually identical less the bluetooth). Was this a good unit to buy with a $400 budget?

[raaj]

[QUOTE=Casull]Hey guys,

I just purchased the Pioneer DEHP7800MP (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pioneer-In-Dash-Player-DEH-P7800MP/sem/rpsm/oid/151434/catOid/-13089/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do) as a Christmas present for my brother. I will confess that I have been away from the car audio arena for quite some years and have, as a result, lost all knowledge. I remember from the days where I was interrested that Pioneer and Alpine were the 2 big name brands that made great Head units so I stuck with that knowledge when purchasing my brother's unit.

I just wanted to see if any of you had any experiences with this unit (or the 9800 as I understand they are virtually identical less the bluetooth). Was this a good unit to buy with a $400 budget?[/QUOTE]

Specs wise it looks pretty decent, but I would not spend $400 bucks on it unless CC threw some free installation deal with it. Search on google and you will find it for less than 300. In and of itself, it looks like a pretty decent value.

If you really have $400 to spend, also consider Eclipse head units in that price range.

[dj4monie]

I have had a Pioneers for a long time and never had any serious issues.

My older CD DEH-55 still worked when I last saw it. It had to be taken to service to have the remote circuit fixed as it it wouldn't turn on my amps anymore.

My current HU is a DEH-P7400MP

It works fine, only problem is the laser might need adjustment because the deck refuses to play Windows Media Files, but plays MP3's just fine. It never did that until resently so, that is my best guess on what's happen.

I have no problem buying Pioneer again and again for Car Audio.

[Casull]

thanks for the input. I will stick with this unit and he can always return it if there was a different unit he had in mind. It did come with free installation BTW.