Ok - I'm on Crutchfield looking for a new stereo as I've finally had it with the junker that is in it now. I'm looking at two receivers with USB input so that I can use my jump-drives and MP3 player(when I get one).

Which is better, a flip-down face or slot-load face?

Pioneer DEH-P5000UB
Pioneer DEH-P4000UB

I also have a coupon code to take $20 off the higher model, so really they are only $5 different in price. But going over the specs, I don't see anything different between them on the Pioneer site besides the flip-down and slot-load faces.

Is the second one a removable face plate?



~Lev

Both are removable, just that the first one has a flip down face in order to pop in a CD.

Those look like the modern-day version of mine.
In case its the same (and it looks like it might be) a word of warning:

The main button does 2 things, rotate to adjust the volume and push in to switch between CD, AUX and Radio.
Whats REEEALLLLY annoying is when your trying to turn up the volume and you hit a small bump and end up pushing the button IN instead of rotating.
Thats my main gripe about mine and these look the same

I would just go with what ever one you prefer then. I personally think the second one is more visually pleasing.

Same thing with my Kenwood face plate cept when I push the knob in I change all the bass and treb settings.

~Lev

I'm leaning towards the second one(4000UB) because I don't think I'd like fighting with a flip down face when trying to swap CD's... but I'll mostly be using the USB support anyway. And they both have the same USB specs and support.

I would go with the second one if you don't want to mess with the flip down face. We have one in the mustang and it can be annoying at times especially when it falls out by mistake while changing a CD In traffic.

~Lev

Very true.... I'm sold. Thanks for the input Lev, I really just needed someone to tell me to get that one.

Hehe! I know what you mean..

~Lev

Yup - next step is new speakers... might have to wait till next payday for that, unless I can find a deal on eBay or something.

Any brand in mind?

~Lev

I was looking at some Polk Audio because they are marine rated, but I don't know for sure... I might spend the speaker money on a new MP3 player first.

Marine rated would not be a bad idea actually. I was going to do a mp3 plug mod for my dash but I lost my Ipod in the move so I guess that is on hold. What type of mp3 player you using atm?

~Lev

I have Infinity speakers and there great. But I go have the expensive kappa series but I heard they all sound great. They do sound even better with the amp.

I currently have a cheap a$$ Samsung 512mb usb player that is on its way out, so I'm gonna get a new Creative ZEN 4GB.

i really need to get a new stereo. my stock unit doesn't eject or play CDs anymore. But the radio still works. I bought a cheap fm modulator and I plug my mp3 player into it and hear my large music library through my radio. But I'd like to get rid of the fm/mp3 connection and get a stereo/radio that can accept a hardwired connection directly from my player. Nothing fancy or expensive. I think I can get a good one that fits my needs for $100 installed at circuit city. I'd like to get a nice fancy one with booming bass but I'm worried itd get ruid from weather/dust or theft

speaking of mp3 players... I recently bought a verizon xv6800 pocket pc phone (made by HTC) running windows mobile 6


off - topic for a moment...


it was about $400 with a monthly plan of about $115. I don't have a home phone, i just use my mobile phone for everything including my home broadband/internet. I also got it with the unlimited data plan which includes broadband tethering to my laptop (via usb or bluetooth).

so, I connect my laptop to my phone via usb or bluetooth and I can get internet access anywhere I get cell phone service. It kicks ass. Connection is suprisingly fast too. Fast enough even for me to use for my xbox live and ps3 online connections. ANd a qwerty keyboard for emails, texting, browsing, note taking during business meetings

and being windows, it has internet browser, ms office, outlook, all that crap. including windows media player.

SO I download/uploade(?) all my music library to my 6 gig micro sdhc memory card (upgradeable to 8-32gb as those cards become available) with lots of memory to spare.

- back on topic...

so I plug my phone into my car stereo just like anyother mp3 player. When I get a call it mutes it and I pick up the call using my hands free bluetooh headset. Its so cool

except I can't hear a thing with the top off the jeep. lol

Ben I got the Pioneer(4000UB) linked above for $144(free shipping) after a coupon I found, and Crutchfield sends you everything you need to install it. Reason I went with it is the 3-amp output and USB/iPod control. There isn't a decent car stereo place in town here, and I wasn't going to put up with the crap from Walmart.

I plan on buying some decent speakers for the sound bar in 5.25" size and then later buying a decent set of components in 6.5" size and moving the 5.25" ones to the dash and maybe adding a cheap bazooka tube or something for a little extra bump. All together it won't be overly expensive and perform quite well.

I got a confirmation today about the stereo being shipped, so I'll do a write up or review on it once installed.

Ben - the Creative ZEN that I plan on getting is about the size of a credit card(slightly thicker) and has an SD card slot for upgrade room if needed as well. It will play movies and view pics and what not, so for only $90 I think its great.

90 bucks = how many gigs?

~Lev

i like that pioneer. I'd have to have a place install it for me though. Circuit sity installs for free I think so I'll see if they seel it.

i wonder if anyone makes a stero head unit that just plays radio with the added ability to hardwire an mp3. In other words, I don't need the CD player part of it. Something with a simply clean face without alot of dials and buttons would be ideal for me. You ever see anything like that?

90 aint bad

~Lev

90 is great. And the memory is removable so you can easily plug it into your computer to transfer songs or photos/video. and you can get larger SD memory cards really cheap

Yup - I think I'm gonna order one next week, and then new speakers for the rear the week after. I should be happy for a while.

Still need some hardware to install the corner guards.