The OP stated he was concerned with clarity and crispness of the sound. You stated that the cd mechanisms are the same so he should be fine with a $100 player. By your own logic he should stick with the factory radio, since the cd mechanism is the same.

I am gonna just say this, I have met online and in person a few shop owners who didn't know as much as they should. I am not saying you do not, but your comments leave me little else to judge by. I don't care how many large installs you have done or how many cars you pump out your bays every day. That doesn't prove you know what you are doing.

As for the dbag comment, my experience is not limited to the retail environment of car audio and I have gone out of my way to help MANY a member of this site with their audio questions, box designs and more since joining when I got my fit. And you have done exactly what since your arrival on this site? Sorry to derail this thread, but you are the one who needs to rethink his posting.

OP my advice stands, you can take it or leave it or you can listen to the guy who thinks a $100 cd player and a $500 one sound the same.

 

If you can tell I dont know what Im talking about after reading one thread about me, you are way superior to me then, sorry I wasted your time. It wont happen again. To the original thread starter, sorry you had to see all this just for some advice...

 

So what would you recommend for a budget around $250? I may be able find a used or open-box unit.

 

Following this thread albiet the bickering among a few. We have a Fit Sport. When doing a head unit upgrade are the steering wheel controls still operable?

 

According the head unit specs I've seen so far, most of them do work with steering wheel controls but they need an adapter.

 

Thanks for that. Don't want to hijack your thread. Following with interest.

 

well heres my head unit on ebay. its the 2011 model and this is about the only place u can find it. they sold like hot cakes lol. Kenwood KDC-X995 In Dash Receiver-New in Box-Free Shipping (019048193636) | eBay

and heres just for reference reviews and features u can check at crutchfield http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KDCX...h=x995&tp=5684

this jvc looks sweet - also one of the head units i was considering. its still not out. i may have went with this one if it was http://www.crutchfield.com/p_105KDA9...a95bt&skipvs=T

this kenwood also looks pretty epic - looks just like mine and has a 7 band eq http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113BT95...er#details-tab
i saw this for the first time just now. i like this guy a lot. wish i woulda known haha i may have waited.

 

double post

 

PIONEER AVH-P1400DVD 5.8" DOUBLE DIN IN-DASH CAR HEAD UNIT DVD/MP3/WMA RECEIVER | eBay

Slightly over $250, but it's also a double din.

KENWOOD KIV-BT90 IN-DASH 3" LCD DISPLAY DIGITAL MEDIA RECEIVER W/ BLUETOOTH | eBay

Again slightly over $250 but a very nice unit.

JVC KW-XR810 IN-DASH 2-DIN AM/FM,CD,MP3 RECEIVER W/ BUILD IN BLUETOOTH | eBay

Under $250 but I like the pioneer double din better than this one.

Just a few options to look over, lots of stuff on ebay to search through.

 

Thanks for your recommendations guys!

 

anytime! keep us updated!

 

Just to carry on. Not much mention about Alpine products.

 

I'm happy with my JVC for 229, with the caveat that the display is a little too dim. The Metra dash kit mounts at such an upward angle that I couldn't read it on a sunny day, had to kind of force the angle of the HU down a little by using some different screw holes on the bracket

ANYway, just make sure you get a HU with a rear USB input, then run that into your upper glove box where the old one was, and toss the old one. Super easy.