Which flip out touchscreen to get?

If things go accarding to plan I should be purchasing a flip out single DIN touchscreen.  I was looking into a no name one but am now going to go with one of the following.  I have basic knowledge as I know how to install everything and wire it up but I dont know much about touchscreens.  The 3 I see on eBay are roughly the same price, but if you know of another one please feel free to let me know if its in the same price range.  Also, I am wanting one with a modern looking display instead of a generic Times New Roman kind  of look on the interface.  None of them really have a great looking stereo really.  Anyways, here we go.
 
Pioneer -
Likes:  The volumes knob instead of buttons, has 4v preouts which is pretty good, pretty good brand
Dislikes:  No bluetooth
 
Kenwood -
Likes:  Looks like a more modern interface
Dislikes:  No volume knob, and no bluetooth, and I think the Kenwood looks like it sticks way out?
 
Clarion -
Likes:  Bluetooth!
Dislikes:  No volume knob and looks sort of ugly.
 
So what do you guys think?  I really think bluetooth would be cool....but idk how much I would use it and the Clarion HU is sort of ugly.  I want one that will last!  And I am hoping I can change the background and cool stuff like that.  Thanks!

I just noticed the Kenwood is Navigation ready.  I dont think the other ones are....  I would like GPS so I will have to check out the cost.

I am really happy with my Valor HU, I''ve also only heard good things online as well. Honestly though there is a big difference between these HUs and the more expensive ones, and I think its worth just saving the extra money. I want to replace my HU with a pinoneer AVIC-N4 already and it would have been cheaper just to get the AVIC-N4. So if you think your going to upgrade at any point better to do it now than later.

So these are more junky HU''s?  I was assuming they would be pretty good considering they are in the $500+ range and are name brand.  I really dont want to spend more than what one of these cost.

I wouldn''t say junkie, but the interfaces and the HU themselves do look a bit "junkie". They don''t have as many features and run slower. The even cheaper ones are complete crap. If you want the best bang for the buck and are good with computers get a Liliput screen and use a carputer. 

I am decent w/ computers but I am guessing the carputer is way over my head!  I did see however and double DIN Pioneer touchscreen w/ GPS for a little over $500 and that caught my eye!  Now, I think a double DIN wont work and I wonder why?  I thought that if I take out my stereo and the cubby below that that is a double din?
 
I am most likely going to be going w/ one of the above 3.

i had a pioneer before , was a lower end pioneer and i was very very disapointed in the quality of the sound output, then i changed to a alpine iva-d9001 , and it was awesome, this was a few years ago, anyways, i always felt alpine made the best hu''s, and you could get one used for around your price range, unless you are dead set on brand new , thats the route i would go

The sound quality of my valor is exceptional, I really wasn''t expecting the quality from such a cheap HU.

I installed the Pioneer avh p4000 dvd in my accord a few weeks ago, and I love it. It''s a double din, fits perfectly. It doesn''t have bluetooth, but you can buy the adapter for 150$ or so. The flip out one has the same layout as mine, I was looking at it when I chose mine. It''s really easy to use, I love it. I reccomend that one.

Sangoma, do you have any pics of the background?  Does it look modern?  And can you change the background or anything?
 
Alright, I will check into an Alpine unit...... i g2g (windows getting tinted :)  ) so ill bb later.

I am a big fan of Alpine as well, but you will pay a premium for it. aren''t you fabbing a custom double-DIN console anyways?

A plain Alpine in dash costs close to 900 bucks!

As far as the custom molding idk about that!  I shall have 2 see...its sorta been put on hold and stuff!

I have read some really really good reviews on the Clarion and Kenwood stereo that I linked.

this has 2 days left at auction, and will more than likely end around your price range, this is top notch alpine unit,  also i have heard nothing but good things about clarion and kenwood in dash hu''s, but alpine is the best  in my opinion

Alpine and Pioneer are my favorites. My favorite feature on the alpine is you can turn on and off these buttons on the screen, so when you press the screen you can feel a click like a button. Alpine also has the fastest iPod control, and their pretty sexy.

quote:

ORIGINAL: importedminds

this has 2 days left at auction, and will more than likely end around your price range, this is top notch alpine unit,  also i have heard nothing but good things about clarion and kenwood in dash hu''''s, but alpine is the best  in my opinion

 
I think you forgot the link! lol  I dont have the money right now...but when you link it up I will keep it in mind.
 
 
I dont have an iPod, I have a Creative Zen Vision M 30 gig.  I think its much better than an ipod IMHO and Apple had to pay for the rights to use the Zens interface so its the exact same.

I''ll try taking a picture of the background tomorrow. It''s pretty plain, there are three designs you can choose from, squares, dots, and I think diamonds. Unfortunately there''s no way to add more. You can change the colors of everything though, which I love.
It works really well with music, I put a portable hard drive with all my music in my glove box, and ran a USB cable to it. You could probably plug your Zen into the USB port too, but I''m not sure if it will read it correctly...

i was thinking of getting a Pioneer Avic-F700 navigation in my 08 accord sedan. i know it is not a flip down, but i was wondering if anyone was able to retain the clock in the stock screen after getting a navi/ dvd player. it would be such a waste since its a nice screen, but if anything works please let me know!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Alpine-IVA-D900-DVD-MP3-TV-IN-DASH-XM-RADIO_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em14Q2el1318QQhashZitem250267570874QQitemZ250267570874
 
linkage!  sorry, don''t know how i forgot to do that lol

Using the portable HD in your glove box is an awesome idea!  You wouldnt have to worry about having your mp3 charged or anything!  Very nice...if I can get a cheap one I will most likely copy that idea! lol
 
Ill keep up w/ the Alpine (thanks for the link!) but like I said right now I dont have the money.....insurance is going to be calling me so Ill see how much I get.  Thanks!
 
And I guess a double DIN stereo does fit so I will have to check into those as well....somany options!  I messed around w/ the Kenwood I have linked at BB today and it was fine!  The interface was alotta black but I think you can customize it.

Yeah, the HDD works well, I''m just afraid somethings going to happen to it left in the heat all the time...
buy.com has the p4000 pretty cheap; 380$. 120$ cheaper than crutchfield! http://www.buy.com/prod/pioneer-avh-p4000dvd-car-video-receiver-6-1-16-9-dvd-rw-cd-rw-dvd/q/loc/111/208033822.html

Well I have the money and I am most likely going to go with the Pioneer AVH5000DVD, but am still considering the Kenwood.  Anyways, I plan on buying that tomorrow and then start my search for some subwoofers.

Well I went w/ the Kenwood KVT 512 and got a video bypass thing to for about $25. Cant wait 2 put em in!

Will the 6 disk changer in my 2001 Accord EX play mini cds? 

Got my Kenwood today.  It has a brake detection system that consists of a +, -, and light green wire.

Can I just merge the + and - wires to the 12v power and - wire w/ the wiring harness?