Questions about Kenwood DNX7140 and install

[pinkslip]

I'm looking hard at the 7140 or possibly the 6140, but I have a few questions for you Kenwood people first. I posted these question in another 7140 thread, but I haven't received any feedback there, so it needs it's own thread:

1) What is the difference in the 6140 and 7140? Is it just the screen size and volume knob or am I missing something?

2) I've heard the album art on the iPod really slows down the "next track" feature/scanner on these models. By not selecting "Display album artwork on you iPod" in iTunes, does it also not display anything on the Kenwood, therefor not causing any lag. Is there always lag, regardless?

3) Do you need any extra harnesses/wires for steering wheel controls, Sat radio, and iPod connectivity?

4) How much do the bezels, iPod wire harness, Sat Radio harness, steering wheel controls harness, and install time (typically) cost/take? What brands should I get, and where should I get them?

5) How long do these models take to boot up? 5 sec? 30 sec? 1 minute?

6) Is this something I could install? I'm not the handiest guy I know, but I'm not a retard either. I just don't want to dump a ton of cash for install when I could do it (without screwing it up) myself.

I've never done a Nav HU before, and don't want to get cleaned out by the installer simply because I'm uninformed. I imagine they will want to charge me retail for the equipment plus install time. I can save hundreds buying online. What did you opt for?

Thanks a bunch!

[Leechiro]

you're right, you can save LOADS of cash by doing it yourself. I, on the other hand, have no skills in that department so I had a high-end electronics shop install my 7140. I was told the only difference was the screen size (though you may be right about the knob too). Total for everything was $2200, which included unit, install, steering wheel controls.

[duud40]

1)Don`t know.
2)Don`t know.
3)You will need a harness just to fit the unit. Don`t know about using steering wheel buttons to controll the head unit, my guess is that its not possible.
Definately a harness for sat radio but i think if you buy the sat radio unit from kenwood you should get the right harness.
Ipod harness is also a must and I guess there is more than one option.
4) it depends how good you want it to look.If you want to fill up all holes with putty it will take some time.
Ipod harness is just plug and play and routing the cable; sat radio cable needs routing the antenna and fitting the unit ;steering wheel controll cable will not be such a big pita since the cables are already routed to the back of the oem HU. If you get a kenwood hu then get a kenwood ipod cable .
5)Boot up time is in the range of 10 to 15 seconds. Google is your friend.
6)Buy online and have it fitted by a shop. Maybe. How can we tell you if you can do this install?
Do you feel up to the job? Can you maybe take 3 days off to finish the install if you get hung up by some problem? Can you solder a few wires? Can you put removed dashboard parts back together without scratching them? Or in such a way that there are no squeaky sounds afterwards from plastic parts rubbing together?


You should be fine doing all this by yourself just take a good camera and take lots of pictures , get a few small plastic bags so you can label all your screws and generaly be organised. Also : Use apropriate tools, if you need a screwdriver with a cross head of one size don`t use a smaller or bigger head screwdriver because you`ll probably damage the screw head.

[frrg]

I sent you a PM.

[jbone]

I just bought and installed the DNX7140, WICKED and i mean WICKED unit, there is so many EQ and functional features, the ipod is absolutly wicked. the 6140s main difference is indeed the volume knob funny enough.