I was looking at the JVC KD-S100 for my '09 Mazda5. I was wanting to replace the speakers anyway so this unit, with new speakers, is pretty reasonably priced.
But I'll primarily be using flash drives (thumb drives) through the USB port, how well is the JVC software? My other car has the Sony GT410U and I've been happy with the USB performance with that unit. I remember reading in these forums about how one of the brands did something really odd, maybe you couldn't fast forward or rewind a file or it would restart the file each time you turned the car on (as opposed to starting where it last left off). I'm thinking it was Kenwood that had something really undesirable but I'm not certain, may have been JVC. Definately wasn't Alpine or Sony. I did flip through the owner's manual and this JVC does pick up where it last left off but that may not have been the issue that I remember.
And any word on how long the bundle with the speakers will last?
Also, the kit I would need for my car: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120997509/Mazda-5-In-dash-Receiver-Kit.html is listed as out of stock with "ship date uncertain". How long would the wait be?
First off - $300 for the deck and two sets of Infinity speakers is a good deal, but I want to point out one key thing -
It's been said that the Bongiovi processing is similar to Imprint. Somewhat, but it's a poor man's Imprint (no offense). Imprint listens to the output of the head unit and adjusts the settings to make sure it sounds correct. Bongiovi (at least from the previous review), uses there measured parameters to match what they think the acoustics of your vehicle are. Maybe not bad, but keep in mind:
Heat:But I'll primarily be using flash drives (thumb drives) through the USB port, how well is the JVC software?
Sony is pretty slow to index and does not sort alphabetically (our units at least). As Ninja said, Clarions don't fast forward, and some Kenwood Excelons don't and I read someone asking about Dual's, but not sure if they are affected. The thing that grabs me from the HOR tab is 4GB limit on USB. That's better than some units and that's about 80 albums, but the GT410u can handle more than that ...
Offer good while supplies last. We retain the right to cancel and/or modify this offer at any time without prior notice.
You could ask, but basically ship date uncertain means just that - it might come in tomorrow or it might not arrive for 8 weeks. I can't promise anything, but what I would probably do is ask if CF can give you a credit for the kit and let you buy it somewhere else if it isn't in stock by the time you want to order.
Warranty is 3 years according to the manual - which should be correct.
2002 Ford Focus Sony CDX-GT410u Sony XT-100HD HD Tuner Stock speakers, no amp, no subs
The FF/RW issue you were refrencing is a quirk with Clarion receivers. As far as I know, JVC units don't suffer from this problem, but I have not personally used the new headunits.
As far as the dash kit and bundle questions, you would be better of directly contacting CF customer support.
02 BMW 330Ci, Alpine DVI-9965, Alpine MRA F350 5ch, Alpine MRP T220 + 2x Kicker 6x9 FreeAir, Kicker KX1200.1 + Alpine 12" Type-R, 2-Way Security, Keyless Entry, Remote Start
Yeah, it was Clarion, thanks for the reminder.
As far as how long the JVC sale will last, it's in the "late summer" Crutchfield catalog so it should be good through July at least. I'm going to wait to see what other buyer's reviews of the unit are like.
The Crutchfield catalog says that this unit (JVC KD-S100) has a one year parts and labor warranty, the Crutchfield website says it has a three year parts and labor warranty. I assume the three year warranty is correct?
TigerHeli:First off - $300 for the deck and two sets of Infinity speakers is a good deal ...
The price has dropped to $200 with the two sets of Infinity speakers, though I picked up an "open box" (returned) version for $180.
Since this JVC unit is apparently designed to make the most out of factory speakers and since the car profile may be a couple of years old, I’m thinking about putting this in my ’99 Accord with stock speakers, then moving my Sony GT410U to the Mazda5 along with the new Infinity speakers (one pair of 2-ways, one pair of components).
Reminds me of when I picked up the Sony GT410U a couple of years ago, that price was $205 including two sets of Sony speakers (2-way, 5.5" rounds if I remember right) -- I left those speakers in my Camry when I sold it)
For the price I couldn't pass it up, especially since I had been wanting to buy some JVC Infinity component speakers anyway (at about $150 by themselves).
Heat:The price has dropped to $200 with the two sets of Infinity speakers, though I picked up an "open box" (returned) version for $180.
WOW!!!! - hard to beat that ...
Not knocking the Sony at all, but while the Bongiovi processing is designed for car profiles with stock speakers, keep in mind that the stereo without Bongiovi is probably about as good as the Sony and with it, it should be better.
The unit also has a lot of features the Sony lacks - Steering wheel control compatible, 2-line display, settable dimmer, ability to view and select USB tracks by folder or title name, etc.
Assuming you have the Sony in the Accord now, what "I" would probably do is install the JVC in the Mazda but just wire it up and have it on the floor or the console, and drive for a week and decide which deck you like better and put that in the car you drive most often.
Let us know how you like the deck when it arrives too!!!
Well, I finally got the radio installed as well as my rear speakers, still need to do the front component speakers. The sound with the stock speakers is really good and there are quite a few neat features about this radio. For the price it was (and is) a good head unit. As far as the USB port goes it works pretty well. I still prefer the USB operations on my Sony GT410U a little bit, but maybe it's just because I'm used to it, the JVC USB ports work well. The processing time is about twice that of my Sony GT410U but it's not obnoxiously long, maybe six or eight seconds.
What really impresses me about this radio is the display options. Title / track, or just title with time, track with time, some graphic, etc.
Is this receiver better than an Alpine with IMPRINT? I’m sure the Alpine would be better, but at 2x or 3x the price. For the price this Bongiovi is a good system.
Reading through the customer reviews of the JVC KD-S100 there are several things that are just wrong:
Statement 1: (SD card has a 512 MB max) This is wrong, 2GB SD cards work fine.
Statement 2: (When fast forwarding through a track on the USB, it skips to the next track after 3 minutes) This is wrong, I fast forwarded through 20 minutes on a track last night.
Statement 3: (When you restart your car, the head unit will start at the beginning of the track) This is wrong, it will pick back up where you last left off… unless you switch USB or SD cards.
Statement 4: (There is no “pause” button) Well, OK, this is technically true, but you can pause a track by switching the source to something that is not being used... like "Aux In" or "SD Card" (if you aren't using Aux In or an SD Card). My Sony GT410U (in my other car) doesn’t have a pause button either but it's easy to change the source to pause something.
Statement 5: (The radio doesn’t dim at night) It doesn’t dim itself automatically when you turn on your car lights, but you can set it to dim itself between certain times. Say, if it is on between the hours of 8pm and 6am it is dim, else it is normal brightness.
I think a couple of the people have bad connections or just didn’t wire it up right, others need to read the manual, and others are expecting miracles from a $150 radio. For the price it is a very good radio, if you want better look at the Alpines but you will be paying more.
Thanks Heat - that's good info to know!!!
Heat:The processing time is about twice that of my Sony GT410U but it's not obnoxiously long, maybe six or eight seconds.
Yipes - I thought the GT410U was a bit slow, but this seems to vary a lot from model to model - not sure why!
Actually, I would prefer this - keeps the unit from dimming when you have the lights on for a thunderstorm.
OK, this is weird. This JVC unit wasn't remembering it's spot on the flash drive I was using today so I started playing around with it.
Sandisk 2GB Flash Drive: The JVC will not remember where it was when you turn the car off and back on.
Memorex 2GB Flash Drive: The JVC will remember it's spot when you turn the car off and back on.
I wonder what the difference is between the Sandisk and Memorex flash drives?
And as far as the SD card goes... yes, it will play my 2GB SD card (Kingston brand), but it only recognizes seven albums worth of music when there are sixteen albums on the SD card. Better than nothing I guess. I wish I could test another SD card but I only have Kingston SD cards.
Did you remove the included whatever it is on the Sandisk drive?
U3 - you need their tool to remove it.
Hope This Helps!!!
TigerHeli:It's been said that the Bongiovi processing is similar to Imprint. Somewhat, but it's a poor man's Imprint (no offense).
Or rich man's Imprint if they had bought it at full price, LOL