I am looking to upgrade my factory head unit to this:
http://www.clarion.com/usa/product/i...oduct=DXZ645MP

My speakers were updated about 1 year ago and it's time to do the radio.
Main reason I chose this, is the variable control of the display lighting to match the dash, MP3 player and SIRIUS.
I know Clarion is quality stuff ... anyone have further experiences with them?
Good or bad ...

Any other recommendations?

 

i had the dxz545mp in my last car, it's very similar to the 645 but the display is only blue. i was very happy with it. nicer looking than the alpines imho.

MUCH better interface for mp3s than the stock HU. shows song title and folder names, it also has seperate buttons to go to next and previous folder. the buttons are a bit small, but easy to get used to.

if i were going to get rid of the stock HU on my mini i'd probably go with a clarion, the only thing i'd check is if it could be controlled with the mfsw.

 

Consider the 745MP. It includes better D-to-A's (dual 24-bit) and is worth the marginal price difference, especially if your considering an external amp. If you're thinking of an external amp, the APA4320 is a real sleeper. It can be had for less than $250 from most online retailers and is a great sounding mid-level amp. Buying the combo could save you even more from some dealers.

 

thanks for the tips so far ... i have not considered an amp yet, but the one you mentioned looks interesting indeed and might have to get that installed when I do the head unit.

I listen to mostly heavy rock and metal, so something good and loud would be nice.

 

And it looks great in the mini. I have the same unit, and use Manderin Orange to match the other guage lights. Good color match. I got a MFSW control from Mike the Mini in the UK. It works with IR (I put the IR light in the overhead console pointing towards the HU). I also hooked up the Aux port for my iPod. works great. That, along with Boston Z5's up front, Boston Acoustic 6x9's in rear, JL Stealthbox and JL 500/5 amp - sounds wonderful.

Good luck.

 

I don't have a MFSW ... so this is not a concern for me. Will pick this up in the next few weeks ... and looks like I will add that 4320 amp along with it ..

thanks for the tips

 

anybody have experience with the 845MC h/u with digital recorder? i'm considering it cause i don't think i'll immmediately be getting a mp3. but i would like to listen to my fave songs from my cd collection. this way i just load the cd's and save the fave songs onto the h/u, and make my own modest playlist, i believe ~6 cd's worth of songs.

but i probably will in the next year get a mp3 player eventually. would i be able to hook up one to this h/u? either thru an aux input or other means? sound quality is important, so i'm not convinced on the fm transmitter way. and also i hear the clarion's have the capability to list the mp3 song being played, i believe it's called id3 or something like that.

any recommendations?