Hi all,

Been checking out this unit: http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entertainmen...e_Video/DNX7100

At this stage there doesn't seem to be an Aussie equivalent; you have to buy the sat nav box separately to the head unit.

I noticed on ebay you can pick one up for around $1000 which is the same price you'd pay for a similar local model which has no sat nav, and I found an earlier post in these forums where someone had bought a US model Kenwood/Garmin sat nav box (KNA-G510) and had successfully uploaded Aussie maps to it.

I'm therefore thinking of taking the punt and getting one sent out. I figure if I can't get the sat nav working it won't have cost me any more than buying a local unit with no sat nav anyway.

I've emailed both Kenwood and Garmin about uploading maps but am still waiting for a reply.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Are there any other pitfalls to buying the overseas unit?

Any comments/advice would be appreciated...

Aceben

For anyone interested...

I bought the above unit along with the bluetooth attachment from ebay store w-w-w-indoaudio-c-o-m; exceptional service and exceptional price - ordered on a Monday and it arrived Friday for $1090US including shipping.

Bought Aussie maps from Johnny Appleseed GPS for just under $300 Australian so total cost approx $1500 Australian.

Pleased to report the whole thing works perfectly and is a very impressive unit. I reckon I've saved at least $1000 bucks doing it this way compared to buying a local unit plus the very expensive Kenwood nav box.

Would recommend anyone else doing the same!

Good to hear it worked out for you. However, I would advise that you need to be wary of these stores. There are a number of complaints from that exact store, ranging from poor products, no warranty/support/help/responses, to selling fake gear.

Not to discredit you aceben, but just thought that this does need to be brought up in addition to your post, so that people are aware of some of the risk they take if they do choose this path.

Hopefully you have no problems with the unit

Nothing fake about the unit I received.

There's many sellers offering this unit at a similar price; these guys were quickest to respond to my queries so I went with them.

$1500 for DVD/Nav/Bluetooth in a double din is very cheap compared to local prices (I would estimate at least $2500 for something comparable locally, and that's with a separate nav box).

I would encourage anyone after a similar set-up to do the same!

Only minor thing I forgot to mention is that the DVD player is zone 1. Not a problem for me personally but may be a consideration.

Cheers,

Aceben

Hi! I was very interested in your experience with a US model Nav system, I have been lookimg for a similar australian solution (because I cant justify AU$3800 for a Pioneer HD3) - and I have seen Kenwood DNX7100 for US$899.
Can you help with some details?
What did you do to load Aus maps? Is there a portable gadget from which suitable maps can be swapped (I would like portable US maps + in-dash Aus maps...)
Did you buy the Kenwood bluetooth adaptor?
Ipod Adaptor?

Well done anyway, I admire your conviction. Any idea what a US Pioneer Avic D3 uses for maps - they are cheaper still...

Hi Astarte,

The GPS in the DNX7100 is made my Garmin so you need to buy the Garmin Aussie maps. I bought them here:

https://www.ja-gps.com.au/maps_citynavigaust.html

You need to buy the SD card version for the DNX7100.

I bought the BT adapter with the unit for combined price of $1090US. I don't own an ipod so didn't bother with the ipod interface.

That's as much as I know. I emailed both Kenwood and Garmin before purchase and they both confirmed the Aussie maps would work with the unit; the SD card just goes in the slot and you're away. If you take the card out, it knows you're somewhere in Aussie but there's no detail on the map. The US maps are on a hard drive inside the unit as I understand it.

Have no experience with portable nav units so you may want to email Garmin to find out.

No idea about the Pioneer Avic units sorry.

Aceben

I'll add that Kenwood's nav user interface is sooo much better than Pioneer's AVIC-HD3 interface. It's simple and easy to use, whereas Pioneer's is the complete opposite.

Aceben, I know there's a code you can punch in on some DVD players to remove the region coding, it might be worth investigating this for if you ever want to play legit DVDs on your unit.

Hey JonoS,

Did have a poke around for a code but couldn't find anything yet. It's a relatively new unit so may be a little while before one is discovered/leaked.

I was most interested in having music DVD's running in the unit and discovered when I looked at my music DVD collection that nearly all of them are region free or multi-region, hence having a region 1 player not an issue.

I'm aware that I can make region-free backups of region 4 discs easily, but if anyone stumbles across a region free code would appreciate a post!

Aceben

not on that one. the service manual calls for a programming jig to change regions.

Aceben,

Did you get the AM tuner on the US Kenwood DNX7100 to work properly? The US have a different channel spacing to Australia (10K vs 9K) and some US AM tuners won't work properly here in Australia - they can't tune in properly to the station. Not that anyone uses AM much these days

ok maybe now no one listens to AM... but the new rugby league season starts in a few months time

I did the same as aceben, purchased this unit from the US and updated it with the Aussie maps. Works a treat and easy to do, and 50% off the price of any local equivalent.

How much did you pay for the Kenwood deck and the Nav together?, I think the complete deal will sell in Aust for about $2500.

I've installed quite a few of these now and while the Garmin Nav interface is just great and easy to use, it just seems a bit messy when added to the Kenwood unit. I think it's difficult to use and the setup is complicated for the average user to get to. In comparasin the Pioneer AVIC-HD3 is heaps easier for the new user to understand and has a brilliant intuitive address search function, it learns from your previous input. The Pioneer Graphic Interface is also a mile ahead of the Kenwood equivilent. Thats reflected in the price I guess.

I reckon the Kenwood is a radio/CD with and add on Nav where the Pioneer is a dedicated Nav system with an intigrated radio/CD, If you know what I mean.

You can't get a local sat nav/integrated radio for anywhere near the imported price. Yes, the radio interface is a little clunky but the it is functional and you can add a custom wallpaper background that with the right background makes the unit feel a little better integrated into the rest of the car. The Garmin nav interface itself is actually quite good.

I went the same route as acebin (and price), see above posts. I'm still waiting for the internet vendor to send the bluetooth modules, which are out of stock now. I'm looking to add to the order as its been delayed a JL Audio A6450 multichannel amp.

Hey Deanbob,

Glad to hear it all worked out! I have no complaints about my unit and have had it a few months now.

Did you figure out how to get the nav voice prompts in the right speaker? Those damn yankees sit on the wrong side of the car...

Aceben

Have only rigged it up on the bench now, did not notice the location of the voice. Coming from the left speaker should not matter (I have installed it in a small car). I have not worked out how to remove the stock radio, it needs a "Becker radio release key" and I'd like to find matching sockets for the stock radio so that I don't need to hack the wiring. There is a harness from Metra to do the job but it does not appear to be sold in Australia.[/quote]

interesting.. thanks for posting your results guys!

one question.. if you insert the mapsource SD into the machine.. does this need to be kept in when operating? or does it load the maps onboard?

and can you please confirm that the map product needed is the Garmin mapsource City navigator Australia (just to be sure) and is it the NT or non NT version?

Hi Kent,

Yeah it appears you need to leave the SD card in the slot. If you remove it the unit knows you're somewhere in Australia but there's no detail on the map.

Not sure if there's a way to upload the maps to the HD - there's nothing obvious in the manuals regarding a way to do this but I haven't looked very hard. Having the card in the slot is not really an issue.

And yes you need the City Navigator Australia standard SD card version.

Aceben

Yes, no problems with leaving the SD maps in the slot, it just works.

This is a pretty good setup, the only niggle is that the navigation voice could be a little louder as you have to turn the stereo down to hear it (even though the system will turn the volume down automatically before the nav is about to speak). Moving the nav voice to the drivers side may help, but I can't work out how to do that apart from opening up the unit and looking to swap the nav audio connections (if this is even possible).

The unit also has a better sound quality than the old OEM unit, as I can drive the separate OEM amp via the line outs instead of the speaker outputs of the OEM head unit. Installation was pretty easy, I did it myself, took an afternoon.

I was speaking to one of the guys at Northfield carsound about this unit, and they pointed out that it does not have the speed sensor or gyro (AFAIK) to continue to accurately work when in tunnels or in poor reception areas. However driving it around the Brisbane CBD and under tunnels it performs flawlessly and still tracks the car accurately. It does stop when driving in an underground carpark but I figure I don't need directions then

Having the ability to add a custom background is nice, but the interface is a little clunky but works well in the car (nice big buttons on the touchscreen). Also note region 1 DVDs only.

I'm still waiting for the bluetooth unit & IPOD cable, which is on backorder. I'll post results once I install these.

For the price it cannot be beaten, and is a significant discount to the local products. However don't expect support locally and if you have problems with the unit or a US vendor you are on your own. But I'm very happy and would recommend this to others who are willing to take a bit of a risk for some considerable $$ savings.

Hey Deanbob,

You can definately move the nav prompts to the right hand front speaker as I've done it on mine.

Can't remember off the top off my head where I found it but it's either under audio setup or user interface or something similar. You can actually adjust the volume there as well - I found if you put the nav volume in the system setup on full and then adjust it in the nav part itself you only need to have it around 50% and it's loud and clear.

If you can't find it let me know and I'll run down to the car and have a look so I can give you more precise instructions.

Aceben

Aceben,

I tried looking for the options but could not find them. The volume setting is 100% in the settings menu. I can't seem to select Nav volume at all in the main unit setup, only in the Nav program, and it is quieter than the radio even at 100%. I could find no option about what speaker to send the nav voice to. However the user interface has lots of menus and sometimes the context of the buttons change depending on the state the unit is in, so I may have missed it.

I would appreciate it if when next in your car you could memorise the menu options for Nav volume in the system setup & the nav voice speaker and post back. Many thanks!

Hi Deanbob,

Ok push the spanner to go to the settings screen and choose AV Interface.

At the top right there is a green arrow pointing right - push it twice to get to page 3.

There should be a bunch of Nav settings there; the top one (Nav Interruption) is the speaker so choose front right.

Below that is Nav Guide Volume - mine is set to 35 which is maximum.

When you've set those go to the Nav part and you'll probably find the voice prompts now blow your head off so lower the volume to around 40 or 50% and it should be fine.

Aceben

Got it, thanks. I had the AV setup screen locked (setting in the save settings menu of all things). Working fine now.

Now I'm still waiting on the bluetooth module which is on back order.

Hi guys - i am about to do the DNX7100 purchase/install, this unit for its features vs $ is hard to beat!
Purchasing - DNX7100; Bluetooth adapter; Steering Control adapter (non-kenwood); rear view camera and Garmin map updates for Aus.

I want to ask what is the best way to play MP3's on these units. I was going to put a SDCARD USB reader on the end of the USB connection, put card reader in Glovebox and load MP3's with 8GB SD cards. Is this the best way? How are you guys loading MP3/WMA's etc.

Also - with the GPS nav, where did u guys mount the GPS antenna and did it come with the H/U or did u purchase separately (I think they come with the unit if purchased new, including remote?)

Thanks to aceben for taking the first step and posting - very appreciated!

Hi Knight Phlier,

I haven't tried using the USB port for MP3's I've just burned them to dvd. I did read somewhere that the unit can't read a dual layer dvdr for audio but even with a single layer dvd you can fit around 50 albums on one disc at a decent sample rate.

The GPS antenna comes with the unit. The instructions suggest mounting it on the dash near the windscreen but the guy who did my install said that wouldn't be necessary and mounted it somewhere behind the unit itself; he said something about the car acting as an antenna so maybe he mounted it on the chassis? Not 100% sure but it certainly works.

Aceben

P.S. Yeah the unit comes with a remote.

Thanks aceben! I have just ordered the unit, cant wait!

Hi,
Where have you purchased this from?
Most places I have tried in the US are out of stock waiting for the new 7120.

Cheers Graeme

Try getting DNX5120, should work also right?

Also does anyone know if there is an SD slot in the DNX5120?

I got the item off the seller iei10. It was $US950. A bit more than what i have seen but at the time there were no other units and the shipping was cheap (Total is around $AU1080 landed, so long as i don't get hit with customs). I couldn't wait for the 7120 and i think that it will be even more expensive when it first comes out. Now can't wait for the headunit to arrive, and get on with the install. I also got the camera / bluetooth from indo audio (I think that is where aceben got his headunit from without trouble).

I don't think the DNX7100 has a SD slot but i would expect to be able to plug a SD reader into the USB and hopefully read SD cards that way (If not then burning MP3 to DVD is another convenient way as previously pointed out).

Thanks,

Doug

The DNX7100 has an SD card slot.

This is where the Aussie maps SD card goes for the Nav side of things.

I understand you can also load custom skins and points of interest via the SD card slot but haven't tried it.

Aceben

Re: USB for MP3s, there is a folder limit of 250 files and a total index limit of 630 files. The USB works well for MP3 and with high bit rate rips the quality is very good (and I'm fussy with audio). I have over 1700 songs I want to store, so I'm using a 16GB USB key ($70 at www.msy.com.au) and concatinating 4 - 5 songs on each album, which means I can't skip songs as much as I would like but I still have access to my music collection.

The SD card slot is only for map uploads AFAIK. The USB connector is just as good for music.

Thanks for the info regarding the limits. Do you know if it is the same when reading MP3's off DVD-R discs?

Hi guys. I got the unit and installed it last weekend and its all working great! I am loading MP3's off an 8GB USB stick and the sound quality is soo much better than on the stock head unit. I managed to get the steering wheel controls to work using an external module and the bluetooth is good with really clear voice quality for handsfree. I have to still buy the maps for Aus, but on the US maps there is a "Pacific" region which allows you to navigate in Aus but with limited detail - just main roads are on there. It is enough to see the GPS in action a little and get a feel for the interface which i am impressed with - I will have the aus maps next week.
I have had an issue with IndoAudio on Ebay, i bought some RCA's and the rear view camera from them. I got the RCA's about 4 days later, but no rear camera so i emailed them and they said it was on backorder! Bugger! I didn't realise it but i was a little pissed off with it anyhow it should be here this week and given the situation they have been pretty good to deal with.

Greetings! First post on this forum. I joined specifically to reply to this topic.

I had been researching bringing into OZ a US Pioneer AVIC and hoping Australian maps could be uploaded to it, so when I read about aceben succesfully achieving this with the Kenwood, it got my interest! I have a few comments and questions.

First, aceben, did you end up getting the AM radio frenqencies to work? Someone else here asked the question but I didn't see a reply.

Has anyone had the same success (as aceben did with the Kenwood) importing the AVIC and uploading OZ maps? From what I've read elsewhere it's probably not possible.

Kenwood Australia has just released the DNX 7320 double din gps dvd, which looks identical to the DNX 7120 from the US. Will be interesting to see how much they're asking for it! Haven't found it advertised yet. Guess ryda will get it eventually. But it does mean that we can now get the unit in Australia with an Australian warranty, region 4 coding, correct maps and correct radio frequencies. Kenwood DNX 7320

Finally, I've noticed a couple of people purchasing from indoaudio, and after doing some research on them I'd recommend against buying from them. As someone on here as found, they have a common habit of advertising stuff they don't have in stock! Then they say it's on backorder and can take months to arrive! That's sure to piss off customers!

Just spoke to Kenwood Australia about the new 7320. It's now been released to stores and the retail price is $2499.

Hi Hari,

Don't listen to much AM radio but seems to work fine.

Aceben

Ryda has this unit listed now, price is not as bad as I expected. I think I wait to see what the pioneer AVIC-F units are going to cost before deciding.

Guys are you sure Australian maps work on DNX5120? I'm planning to get one very soon if it works here.

Hi Rujo,

Just email Kenwood and/or Garmin (assuming it's got Garmin GPS) for confirmation. I got a prompt reply from both when I asked about the DNX7100.

Aceben

Thanks aceben

I found out something interesting about the DNX-7120 today.Hold down the VOL DOWN and SRC button untill the unit switches off and keeping those buttons in and pressing the reset button and release it and then release the other 2 buttons the unit will restart with Australian AM/FM radio spacings.I emailed Kenwood USA and they said it couldn't be done.I guess they were wrong.
As you probably know it is also possible to load the Oz maps into internal memory . The DNX-7120 works well here .DVD region 1 is the only issue.

Did you manage to solve this "Aus map" issue?
I am considering to bring DNX5120 from US.

Also found a Test Menu for the Us DNX7120. It can test tilt mechanism,change serial number,reset hours of operation etc.It also lists all the firmware versions.It shows the DVD Region number but I haven't found a way to change it . Hold in ATT and SRC button press and release reset and then release ATT and SRC to start in test mode.

If it is interesting to someone:
I got Kenwood DDX512 ($500 with delivery to Syd)
and unnamed GPS box that support kenwood touchscreen protocol ($350 with delivery as well)
and I install IGO8 with Australian maps.

Hey Dash, how can you load the Oz maps to internal memory? That's interesting. Think i'm getting one now... Don't assume you've found a way around the DVD region code yet?...

PJ

anyone ever thought of doing what Aceben did and start selling them in Australia. Like get all the stuff from the US, make it all work for Aust settings then sell? If anyone is doing it, please let us know, im dead keen

Hey all. From NZ and just ordered the DNX8120 (USA version)

Has anyone figured out the Region Code issue yet?

I read that if you Plug into the mini USB on the back, then bring up Nav. screen, then plug USB into your PC it will show up as a drive and in there you can find the Garmin folder etc which will let you load maps directly to internal mem. (backup folder to your PC 1st

Also:
Please follow the steps below for loading/changing start-up screen.

· First connect the USB thumb drive containing image files.
· To enter setup mode. Press SRC+EJECT, then RESET.
· Select the OEM
· Select the file you want use.
· When the image is loaded, press Enter.
· Your new opening will remain for a few seconds and then switch to Source Select menu
Regarding (2) - If you read the manual it will say something to the effect of: (1) Select your USB drive as the source, (2)Go to the "Control" tab not the "list" tab (3) Then down at the bottom of the screen change the bottom line until you see "SLIDE" and select that. Slide = SlideShow.

Video in motion:
I think this was mentioned in a previous post, but you can connect the parking break wire to ground (chassis) and all functions will work.

Ive just installed the DNX8120 into my Subaru Outback.
Have done the startup screen change, and added Australian voices through the mini usb plug via Garmin's webupdater.
Also loaded red light and speed camera locations in POI's for safely alerts.
Let me know if you need anymore pics.
What is the advantage in loading maps to internal memory rather than sd card?

Hi
Can you tell me which software you purchased from Johnny Appleseed GPS? I too purchased a USA Kenwood DNX7100.

Thanks