Kenwood KVT-911DVD touchscreen head unit

[TX T H2]

I have been looking at a number of the obvious choices to install an A/V setup in my H2. First decision was to go with the tech advantages provided by the flip-up models over the, albeit better looking install, dash mounted screen w/ aux components (eg Rosen r6500 or NECVOX 9690). The screen covering the air vents and/or other equipment is definitely an issue that is going to get under my skin. I have a local installer checking on the following potential setup: 1) move the a/c controls (and possibly the on-star switches) to the stock head-unit DIN, 2) install flip-up head unit (Ken 911, Pio 9300, Alpine D900) to the current a/c din and 3) center channel speaker to the stock on-star slot. Anybody have any insight on that possible setup? My installer believes that if the a/c unit is all electric (no vaccum tubes) it can be done. He is doing a Nav install on another H2 next week and is going to check and see if this idea will work. As for the comparison of units, I change my mind daily: Ken 911 appears to be the most complete package w/ nav, lz 800 monitors, dts/5.1 decoder, centerchannel, sirius. However the pioneer 9300 has the dts/5.1 decoder built into the head unit and the nav system is voice controlled (some features, not all) instead of touch screen; monitor is also fully auto open/close and has a manual swivel feature. It sounds like the new Alpine D900 is going to be the next generation of video quality and has most if not all the same features of the Ken and Pio units, but who knows when you can actually get your hands on one and how many arms you'll have to cutoff to pay for it? I really have gotten alot of great info from this forum and welcome any additional insight. FYI: any of you who have not already read some of Jonathan's, in this forum, takes on a/v equipment should take a look and/or contact him. His shop did an outrageous Pioneer install and he has been helpful with several questions. bc

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