Now that I've used it for a while, it seems to be pretty good. I don't like the basic layout of the controls, the excessively complicated menus and toolbars, etc. but once I read the book and played with it for a while, it's not bad. My wife (who primarily drives the vehicle) is not as impressed, it's definitely not simple to operate, like the factory radio. She's getting used to it, now that I've given her some tutoring.
I got the Ipod controller cable and installed it as well, that works really well, same issues with getting to know the menus and controls, but no lag time and even shows the album art on the screen when playing.
I think Kenwood could have definitely made this thing easier to use and figure out, but it works well once you do...
The Garmin GPS function is excellent...which is mostly why I chose the Kenwood over any other brand.
A note to anyone installing an aftermarket head unit into a 4Runner: make sure you connect the power antenna wires on the wiring harness....even though the vehicle does not have a power antenna, it needs 12V applied to the antenna signal booster...that whole "diversity antenna" thing where only one cable can be plugged in to the aftermarket stereo. I didn't do this at first, then connected it the second time it was apart, huge difference and now I can actually set the AM presets (not that I listen to AM radio anyway). I was finding I was losing FM reception before, so that booster thing is important to power up...
Last edited by bluebelle; 05-11-2009 at 04:40 PM.
Reason: addition
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