Here is the list of features:

• 6.1″ Touchscreen with Customizable Start-up and DVD Playback
• High speed iPod/iPhone control
• Garmin navigation that is NAVTEQ Traffic Ready
• Bluetooth Hands Free Powered by Parrot
• HD Radio Ready and Satellite Radio Ready
• 3 5V, RCA Preouts and a 50WX4 Amplifier
• 2 AV inputs and 1 AV Output
• Rear View Camera Ready
• Multi Language Interface
• 2-Year Warranty

6.1″ Touchscreen with Customizable Start-up and DVD Playback

One of the major things that allows the Kenwood eXcelon DNX 6960 to be less expensive than the other units in its class is that the screen is not motorized.  Motorization is expensive and for most people not important.  For Kenwood to remove the motorization, they had to make the screen a little smaller than their flagship model’s 7″ screen.  The 6.1″ screen allows for the DVD slot to be on the face instead of behind the screen.  Also the DNX 6960′s smaller screen allows for a feature that I personally like, a rotary volume knob.  One thing that I always disliked about navigation units is that they usually have up and down buttons for volume.  The volume knob is much more convenient than the buttons.

High speed iPod/iPhone control

The DNX6960 was developed specifically to both charge and control your iPod, iTouch 3rd gen and your iPhone 3G.  You will have full control of your iPod so that can access all of your songs and videos quickly and easily.  On The DNX6960 not only can you search using playlist, album, atrist, genre, ect., you can use an alphabet search feature that will bring you to the songs starting with a specific letter.  All this searching can be done while another song is playing. Once you find the song you want, the album art will be displayed on the DNX 6960?s screen. Plus, the DNX6960 supports 12mbps transfer speeds, so there is no waiting for your head unit to load the songs from your iPod.  I almost forgot to add that the DNX 6960 will play your movies flawlessly with you ever having to touch the iPod for control.

Garmin navigation that is NAVTEQ Traffic Ready

The DNX6960 uses Garmin’s newest navigation software.  All the functions are controlled using the touchscreen that contains easy to understand, intuitive menus.  Not only is it easy to enter your destination into the navigation system, once you are driving, the system will audibly directly you through your car’s speakers.  If you make a wrong turn, or have to make a detour, don’t worry, the Garmin navigation will immediately recalculate and finish directing you to your destination.  Another great feature about the Garmin navigation is that there is no disk to worry about.  The DNX 6960 has an internal high speed flash memory chip so not only does it not use a disk, it can access the maps way faster than with a disk.  Maps of Canada, the continental USA, Hawaii,  Alaska, and Puerto Rico are all preloaded into the system.
You also have the opportunity to add the NAVTEQ Traffic adapter.   The NAVTEQ Traffic adapter will allow the DNX6960 to receive real time traffic updates.  If you choose to, the navigation system will automatically direct you around traffic jams.

Bluetooth Hands Free Powered by Parrot:
Built into the Kenwood DNX6960 is an extremely advanced bluetooth module designed by Parrot.  If you have never heard of Parrot, they are the leading manufacturer of Bluetooth devices.  This Parrot module allows control of just about every cellphone in existence.  You can make and receive phone calls right off the DNX6960?s screen without ever touching your cell phone.  Not only can you make and receive calls, if your phone is capable,  it will automatically upload your whole phone book to the 6960.  So, when you need to make a call, your phone book is right at your fingertips.  This is also good when you receive a call, because if the person is in your phone book, their name will show up on the screen.

Now for the specs of the Bluetooth:

• Noise Cancellation Microphone
• Register up to 5 Bluetooth phones
• Auto phonebook download
• Holds up to 1000 numbers per registered phone
• A2DP wireless music streaming capable
• Incoming and outgoing text messaging – if phone is capable
• Firmware upgradable to work with future phones

HD Radio Ready and Satellite Radio Ready:

Moving on to the entertainment part of the DNX6960.  This unit is compatible with XM, Sirius, and HD Radio.  This means you will always be able to find the music you like.  Well, maybe.  One issue with this unit is that as of right now, Kenwood does not make an accessories hub.  Because of this, you can only have one of the above mentioned devices connected to the DNX 6960.  You will have to decide which one means the most to you and choose that one.

Issues that I found with the DNX 6960:

I went over the good parts, now I gotta be fair and go over the few issues I found.  I already went over the issue that you can only have one external device connected (XM, Sirius, HD Radio).    Another issue I found is that Bluetooth takes priority, meaning that if you are following the navigation and you phone rings, the bluetooth screen overrides the nav screen an you no longer get guidance.  The final issue that I found is that the screen is a little cluttered.  Kenwood adapted the interface from lasts years DNX9140, which had a larger screen,  to fit on the 6.1″ screen, so the buttons are a little close together.

In my opinion, you cannot find a better unit for the money.  This unit has all the core features of a flagship unit, but without all the extras that most people don’t use.  Plus its hundreds of dollars cheaper.

To make it easy on you, I made a list of things you need.  They link directly to Amazon.

For the DNX6960:

Kenwood DNX6960

To add  Sirius to the DNX6960 you need two things:

CA-SR20V Sirius Connection Cable

SCC1 SIRIUS Connect Universal Tuner

To add XM to the DNX6960 you need two things:

Kenwood KCA-XM100V XM Interface Adapter

CNP2000 XM Mini Tuner Cartridge

To add HD Radio to the DNX6960 you need:

Kenwood KTC-HR300 HD Radio Tuner Box with Itunes Tagging

The iPod cable you need:

Kenwood KCA-IP301V iPod Video Direct Cable

If you would like the Kenwood back up camera:

Kenwood CMOS-200 Rear-View Camera

The Kenwood DNX5160 and the Kenwood DNX6160 have not been officially released by Kenwood and the full spec sheet is still unknown.  Check back in the coming weeks for more information.

In the coming weeks, I will have more information on the Kenwood DNX7160 Navigation Head Unit

Check back in a couple weeks when Kenwood releases more information about the Kenwood eXcelon DNX6960 Navigation Receiver.

Link to review of Kenwood eXcelon DNX6960

Pictures and specs coming soon.

• 7″ WVGA Touch Screen with DVD Video Playback
• Made For iPod and works with iPhone
• Pioneer’s Navigation and Mapping Software with Voice Control
• Voice activated Bluetooth Hands Free by Parrot
• HD Radio Ready and Sirius XM Satellite Radio Ready
• 7 band Equalizer
• 3 sets of 4V RCA Preouts and a 50WX4 Amplifier
• Rear View Camera Ready
• 2 AV inputs and 1 AV Output
• 1 Year Warranty

7″ WVGA Touch Screen with DVD Video Playback

The Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT has a high resolution WVGA touch screen that is far superior to the more common TFT LCD.  This high resolution screen allows for a crystal clear user interface and extremely high quality DVD playback.   One nice feature of the upgraded interface is the ability to customize the home screen with the navigation, audio, and Bluetooth functions you use most frequently.

Made for iPod and works with iPhone

The AVIC-Z110BT has been designed to flawlessly control your iPod and iPhone.  First off,  it will charge and control your iPod, even the iTouch, iPhone 3g and the latest generation nano.  Everything can be controlled directly from the touch screen,  and it even will display your album art.  The three features that set the AVIC-Z110BT’s iPod control apart from the rest are link search, alphabet search, and passenger control.  Link search allows you to view a list of available songs from the current artist you are listening to.  Alphabet search allows you to go to the artists or albums that start with a specific letter.  Passenger control unlocks your iPod and allows you to control the iPod from it’s click wheel.  * You need to purchase a CD-IU50Vcable separately for iPod/iPhone connection.

Pioneer’s Navigation and Mapping Software with Voice Control

The AVIC-Z110BT has some great features: Voice Control, Highway Sign Board Guidance, Drive Report, and MSN Direct information.  The detailed navigation mapping and its 12 million points of interest are stored in the 4GB of on-board flash memory which is accessed by an extremely fast processor.  The Tele Atlas® map database covers the USA including Alaska and Hawaii, and Canada.

• Voice Control: With the voice activated navigation you can simply input an address, find a POI, ect.  by voice.  The commands are very simple,  for example to locate the closest Burger King the command is:  “Find the nearest Burger King.”
• Highway Sign Board Guidance: When a turn is approaching on a highway, the AVIC-Z110BT will display a simulated highway sign.  This makes it easier to be sure that the exit you are about to take is the correct one.
• Map View Modes: With high resolution 2D and 3D mapping the AVIC-Z110BT will display over 1,300 detailed items (landmarks, building, parks, ect.) that will allow you to identify the are you are driving through.
• Detailed City Maps With Brand Icons: Another way the AVIC-Z110BT allows the driver to visually identify the area is by displaying building footprints, parks, city blocks, road islands, ect. in over 65 major cities.  Also,  58 popular brand icons (Chilli’s, Mobile, ect.)  can be displayed on the map.

Voice Activated Bluetooth Hands Free by Parrot

I am a big fan of just about every bluetooth hands free kit made by Parrot.  In my opinion they are the best.  The bluetooth module that Parrot designed did not let me down.  Pairing my phone was easy and, like every other Parrot hands free kit I have used,  it worked perfectly.  My entire phone book uploaded to the unit, and the test calls I made were crystal clear.  Also, the voice activated calling features worked surprisingly well.

3 sets of 4V RCA Preouts and a 50WX4 Amplifier and a 7 band EQ

Most people in the world will say that the audio section in this head unit is pretty good.  I’m not most people.  In my opinion, Pioneer skimped a little with this unit.  First off  this unit is Pioneer’s flagship,  a flagship that plays DVDs should have a 5.1 DSP.  There is no output for a center channel and no 5.1 DSP processor, so no 5.1 surround sound for us.  Also,  in my opinion the 7 band EQ is a little weak.  For a unit like this there should at least be a 13 band EQ.  The AVIC-Z110BT has an audio section that is comparable to the audio sections in most entry to mid level navigation head units.  I think for the money that this unit costs, the audio section could be a little better.

Issues that I found with the AVIC-Z110BT
The AVIC-Z110BT really does not have many issues.  I already went over my dis-satisfaction with the audio section, so I will not do that again.  One issue I witnessed is that the interface is a little slow,  but not too slow to live with.  Something that is more than a worry than an issue is that this unit is built on a similar platform as the AVIC F Series.   Anyone who is familiar with the AVIC F Series knows that there was a pretty high defective rate, I hope that the AVIC-Z110BT will not have the same problem.

As a whole, this is a really great unit.  The strong points of this unit definitely out weigh the weak points.  This is a really great unit that has just about all the features.  If you are looking for a top of the line navigation system, the AVIC-Z110BT is one to consider.

Here is a list of things you need:

For the AVIC-Z110BT:
PIONEER AVIC-Z110BT

To add Sirius to the AVIC-Z110BT you need two things:
Pioneer CD-SB10 – Sirius Bus Interface

SIRIUS SCC1 SIRIUS Connect Universal Tuner

To add XM to the AVIC-Z110BT:
Pioneer GEX-P920XM XM Satellite Tuner

To add HD Radio to the AVIC-Z110BT:
PIONEER GEX-P20HD – HD TUNER

The iPod cable you need:
Pioneer CD-IU50V USB iPod Cable for Pioneer

To add MSN Direct to the AVIC-Z110BT:
Pioneer ND-MDT10 MSN Direct Tuner

If you would like the Pioneer back up camera:
Pioneer ND-BC2 Universal Rear View Camera

Escort passport 9500ci features:

• All-Band Radar Protection with 360 degree Laser Shifting
• GPS-Powered Truelock™ Filter with location marking and AutoLearn Feature
• Updatable Speed Camera Database with 3 year free database subscription
• Speed Alert™ with Variable-Speed Radar Performance
• Crystal-Clear Voice Alerts and High-Resolution Brilliant Blue Display with 5 Levels of Brightness Control
• Completely undetectable to all Radar Detector Detector Scanners

All-Band Radar Protection with 360 degree Laser Shifting

Of course this Radar Detector effectively detects all the bands of radar that the police use.  Police don’t only use radar, they use laser.  Laser basically sends a beam of light that will reflect off your vehicle back to the gun.  After receiving the beam of light that has reflected off your car, the gun can accurately determine your speed.   The Escort Passport 9500ci will detect the laser and warn you about it, but it wont stop there.   It will stop the laser from bouncing off your car which will give the police officer a error message on his laser gun.

GPS-Powered Truelock™ Filter with location marking and AutoLearn Feature

If you have ever owned a radar detector you know that you get a lot of false alarms.   The Passport 9500ci has a remedy for that.  Since the 9500ci has a gps antenna it allows you to lock out false alarms.  After you drive by a false alarm, you press and hold the mute button for 3 seconds and it will stop the 9500ci from alerting you next time.  If you do not want to manually lock out the false alarm, the Passport 9500ci will automatically lock out the false alarm for you after 3 occurrences of the same signal in the same place.


Updatable Speed Camera Database with 3 year free database subscription

Basically so far we have a radar detector that has great range, a laser shifter, and can eliminate false alarms. The passport 9500ci has another great feature. This radar detector comes preloaded with a national speed camera database. This database contains the location of speed cameras all over the country and the 9500ci will alert you of their presence before they can record your speed. This is a great feature because a lot of these speed cameras are placed in areas where a radar detect or will alert you too late to their presence.  For the first 3 years the database updates are free.

Speed Alert™ with Variable-Speed Radar Performance

The Passport 9500ci can use its gps antenna to know how fast your are going.  So if you are not going excessivly fast the radar detector will lower its sensitivity so you do not receive as many false alarms.  This is great because my biggest gripe with radar detectors is that they constantly go off because of false alarms.

Completely undetectable to all Radar Detector Detector Scanners

If you live in a state where radar detectors are illegal, you dont have to worry about the Passport 9500ci.  It is completely undetectable to all police radar detector scanners. As long as the radar detector’s information display is mounted in a hidden location where the police officer will not see it flashing, no officer will ever know it is there.

When you are driving, the Passport 9500ci is amazingly quiet. After about a week, it almost never goes off during your normal day to day driving (around town, daily commute, ect.).  With its gps, camera alerts, TrueLock Filter, SpeedAlert, ect., the 9500ci is more than a radar detector it is the most complete protection from getting speeding tickets on the market.

To purchase the Escort Passport 9500ci:  Click Here

The New Kenwood DNX9140

I am one of the lucky people that has already acquired a Kenwood DNX9140
.  If you don’t know what a DNX9140 is, it is the latest and greatest in-dash multimedia and navigation unit from Kenwood. I received it and installed it as soon as I could.  It is really impressive.  The new interface’s graphics are way more crisp and clean than the previous units from Kenwood.  Plus the DNX9140 uses Garmin’s newest navigation software which has better mapping and integrates into the unit flawlessly.


Here are a list of features:

• 6.95″ WVGA Touch Screen with DVD Video Playback
• Made For iPod and works with iPhone
• Garmin navigation that is MSN Direct / TMC Traffic Ready
• Bluetooth Powered by Parrot
• Voice Control
• HD Radio Ready and Satellite Radio Ready
• Built-In 5.1 DSP With Digital Time Alignment & 13-Band Parametric EQ
• 5V, 5.1 RCA Preouts and a 50WX4 Amplifier
• 2 AV inputs and 1 AV Output
• Rear View Camera Ready
• 2-Year Warranty

6.95″ Wide VGA Touch Screen with DVD Video Playback:

Most multimedia and navigation units come with a TFT LCD screen.  A 7″ TFT LCD screen usually contains about 500,000 pixels.  The new Kenwood DNX9140 has a 6.95″ VGA screen which has 1.2 million pixels. What does this mean?  This means that no matter what you are watching the picture will be crisp, clean and perfect.  Also,  the higher resolution screen allows the unit to have an extremely detailed user interface.  To keep costs down, a lot of manufacturers are making units that do not allow DVD video playback.  Not Kenwood.  The DNX9140 will allow for extremely clear DVD playback that not only looks great but thanks to its 5.1 channel DSP it will sound great also.

Made For iPod and works with iPhone:

The DNX9140 is designed from the ground up to both charge and control your iPod and your iPhone 3G.  You will have full control of your iPod so that can access all of your songs quickly and easily.  On The DNX9140 not only can you search using playlist, album, atrist, genre, ect., you can use an alphabet search feature that will bring you to the songs starting with a specific letter.  All this searching can be done while another song is playing. Once you find the song you want, the album art will be displayed on the DNX 9140′s screen. Plus, the DNX9140 supports 12mbps transfer speeds, so there is no waiting for your head unit to load the songs from your iPod.  I almost forgot to add that the DNX 9140 will play your movies flawlessly with you ever having to touch the iPod for control.  * You need to purchase a KCA-IP301V seperately for iPod/iPhone connection.

Garmin navigation that is MSN Direct / TMC Traffic Ready:

The DNX9140 uses Garmin’s newest navigation software.  All the functions are controlled using the touchscreen that contains easy to understand, intuitive menus.  Also, you can control the navigation functions using the voice command feature of the DNX9140.  Not only is it easy to enter your destination into the navigation system, once you are driving, the system will audibly directly you through your car’s speakers.  If you make a wrong turn, or have to make a detour, don’t worry, the Garmin navigation will immediately recalculate and finish directing you to your destination.  Another great feature about the Garmin navigation is that there is no disk.Maps of Canada, the continental USA, Hawaii,  Alaska, and Puerto Rico are all preloaded into the system.
You also have the opportunity to add the TMC Traffic or the MSN Direct adapter.   The TMC Traffic Adapter will allow the DN9140 to receive real time traffic updates.  If you choose to, the navigation system will automatically direct you around traffic jams.  The MSN Direct adapter also allows you to receive information about traffic, but it doesn’t stop there.  It also will give you information about weather, gas prices, local events, movie times, news headlines, stock quotes, flight status, and Doppler weather maps, all right off the screen of your DNX9140.

Bluetooth Powered by Parrot:
Built into the Kenwood DNX9140 is an extremely advanced bluetooth module designed by Parrot.  If you have never heard of Parrot, they are the leading manufacturer of Bluetooth devices.  This Parrot module allows control of just about every cellphone in existence.  You can make and receive phone calls right off the DNX9140′s screen without ever touching your cell phone.  Not only can you make and receive calls, if your phone is capable,  it will automatically upload your whole phone book to the 9140.  So, when you need to make a call, your phone book is right at your fingertips.  This is also good when you receive a call, because if the person is in your phone book, their name will show up on the screen.

Now for the specs of the Bluetooth:

• Noise Cancellation Microphone
• Register up to 5 Bluetooth phones
• Auto phonebook download
• Holds up to 1000 numbers per registered phone
• A2DP wireless music streaming capable
• Voice recognition dialing
• Incoming and outgoing text messaging – if phone is capable
• Firmware upgradable to work with future phones

HD Radio Ready and Satellite Radio Ready:

Moving on to the entertainment part of the DNX9140.  This unit is compatible with XM, Sirius, and HD Radio.  This means you will always be able to find the music you like.  Well, maybe.  One issue with this unit is that as of right now, Kenwood does not make an accessories hub.  Because of this, you can only have one of the above mentioned devices connected to the DNX 9140.  You will have to decide which one means the most to you and choose that one.

Built-In 5.1 DSP With Digital Time Alignment & 13-Band Parametric EQ:

If you enjoy watching DVDs in your vehicle, the DNX9140 has you covered.  This unit has a 5.1 channel DSP with Time Alignment so you you can get the full audio effect of any movie you choose.  If you need a little bit more fine tuning, the DNX9140 has a 13 band EQ so you can adjust yor music just right.  To make the audio sound even better, the DNX9140 has 5V, 5.1 RCA Preouts and a 50WX4 Amplifier.  This means that if you would like to add external amplifiers, the 5V RCA preouts will supply more than enough voltage fo crisp, clean music.  If You would not like to add external amplifiers, you can just hook up the internal 50WX4 amplifier.

Issues that i found with the DNX 9140:

I went over the good parts, now I gotta be fair and go over the few issues I found.  I already went over the issue that you can only have one external device connected (XM, Sirius, HD Radio).   Another issue is that the unit takes a long time to load when you first turn the car on.   By long, I mean less than 30 seconds.  But when you are sitting there waiting to enter a destination, it seems way longer.  Another issue I found is that Bluetooth takes priority, meaning that if you are following the navigation and you phone rings, the bluetooth screen overrides the nav screen an you no longer get guidance.

In my opinion, the strong points completely out weigh the few issues I found with the DNX9140.  Out of all the navigation units I have used, and I have used just about every single one,  this is the best one so far.  If you are in the market for a great multimedia and navigation the Kenwood DNX9140 is for you.  There is no other unit out there that has as many features as the 9140.  I own one, I love it and I recommend it to everyone that wants a Nav system.

To make it easy on you, I made a list of things you need.  They link directly to Amazon.

For the DNX9140:

Kenwood DNX9140
To add  Sirius to the DNX9140 you need two things:

CA-SR20V Sirius Connection Cable

SCC1 SIRIUS Connect Universal Tuner

To add XM to the DNX9140 you need two things:

Kenwood KCA-XM100V XM Interface Adapter

CNP2000 XM Mini Tuner Cartridge

To add HD Radio to the DNX9140 you need:

Kenwood KTC-HR300 HD Radio Tuner Box with Itunes Tagging

The iPod cable you need:

Kenwood KCA-IP301V iPod Video Direct Cable

If you would like the Kenwood back up camera:

Kenwood CCD-2000 Rear-View Camera

In my opinion, this is a good device that serves a purpose, but it is not the greatest.  Basically it is a voltage regulator that converts the 12 volt firewire lead to 5 volts, so the iPod can be charged by the USB charging lead.  When there is a voltage regulator involved, there is always a chance that there can be some noise interferance.  It is pretty uncommon, but there is still a chance.

So, who would I recommend this adapter for?  I recommended this adapter for someone who has an iPhone 3g, iPod nano (Gen 4), iPod touch (Gen 2), ALREADY has an iPod interface installed in their vehicle, and the interface does not charge your iPod.  This adapter only fixes the charging aspect of your iPod interface.  If your interface does not control the iPod correctly, or allow for audio to pass through correctly, it cannot help you.  If you haven’t purchased an iPod interface, you do not need this adapter, you need to purchase an interface that is compatible to your iPod out of the box.

I do not recommend this device if you have an USA Spec iPod interface.  There will be interferance.  USA Spec makes a cable specifically for their products that will charge the the newer iPods.  Also, if your iPhone is charging from your interface, but giving you the, This accessory is not made to work with iPhone, Would you like to turn on airplane mode to avoid audio interference?, it will not solve your problem.

Note: not compatible with the following stereos:
- Select Pioneer head-units that use the CD-iB100 or CD-i200 iPod to IP-Bus adapter.
- Select Mercedes vehicles equipped with the Mercedes Media Interface Cable.
- BMW/Cooper vehicles that are equipped with an iDrive iPod Interface

To purchase the Scosche passPort from Amazon Click Here

• 6.95″ WVGA touchscreen control screen
• Garmin navigation software
• voice recognition control for navigation and other connected sources
• 3 Skin GUI with customizable startup
• built-in Bluetooth by Parrot
• true 5.1 surround-sound with 5V Preouts
• USB direct control for iPod A/V content
• optional MSN Direct Tuner for traffic, movies, gas prices, etc

The wait is over, I finally got my hands on one.  Check out my Kenwood DNX9140 Review.