Customer Ratings & Reviews

NO!

I wouldn't recommend this stereo to anyone who likes user friendly interfaces. So... I wouldn't really recommend this stereo to anyone. While cosmetically the design is pretty cool, it's actually a hassle. The dial is ultra-sensitive, and not labeled well. Built-in Bluetooth is a plus, but the screen is so small that the process of tethering is too much of a pain. The switchable Rear-Subwoofer pre-out is awful, and I wouldn't have bought this if I'd known. Guess I'll have to read more carefully.

Really, if you want anything other than a very simple, hard to use, cool looking head unit, buy something else!

Nice unit

Overall I like this unit. Connects great with my phone for bluetooth. Only issues is the remote is not all that great. I find myself pressing harder than i should to get it to work. Sometimes it feels like i might break it. But the head unit itself is great.

almost perfect

The controls are easy to use and everything works as it should. My only personal complaint is that it does not have a way to display time as default, you must select the clock using the remote and if you even change the volume it will not be displayed again. Other than that, its price is great and you can just stick a flash drive in it and go! Perfect for older cars that need an upgrade but you dont want to break the bank.

Very good product

I purchased this radio 6 months ago. Great product as far as sound quality and operation. 2 issues however. I do not like that if the radio setting for continuos Play is ON, the radio will automatically start playing last Bluetooth enabled device audio. If feature is turned of, you have to re-connect via Bluetooth from iPhone settings. Just a little annoying. Also, phone call quality isn't great. Callers complain of echoing and sound like in a tunnel and sounds far away

Clarion FZ501

pros
1.this deck is very good in terms of sound quality when you adjust its customized 3 band parametric equalizer.
2. easy to install
3. has all the features mentioned on the box

cons
1. the single knob navigation takes getting used to.
2. if you disconnect your car battery all the presets (radio,equalizer) are gone.
3. defaults to a screen saver

Carefully Consider

This is a high-quality head unit that is difficult to operate while driving (using the remote is better) and very difficult to configure. Large text on a small screen requires the use of non-standard contractions for almost everything; the manual does a poor job of explaining anything. The single control knob does something different for a tap in each direction; a long-press in each direction, and does not maintain consistency in the controls across the different functions.

However, if you're willing to put up with all of that, the sound quality is excellent and if, like me, you primarily wanted a good auto-connecting Bluetooth head unit, this one works quite well.

Excellent fot the price

The only quibble I have is that the knob sticks in cold weather. Can't use Android phone as USB drive. Otherwise, incredible value and great product.

BAD A**!!!!!

I've owned 2 clarion decks in the past and this one is awsome. The bluetooth works great even though the mic is built in. Easy to connect to my iphone/ipod.