Kenwood DDX6019 (DDX-6019)

PNAV-6019

My focus is actually on the "PNAV-6019", but there is not a separate review of that package...
I purchased several items from Sonic Electronics for my wife's 2004 Volvo S40. One item I didn't get from them because they didn't stock it. It is important for you to consider all of them because the complicate the installation and it is important to evaluate how well they all integrate together and how well they operate via the 6019 afterwards:
1. PNAV-6019, consisting of:
1a. DDX-6019 head unit
1b. KNA-G510 GPS remote unit
2. KCA-iP500 iPod adapter
3. Garmin GXM-30 XM antenna for the KCA-iP500

INSTALLATION
Installation into the Volvo was straight forward but difficult to find the adapter parts for the Volvo -- just not as common as a Chevy or Ford. To do it right, I removed the seats, console and carpet. I soldered every splice -- takes longer but is worth it in the long run. The DDX-6019 fits perfectly in the dash. The position is low which would make it a bit difficult to read the screen, but the 6019 has a "tilt" feature that allows you to set the angle it sits when in use. When turned off, the unit face returns to stow vertically, regardless of the set tilt angle. Connection of the G510 and iP500 were simple. There is a dedicated connector for the GPS (G510) and the iP500 plugs into the "remote disk changer/aux" connector. Important! you don't seem to be able to use BOTH an iPod adapter AND a BlueTooth adapter together, as there is only one Aux input :(.
The GXM30 XM antenna interfaces with the G510 GPS, NOT the DDX-6019. That impacts where you can put the GPS unit, for instance, you can't put the G510 up front and the XM antenna on the rear shelf -- the GXM-30's USB cable with its supplied extension cable aren't long enough to reach even in a little S40. So I mounted the GPS unit under the passenger seat. That worked great!
Installation took three entire days from start to finish!...with about 1 day of that spent running around Houston looking for pieces to adapt it to the Volvo.

OPERATION
Operation of the DDX6019 is straightforward. The GPS and iPod integrated seamlessly and the controls are very easy to understand. The XM menus are provided by the GPS unit and fed into the DDX-6019, but you'd never know it except you have to go one menu layer down to access the radio. Even so, I found the written operation manual insufficient for configuring and operating the XM radio -- specifically the problem is that there are three manuals (DDX6019, G510, GXM-30) that need to seamlessly tie together, but they don't. The worst problem I had with the whole setup was trying to get the XM to play. Finally I found, deep in the setup menu, a screen which enables the GPS unit to be a source of "audio." It defaults to "off" (and resets to off if power is disconnected!!) Once set to "on" the XM began playing immediately. The quality of the XM broadcast is far below that of the normal radio, and especially the CD or iPod sources -- but it's nice to have on the road. All in all, we love it, and it is by far the best "bang for the buck" out there that I could find....very satisfied.

WELL WORTH IT!

JUST PURCHASED THIS KENWOOD AND INSTALLED IT. AWESOME DECK WORKS PERFECT WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE IN MY TAHOE. ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE THE BOSE COMPONENTS IN MY CAR! MADE IT SOUND THAT MUCH BETTER! IF YOU HAVE A TAHOE OR SUBURBAN OR SOMETHING THAT NEEDS A DOUBLE DIN DECK I HIGHLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING THIS DECK. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! SPECIAL THANKS TO CHRIS AND LUCAS FOR ALL THE HELP AND ACCESSORIES THEY LET ME KNEW I NEEDED TO GET TO USE MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS! THX U GUYS!

A SUPER BUY

WOW WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR. SIMPLE installation IMPLE SET UP. EVERYTHING IS SELF EXPLANATORY FROM THE MENU TO THE USE THE ONLY THING THAT MIGHT GET TO YOU IS THE REMOTE AND THE WAY THE SETTING IS OTHER THAN THAT SUPER EASY LOOKS GREAT I TRULY RECOMMEND THE HEAD UNITE I HAVE IT IN A 01 ECLIPSE AND I COULDNT WISH FOR MORE OH AND THE ONLY THING I WISH IT HAD WAS A DIGITAL EQ FOR WHEN I LISTEN TO THE CDS

Awesome product!

I have never owned a in dash DVD player or anything from kenwood. I own a 2001 honda accord coupe, with the built in 6-disc changer and kenwoods product blew it out of the water. After installing and hearing how well this product uses my stock speakers I came to love this product.

The user interface is a little tricky at first but now is really easy to use.

I bought this product mainly for my ipod and it performs well with it. I was a little dissapointed that I couldn't scroll through my entire library or see the album art, instead I just used playlists while in my car. Sound and equalizer makes up for it.

Installation was a breeze.

beautifully engineered

I just recently purchased this unit and WOW! It is so easy to use and it can practically perform any function ever needed in a vehicle. The screen is a great size and installation was simple with the harness you provide. Thank you for the quality product.

Jeff moreland
Chico, CA

The Kenwood DDX-6019 is Truly Amazing

I just purchased and installed the DDX-6019 this month (May 2006) from SonicElectronix. I wasn't quite sure what to expect on this product since I've not seen any reviews on it, but after having it installed, I am completely "WOW!"-ed.

The screen quality is fabulous. It sounds great! The menu functionality and navigation is easy. You almost don't need the manual to use it the first time.

This is a definite thumbs up recommendation. Great value!