Slim2000

I'm looking for a little advice here. I currently have the Alpine 9851 HU in my S but I'm thinking about switching to the 9856. I actually really like the 9851 but the only reason I'm thinking about switching is so I can have the new iPod Full Speed connection. I haven't tried the KCA-420i with my 9851 yet, but I've read enough bad reviews about this interface that I'm pretty sure I'm not going to like it. The Full Speed has gotten lots of positive reviews from everything that I've read so far.

Most of the specs are pretty much the same between both HUs, but I feel like I would be downgrading by switching to the 9856.

I love the multi-colored display in the 9851 and I believe it's slightly bigger than the 9856. The Swing Mechanism is nice with the motorized face plate that allows me to tilt the screen upwards. Also, I believe I have a wired DCI option with this HU (Haven't really gotten to that yet).

With the 9856, I don't get as nice a display or the swing mechanism and my only option for a DCI is IR, but I get the Full Speed connection and interface. I'm one of those guys that brings my iPod with me everywhere (work, gym, car, plane, anywhere where I have to wait) so the interface is kind of important.

As you can see I can't really make up my mind, so any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

golfpro

I'm all about how they work, not how they look. If the 9856 affords you better use of your iPod, I say go for it.

Oh, and my wife tells me, "size doesn't matter."
-golfpro

cshamash

I just got the 9856. The Ipod Fullspeed is very fast but the search capability is lacking. Still I quite like it. My IR DCI works fine. Tuning is limited however.

The 9857 is out in a month with biolite display,wired DCI and great tuning. Why not wait for it?

darkknight1999

That sounds like a personal problem, that no one here can fix dude...

lyndon_h

The 9857 is out now! I picked one up from Best Buy yesterday for 329 and they were running a promotion which included the fullspeed cable for free. I know Crutchfield said that they dont expect it till 4/17, but i would check your local best buy. I was told by the best buy associate that the price on the 9857 would be increased today (not sure if he was trying to sell me or not).

Slim2000

I thought about that, but an extra $150 or so for the 57? I haven't seen the biolite in person, but from looking at the picture it didn't look all that exciting.

Plus, my S is currently in Jacksonville, FL and I live in NY. She's been there since Thanksgiving and I installed the 51 during Christmas (The last time I've seen my baby). I'm going down in 2 weeks over Easter weekend to pick her up so I was hoping to have something for the long ride up. So within the next 2 weeks I'm either going to:

-Get a 420i and see what I think of that
-Get the adaptor and just use the aux input
-Get the 9856 with FullSpeed cable and sell the 51

Is the 420i really that bad? I've read that if you use playlists and like to just shuffle your songs (which I do both most of the time), it's not that bad. Can anyone comment on this?

Slim2000

Well, I guess this is another option now. Any comments on the 57? Is it worth the extra money?

lyndon_h

[QUOTE=Slim2000,Apr 2 2006, 10:22 AM] Well, I guess this is another option now.

Kabomo

Can anyone confirm that you will be able to use the wired DCI on the 9857?

Thanks in advance!

NFRs2000NYC

420i blows. I hate it. I installed it in my friends jeep, and its sooooooo slow. Unless you keep it on shuffle, it will be impossible (and dangerous) to find an Artist. It takes forever. Especially if you are like me, and have a 40gig Ipod full to capacity.

I have the 56, and its as fast as the Ipod itself. Get the 420i out of your head. It shouldnt even be an option.