I'm looking to get a new head unit that will allow me to control both my iPod and XM radio via the radio itself with a decent display to see what I'm listening to. I've done a lot of looking around but haven't been able to get a clear picture on which ones are the best.

Things I'd like to have:
1. Fast access to iPod menus, lists, etc - as little delay as possible
2. Display that can show artist and song at the same time, 2 lines min - not scrolling text so probably an OEL type display
3. Relatively easy interface with some kind of rotating control for scrolling songs, not just buttons

So far I've read about the Alpine 9857, Pioneer 7800 and Kenwood 790 but can't tell how well they function. I'm obviously open to other suggestions but want to keep the price of the head unit under $500. Any thoughts from anyone on a solid choice?

No experience with the Kenwood, but both the Alpine and Pioneer you mentioned react fairly fast when using an ipod and offer two lines of text for xm. I personally like the display on the 7800 better (have a couple friends with the 9800 which is the same thing with bluetooth built-in) but its all up to who is looking at it everyday

you can't go wrong with a full-monitor display (6.5-inches), especially in the double-DIN design. the interface is clean and text is very readable. i believe that you can pick up the new models from Alpine for around $600, especially with the holidays upcoming. for sure, you can also get the Pioneer AVH-P5700DVD for around that price as well but i'm not sure how its interface looks like for XM, but for iPod it's great.
alpine is touting their full-speed iPod interface. it is indeed useful for song-searching, but navigating menus, selecting songs, and all that feel similar to the Pioneer with a CD-IB100II.

Thanks for the recommendation. I decided to go with the new Alpine IVA-W200. A little more than I initially wanted to spend but I really like the design and function.

Thanks for the recommendation. I decided to go with the new Alpine IVA-W200. A little more than I initially wanted to spend but I really like the design and function.
daaaaayum, that's quite a step up! :D

Hope you enjoy it, so far I love my new 9857 but wish the display was bigger. I do have a Dbl DIN opening but can't afford something like that quite yet. ;\ Hope you enjoy it!

ps- let us know how the animated backgrounds look. The 9857 has about 4 different ones but they look a tad cheap

I'm also looking at upgrading from a factory system to something better. I'm looking at something integrating my iPod and with satellite radio. Normally, when I make any electronics purchases, I spend a lot of time shopping... comparing... researching... etc.

I refer to these boards some, cnet.com, and Consumer Reports. Neither cnet or Consumer Reports really has much for evaluation of car stereo systems. Can someone recommend a site or magazine that offers evaluations and comparisons?

bump

I just bought a alpine 9857. I will let you know what I think once it gets installed next week.

I am looking into getting sirius radio for my VW. I run an alpine 9857. It has 2 lines of text (artist and song title, with Ipod) Does anyone know if it is the same with the sat. radio. I heard somewhere that the sat radio may only have 1 line of text. Anyone know if that is true. Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks.

flints,
it varies on model of HU. i have a kenwood with sirius that only displays one line and i have to choose:artist, song title, composer, sat channel, etc. my friend has a kenwood with 2 lines of text which displays artist and song title along with clock on the side. if you get 2 lines with an ipod, i don't see why it wouldn't give you two with sirius. but, does it really make a difference???