Kenwood DNX-6140 Thread - Page 4

Things are still going well between my phone and the 6140. I think the replacement phone did it; maybe the previous phone was just tired (and it wasn't even a year old!).

Now that things are all good with the 6140, I'm trying to unload my old 512 and Bluetooth module. I'd post a classified here but I don't have enough posts yet I guess. Though I've had a couple bites locally.

Is that "I am Legend" you've got playing? I'd recognize that GT500...hehe. When he started to lose control of the car, I cringed hoping nothing would happen to it. LOL.

Recently ordered my 6140. It's currently in transit. Also picked up the Kenwood iPod kit as well. It was between this and the Pioneer F90BT, but I kept reading about software problems, slow load times, and consistent rebooting with the Pioneer unit. Checked out this forum and other customer testimonials, and not many serious problems if any, which is great.

But a few quick questions.

Does the Navigation allow for voice input or is it only accessible by the touch screen?

I noticed that the 7140 and up feature a Phone Number Search and Call feature through the Navigation (for POI's etc). Is this feature also available for our system? Maybe through upgrade?

How does everyone like the audio/video quality through CD, DVD, and ipod? Equilizer controls etc?

Most modern vehicles with GPS mount the antenna on the rear shelf under the carpet (I have a Maxima). Is it necessary for me to mount the antenna outside of the car on the body? I prefer not to and would like to know if anyone has tried this yet.

Thanks!!

My GPS antenna is mounted under the dash on a vent pipe. I placed the metal base on first then the antenna with a little glue on the sides to make sure it did not move. I've never had a problem with signal.

You just have to keep in mind that gps works by line of site. If there is anything (mostly metal) that blocks the antenna from a direct view of the satellites it can weaken or prevent the signal. It will usually still work just fine, but if mounted inside the car, there will be angles that you are aimed that will block some of the signals with the roof or body of your car. Go to the Sat signal strength screen and move your antenna around till you find the best position. Then mount your antenna there. Most of the time at the front of your trunk or run the wire around your windshield gasket and put it at the top of the windshield on your roof works well.

Most people don't have this option but I mounted mine in front of my roof rack rails. Since my truck was all apart from a color change paint job, most of the installation was easier because the interior panels were already removed. This allowed me to place my GPS antenna on the roof in front of my roof rack foot for that stealth look. First I installed a urethane paint protection film where the antenna would sit in front of the rail, and then I drilled a hole under the removed foot, ran the antenna wire through and to the head unit. The end cap was then slotted to allow for the wire, a dollop of silicone was squeezed around the wire and hole and the cab replaced.

I mounted mine in the dash as well, as close to the top as possible. Worked out nicely...there's a bracket above the vents that's just big enough to wedge the antenna between. And it's right under the top of the pad, so it isn't too blocked. I do need to get back in there and maybe put a piece of double-sided tape on the antenna just to make sure it doesn't come loose.

My signal strength hasn't been compromised and it all looks pretty stealthy. I'm quite proud of myself.

Next project: get the USB port mounted a little neater in the coin tray.

Daggar: I'm a Ford nut too; I've got a 2003 Mustang GT that the 6140 is in. Wish I could get a 2010 but really don't want a car payment right now. Heh. I've had 3 other Mustangs as well...it's all I've owned since I started driving in '94.

Great info guys. Thanks! I look forward to installing and enjoying this headunit.

I have the DNX-6140. Has anyone got the Auto Zoom feature to work correctly in the Nav unit? It seems like whatever I set it to, (something larger than my current zoom level, something smaller than my current zoom level, auto, etc) I don't notice any change in the zoom level (in or out) at any speed.


The manual is pretty vague and doesn't really explain this feature. Anyone got it working? Can you explain how it's supposed to work / how to set it up right?


Thanks, any help is appreciated.

Thanks Daggar,


Wow. If that's the case, then I had the wrong idea completely. While I was trying to find info on the auto-zoom feature, some other website somewhere mentioned it being speed-related, and made it sound like when you speed up, the map zooms out, and zooms in when you slow down to let you see more detail, etc.

Another thing I was apparently wrong about: I was looking for this feature to work while just in plain old "Map View" mode, and not actually navigating to a destination. From what you are saying, it sounds like it's tied to the navigation functionality. That makes sense, I'll have to play around with it in Nav mode to see how it works.


Thanks for taking the time to answer.

I thought auto-zoom was the closer you were to your destination the more zoomed in (and detailed) the map got. I could be wrong but that's what mine does.

Well my friend and I installed it yesterday. He does radio installations professionally. I'm really liking it. Still trying to figure everything out as it seems like there are endless menus and pages to work through.

A few things I'm currently struggling with.

Bluetooth - I have a Verizon Samsung i760. Kenwood website says my phone is compatible, but if I want to make/receive a call, the phone would connect to the person calling, but nothing would come through the speakers. It would show on the headunit that it is connected. At times, I couldnt hear the person at all, but they could hear me, and other times the bluetooth would completely drop the call after a few seconds. Very annoying. And forget about the bluetooth interrupting the radio or ipod to pick up the phone. It simply wont work.

We've tried my friends phone, and it syncs flawlessly with his.

Also, the voice control option (to dial a phone #) for whatever reason is not available and I can not store any of my contacts on the headunit. These are features that should work with my phone.

According to a few people I called, the microphone reception is incredible. I have it mounted in the gauge cluster right behind the steering wheel. I guess location is key. lol

Navi - still working on it. I play my music at higher levels sometimes, and unfortunately I'm not able to hear the directions. The voice is turned to the highest setting, and i have it set to mute audio while it directs through the front speakers. I'm sure there are more options, but I have to keep searching.

I do like the feature that displays the directions on whatever screen I may be viewing,, however it sometimes blocks out some vital controls which really annoys me. There is an option to completely turn it off, but I would like the option to temporarily close it or minimize it.


The Audio playback sounds splendid, ipod controls on the display are pretty slick, but I do wish I could hold the search button to get to a song instead of frantically pressing/poking the screen.

Other than that, I am greatly enjoying this new headunit!!

Ive noticed this too. But on my end, I think its because I have the detail set on the highest setting. On normal, it was fine with zooming in and out quickly. I may have to turn off the autozoom feature. Not sure I like that setting.

Has anyone added Topo maps to their unit? I have a 4Runner and go off roading and thought it would be cool to have topo maps on a big screen, instead of my little hand helds. Can you switch between multiple maps or does installing another map wipe out the road maps?

I have an LG Dare/VX9700. See my earlier posts if you'd like...basically what it comes down to is that my phone would sporadically connect to the stereo's Bluetooth at first. I had the phone's firmware updated, and it worked a little more consistently. Then it stopped altogether. I took the phone into the store to see if they could undo the update, and they just ended up swapping the phone. Now the Bluetooth connects perfectly every time. I guess the first one's guts were dying.


While I'm listening to music, the button I press to minimize the green box with the directions is the FNC (hard) button. Dunno if that helps you...

From the FJCruisersForums website:

According to my DNX-6140 owners manual, you simply insert the updated map DVD into the DVD drive in the Kenwood and follow the instructions on the screen.

This is the same method used to install customized POI's into the unit: Create a 'Garmin' folder, copy the POI.gpi file created using the Garmn POI Loader to the folder & insert the DVD into the Kenwood & follow the on-screen prompts. Firmware updates are handled in the same manner.


I downloaded the wayponts for various major offroad trails from the FunTreks and used the Garmin POI converter. I put the DVD in the disk drive and it loaded all the trails into the POI. It does not delete your existing POIs but it will delete any custom POIs.

I installed my Wife's DNX-6140 in her 2009 Pontiac Montana SV6 about a month ago. The install went well with the help of a GMOS-01 to interface the DNX-6140 with the Onstar and the chimes that are channeled though the radio speakers. I have the FM Traffic Rx hooked up as well.

I finally got around to trying to connect to the GPS unit. I was successful in connecting to the GPS via the traffic usb port. I updated the GPS using Garmin's WebUpdater software successfully using the traffic USB port. I also went to the site and downloaded the USB drivers and after connecting and disconnecting the USB cable a couple of times the drivers were installed correctly. When the USB cable is connected and the GPS is on two buttons show up at the bottom of the screen. The first button says "Garmin Mode" and the second says "USB Mass Storage". Select the USB button and you can now see the [Drive]:\\Garmin folder in Windows Explorer. I backed up my gmapprom.img map file in "USB Mass Storage" mode and installed the 2010 maps with the Garmin "MapInstall" software via the USB cable in "Garmin" mode!

The only thing left is to get a decent license plate mounted backup camera. Any ideas?

I have it setup to show the current time with and without setting a destination. To set up the GPS as I do complete the following:

Select the GPS and go into the Garmin "Settings" -> "Map" -> "Map Data Fields"

Select "Thin"

For settings with a route set I have:

1. Speed, Heading, Time
2. Elev, ft
3. Next Turn
4. Arrival Distance, Arrival Time

For settings without a route set I have:

1. Speed, Heading, Time
2. Elev, ft
3. Next Turn
4. Address

Hope this helps. There are many options to choose from. A little trial and error should get you what you want.

I have the Kenwood KCA-iP301V connected to my USB input of my 6140. I was wondering if I could use a 2 port mini hub so I could use a flash drive when the IPOD is not in use.

Here are some pics of the install. Came out very good. Looks stock.

Interesting. Thanks for the info. I called Verizon and it sohws that I have the latest Bluetooth update, but not the latest Windows update. However they said the update should not affect the Bluetooth. I will update it anyway soon, then try it.

LOL, I called Kenwood for assistance and they say call Verizon. I called Verizon and they say call Kenwood. WOW. But no big deal. I will figure this out. If not then I will wait till the end of the year so I can update my phone.

Thanks for the FNC button. Works perfectly.

Well i just got mine installed in my 94 trans am and i have an issue, i get no sound to my sub, the rca output for the sub doesnt send any sound to my amp, i know because when i first turned it on i had the rca cables for my components accidentally hooked up to the amp for my sub, so i switched it and now i get power to my speakers but nothing to my sub. Is there a way to adjust this?

Also sucks is that i didnt ground the parking brake wire because i was going to just be using a usb to play video, but it wont play video even from a usb without the brake wired up

LMAO @ that video!!!

Foamy's awesome! Love that vid...probably mostly because I do helpdesk support (for an IT company, fortunately).

"What is your operating system, the system you are operating??" LMAO.