Customer Reviews

Clarion DUZ385SAT 2-DIN CD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with Rear USB Port, XM Mini-Tuner Direct, Satellite Radio Ready

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this Clarion car stereo as a Christmas gift for my partner. He wanted something simple to use with as few buttons as possible because he is a technophobe. After comparing this to several other double-din models from JVC and others, I decided to go with this since the layout is very simple and easy to understand. I installed it in his 2002 Tacoma pickup (I used to install car stereos professionally and I really would not recommend it for a novice.) The install went very smoothly and the factory brackets for the Tacoma stereo were a perfect match for the Clarion with no modification. After the install was done, I popped in the Josh Groban Christmas CD and I was stunned by the volume and clarity even with the Tacoma's factory speakers. It literally sounded like a cathederal and all of the small nuances and sense of space was amazing. I could not believe it, but the Clarion reproduced the kettle drums and big bass without the need for an extra amp. The bass actually made my pants leg shake and even made different parts of the truck rattle with no subwoofer! If you want to upgrade your factory stereo and you have a double din opening, I would absolutely recommend this stereo to anyone. For less than $200.00 you get a very nice unit that is very easy to understand, has some very nice e.q. settings, a very sensitive radio, and some really incredible sound quality. The unit is also very upgradable if you want to add XM radio, you can, it supports USB and MP3 and has outputs for adding on extra amps or anything else. It also looks quite cool when it is lit up, it has neat blue lights that look very tasteful and high tech. It also has a hookup to the factory dimmer and you can change the contrast of the display to allow for the best view to the driver's seat.

I recently replaced the stock unit in my pontiac vibe with this model. It's one of the best values i could find

pros:
* great radio reception (i'm an NPR fan)
* great CD playback
* aux jack for mp3 player
* plays music off a usb stick (plug in the stick to the extension cable and playback starts automatically... note: the usb cable --included-- plugs into the back of the radio and can be routed to lie in the glove box, out of sight... it is better than a dedicated front mounted usb port: no stick sticking out of radio's front panel to get knocked off)

i coupled this radio with polk db-650 speakers and dynamat pads and wow...

cons:
* the screen has a very reflective surface so if the sun hits it at all, you can't read it... if anyone knows of a compatible anti-glare screen overlay... let me know :). This is worse when the sunroof is open...
* no power button... you have to hold the SRC button to turn on (easy) and off (a bit tricky while driving... if you hold it longer than the couple seconds clarion tells you to... the radio goes off... and back on immediately)

the fact that the unit fills the double height opening in my Vibe's dashboard was a plus too

so based on performance: 5 stars
minus a star for the sreen... that is really bad for a radio sold in 2008

I bought the Clarion a month ago and I am very pleased with it. I took it to someone to have it installed. He installed it in no time and I was off and running. My wife loves the mp3 hook-up. We went on a trip to FL and that is all we listened to comercial free and all the songs we loved. I enjoy the cd player as well.. Good product for a very reasonable price.

I needed a double DIN radio to fit in my 2001 4runner. this one went in like it was factory. Nice sized buttons you can hit while driving also nice to have the USB cable in the glove box for my memory sticks and Ipod.

It came well packed and quickly shipped.

The "Great value... a couple of flaws" review is a great review you should read that.
In addition to what silvainber said... I would like to add that...
(keep in mind I primarily use the USB stick to play my music)

The Rewind Speed is a joke.

While driving, I shouldn't hafta put my finger and hold it down for 5 seconds to rewind 15 seconds of audio.
It is the slowest rewind speed I have encountered, and it was a terribad idea and shows lack of thought with the product.

Also, if the track you are on has played 1 second of music, you will restart the track if you hit the back button. Most players will allow a few seconds of play and still go to the previous song, this just makes it difficult to listen to previous tracks.
I know these seem really minor but these issues were a nonissue with my stock radio... its just annoying...

Again, i use a flash drive as my storage so.. maybe it is only a problem with that function.

4 stars is what it deserves, for the glare reason and the reasons i stated above

If you have a Nissan Pathfinder with the notorious BOSE oem system, this is a great replacement for the head unit. I can't believe how long I went with a broken changer, assuming nothing would be compatible with my system and it's elaborate amplifier/speakers set-up.

FINALLY all my speakers work consistently and with beautiful sound. I love being able to pop in an MP3 CD or connect a USB drive and listen for hours. Do hunt around and find the antenna connector. I got mine from Crutchfields.

The USB doesn't read my older iPod shuffle (no surprise) using an adaptor, nor does it work though the AUX input.

This radio works great with the iPod. It doesn't come with a remote but it can be purchased seperately. The contrils are not intuitive but not complicated either. I installed it in my daughter's Hyundai Santa Fe and she really likes the unit over the OEM radio and it sounds great. Over all I am very satisfied with it.

The sound is awsome from this unit. I installed the unit in a 2008 Honda Element. I thought this would be the first phase with upgraded speakers to follow. The sound improvement is what I was hoping for - without upgraded speakers. The controls are a bit tricky to learn but do offer a wide range of features. Otherwise, I would give this unit 5 stars.

I just recently installed this in my '03 Toyota Matrix. The old 2 din OEM unit was acting up after 6 years of use. There is a small hidden door in front of the shift lever that made a perfect place to route the USB connect to. This is the coolest feature of the Clarion. Works great with a memory stick so don't go out and buy a $300 Ipod 'cause it's just fine with a memory stick.

The sound adjustment is easy and highly customizable.

The one thing I recommend if you're installing this in a GM product is get the adapter plug for the antenna and OEM stereo plug. AutoToys.com has both of these but you can shop around. The plug will make install so much smoother and GM radios have a smaller antenna plug. $40 Extra can make life better. If you're remotely uncomfortable with changing your OEM radio out yourself it will ultimately be better to have in installed professionally.

Overall I'm very impressed with this head unit. My wife wants one for her Edge now!

Easy to install and use. Good sound. The issue with the display being hard to see in bright light is a real one and I live in the tropics so that is most of the time! But I bought it to listen to and not to look at so I am very happy!