Customer Reviews

Dual XDVDN8190N AM/FM/DVD Receiver with 7-Inch Motorized, Touch, Navigation,Bluetooth Interface (Black)

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

 

 

I received this as a Christmas gift. Installed the next day. Loved the idea of all the features (DVD, navigation, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth) as this replaced an existing GPS and iPod FM transmitter. Even better was the fact that it looked like a cheap in-dash CD player to potential thieves. All the features worked as expected. The DVD feature is nice for long trips but the built-in screen can't be used while the car is in motion (there's a connection for an external monitor). The navigation feature is nice, but the user interface is a bit 'clunky' in my opinion. The main reason for choosing this unit was the built-in iPod connectivity as I spend about 3 hours commuting daily. The on-screen iPod controls are much easier (and safer) to use than the iPod controls. However, don't expect it to mimic the controls from the iPod exactly. It's great for basic playback but is best used with playlists. Bluetooth phone connectivity is a great feature but the built-in mic makes it difficult for callers to hear you (even sitting still with the engine off). An external clip-on microphone would have been a much better choice and sadly there's no option to add one. Otherwise the phone book and caller display works well. After my initial impressions I would give this unit 4 of 5 stars.

Now for the long-term review...

After using this unit for nearly a year, I'd like to report how I feel about it, what I've experienced, and why I wouldn't recommend this product now.

The DVD feature is nice but I noticed that the unit has a tendency to overheat after a few hours of use. I've read on other sites that adequate ventilation was necessary for this unit. There's a small rear-facing fan that must be clear of any obstructions. I ensured that it wasn't blocked (my 2002 Intrepid has plenty of room behind the head unit). While the 'overheating' didn't affect playing the iPod, the Bluetooth, or the navigation, it did severely affect DVD playback. After about 45 minutes of playing a DVD the video would get blocky and studder, or the sound would cut out, as if the DVD was scratched. I tried several including a couple of brand new discs and had the same issue. Haven't used the DVD in a while now.

The navigation worked well until suddenly it just stopped one day. After getting the 'press here to accept' message I began getting some kind of error indicating that the GPS software couldn't load. On a side note, it appears that this unit uses an embedded version of Windows CE, as the dialog box from the error looked very much (read exactly) like error messages I'd seen before of CE-based devices. I tried restoring the navigation data from the DVD included with the unit but that didn't help. After exchanging e-mail with Dual's technical support I was told that I needed to send the CF card back and they'd check it. Would've been easier if they'd included the application software on the DVD instead of just the navigation data so that I could try a different card myself. Still haven't sent the card in but guess I will have to if I want my navigation back.

The main reason I wanted this unit was for the iPod connectivity. It works OK but the on-screen user interface is buggy. For whatever reason, when using my iPod Video and the on-screen pause, it locks the head unit up. For example, if you press pause while playing a song, the unit will pause the song but I can't resume it. I have to switch to the radio tuner and then back again to get it to play. And it skips to the next song, it doesn't resume the song I was listening to. I don't have these problems with my iPod Nano. Since I use it to listen to audiobooks and podcasts I don't pause that much. I've learned to use the mode button to switch to the tuner if I need to pause the audio. As I have the audiobook feature turned on on the iPod, it resumes where I left off when I switch back to it.

My biggest complaint, though, is when shutting off the car. If the radio, or iPod, is playing when I turn off the ignition there's no audio when I re-start the car! If I turn off the radio before shutting the car off this isn't a problem. To get audio back, I have to turn the radio off and back on again. And, no, it's not a wiring problem (I've checked and had it checked by a professional).

As I noted earlier, it appears this unit is running an embedded version of Windows CE. Dual has promised updates on their website since I bought the unit but as of this writing they haven't made updates available. I can only hope that sometime soon they will update the software and fix what is otherwise a great product for the price. Until they do, however, I'm sticking by my 2 star rating.

I have to totally agree with EduTech's review. I'm having the same problems from the DVD's skipping after 45 minutes of use or so, to the GPS that just quit working all of a sudden.

This is a huge disappointment because I loved this player at first. It has tons of great features at a fraction of the price of comparable models. My warranty is up in January so I will have to send it back for repairs before it runs out (I have been putting it off as I don't want to do without music for several weeks).

I hope Dual can fix the bugs because this player has so much potential.

Much like others i have had issues with this dead, i mean head unit.
Ipod shows its playing 1 song on screen and its playing something totally different, my dvd hardly works at ALL, some as soon as i put them in they get all pixellated, and most annoying ls the NAV system, total junk.
Like everyone else, it all worked great in the start, then one day the screen would come out but not go UP.
So i called and they said hit the reset, and that fixed it
Well a few weeks later the nav was taking AGES to update.
Then every time i used it it got worse and worse till finally it just stopped working, apparently i have been in Beverly Hills for the past 2 weeks now and have not moved an inch.
If i am even lucky enough to get Dual on the phone, they have nothing to offer, well i can always mail it in, pay to have it removed, pay to ship it (insure it) pay to have it sent back to me, pay to have it re installed.
Dayum, maybe i should buy a DIFFERENT unit for all of this out of pocket hassle?
My suggestion, buy something else.
At least the bluetooth is still working and i need that by law in Cali.

While the mechanic was installing it, it would barely fit into the assembly...

CONS:
The touch interface is very bad, for it to recognize what you touched you need to press the screen with moderate force.
The GPS voice will often fade out while in use.
The GPS says to continue on the highway when going under a bridge.
GPS Voice isn't customizable.
GPS Addresses are out of date and are a hastle to update.
The music cuts off when the volume is turned above 20
Hard to tune to individual station channels.

PROS:
Mostly good GPS allways excelent signal, very acurate.
GPS voice is friendly.
Descent interface.

I BOUGHT THIS ITEM ONE WEEK AGO BUT THE GPS MAP FOR IT IS OLD & I CAN NOT REPLACED IT,SO IF YOU BUY THIS ITEM YOU HAVE TO BUY THE SD CARD FOR $94

i purchased this unit for the navigation that most less expensive units did not offer for my conversion van and it went in with no problems thou i did have a shop do the installation. the radio is great and so is all other components and most of my friends that have heard or seen it thinks is great for for the dollar value. i am so thrilled with this dual radio and all its other features that i don't drive my second auto which came with a nav unit built in,so now when i have to wait for any length of time i can also watch a movie. so to anyone looking to enhance their audio in any vehicle this is the smart way to go, i have only had this for just a few weeks and i expect to have endless enjoyment.

michael