On paper it is impressive. I read a lot of reviews before deciding on the DNX 890HD, it lasted only a week. The Bluetooth sound was not good and the unit refused to show caller name(just the number) in the unit most of the time. Couple trips back to the dealer and we figured out it wouldn't show the caller name if the number in the phone had () around the area code. Since there was no way(as far as we could figure out) to edit the phone #'s I swapped it for the 990. The Kenwood tech rep, when questioned about the problem, replied "What do you expect? It doesn't have Parrot bluetooth".
So far the 990 has been a big pile of frustration but at least I get caller ID and good bluetooth sound.
Unfortunately, everything that has been said in this thread has been the frustrations we have been experiencing all year as an Excelon dealer.
I feel your pain, after a couple trips back to the dealer I gave up hammering on them, they didn't make the unit and can't fix it. They're great people, no sense busting up a good working relationship over something that's not their fault. I expect some customers aren't as understanding.
My dealer says they don't even mention the Kenwoods when someone comes in for a NAV unit unless they specifically ask(like I did
)
This would have been great to know before dropping the kind of money it took to get the DNN990 and back up camera at my door step. Mine isnt even installed yet and Im wanting nothing to do with it after reading all of this.
What is Kenwood saying or doing about it? They have to react to these types of concerns..
deeppink, I hope you have a 30-day return policy from whoever you bought it from, I'd suggest you send it back unopened. Sorry, probably not what you want to hear.
As far as what Kenwood is saying, not much. I've opened email tickets and called their TS line numerous times, finally got a tech to admit that the random nav resets were a known issue and would be addressed in an upcoming firmware update. This was early September, last Thursday they released v1.4 of the firmware. I'm cautiously hoping I can finally program data into my nav and have it stay there more than a couple of days. TS is hit'n'miss with Kenwood, sometimes you get a rep that actually knows something but most of the time you can tell they're reading from a menu.
Boot time is 43 sec. to music, 53 sec. to nav ready on my unit. One plus, the backup camera comes on immediately.
No text capability on the unit, if you go to their website and do some digging you'll find it actually works with a couple of phones, none of which are currently being made. There are a few more that the unit will beep and let you know you got a message. Any iPhone doesn't do either.
No way to back up or restore nav data or import data from another Garmin unit. TS rep told me that was not an "advertised feature" and would not be considered in any firmware updates. Arrogant little prick, that one. Unit ships with 2013 maps which were available 2 years ago, currently Garmin is at the second issue of 2014 maps. No map updates available from Kenwood.
But the audio is OK, nothing to write home about, but acceptable through stock speakers and the Bluetooth works really well. I've only had the unit drop the iPhone a couple of times in 3+ months so I guess I'm somewhat lucky.
I could go on but afraid this is turning into a rant, apologies in advance. Like I said, no way would I recommend this unit even to someone I didn't like.
Best,
Bill