Has anyone here used or install the Eclipse AVN726E? I saw a review of it on CNET and it looks sweet. Any drawbacks? Any defects?

Thanks.

 

I used this model for a little while. It is a very simple GUI, almost to simple. The Nav is OK at best and it only has a 3 band EQ. It is a fine unit but there are better out there in that price range. I replaced mine with the Kenwood DNX-9140, you should also check out the Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT (thoes are the two best out atm).

 

I have limited personal exposure to the Eclipse AVN726E (and I realize that you are asking for firsthand opinions), but looking at its features and my experience with other Eclipse products; I cannot see how you could go wrong with this device.

It’s difficult to keep track of navigation suppliers these days because companies are constantly buying each other, but I believe Eclipse’s OEM navigation supplier is TomTom.

Here’s my opinion:

• Eclipse’s motorized ”flip screen” is respected for its reliability compared to other manufacturers (only matched by Kenwood).
  
  
• Eclipse has a good reputation for durability, and even more now because they have replaced the HDD and DVD with flash-memory for navigation. That means you get easy updates using an SD card, and navigation is faster than in previous models (that used DVD and HDD navigation).
  
  
• The screen graphics for the Eclipse are great. The 3D navigation images really look good. Of course there is a trade-off. The Eclipse’s excellent 3D (“Rand McNally-like”) graphics have a significant performance overhead. By comparison, the Kenwood OEM Garmin navigation devices provide noticeably better performance.

I prefer Kenwood for several reasons, but mostly for the OEM Garmin navigation. If I didn’t go Kenwood, I would buy Eclipse.

--Spike

 

Thanks Spike...you're super helpful as always. Kenwood was my first option...but noticed Eclipses were a bit cheaper...plus I hear the screens on the Eclipse are super nice (like the GPS too). I was looking for the dnx8120 for a while but never got one. I hear the successor to the dnx8120 doesn't play divx...which is a deal breaker for me. Would there be some kind of firmware update to break this restriction on the newer model kenwoods?

Thanks.

 

Since I have no affiliation with Kenwood and no inside information, I cannot answer your question: “I hear the successor to the dnx8120 doesn't play divx...which is a deal breaker for me.”

I do understand your concern. If you absolutely need a feature, you don’t want to buy something that doesn’t have it.

Truthfully, I am very biased to the Kenwood KOS System.

• KOS allows installing a remote LCD touch-screen monitor in the upper/forward cubby where it allows complete operation of your entire CES using the remote touch-screen. That means you have a safer and better viewing angle, not to mention the easier operation.
  
• KOS really shows its advantage when running your GPS/navigation.
  
• KOS is modular and scalable, so you can add/connect any device or feature you want.

I’m not a big fan of the all-in-on double-din devices.

• The viewing angle is too low in the Z.
  
• If one part of the all-one-device fails, the entire unit is down.
  
• You are mostly stuck with adding only components from the all-in-one’s manufacturer (there are exceptions, but you are still very limited when adding additional components).
  
• Rotating motorized LCD screens are notoriously prone to failure (albeit, not all-in-one devices use rotating LCD screens).

I will say that if you decide to go with an all-in-one device, Eclipse is a very good choice.

• Eclipse devices enjoy a great reputation for reliability.
  
• The LCD screen graphics on Eclipse devices is just great, and the LCD is razor sharp showing wonderful detail.

Truthfully, if I had to pick an all-in-one device between Eclipse and Kenwood, either would be a good choice.

--Spike

 

Mine plays divx (9140 the successor to the 8120)....

 

^^ That's good info. Thanks for taking time to post this.

--Spike