So i just bought my xterra and the radio is already broken so im looking to gt a new head unit. i would like to see the set up some of you guys have. im looking to spend no more then $500 but the cheaper the better since i pretty much broke the bank buying the thing

Guess it depends what you want out of your H/U

pretty much just radio cd and to be able to play an ipod. nothing too fancy

I just installed the Pioneer Premier DEH-P710BT earlier this year. I really like it. It has two back USB ports so I have iPod for one and ran the other to the unused cigarette lighter socket for a USB stick. Pretty easy install too.

It also has blue-tooth which was an necessary option for me.

Well, I'm personally buying this Kenwood within the next month or two. I like it because its a good solid H/U, good sound out of it, I like the options it offers and I like the near OEM look. You can find this for ~$200

Kenwood DPX503
http://images.sonicelectronix.com/images/227779/big/dpx503.jpg

I also serisouly thought about this Alpine. Its a little more flashy, and sonic electronix will ship it to you for $260. Looks like its ready to go with your ipod too.

Alpine IXA-W404
http://images.sonicelectronix.com/images/297619/big/ixaw404.jpg

Both of these are well within your limit. Any brands you favor?

i dont really have any brand that i prefer more than another but i would like to stick to the quality brands such as pioneer alpine and kenwood like that. i like both of those ill look into them thanks.

Pioneer has good units, as does Kenwood. Honestly, in my professional opinion I'd stick to one of those two over an Alpine unit depending on what you're looking for.

Alpine is *just now* adding USB jacks that support iPods. A lot of the models still require a separate iPod cable with it's own plug even though they have a USB port built in the rear or on the face. the CDE-100 is actually a re-badged Panasonic (don't believe me? Just look at the cage and the plug... and also the Alpine rep confirmed my suspicions).

Are you looking for a Nav unit, an AV unit, or a CD player? Single DIN or Double DIN?

For the standard audio system this kit will fit either single or double din:
Metra 99-7581
Harness:
Metra 70-7550
Antena adaptor:
Metra 40-NI10

If you have the Rockford System the harness you need instead of the 70-7550 is the 70-7551. The 7551 uses the RCA outputs from the aftermarket radio instead of the speaker lines. This provides the low level signal the Rockford amp is looking for, instead of the higher level speaker outputs. Could you use the 7550? Yes, but your volume would go as follows for say a Pioneer: 1 on dial, quite, 2 on dial, you can hear it, 3 on dial, man it's getting loud, 4 on dial, I THINK THE SPEAKERS MAY BLOW!. If you use the 7551 you get the normal range, up to around 40 before it gets really really loud.

If you have the steering wheel controls, both PAC and Metra carry the interface that will connect the factory steering wheel control wire to the aftermarket radio. Most Pioneers, Kenwoods, and Alpines have a head phone looking jack in the back the SWC interface plugs in to. Typically anything but the lowest end radios support it.

no nav or av just a cd player and ipod hook up. a double din would be better i dont like the look of the single din. and i dont have the frosgate just the standard radio