Opinions on Aplha Nav AN5650NV

HardTech

Local shop is running a good deal on a Aplha Nav AN5650NV. I dont see too many review on it, also nothing here in the forum.

So whats everyone's opinion on the thing? Unit is going for about ~550 and with install and all that fun stuff its only ~800 bucks. The installer loves this unit, has had no returns or issues in the several months hes been installing them. And the on board controls for the steering wheels controls he said are perfect.

He has Kenwood's, Sony's, and others and he flat out recommended it above all others (due to price and customer service of the company). ~$500 price difference in the installs is mainly because with the other head units it requires a controller for the wheel controls and more man hours.

Any opinion on this thing?

AN5650NV | Aftermarket GPS Navigation | Double Din

HardTech

Anyone think this would be an ok setup. Any worries/issues I should be asking the installer or the company?

NismoZ70

I've always been a little leary of using non-name brands just because the unfamiliarity with the brands it always seemed. That might be why there has been a lack of response on here and reviews on the internet but I could be wrong. This could very well be a very good unit and I really have no idea either way but for me at least who has had quite a few audio systems installed has never heard of Alpha before. I've just always been a big fan of Kenwoods, Pioneers, Eclipses and Alpines. I just installed the Kenwood Excelon DNN990HD and absolutely love it. Hope you find the information you're looking for.

Cbtech

The dealer is probably pushing this model over the other primary name brands (kenwood, pioneer etc) due to Alpha-Nav offering them an incentive ($) to push their product out to market. With that said, it doesn't mean that its not a good product, but they have only been around since 2012 and haven't proven their worth in the marketplace. I would steer away from this unless you got a steep discount due to start up companies not sticking around and you will be left with a $500 paper weight with no support from the manufacture.

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Fountainhead

Personally I wouldn't touch it with a 10 ft pole. Bunch of mainland Chinese guys with an internet store front and a couple of guys that speak broken English for tech support. Nothing worse than trying to get firmware updates for a bugs in a radio that has sold maybe 1000 units, it's not going to happen. They write the firmware once, and sell all they can and hope low returns.

Sounds like a trunk-slammer setup to me. That's how I really feel .

NismoZ70

I would stick with the name brands. You know what you'll get and will have better reliability. Plus you have a Z so put a nice unit in. There's plenty of good units that aren't very expensive, work great and will give you a better piece of mind

kenchan

looks kinda cheap, no? maybe on a dd, not in my Z.

HardTech

Yeah, its just insane how much the difference is. $1300 vs 800. I would love to tackle this my self, but I have never done an audio install, have no tools, and well this looks way more complex than my 01 focus.

NismoZ70

I would also see what other options they have for head units. You mentioned they have some name brands there. I would see what sort of deal you can get.

Cbtech

With all the tutorial that are available on this site and doing it myself it really is an easy simple process.

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kenchan

i wonder which steering remote unit is compatible though.