Home > Consumer Reviews > Kenwood DNX5120 6.1-Inch-Wide Double-DIN In-Dash Navigation with USB/iPod Direct Control/DVD Receiver

I bought this Kenwood DNX 5120 Navi system from ApexSuppliers for like $720.-. When I went to have it installed I was told some wires thKenwood DNX5140 6.1-Inch Wide Double-DIN In-Dash Nagivation with USB/iPod Direct Control/DVD Receiverat are required and normally come with these units was not in the box. So I took the box back, and contacted ApexSupplies 4 times, they will not let me return the item claiming that the installer must have taken the wires. But the installers NEVER got to the point of installing since they checked the contents of the box at the counter while I was standing there. Bottom line, DONT do business with APEXSUPPLIERS via Amazon. As a matter of fact, i have lost respect for Amazon too! They dont even deserve 1 star, but there isnt any 'no-star' option.

I still have this in the van but with no GPS. To get it serviced you must and I mean MUST take the unit out and send it in. So the company offers little help just send it and then you will be told what it cost to fix it or IF it is under warranty. I had it installed so they of course will charge to uninstall then reinstall Ugh !! I would have liked for this to have worked for more than a few months. Once the GPS screen went Blue (the day before our big trip!) I tried doing firmware updates and reset stuff but nothing gets the GPS up. So if you want a great unit with no GPS this is it. I gave it two stars only because I paid extra for the iPod cable and love it. I really enjoy putting the iPod in the glove box and controlling it via the unit screen. So I would not buy this unit again and also not happy with company.

I bought the DNX5120 in March 2008 and for the most part have been happy with the exception of three very major issues:

1) When I bought the unit, Kendwood had not yet released the XM satellite connector needed to connect the stereo to the XM antenna...had to wait two months for that. Unfortunately, all of the "Kenwood certified" installers who I spoke to did know that, so when I had it installed it took 4 hours and 2 calls to Kenwood support before we finally found out that the connector had not been released yet. So, when it we released, I had to pay for installation a second time. I still don't understand why release a satellite radio deck and not have all of the components ready. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that their website made no mention of the fact that all of the necessary components were not available in the installation requirements...I read it before I bought the stereo to make sure that this type of thing didn't happen.

2) Kenwood's customer service blows! When dealing with the issue above I never received any returned phone calls or emails. So, when I did not hear back from Kenwood after a couple months of trying and finally having my stereo installed (again!) with all of the necessary components, I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Suddenly, I get a call from Kenwood apologizing profusely and then they send me a bag of Kenwood gear to supposedly make up for the $800 in installation fees I had incurred, but would not agree to a rebate or even a coupon for the additional component that I had to wait for.

3) The software started to get buggy. Just the other day, my wife and I are on our way to meet some friends in a city that we don't know very well and the navigation maps won't load...which means no GPS. So, the next day, I check the Kenwood site and find out that there is a Navigation update that should correct this error. It was supposedly some software glitch that should be taken care of with this firmware update. I follow the insructions, pop the disc in my stereo and let the install run, but it freezes up. I wait for an hour and nothing! The instructions say not to turn off the power during the install or it could cause problems. Great! So I call Kenwood tech support who tells me to reset the system...doesn't work. So the only other alternative I am told is to send it in to get fixed. AAAAAARGH! Now I have had to pay to uninstall the stereo and ship it to Kenwood to get fixed. Oh and the kicker is, I find out that this is a common problem when installing the map updates, but Kenwood wants me to pay for it despite the fact that the whole issue stems from a glitch in their software!

Honestly, I wouldn't waste the time with this stereo. At this point I have not met many people a year out or more who have not had some issue with this unit. I don't I am ever buying Kenwood electronics again. To be quite honest I am considering a class action lawsuit.

Wanted a in-dash gps and this one didn't disapoint!
Dvd player is a great plus.

First, navigation is bad. It cannot find a Costco store in Van Nuys, a Whole Foods in Sherman Oaks and many similar stores that have been there forever. Selecting a "favorite" location takes several clicks, and you have to wait till the unit is completely ready. If you don't sit in your parking space for a whole minute after turning on the engine, this means you are going to make this series of button clicks while driving. Ouch.

Next, media playback. The forward/backward rewind buttons are disabled if you are playing files from a USB or DVD media. You can skip the track, or go to the start of the track. Absolutely unacceptable.

Last, bluetooth. About once a month, the KCA-BT200 unit (required for bluetooth connection) will lose pairing with the phone. You have to watch if it has connected to the phone every time you start the car (not visible from the NAV screen), and reset the connection - again, a long and painful process.