When we first reviewed the Kenwood DNX7120and the Kenwood DNX5120, we didn’t think we would like it as much as we did. When we checked out the DNX-8120, we loved it. For the most part, the units are identical. But we’ll review some of the common features as well as the unique features of the DNX-8120.

Display
The Kenwood eXcelon DNX-8120 features a large 7” LCD touchscreen monitor that is both bright and attractively stylish. It integrates well into the double DIN space of any vehicle and the unit does feature the ability for users to change the color scheme of the graphics user interface. In contrast to the DNX-5120, the DNX-8120 has one more diagonal inch of advantage. This gives users, and more importantly, drivers the ability to see the navigation map much more clearly as well as allowing movies to be viewed at its full enjoyment with a bigger screen.

Compatibility
This double DIN in-dash receiver is capable of playing a lot of the popular media file formats available today. It plays standard DVDs as well as DVD±R/RW, DivX, VCD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, AAC, MP3, and WMA file formats. This allows for the widest array of compatibility and suitability for any user wanting to use various file formats.

Audio Features
The DNX-8120, just like the 5120 and the 7120 is capable of putting out home theater-like audio. This means that you can fully enjoy true surround sound experience if your speakers are wired correctly. Imagine parking your car next to a beautiful beach watching your favorite movie with your favorite someone! This is exactly what its designed to do, home entertainment on wheels.

Expandability Options
The DNX-8120 has built-in Bluetooth connectivity and is capable of handling hands-free calling while displaying call status as well as caller ID. In addition, the double DIN navigation could receive Satellite Radio (either XM or Sirius), HD Radio, and even NavTraffic! Its built-in USB port could be connected to an iPod and allows for full audio output and control from the in-dash receiver. If you have an iPod video, the unit could use an optional KCA-iP300V adapter for audio and video connectivity into the receiver. The USB port could be used as a source input for all kinds of flash drives and MP3 players. To top it all off, this head unit could receive rear view cameras or any other secondary audio/video source units such as video game consoles or TV tuners.

Navigation Features
The unit’s built-in Garmin GPS navigation holds a 6 million points of interest database. It provides users with turn-by-turn navigation with text to speech technology which allows the DNX-8120 to say actual street names. It also gives drivers the estimated time of arrival, current speed, and distance to next action (turn, merge, etc.)

It has quick-response street names and the display is nice and bright with great contrast and clarity. Thanks to its SiRF STAR III processor, the unit has one of the most accurate GPS technology available on the market. With it, the DNX-8120 is capable of 2 dimensional or 3 dimensional perspective navigation, fast recalculation, and extremely fast navigation refresh rate.

2008 Advances
Kenwood no longer uses 5-line external input systems on their 2008 release products which include the DNX-5120, DNX-7120, and the DNX-8120. Instead, Kenwood has integrated the “Kenwood Advanced Bus” systems, or KAB, which is much like a USB port for an in-dash receiver. The result is faster response from external optional accessory sources and enhanced audio/video quality from those sources.

VS the Pioneer AVIC-D3
The DNX-8120 is truly a magnificent product. With such a wide array of compatibility and audio features, it truly dwarfs the AVIC-D3. The AVIC-D3 does not receive HD Radio nor NavTraffic, which are two key features to have today. Additionally, the DNX-8120 features a built-in navigation instead of AVIC-D3’s DVD-driven navigation system. This means no shuffling for DVD and you could keep your discs playing while you travel. In addition, the AVIC-D3 does not feature built-in Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, which are some features that would win DNX-8120 over the AVIC-D3.

Even the navigation processor is a much better processor and Kenwood DNX-8120 users will experience much less lag and virtually eliminated sluggish performance. However, the AVIC-D3 did not lose the entire battle. Many users have reported that the AVIC-D3 is probably one of the best head units to have for the integrated look consumers have always wanted. The AVIC-D3 blends well with its user-defined color palette and preferences. The AVIC-D3 is also much $300 more affordable than the AVIC-D3, but it does lack HD Radio capabilities (both built-in or externally), built-in Bluetooth technology, NavTraffic, SiRF STAR III navigation processor, 7” LCD touchscreen, and built-in Navigation database (instead of DVD-based).

For roughly around $1300, the Kenwood eXcelon DNX-8120 is a sure winner of in-dash navigation systems of 2008.