You can go here to update your maps. They have a lifetime download you can get for $120 and burn to a disc.

http://www8.garmin.com/updatemaps/

I will take pics and notes of my install.

 

From looking at the Garmin site, the only option for the Kenwood unit is to buy the one time update on CD directly from Garmin. The free update or lifetime updates appear to be only for the Garmin nuvi or Zumo series devices. The Kenwood update doesn't appear to be available for download either. I'm going to call Garmin Monday and ask them.

I have a Zumo on my motorcycle and am going to order the lifetime update for it. They are also available from other sources for less money than direct from Garmin. None of these options are available for the Kenwood units.

That aside, I'm still very happy with my purchase.

Jim

 

you should have went with the jvc kw-nx7000 would have had everythign and been extremely happy and saved time and money

 

I paid $100 less for my Kenwood unit than I would have for the JVC. I like the look of the Kenwood better anyway. The JVC does not have bluetooth built in, I would have had to buy a module for that. The Kenwood has it built in. The only thing I would have gained is a detachable faceplate (not a big deal for me, I never bothered with detaching mine when I had them on other CD playaers) and an SD slot (Also a trivial thing) but it would have lost bluetooth and cost me $100 more.

For $30 more than the JVC I bought a Sirius tuner, iPod cable, and mounting hardware. I did LOTS of research and it turns out that the DNX-6140 was as close to what I wanted as I was going to get without spending over $1200 on a unit.

Also, it looks like the JVC unit was discontinued? Crutchfield said they had an "in stock alternative" which was the KW-NX7000BT. It is $1000 on their site, http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_1....html?tp=20212.

Same price at Amazon.

How exactly would I have saved money? Not sure how it would have saved me time either?

 

they have that one i said on ebay for 565 and also i believe i saw u have to update ur maps? the jvc one u dont have to udate for a long while cuz it linked to the garmin sat or soemthign or other but i think mine has blue tooth built im pretty sure cuz i wouldnt have gottin it with out cuz i didnt wanna listen tot the ol lady b!tch lol

 

i never by form crutchfield any more i use nextag.com to find lowest prices and see when the prices go up or down on products ur lookin for it a great website it shows u prices everywere so u know what prices are were

 

Yes, a used one. If you are okay with used that is great. The unit itself does not come with bluetooth, you have to buy a module. A seller (for $600) on ebay is including that module with it. I wanted new and a unit that was still in production so that support from the manufacturer if needed would still be there.

Maps are not up-datable over the air as far as I know. Map data is very large and I highly doubt you are getting "free" updates. No GPS provider would be silly enough to give away free what people will pay for. The Kenwood unit also uses a Garmin GPS so that isn't a big deal there either.

I never said that I had to update my maps out of the box, I just wanted to be sure it was easy to update so in a couple years I can update them.

I didn't buy my gear from Crutfield. I wanted to because they are so helpful and the support is great but the cost was just too high.

 

Like CrashTECH, the Kenwood 6140 is exactly what I wanted including having a real volume ****. I have two other Garmin products and their support is top notch. Updating maps via CD is just as easy as an SD card, just a bigger package.

I know others with different brand nav units and it is a big deal to even get updates and they live with out of date maps for years. After having my 6140 for a couple weeks now, I am convinced I made the best choice available for me.

I keep searching for things I don't like and the only minor one I can find is the lack of a clock display when showing the full nav screen. My favorite feature is the HD radio option I added. I bought the latest model (300 as opposed to the 200) from an eBay seller for $99 and it works great.

 

Is there a place where you can find out what HD stations are available? Since I have satellite radio I haven't used normal terrestrial radio for a long time.

 

I called Garmin today and there is no free map update available for the 6140 no matter when or where you bought it. You might want to tell Crutchfield that.

They also do not offer the lifetime updates for it. You have to order the update CD directly from Garmin, the only choice.