Review by Peter Sarantos for ECLIPSE AVN726E – Navigation system with DVD player, LCD monitor, digital player and radio
Rating:
After extensive research into the best GPS double-DIN unit for my F150, I narrowed the search to the Kenwood DNX9140 and the Eclipse AVN726E. I had the AVN5500 in my old car, so I was aware of the numerous strengths and weaknesses of the Eclipse product. Truth be told, I’m not a huge fan of the 5500. The video integration is great, but it leaves a LOT to be desired with regards to the GPS and iPod playback. Ergo, I was open to the AVN726E, but extremely skeptical after my previous disappointment. After reading the specs on the new unit, though, I was convinced that the 726E was exactly what I was looking for! (It should be noted that I never actually messed around with the DNX9140. It was another late-model high-end double-DIN that got equally great reviews, but I settled on the 726E after learning about the product improvements).

The following is a laundry list of reasons why I am so satisfied with this new unit (in no particular order):

1) Navigation is now a hard drive-driven application. In the 5500, a map DVD was necessary. The hard drive format works much better. First off, it is much faster to load and seems more efficient. Additionally, I don’t have to worry about scratching or losing the disc (a $300 replacement). Updates to the map are performed via SD card behind the faceplate. Lastly, I now have the ability to keep a movie in the DVD slot while using the GPS.

2) The GPS is a bajillion times better in the 726E. For such a high-end product, the 5500 had some glaringly obvious flaws in the GPS platform. For instance, you weren’t able to search by zip code and POI look-up was atrocious. You couldn’t perform a blind search of restaurants or gas stations. Instead, you had to input the specific name of the POI and the unit would then find the closest match. It was ridiculous. The 726E has made vast improvements in this regard. Zip code search is quick and easy. The POI search is also great. It’s similar to the Yelp application on my iPhone (without user reviews). I can find all of the closest restaurants, gas stations, etc in seconds. It plots them on the map close to me, close to my destination, or along my route. Phone numbers are also given. It’s fantastic.

3) The GPS options are another great feature. You can choose to view the map in 2D (classic format, above-view) or in 3D. In 3D, the user can adjust the road view for a variety of angles (it looks like the default angle is around 45 degrees downward). The map will show buildings along your route in a realistic silhouette. It seems pretty cool, but I opted for 2D simply because I’m so used to it. You can also change the voice to one of 4 or 5 pre-set choices.

4) The iPod integration is unreal (with the use of IPC-709 iPod cable- $30). I use my iPhone for virtually everything media-related in the 726E. The iPhone recommends going into Airplane Mode to reduce interference, but I can’t notice any discernible drop in quality (it’s important to me to have access to incoming calls). Once connected, all functions of the phone are accessible through the head unit. You can search and play by artist, album, genre, playlist, etc. It’s so great! Additionally, all of the video I have on my phone shows up beautifully on the 7″ screen. Moreover, once connected, the system actually charges the iPhone! I couldn’t be more thrilled.

A few negative features I read in online user reviews and my opinions:

1) “You can’t adjust display output.” UNTRUE! You simply need to hold down the AV button to access the video settings.

2) “You can’t adjust the GPS voice; it’s too quiet.” UNTRUE! You can adjust the volume quite easily. Everything is accessible via the touch screen. I will say, though, that the navigation unit will take a little getting used to. It’s not completely intuitive, and the trillion features complicate things a tad.

There are other minor improvements and options in the 726E, but these are the main reasons I’m so ecstatic with my purchase. All of the gripes I had with the 5500 have been thoroughly resolved. I couldn’t be more happy with my purchase.

*If it’s of interest, I also outfitted the set-up with the back-up camera and the Sirius tuner (you need BOTH the ECL-SC1 and the SCC1 to enable Sirius. That kind of sucks, but there you have it.) I’m in love with this set-up.

Review by Shuterbug for ECLIPSE AVN726E – Navigation system with DVD player, LCD monitor, digital player and radio
Rating:
What I like most about this unit is that it had the largest screen to fill up my dash, however, that came at a price – because the screen also covers the disc slot – which means the screen has to articulate out of the way – and in my installation I have a gear shift lever that has to be in drive – otherwise the screen smashes into it. As far as features – it is like most the other high end units – IE they all have bells and whistles – and I agree with the other post that the memory resident MAps are the way to go to reduce latency. However, what is really scary about this unit is that Eclipse has just announced that they are exiting the aftermarket. So where that leaves you with a unit with already rediculously expensive $300+ Map DVDs ?How long is eclipse committed to supporting this ? Im selling mine on ebay while they are still in demand & going for the tried and true Kenwood that uses the cheapo Garmin map disks .. The other reason Im bailing on this unit is because of the gearshift collision possibility ..

Review by Steveaz for ECLIPSE AVN726E – Navigation system with DVD player, LCD monitor, digital player and radio
Rating:
Price might be the first thing you may notice about this AVN (Audio, Video, Navigation) unit. At $1299 from most stores, I bought mine at about half that price (which varied on an almost daily basis). So, as I say, first things first, carry out a price watch on this item IF you decide it’s the one for you.

As a device; I have to say that the audio is very good. I might have stated that better but I am not an audiophile but a few friends of mine have also commented of the quality of the audio.

Talking of audio: one of the rarely-mentioned features is the ability to set the base audio level for each of the outputs; DVD, SD card, USB, Radio, etc, etc. This is a really useful item and avoids switching from DVD to radio without blasting your ears off before you can adjust the volume setting.

The Bluetooth cell phone and supplied mike are incredible. I have never heard anything like it from such a device. My wife (most frequent of my callers), has commented saying that, from her car to mine, it made me sound like I was in the next room. I experienced the same with reception from her.

The radio reception is very good – what more is there to say about that?

DVD plays very good too and picture and sound are very acceptable. There are some hang ups with getting the thing to auto play, however, and some disks start OK while others require you to get inventive. There seems to be no rhyme nor reason for this.

The manual (and I’ll come back to that) states that you are required to remove all USB and auxiliary equipment, and re-connect, each time you start/stop the device. I have found this unnecessary except for video input.

Now for the navigation. First, the maps are two years out of date and, unlike most regular nav devices, it looks like they do not renew the maps any more frequent than two years at a time. I personally would argue that it is more like 3 to 4 years (My place of work was not yet on the maps although it has been in existence for three years).

To say the nav is “different” could simply because I am used to Garmin devices, but there are no street names announced (something I have become accustomed to) and setting addresses and, especially intersection, is burdensome.

I have contacted the makers regarding map updates and eventually got the reply that they hope to have map updates this April which will be available through “your dealers”. I wrote back stating that, historically, the first update is free if the old database is so far out of date. I have yet to receive an answer.

While talking about the nav, I must admit that I have found it to be accurate with directions but, on the freeway, the lack of spoken or written exit numbers caused me to miss a turn off now and then but it has corrected itself quickly thereafter – too late when you are already halfway down the exit ramp!

My passengers are always amused when the unit speaks and ‘chastises’ me for exceeding the speed limit – which can be turned on or off or set for ‘x’ number of mph over (or under) the limit, which it recognises on most principal streets.

The manual, which is available only online, is, well, strange. There is no index! and this is crucial for a complicated device. I had to read every page online (unless you want to print out a non-indexed 154 page document) to find a single mention regarding map updates – and it doesn’t flow like manuals as I, as an English-speaker, am accustomed to. Its more like a disjointed flow chart.

A good buy? Certainly at the price I paid but I wouldn’t want to pay full price, extended warranties or not. I really like my device but for exacting navigation, I would recommend buying a dedicated device (so now I have the Eclipse AVN and a separate nav device).

I have only given three stars because I have deducted a very reasonable one point for the lacking nav department (it could easily change to more deductions if the NECESSARY update costs and arm and a leg) and I deducted another point for the extensive but generally difficult to navigate manual. Sounds like navigation is this device’s downfall, doesn’t it!

I would be happy to answer any questions readers might have on anything I have not covered.