I'd still go with the Alpine.  As bad as everyone says the control interface
is the only functions that are buried are the ones you shouldn't be
adjusting while driving anyway like the time correction and the crossover.
All of the day to day stuff is VERY easy to use.  And don't discount the
Bass Engine Pro functions.  You'd be surprised how much less eq a system
needs when there aren't as many phase issues.

Paul Vina

*laughs*  Yeah, that definitely answers my question.  You've put your
money where your mouth is!  :)

For all practical purposes, the Alpine 9813 and Eclipse 3413 are
basically the same price, the difference being that the Eclipse would
be purchased with a warranty the Alpine without.

Obviously as you look at the two the Alpine has more features than the
Eclipse.  Much larger display, Bass Pro system, etc.  But, most people
say that the Eclipse has better sound quality and an easier to use
user interface.  The Alpine also comes with a remote, though I'd
ultimately be using a PAC-SWI so I'd only need the remote to program
the the PAC-SWI...

Thanks so much for your thoughts.
Mike

PS:
Not sure why I never saw the other posts you guys made 2 days ago,
though I can see them now!

This should answer your question, I bought 2 9815s from Indo Audio on eBay
from my car and my wife's cars.  :)   I don't remember the last time I saw a
bad Alpine out of the box.

Paul Vina

Hey Paul.  I thought I responded to this the other day, but my message
never posted. :(

Anyway, I have a follow-up question for you.  Given that Alpine makes
such good decks was the warranty important to you at all?  I ask
because I found the 9813 for $285 from Etronics, but apparently they
aren't an "authorized" dealer and therefore the warranty would be
void...I'm just wondering how much I should care about that given how
good Alpine HUs are.

Also, anyone know of a place that is an authorized Alpine dealer that
sells them for less than retail?

Thanks!

It's marketing.  If that HU amp really put out enough power to justify a
10ga. power kit than it wouldn't fit a HU to begin with.  I have never, and
will never, wire an Alpine to the battry with a 10ga. kit.  Besides, the
factory B+ lead goes to the battery as well, doesn't it?  Hmmmm.

Paul Vina

*laughs*  Ya know, I was actually counting the buttons on the
different units.  I'd really prefer it have MORE buttons than less.
Should give me more access to things without looking.  I don't mind
complex.  It keeps people from messing with my settings!  Plus, I like
a good challenge.

I'm really most interested in MP3 capabilities and the display, but I
want it to sound good, of course.

The Eclipse 3413 does come with MP3 capabilities, though I haven't
figured out if it will read ID3 tags, which would be a big issue if it
doesn't.  Also, I like the fact that the Alpine will play Play Lists
and you can search for artists, etc.  Pretty nice features, really.  A
friend at work has an Alpine that he got a couple of years ago and it
only shows directory numbers and song numbers instead of text.

Hey Paul, when you hooked up your 9815, did you hook it directly up to
your car battery?  What's up with that?  I read on another thread that
that's how it was supposed to be connected, but others said that
wasn't necessarily true.

Thanks.

I agre with Steve, Eclipse's user interface is a lot simpler on the 55430 I
had but I haven't used either of the new units with DSP so I can't say how
easy they are to use.  After having my 9815 for a coupl eof weeks it's
gotten a LOT easier to use, not nearly as unintuitive as I first thought.
Also, most of the Eclipse units will require the purchase and installation
of the Commander unit to play back MP3s.  If that's a big thing for you look
at the Alpine a bit more.

Paul Vina

I agree with Paul on most of his points. Clarion's HU have been going downhill
in the quality dept. sine the early 1990s, Alpine and Eclipse both offer
superior sound quality to the Clarion, and sound approx. the same as each
other. I personally couldn't get into the Alpine decks only because I didn't
like their user interface. Pick whichever of the two you like using more, I
love my Eclipse deck.

I'd go with Alpine.  I haven't felt Clarion made a solid HU since the
original ProAudio heads in 92 and 93 (like my old 6770) no matter how many
bells and whistles they put in them.  My wife and I both have the 9815
(almost identical to the 9813) and I couldn't recommend them more.  The
Eclipse IMO does not sound any better then the Alpine (I had a 55430) so go
for the Alpine.

Paul Vina

Hey everyone.  I'm trying to decide which deck to put in my car to
replace my stock HU

Primary wants:
*MP3 capability with ID3 translation.

*Decent/Large Display for viewing Text.

*Good sound quality, but not willing to pay for super-high end.  I'd
like to stay around $300 or so.

*Ideally the unit will utilize Play Lists and random-play sub folders.

*I may very well add a sub or replace stock speakers and add amps,
etc, so that flexibility would be nice, but not a priority.  I'd
prefer it to sound solid as it is without needing to add amps.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Alpine, but the feature set of the
Clarion is making me hesitate.  I understand that Eclipse makes great
decks, but, I think I'll be dissapointed in the feature set just to
get a little bit better sound quality, if any.

Thanks for the thoughts.