Alpine CDE-122 Pandora MP3 WMA USB Auxillary Receiver

The unit arrived in appropriate protective packaging and thus excellent condition. Installation instructions are relatively straightforward, though the User Manual does not come in hard-copy (at this time, I believe that few people have computers in their cars or datapads that can read PDF files). The basic installation/user's guide is in hard-copy, though - it was somewhat helpful, showing a color-code chart for the wiring harness that plugs into the unit. Thankfully, there appears to be some sort of standard color-coding for these wires, as the corresponding harness for my car presented the essential wires in the same color and also came with a color-code chart, making installation very easy.I was initially concerned that due to the association of Pandora radio with Apple, any flash drive that I plugged into the USB port would have to be formatted for Apple computers, which I do not use. Happily, the unit accepted a PC/Microsoft-formatted flash drive as normal (playing off of a USB flash drive was one of my main reasons for purchasing this model).Given the lack of a hard-copy User Manual, I figured out flash-drive folder/file organization and search functions after about a half-hour of random fumbling... and I am known to be gifted in figuring out such things, so I am afraid that it will take considerably longer for others to figure out, and some may try to do so while driving...The unit itself functions flawlessly, playing all advertised formats (CD, CD/MP3 and USB/MP3) without issue (I do not have an iPad or iPhone, so I cannot attest to the functionality of the 3/8" audio jack or the iPad/Pandora formats). Given that I installed the unit while away from home on vacation, I have not yet had the chance to program my favorite radio stations, either, though I believe that the installation/user guide gives instructions for doing so.All in all, the Alpine CDE-122 stereo does everything as stated and has provided more or less complete satisfaction. The one remaining question, of course, has to do with lifespan through normal use. My standards are high in this respect - especially given Alpine's reputation - and I will update this review with any issues that may arise.

The quality difference after swapping this one in was night and day. Wow. I listen to anything from heavy distortion rock, to acoustic, to dubstep. My Eclipse had a relatively well equipped system with a Infinity speakers and amp under the passenger seat, but this head unit really showed me how bottle-necked my quality was by the stock head unit. My max volume literally doubled, POSSIBLY tripled as a result of this product. In fact, its supplied more than enough power to damage my stock speakers slightly out my craving for more volume . My entire system is composed of Alpine parts now, including the MRX-100 Amplifier and SWR-12D2 sub. Alpine speakers soon to come as well. This headunit is an excellent building block for a high quality sound system.-Simple Single-din install-Bright led (blue) illumination with optional dimmer wire if preferred. ("if")-loads of customization options:-(-7 - +7) gains for Bass/Mid/Treb-(0 - +15db) sub gain (which you WON'T need)-Charges iPhone/iPod when plugged in (Commuters: never wall-charge again!)- Music Library/Pandora accessibility through iPhone-AUX and USB on front, as well as USB controls.- High and Low pass filters to block higher or lower frequency notes to protect your equipmentOn top of all that, Alpine is a well-established head unit maker, making top of the line products alongside Kenwood and Pioneer. Expect long lasting-quality if properly used. Mine is over a year old without so much as a scratch or decrease in function or performance.

I love this radio. I love having all my mp3s accessible on my usb drive. The sound is great and noticeably better vs the factory radio (07 Toy Corolla). I didn't have a smart phone when I bought this. When I did finally get one thought I opted for an android phone (iPhones are just too expensive for me) By that point I wasnt sure if I needed and iPhone or not to use the Pandora mode. Turns out its an iPhone only thing which kind of bites since 1/3 of the controls are basically useless unless you can access the pandora mode. No biggie, you can still pipe pandora from an android via AUX mode and cable.

About a week ago my alpine radio that I got when I turned 16 and cherished for its entire life went out on me :(, but 5 years later I suppose that's a pretty good run overall. I got this radio and oh wow is the sound quality amazing! As much as I loved my old radio this one is even better! I love the pandora radio function it has to it! If I could make one request, it would have more RCA pre-outs installed. It has one set for subs only, but no speaker amp pre outs. Overall great radio!

This thing has everything from pandora, to usb audio.. Hell, this thing pretty much wipes your ass for you... On my old boss head unit i had to turn it up to 25 to hear it going down the road over my flowmaster exhaust on my v8 dodge... this one puts out so much more power and i only have to have it at 10 going down the road... at 25 theyre distorting because this little thing puts out so much power. and theres so many options that i didnt even know exsisted and ive been in this car audio game for a couple years now.

The only reason I replaced the factory radio was to have a line in port so I could listen to my ipod as I drive. This stereo is great for people like me. If you just casually listen to the radio and want to use the line in port now and again, this is a great option. There aren't a whole lot of other bells and whistles, but that saves me money in the end. I purchased a dash kit and wire harness from Amazon as well making the install really quick and painless.

Very fast shipping, item came well packaged and was in better condition than expected, the metal sleeve and mounting brackets were missing though. Other than that everything was great! Makes such a difference for sound and clarity.

They sent me the deck, but they didnt send the wire harness for some odd reason, i had to buy one on ebay for 7 bucks, but the total price is still better than best buys price