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Received my Eclipse XA4200
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:03 am
by ENVYMYZ
yesterday. Brand new. Damn has their build quality gone downthe crapper in the past 5 years. The adjustment knobs and switched are recessed and crooked, but other than that it "looks" fine. Made in Korea. I hope it works better than it looks.
Eclipse, what the hell happened to you?
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:06 am
by Ryan from Ohio
They were bought out a few years back...
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:06 am
by ENVYMYZ
By who? I know they started selling their products at Circuit City a few years ago. At that point I figured it was the end of the line for Eclipse.
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:32 am
by falkenbd
I believe they stopped selling them at CC now. The only thing I'd probably buy from eclipse now is the CD 7200.
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 11:59 am
by ENVYMYZ
falkenbd wrote:I believe they stopped selling them at CC now. The only thing I'd probably buy from eclipse now is the CD 7200.
I didnt even bother with their newer stuff after my dissapointment with my old 8445 (I believe that's what it was) headunit conking out on me. Twice. Not to mention the design left much to be desired.
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:28 pm
by Tim
You know I hate to say it but just about every one's build quality has went down.
Rockford, alpine, kicker, they have all suffered.
At one time I think alpine was made by eclipse, if I am wrong someone correct me. It has been about 20 years ago that an installer I had in Indiana told me that.
I do however want to note that some new companies ( at least to me) do have good quality these days. The quantums I got from terry seem to be really well built, as do the planet audio comps.
It does seem that some companies have stepped it up a notch or two, I never really liked Blaupunkt, but some of their new units really catch my eye.
As does Panasonic. I guess we take the good with the bad.
tim
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:37 pm
by ENVYMYZ
I am eagerly awaiting CAC's new "Good, Bad and Ugly" list.
HINT, HINT!
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:56 pm
by sinister audio
there is a reason why my eclipse 8442 has been to the repair center 3 times and it will keep going if it breaks (my fault) again. they dont make them like they use to.
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:45 pm
by cargodz
It would seem that a lot of the lesser known (and what some even might consider a lesser name brand) companies have stepped it up a notch to compete in the market while many of the larger brands that have spent years establishing their name are only riding on that.
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:18 pm
by Chris from Washington
Ya Eclipse really needs to step it up, I was going to buy one of their Nav units for the 4runner since they are plug/play with the Toyota factory harness, so all the steering wheel controls will work etc.
But the features on their units are really lacking, the NAV itself is great. But the bluetooth features sucks. You have to buy a module from Parrot, and then you have to stick this thing on your dash that has the answer/hangup buttons on it.
They don't display the phone numbers on the screen no buttons on the unit itself to answer the call. Just that dumb parrot module thing, that looks tacky.
I emailed Eclipse (which took over 5 emails to customer support to finally get a reply), and they said that next year most likely will have caller ID. But I'm not holding my breath, because it was just a rumor there.
So I'll wait til next year and see what comes out. If they don't step it up, I'll get the Pioneer I think. Even tho then I'll have to buy adapter etc, to make it work with the factory stuff.