Just thought I’d do a little write up on what I think about the Eclipse AVN5435 headunit. I only had it for a week so here is my impression of it so far. First, here’s a little background on the unit.
- 6.5” touch screen display
- Double DIN size
- DVD Navigation
- DVD Video playback
- CD Audio playback
- MP3 Audio playback
- 3 sets of preamp outputs (front, rear, sub)
- 1 video out
- 1 audio and video in
- Sirius ready
- HD radio ready


I’m going to list the pros and cons of each of the main features of the unit.
DVD Navigation
Pros
- Good accuracy
- Display is easy to read and understand
- Menus respond quickly
- Route calculations are fast
- Voice guidance is clear and easy to understand
Cons
- Learning curve is quite steep. May have to read manual a few times.
- No voice activation

DVD Video Playback
Pros
- Good clarity with little or no ghosting
- Plays backup DVDs on DVD+Rs and DVD-Rs just fine
- Continues where movie was left off
- Easy to bypass the parking brake security

Cons
- Pressing Play Movie in the movie menu does not play but instead brings up the controls and you have to press play button again to start playing.
- Colors seem a little washed out
- Wide screen movies still show black bars on top and bottom
- No other video format supported

CD Audio Playback
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- CD Text capable

Cons
- Does not show list of songs on the CD like with a MP3 disc

MP3 Playback
Pros
- Ability to show info for single song or show titles for all songs in a folder
- ID3 Tag capable
- Sound quality is good but not as CD

Cons
- Slow response time when changing songs, folders
- Limited to 128 bit rate for MP3s
- Does not support MP3s burned onto DVDs
-

 

any pics???...i am looking for the same unit

 

Is there a set of picture controls, i.e. brightness, color, tint, sharpness, etc. like on a TV?
Are they washed out in daytime, nighttime, or both?

(I'm going to be getting the updated version of this unit in a couple of months, 5500/6600 I think...)

 

color washed out...easy fix...change your brightness and contrast settings


[sarcasm] manuals? what are those? [/sarcasm]

No other video format supported...are you referring to .mpeg or .avi?

yes to get videos to play isn't as idiot proof as licking an envelope but it's not a huge ordeal. once you're used to it it's not a big deal.

No voice activation for navigation...have you ever tried to make a call using OnStar?....I rest my case....

the more i look at our product literature for the 6600 the more I want it

 

I'm not really in the market for one of those, but that's some good info.

The thing that caught my eye is the limitation of the MP3 bitrate at 128. Is that typical of most aftermarket car stereos with MP3 capabilities? I figure it would be at least 192...

 

This is a great unit and I love it. All the cons are just minor things and does not get in the way of enjoying it. I'm just trying to be honest here so that someone who is considering getting the same unit would see it's strong points and some of its weaker ones. Even though it does have a few minor weak points I would still strongly recommend it.

 

Well this unit didn't say it won't play any mp3 over 128 but it did say it doesn't support them over 128. Anything over and there is possibility of the music skipping.

My last 2 headunits supported up to 320 and with variable bit rate.

 

post some pics, after you get it installed!

 

Thanks for the info, very helpful in my decision on the eclipse and and Avic-N2, very interested in seeing some pics.