Off: "Hands off" is "you have to think about it well"

First: This is a revision of my first review.
The had actually led to meaningful feedback and support - and therefore gets the Kenwood now also a better evaluation.
I also warn not so basically it.
But: The Notes to be important, so I'll let the review itself only once available and fill up only the important new facts.

The radio was recommended and installed by an expert.
Without thorough familiarization with the manual goes nothing.

1. Main criticism: Only with the ignition key! (But: There is help!)

The drawbacks are obvious. If the driver leaves the car and the key needs, the occupants sit there without radio.
Due helpful (Thank You) Notes of readers here I am again to the expert. It has now connected differently.
That is why here the awaited by me Update: It also works without key.
Disadvantage: You have the radio definitely and reliably off, or it will run and eats at the battery. But: Switch A device that can get into the habit.
Nevertheless, it probably includes at no dealer the same way, but select the standard installation (bound to ignition).
And: Even when switched off, it consumes in the background a little stream. Not bad if the car is driven every day. But who can stand his car the same for several days (holiday) - the battery could technically have a bad adult.

2. The display!

The second criticism was mentioned here in the forum several times, but I have not taken him seriously. Even so I would like to underline the criticism of the others here again:

The lighting of the display is absolutely inadequate for normal-bright daylight.
If you switch the setup menu "function", the display shows a sufficiently bright light blue (almost white). However, this color is for normal operation not set - they would have to be always readable! But as I said: The only exist in the setting mode "Function".

And of all the many colors of the rainbow is good little, enough to illuminate the diplay in broad daylight.
The two or three shades that could perhaps still just go so, now do not fit into the vehicle design .... (and they also go only so grade!)

So what good is the gimmick of the variegation, if the brightness does not work? Warning why! Really!

Too bad, because the color effects when the device on and off, are already chic. But: Do not be fooled! Of this and not make sophisticated practicality you.

If you look at the device in the shop, the falls do not occur. In the car's then something else.

3. The menu (in theory and practice)

The menu is indeed thought, but not simply - as the Vorkritiker said (I wanted their warnings not so seriously). The manual is short but includes all the essentials really. That's a good thing: I have never had to repeatedly pull a manual to Rate!

There are only 6 station buttons (my old was 10) - which are close together and are - if you do not want to look - hard to distinguish.

For station selection and programming, there are several menu items out, I think that would offer a lot of possible combinations.
These herauszulesen from the manual and adjust in practice, requires a few hours somewhere in a parking lot, where you have good reception and much, much leisure to get familiar with the matter.

Setting the first stations is very simple. Other reception levels we have not yet worked out us.

All keys feel (because they have little emphasis, so that they (se) recognizes blind) to rather sharp - I have therefore still bought me the remote control to do so.
I would recommend, because with it quicker to input a phone number - otherwise this is only possible via Knob confirm each digit.
And work by knob through the menu, which just does not work quickly enough.

The disadvantage of the remote control is also reported already by previous speakers: you really only works when it is directed directly on radio - an attachment such as the handlebar is out (!).
To what extent a remote control corresponds to driver's hand the Road Traffic Act, ought to be examined. I doubt it.

But calls going quite well so far, the voice quality is, so tell me the caller, worse than my 10 year old car phone.

The operation goes to easily (Call History is our method of choice, if it's drum goes to find a number). If you need more details - is that even possible ONLY if the ambient light is not too bright! For contact search or even the direct number input via rotary knob system - I would pull over to devote myself entirely to the display and the selection via rotary switch. And since I could then also unpack my phone ...)

4. Compatibility (weighs less severe than point 1 and 2)

Via USB will not read all the files - I copied from my mac songs to USB - which were not legible. Also warn users and the manual - but I did not believe that it just does not work out then, if one accepts lists from iTunes. (After all, the device is considered to be Apple-optimized). A Audible audio book was unreadable. I will deal again intensively, which was my mistake (it's always the fault of the user) - but that is, I have to invest time. Then it will be already feasible.

Why pairing of iPhones in the workshop lasted well over an hour and has taken a number of employees in the same claim, no one could tell there - one has tried it there with more than one iPhone! Sometime's worked.
If a device is installed, it's quite good but with the call.

Is impractical, you can not individually select each function.
You have to repeatedly click the "Sources": So every time: digital radio, tuner, USB front, rear USB, AUX, BT radio, CD. Over the weeks you have it in the sense of where you are probably degrees, but actually you have this very often look onto the device, because the selection is a bit sluggish).

Remains one for a moment too long at BT Radio (finally you drive the car and occasionally need both hands on the handlebars), the music enabled on the mobile phone itself, even if no music app has been active on the device.
After all, the title of the controlled from Kenwood list be elected - in the parent folder I came not yet.

5. language - only English and Russian.
Of course, we all speak fluent English now so that this in a complex menu of a device with many features as language no problem, right?
You can only choose between the two languages ​​in the menus really!
In the digital transmitter area, there are a selection even with the German language.

6. Positive:

What can I say positive?
The USB port loads very quickly on equipment.
The CD player works well.
The sound is ok
The device looks very classy. (Flap for USB and AUX input is sunk sideways with a slight "snap" - unfortunately for both together)
In bad weather or nighttime driving, the display makes it very, very well.
DAB FM AC works well (with receipt).
Display color selection makes it possible to use the radio very well the other auto adjust lighting (color).
The extra services for iPods work fairly well.

Results after the improvements made by the workshop:
Operability remains a minus, display remains problematic.

It may be that Kenwood is a top provider in terms of "internal equipment technology, but still could be improved so much that I still stay with a moderate score. (There is simply still room for improvement).

But those who appreciate the many features and good sound quality will, does not necessarily a bad buy.

At this point, stood before the request for advice, which I got, so: THANK YOU and all who have this Radio: Have fun, after all. And a good trip!