Clarion CZ209 CD/MP3/WMA Receiver with iPod Control and USB Port

• AM/FM radio, CD, CD-R/RW, MP3/WMA, USB, iPod receiver
• 4 x 50 Watts maximum power with two RCA pre-amp outputs
• Detachable faceplate with white-on-black 8-character display
• Includes front panel auxiliary input, rear USB port, direct iPod control; add Clarion interfaces for Bluetooth, OEM steering wheel remote
• One-year limited warranty

This stereo has made a wonderful replacment/upgrade to the factory CD player in my 2003 Subaru Outback wagon. It was very easy to install, thanks to the friendly staff at Crutchfield who can provide you with a wiring harness.

The standard AM/FM radio isa available, but I honestly never use it these days. The ability to play MP3 CDs is excellent, and I keep one in the stereo with some of our favorites, for days we forget to bring the thumb drive.

The AUX port is a great feature too, for those who have non-iPod MP3 players. iPods can be hooked up directly thru the USB.

It's the USB that makes this unit awesome. The port is on the back of the stereo in the form of a ~18" permanently attached USB cable, with a Type A Female connection on the end (perfect for pluggin in things like Thumb Drives).

We routed our USB cable to a compartment below the stereo that has a flip open door. Simply open the door, puul out the cable, lug in the thumb drive, stuff it back in the compartment, close the door and enjoy.

This stereo will take a few seconds (5-10) to read your MP3 CD / USB drive. Once it does, you are set to go. If you unplug the USB drive, and don't plug any different USB drives in, the next time you plug in that thumb drive, it will pick up playpack right were it left off. Nice feature.

We couldn't play music on our Sansa MP3 Player from the USB connection, but it may be something we are doing wrong. At any rate, thumb drives are cheap and smaller, and multi-purpose.

The stereo will play WMA, MP3, WAV, and possibly others? Those are the three formats I've tossed at it so far.

The display is okay. Easy read, but because it has to scroll the titles and other information across, it feels like you have to keep glancing down to read it as you drive.

Asides from an amazing price and all of the features I needed, this stereo appealed over the slightly more expenisive models in one major area: There are buttons on the head unit to navigate and otherwise manipulate the stereo. Sure it comes with a remote, and sure you lose potential screen space when you start cramming on buttons... BUT, as the person driving the car and using the stereo, you'll want the ability to quickly and easily execute each operation. The idea of a joystick style master knob appeals to my inner-geek, but it'd be too frustrating to operate.

Speaking of operating, this stereo is a breeze. I've yet to look in the manual.

So far I have only one gripe. Last night while driving home, the wife was trying to find a song. The process was: skip to next track. See the 2 second display of the track number, then see the title begin to scroll. About that time you're in about 3 5 seconds and are starting to realize what the song is, and that it's not the one you want. It'd be nice to be able to "browse" the songs and then select one for playing, instead of surfing through them. Maybe if I read the manual I'll find that feature?

All-in-all, this is an amazing unit. I wish I had bought into one of these a couple years ago (although the prices are great now).

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PROS:

The installation went smoothly, no issues there using a Scosche install kit. I am pleased with the CD and mp3 stereo quality. The USB connectivity is a definite plus. Overall the price/value is good.

CONS:

The radio is less that I expected. The reception quality is much less than my 10 year old stock radio, with fewer station options. The radio is an important function to me, so I would not buy this device knowing what I know now.

Read Best Reviews of Clarion CZ209 CD/MP3/WMA Receiver with iPod Control and USB Port Here

the sound quality over my 2005 corolla stock stereo is noticeably much better. also, i won't ever have to burn a CD again because i can put all my music on my USB flash drive. I thought my portable hard drive would work, but although it powers up it doesn't read the files. I think this may be due to security software on it, which is mentioned in the clarion manual. I will try to buy another portable hard drive and delete all the security software on it. Hopefully then it'll read the music. I should probably get an ipod too cuz it has direct ipod functionaltiy built in and it charges the ipod whiel plugged in. cool. go to my xanga (pizzadhut9.xanga dot com) to see detailed installation guide.

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This stereo was easy to install, and works as described. The way that the faceplate is designed makes it a little awkward to attach and detach, but it's manageable. The iPod controls take a little getting used to, and require so many steps to find whatever song/album you're looking for that I really wouldn't recommend doing it while driving. I just keep mine set on shuffle all and it works out fine.

Just had this installed. Clearly noticeable sound improvement over my 12-year-old stock radio. Selected for the same functions as previous reviewer, plus the button layout seemed like it might be a little easier to use than other brands.