Cool - Thanks, guys! Now I need to decide which radio to go with.

 

I like the Alpine but the 149 only offers the USB from the back. the 164 has it up front. just wondering if that is as good a model as the 149?

 

149 has dual from rear and found it handy country on one usb and rock on other. parametric eq was harder for my tinny brain but worked flawlessly with bt controller.

 

how do you gain access to the USBs?

 

Comes with one cable ran cable to cubby hole but I have 14 on yours run cable anywhere convenient know some folks ran cable to front of seat area can buy cables any length. usb on front of deck did not like cause could not run rain cover with usb installed and I ran cover all the time.

 

Ok thanks!

 

I decide to go with the KW 998 in the end. Really wanted that front USB and BT.

 

as was mentioned earlier, what about the diagnostic stuff in the stock HU? Can you access that without the stock HU?

 

Do any of these have front USB that will all charge phone while playing tunes?

 

I know the 998 says the device is charging when connected to USB. I think most USB ports now days will give some amount of charge. 500mah or so.