Headrest DVD

Elwood 2000 · December 17, 2006

Been looking at Suburbans and the DVD system is about as important for us as the steering wheel is. I have found some nice Suburbans with pretty decent prices, but some don't have the DVD system.

I have looked at aftermarket roof mounted units online and many of these places have a comment section that people can respond to. While many like them, there are always a few who complain of cheap quality parts, mainly the latch that holds the screen up.

I have started looking into the headrest DVD systems and personally, I like the idea of not having my rear view blocked while driving. Are the units made of quality components? What about the replacement headrest itself? They claim a factory fit and finish and color match. Do they really?

Any and all input is appreciated.

These are the units I am looking at, but am open to all brands if the quality is good.

Thanks!

vizualogic

yukon4wd · December 17, 2006

Definitely the drop down screen affects the rear view, so I tend to just use the outside mirrors when someone is watching a film. I would love Headrest screens, but really you are going to need 4, so its going to be a much bigger project than an overhead. Also I would guess that you would then want to go for 4 separate DVDs, headphones, then I suppose separate games and controllers for each unit. Naah I thing the overhead is ... for now.

Seriously though, I think head rest screens are the way to go. Its not comfortable looking up at the overhead screen. |Though its quite cool watching cars that start to pass you, then slow down and watch the movie instead.

Rik_Pollen · December 17, 2006

Vizualogic makes a really nice product. I haven't sold car stuff in a while but IIRC they actually use factory headrests and modify them with screens. Some even have a DVD player built into the headrest.

Elwood 2000 · December 18, 2006

The one I am looking at has the DVD player in the headrest. I think an external unit takes up too much space and it is worth it to have it all contained in the headrest unit. You can get a single DVD player for both screens or both with DVD players so the kids can watch their own movie. I am leaning toward just the single movie version. They share pretty well, especially when choosing movies for the road.

I talked with my 11 year old son about it and he thinks he would prefer the headrest units over the roof mounted one. He says on a long trip, when you start movie #2, your neck is starting to ache a little from being cranked up and over a bit. My concern with headrest units is glare from the sun. The rear windows are factory tinted, but will it stop the glare from the sun? My kids have a portable DVD player they take now from time to time and sunglare is a concern for them.

Pretty neat the things an 11 year old and an 8 year old will say in regards to something like this!

NorthernNJ · December 18, 2006

My concern with headrest units is glare from the sun. The rear windows are factory tinted, but will it stop the glare from the sun? My kids have a portable DVD player they take now from time to time and sunglare is a concern for them.

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Might try looking for a LCD hood like the ones Hoodman sells for cameras, laptops, etc. These are the things you see the referees looking into during footbacl games when reviewing plays.

Someone may make smaller units that would attach to the headrest.

JeepTherapy · December 20, 2006

Has anyone found the headrest dvd/video things in cloth? I've only found leather & would like to match my cloth interior.

Elwood 2000 · December 22, 2006

Vizualogic makes them in cloth according to their website.

Check them out.

Mike M2 · December 24, 2006

We started using the Avox headrests and have had pretty good luck. They come in both leather and cloth, dual DVD or single. I personally prefer an overhead tho, the people in the third row can't see squat with headrests...

JeepTherapy · December 24, 2006

No worries about the 3rd row here - that's in the pickup bed for me :-)

But on the Vizualogic or the Audiovox headress units - I've seen the cloth ones on the manufacturer's websites, but haven't seen any resellers listing any. Do you know where to actually buy some?

JL

We started using the Avox headrests and have had pretty good luck. They come in both leather and cloth, dual DVD or single. I personally prefer an overhead tho, the people in the third row can't see squat with headrests...

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ShakinLM7 · December 24, 2006

I prefer the overhead flip down to the head rest LCD's myself. I installed 8 inch LCD TFT's in the headrest's of my girlfriends Acura CL. I tinted the window's 5% on the sides, on the rear and 30% on the windshield. I still have a problem with the glare from the sun. You could always' install a Rear View mirror with the built in LCD and a rear view camera if you decided to stay with the Flip down TV. Just depends on your budget.

Mike M2 · December 26, 2006

They may not list them due to popularity, they don't sell many cloths. I would contact a seller that offers leather and see if they'll order them for you. Sorry, we don't sell retail or i'd get you a set...