NEEDAZ

ATTN: Alpine HU owners.
If you have a CDA-9853 or a CDA-9855 with the glide control there is a modification that NEEDS to be done to ensure proper operation of the controls. This is not a safety thing so no re-call. This means if this modification is NOT done BEFORE the end of the warranty, you will have to pay for it.
This doesn’t effect all the units. You’ll need to check the bottom of the unit for the serial number.

If you have a unit with a serial number in the ranges below SEND IT IN FOR SERVICE. Even if it’s working now, just say it has a problem with intermittent operation of the controls and Alpine told you to sent the unit in for a modification (just for clarification, I’m NOT Alpine, just what you should say). This WILL give you problems down the road. Get it done under warranty.

Serial number range.
CDA-9853: 50110001 to 50426070
CDA-9855: 50210001 to 50422370

Both models will have serial numbers that start with ‘S’, just pay attention to the numbers. If your unit has a serial number higher then what is listed you got the modification at the factory, and do NOT send it in. Some shops will charge to look at units that don’t really have a problem.

As always, use only Alpine authorized service centers. They should all know what is up with these units.

ScrapMaker

I've heard that even if that damn glide-control works... it's A PITA...

plus is looks fugly.

in my opinion...

hey what's up with that new alpine IVA-D300?? somehow the 7" Touchscreen LCD has Tactile feedback! I guess it has like vibrating motors and stuff? It claims that if you hit the screen where a button is allocated, you can 'feel' that you've pushed it... if you don't hit a button, it feels different... weird, huh? Sounds awesome, plus something that you would want to make sure you get a 4-year service plan.

thanks for the info though, just ensures that no one would ever buy one of those glidetouch units.

NEEDAZ

Once the Mod is done to the 9853/9855 the reliability will be where it should be, but it's still clumsy to use the thing. I'm hoping they correct some of how the controls function next year.

The IVA-D300 uses something like piezoelectric elements in the screens sensor to both sense contact and give 'that' point on the screen the ability to 'move'. When a particular portion of the screen is pressed it produces a small voltage, conversely when a small voltage is given to that point the screen itself will deflect. So it's actually a point on the screen that moves to give you that tactile feedback. Cool stuff, but haven't played with one other then a quick 2 second 'show and tell'. Need more time to tell if I like it or not, my gut says 'not'...

NEEDAZ

Oh crap, new TSB on these and the 9851, new version of the clutch for the faceplate drive. If you have a 9851/9853/9855 that has interment faceplate opening, send it in before the warranty is up.

Alpine's Sooo good lately.

ScrapMaker

so the screen actually magnettically deflects or something to that nature when you push on it? I wish some store around here had it so I could mess with it... sounds interesting.

NEEDAZ

Not magnetic, but I think you've got the idea. They say 'it touches you back'.

ScrapMaker

wicked... I though it was just one pager motor in the middle of the lcd screen that provided some tactile feedback, such as an xbox controller.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

This year's alpine looks like it's almost all total junk. The 9853 and 9855 are the only decks that didn't get raped of all their features for the sake of lower prices at Best Buy, and even the 9853 got raped of 4 volt pre-outs.

Alpine has gone into the crapper for the sake of Best Buy sales.

Just as I was ready to buy a new head unit, they turned into crap. Because their stuff has turned to crap so quickly, their used 2004 stuff is selling for way more than it should on Ebay. I'm going to wind up buying a used 9833 for more than a new 9853.

NEEDAZ

The 9833 and 9835 are great HUs. I have to think something is going on at the Alpine HQ. Like a all new engineers or something. It's all change SO fast. The F1 stuff is still top of notch stuff, but there has to be more going on then just the switch to BBY. Its not that CC was all that great.

ScrapMaker

well it's obvious there is a new trend for lower-priced stereo equipment... EVERYWHERE you look, it's hard to find a headunit over $399... what the hell!? why would pioneer DOWNGRADE their product line from the 8600mp to the 80mp? it makes no sense to me. Apparently, however, no one was buying the $450 8600's...

what gives?

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

what I've heard through the rumor mill (i.e. nothing I can verify) is that Alpine has begun outsourcing head unit production to offshore companies. For all I know, they might come off the same assembly line as the Dual head units.

ScrapMaker

you make me want to cry

NEEDAZ

I'll ask next time I have them on the line telling them there stuff is crap.

Mongoose

iTrader: (2)

After reading all this it makes me want to reconsider a planned upgrade.

Derek The Great

I was also disturbed when i heard about the 05 models... it was just a big shock that was too big for me to comprehend immediately. back in '04 i bought a cda 9831 for my grand am, and later planned on buyin the 9835 for my firebird if i couldnt locate a factory cd player... well early this year i was loaded with 550 smackers when i walked into the door at car tunes to pick up my 9835 only to b presented with the new version, 9855, it was cheaper, and it was because it lost the power of the 04 model, picked up even worse features (glide touch) and lost its 4v preout well i walked out of there with 550 bucks still in my pocket because i wasnt going to settle for second rate ****e muslim crap. Soon i pestered my friend to sell his '35 to me and i eventually got it Its just a bummer to think that alpine is turning to garbage, and before these new models i thought of them as the top of the heap...

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

The 9855 does have 4 volt pre-outs. The 9855 is basically identical to the 9835 except for the glide touch, and maybe the power rating, which doesn't matter because nobody spending $500 on a head unit is powering speakers with it anyway. Oh yeah, and the fact that the 55 is an unreliable piece of crap.