Eclipse (Fujitsu Ten) 5442

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $199.00 from Audio Concepts Alask

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 CD5442

Summary:
Initially because I had been out of the stereo "scene" for quite some time I was pretty surprised when I was told I couldn't add an amp to my existing CD changer in my King Ranch pickup because it didn't have the proper connections. The retailer took the time to explain a few things to me and I selected the CD5442, a Rockford Punch 301X and 2 pairs of Alpines. As it turns out I went with another installer because the retailer charges for everything including the electrical tape whereas the other dealer includes all of the kits and wires into his installation quote. After the install was complete I was disappointed because it sounded "tinny" with no real bottom end but after going back and allowing the tech to tweak the amp and receiver to my taste I am extremely pleased with my system! I've spent some additional time tweaking the settings on my own and programming the security functions and they seem pretty straightforward. I was however unable to detect the security LED in the relative darkness and when I called the tech support with Eclipse he told me that it would have to be very dark and I would have to look through the volume control knob and I might be able to see it flash intermittently. He explained that they purposely built it that way so as not to attract attention. Since I have a viper system and it has a bright blue LED I didn't think it would cause any problems there! I also have taken it off road and have hit some pretty hard bumbs but haven't missed a beat, that's right! with these newer units there's no skipping. I also burned my own CD's specifically for this system to take advantage of the new clarity and bass and they play equally as well as commercial CD's.

Strengths:
Great sound Lots of power ease of use easy to program easy to operate remote NO SKIPPING!!!!!!!!!!! CDR's & Commercial CD's

Weaknesses:
I'm not too hip on the "faint" security light explanation. The support person failed to convince me that it was justified, I mean if you're going to bother with having a light to advise that it's secured, you might as well warn everybody right?

Similar Products Used:
I've had sony's and aplines a few years ago and an incredible nakamichi system back in the day.

Price Paid:  $480.00 from Tweeter

Year / Model Reviewed:
 5442/2001 model

Summary:
Ok, first and formost, you won't find a better sounding CD player for the price. All the bells and whistles that Sony and Alpine are great but remember what you're buying, A STEREO! If you want to hear music the way is was meant to sound buy this unit. If you want the inside of your car to look like daytime at night because of a neon-light show display...buy a cheaper unit. Eclipse, made by Fujitsu Ten, is a company concerned about the details. They originally made CD lasers and parts for other car stereo companies and then decided to get their own line of High end car audio onto the market. Since then, their philosophy is to make extremely high quality products that produce amazing sound and accurate music. To address the issue of skipping...I talked with an actual Eclipse Representative in person about the problem. He explained a lot of things about how eclipses work...its all about algorithms. Early versions of the 5441 and 5442 used an algorithm that didn't work or clipped with certain CDs. It actually wasn't their fault when the released the units though. Turns out, they used regular CDs of the shelf to develop the units...while in R&D over the years, the quality of silicon and overall CDs used on the market today, especially CDRs has gone to the sorry side. The discs are thinner and lighter than they anticipated. Eclipse fixed the problem and now with the newer models there is NO SKIPPING. I know this for a fact because I had a 5441 that skipped like crazy...I took it in and swapped it out for a new model and BOOM. I'm an eclipse fan for life. The 5442 is a serious piece of hardware. It has awesome components, quality D/A converters, and more procession power than a 600mhz Pentium III...seriously. Buy one, if you can't afford it, save up and buy one. I've had it almost 2 years and I've never had a problem. Ignore the skipping issue...its fixed.

Strengths:
AWESOME clarity Best internal amp around Great fine tuning ability without complication Beautiful display Value

Weaknesses:
Small track change buttons, but you get used to it None

Similar Products Used:
Alpines, Sony, Kenwood, Panasonic

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Tweeter in Frisco

Year / Model Reviewed:
 Eclipse CD5442

Summary:
Over-all, I have never heard a head unit with this much clarity and ease of use. It was just what I was looking for when I found it and listened to it. Switches tracks fast, easily plays whatever I throw at it. It's great.

Strengths:
Sound quality. I'm going for the all-out system and this is the unit that I chose because of it's quality. I have never had a problem with a cd I put in it yet, contrary to other reviews.

Weaknesses:
The toggle to switch tracks is a little small and it is easy to hit the volume knob accidentally. However I don't believe that it will causes any problem because I am still not used to it.

Similar Products Used:
I was running on a Sanyo, which was the worst thing that has ever been on my car. I was also thinking of an Alpine or a Kenwood.

Price Paid:  $300.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2000

Summary:
I was nervous about purchasing this unit because of the reviews that I read here, but I'm glad I did, because this is an excellent sounding cd receiver with some very good, easy to use features. I got it on clearance for $300 because it is last year's model. I don't know if this was a good price or not because the only two shops in town are under the same ownership, so there is no competition. Anyway, I didn't feel like shopping out of town. The first thing I did was pop in a CD-R disc to see if there were any problems (check out reviews below). Well, all of my CD-R's and audio CD's seem to play fine so far, and I have had no skipping or clipping problems at all. The tuner seems to pull in stations pretty well, but the crappy antennae on my 98 Tacoma doesn't help things. This is a very user friendly unit, especially making adjustments using the "NOB". The ESN security feature is really cool, but I'm still getting used to not popping off the face plate when I leave my car. The remote is nice, even though the mute button doesn't work. This unit does have 3 5V amp pre-outs which will be nice when I upgrade, and DSP control. Overall, I feel like I got my money's worth and I'm very satisfied with the performance.

Strengths:
Top notch sound quality
Build quality
ESN security
"NOB", ease of use
Remote
5V pre-outs
DSP control
CD-R compatability

Weaknesses:
Mute button on remote doesn't work
Hard to see display in direct sunlight(looks great at night!)

Similar Products Used:
I've been through 2 Sony head units and 1 Pioneer. Can't compare to the Eclipse.

Price Paid:  $225.00

Summary:
Very good features, but a terrible CD player. The 3 preouts is very nice, the DSP control is excellent, the features such as ESN, changer controls, simple rotary knob and remote is great however the CD player is amazingly finicky when playing CDRs or even regular unscratched CDs! In fact 50% of the CDs I had didn't work at all and gave me a Error code 3. I'm not sure if I just have a dude CD player off the line but IF it worked, I'd say it performs as well as a Nakamichi 40z in its sound performance. Also Eclipse NEVER answers their e-mail or requests of warranty issues, or deck service. Overall, I wouldn't buy a Eclipse deck again. Save your money.

Strengths:
3 Preouts, DSP Control, remote, good tuner.

Weaknesses:
CD player itself, Eclipse Service

Similar Products Used:
Nakamichi 40z, Alpine CDA-7863. Nakamichi is definitely the way to go, although the Alpine does have some nifty features which some of you guys love such as BBS, 60x4MAX power, etc... Overall skip this Eclipse deck if possible.