Eclipse (Fujitsu Ten) 5506

Price Paid:  $900.00 from Sound Advice

Year / Model Reviewed:
 99 5506

Summary:
Excelent unit! Most pleased with the sound quality. The only problem is that the unit died 1 week ago (after 3 years of being the best unit I ever had). Last week the outputs went crazy, volume would go up and down, thunder noises and crazy fading. I don't think my local shop will be able to repair it. Too bad this had to happen because I was so pleased with it that I didn't have plans of upgrading it.

Strengths:
Amazing sound quality.

Weaknesses:
Not removable (I had to hide the unit in a low deck so that thiefes wouldn't see it). The display reflected sunlight too much. It died after 3 years

Similar Products Used:
Nothing compares to it. I don't know what I'm gonna buy now.

Price Paid:  $950.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 8061

Summary:
I am in love with this CD player. I have been purposely jumping RR tracks and speed bumps trying to get this thing to skip...it won't. Also it plays any dic i throw in it...no matter how scratched or messed up. CDs that even my computer won't play this one will. The sound is very clean. I would reccomend this one to anyone looking for high SQ. I could not ask for anything more as far as clarity. I listened to the Alpine 7969, Premier P9, the Sony C90. None of those can beat this 8061. Only unit that might have a chance is the Alpine 7990 (F#1 Status). Due to the $3,000 price tag i couldn't find one to demo. Also available is a sweet $5,000 processor

Strengths:
DOES NOT SKIP, plays all discs perfectly, 16V balanced output/8V unbalanced. Display shows in all lighting and if it washes out any just tilt the face. Built-in crossover, copper plated chassis, gold plated RCA's. Excellent ESN theft warranty

Weaknesses:
Don't care much for the pioneer-like twist modlue on the NOB. I preferred the rocker switch of the previous models.

Similar Products Used:
Eclipse 5504 and Eclipse 55040. 5504 was stolen, the 55040 was fedexed to me once the police report was in...excellent service..55040 was stolen so i just recently bought the 8061...but now i have an alarm so the theft hopefully won't be a problem.

Price Paid:  $600.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 5506

Summary:
One hell of a unit. Great sound quality, nice features, high quality. I was VERY happy with this unit. Unfortunatelly, my car (highly modified, mostly performance, 94 Formula Firebird) was broken into. They yanked the unit, but didn't get my Eclipse amp. At least I know, with ESN, that the unit will be usless to the theives! I really want to buy another one, but I need something w/ a detachable face; I'll probably get a Premier DEH-930R.

Strengths:
ESN, 8V preouts, copper body, motorized tilt face, NOB, mid level sound adjustments

Weaknesses:
Skipped on occassion. I think it was a bit dirty, but I was too lazy to clean in. Nothing that bothered me. Display, like most, was washed out in the sun when the T-tops were out. No detachable face. The ESN security is good, but it really needs a detachable face to make it the ultimate in security.

Similar Products Used:
I've also owned (higher end wise), a Clarion DRX-7475 and Pioneer DEH-8200R. Both were fine unit, but not quite an Eclipse. Bother were also stolen (the Eclipse replaced the Clarion, and the Pioneer was yanked from my truck). I need to learn to take the face off of my units!

Price Paid:  $800.00

Summary:
This is a follow up to my recent review. After posting the review, I forwarded it to Eclipse along with an email message noting my dissatisfaction. The next day, I got a call from one of their reps, who was EXTREMELY helpful and understanding. She set me up with a shop in my area with whom she had dealt before, and sent an advance exchange to the shop so that I wouldn't have to be without a radio in the interim. She had a 55060 sent as a replacement, and I picked it up about a week later. It works well, although I think it was a refurbished unit (the Eclipse emblem on the front was worn). No skipping as of yet (about 2 weeks now), and it accepts all CDs. Although I would have liked a brand new 55060, I can understand their decision, and I finally got the unit that should have been sold in the first place (hint - stay away from the 5506; only buy the 55060). I'm happy that they responded with enthusiasm and a desire to rectify the situation. I can now rate their customer service higher, and the value a little higher (still had problems, you know). Bottom line - I would buy another Eclipse now. If your local dealer is giving you a hard time, send an email to Eclipse.

Strengths:
None

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $800.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1991 Honda Accord

Summary:
My experience with this unit has been a constant headache. I understand that they have released a 55060 version which addresses the problems about which I will complain, but I have yet to see one as a solution to my problem. Read on.

I purchased this unit in late December, 1999. I immediately had problems with the tracking on CDs, new and older - it would skip, and totally reject the discs. I took it back, the shop sent it to Eclipse, I waited 3 weeks for it to return.

Eclipse supposedly tweaked the internals - something about the input voltage not being sufficient (it was getting 12V, and was professionally installed in a fresh car with a harness). They said that the mechanism is very sensitive and will go out of alignment if that's not right. It worked for about 2 weeks, then started skipping again. Took it back to the shop, and had it sent in again. Realize that Eclipse would not authorize a swap for a new unit - they wanted me to wait for 'mine' to return. I wait another 3 weeks, and it comes back. Stated fix was to swap the internals completely with 55060 internals. Worked just fine for an entire year that way. I was a happy camper and was willing to restore their fine reputation to my vocabulary. Then, it started skipping again.

Took it back to the shop, had it sent in AGAIN, waited the requisite 3 weeks, and it came back. Worked fine for a few days, but I was waiting on a custom install, and when the tech guy pulled it out to do that, he broke the face. So, I had to get a brand new one shipped from Eclipse (not Eclipse's fault, mind you). I specifically requested that the replacement unit have the latest 'fix' applied before being sent to me, so that I wouldn't have to go through this garbage again. I was told that they would do that. Guess what - new one arrives, and it's a brand new 5506 without modification. Now it skips again.

My opinion of their quality control is in the gutter now. Customer service as well. Just give me the updated 55060 and be done with me, but they'd rather make me wait without the $800 radio that I expected to perform without flaw. My older 5302 was the best unit I've ever had, and shame on me to get rid of it. Apparently, quality at this company has gone down with no increase in customer service. It took a long time to find a company into which I placed my trust and confidence, and I will have to find another one now.

Average overall rating because when it works, it's a great unit. Terrible value rating because an $800 unit should not act like this, and customer service should bend over backwards to support it if it does.

Strengths:
Sound quality, ESN security, full-face display, CD text, NOB controller, functionality overall, high voltage output

Weaknesses:
CD tracking, customer service (from Eclipse)

Similar Products Used:
Eclipse 5302 (this replaced it) - wish I still had the 5302