Pioneer Premier AVIC-F90BT Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been really on the fence with this system. I love all the selling points of a GPS, MP3, Bluetooth and DVD, but it has some really disappointing downsides.
I go back and forth on whether or not I should take the system back and just have my factory stereo put back in (but who can go back when you've had something like this?). Sometimes I'm so incredibly frustrated and other times, I just simply love this system. I wish I could have researched it more, but I got it when it was brand new so no one had any reviews up. So here's the long of it (and YES I have the most recent firmware update):
-GPS works great expect for the orientation of the screen (if you are going south, the arrow points down... going north, arrow points out - can be very disorienting). I love being able to type in an address and have your system not only direct you, but having several options being directed (knowing the speed limit of where you are, approximate time to destination and/or next step, etc).
-DVD function works well too. Technically you have to have the parking brake on to have it work, but its a simple connector issue you can easily bypass. I take a lot of roadtrips with friends and my boyfriend, so I had it bypassed. It is incredibly dangerous to have it bypassed and a lot of places won't even bypass it for you, so use your best judgment.
-MP3, for some reason the place I got this thing installed told me I had to buy a connector to get it to work with an ipod. I thought it would work with the usb/ipod connector I bought at apple, but apparently not. Or they were just trying to rip me off ($75 they said, I said sell it to me for $20 or I was just going to return the whole damn thing completely). I love the MP3 player. It could be more accessible having the controls on the LEFT side of the screen rather than the RIGHT side. Plus, it operates with the standard ipod controls and menus, which are limiting at times. But it shows album cover art and if you have an ipod video, it plays your vids.
-Bluetooth has been touch and go for me lately. At first it totally worked with my LG enV. Tonight it wouldn't connect at all. Not sure if its a phone issue or a unit issue. But the sound is clear, people can hear you well and it saves your contacts. The bad thing is, because its touch screen, your finger might wrongfully choose a contact and before you know it, you are calling the wrong person. Sometimes the hangup glitches and I've experienced a few times where it wouldn't even call even when it was connected. Really annoying. I hope a fireware update fixes these bugs.
Other things...
Since I have a Mazda 3, they had to remove my clock because the double dec got in the way. Well, the lack of clear and readable clocks drives me nuts. I absolutely can't stand how small and unreadable the clock is either when its in audio mode or map mode. HATE IT.
Start up is slow, I have yet to try turning off the VC but I will. Still, 20 seconds even after you fix the default setting? Lame! You have no idea how much you miss your music when getting your journey started. Its a long time!
The touch screen is sometimes really finicky. If there is a bug or a glitch, the system can lag when you touch a button. Or sometimes you have to be really careful with how precise your aim is for a button.
The radio preset is really annoying. Again, why have the buttons on the RIGHT side of the console? So weird and awkward.
I feel like this system would really benefit from a remote controller. My arm is so tired from pressing so many things.
I wish the unit focused more on the audio and even the presentation. Its so bland and boring when its rife with cool possibilities like a screen saver with a clock on it (please... next firmware update have a BIGGER CLOCK accessible!! I'm dying here!). I'm really looking forward to the next update, but I'm worried it won't satisfy its deficiencies. When you spend this much on a fully loaded system, I know it won't be perfect, but some things are just really difficult to deal with. If I can really get the start up time down to 5 seconds, I'll be a really happy camper and just glue a clock to my dash.

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No more hassling with map discs. Now you don't have to worry about discs being misplaced, damaged, lost, or stolen because we've done away with them for the F-Series navigation line. We've taken the entire TeleAtlas Database that was previously on the two-DVD set, compressed it down, and stored it internally on flash memory.

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Eclipse AVN6620BT DVD Navigation System with 7-Inch Wide TFT Display and Dual DVD Multi-Source Receiver with Bluetooth Review

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(More customer reviews)this is one of the nicest dvd nav decks that i have owned. I had the pioneer unit for about 3 months and that deck was slow the sound quality was weak and the interface was stupid. The Eclipse makes there nav for toyota so you know your getting top of the line NAV. The Eclipse also has 5volt pre outs at 55 ohms not 4 volts at 300 ohms like most high end decks
this deck starts up super fast even with a huge ipod connected to it
the nav is fast
the interface is clean
i love this deck

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DVD navigation system Bluetooth value pack.

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Valor NVG-720W In-Dash DVD Multimedia Receiver w/ Navigation Review

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(More customer reviews)Dont be afraid of the name Valor. They make top of the line equipment at a very reasonable price. This unit does it all and has a very friendly interface. Perhaps the biggest selling point is all the accessories it comes with. It comes with an ipod cable, nav dvd, a 2 gb card to download updates, 2 remotes and also a very "mouse" that allows you to change station/songs with a mouse scroll wheel as well as volume. Pretty much everything in the unit you can fully customize. The nav is very accurate and has a lot more points of interest than i ever expected. Sound quality is great with plenty of equalizer options. Bluetooth is a great function- i guess you dont always sound incredibly clear on the other end but no real complaints. If youre in the market for a multimedia system to handle everything you need- look no further. I had looked at pioneers and jensens and the extras you needed to buy were just too much. This is BY FAR the best bang for the buck. Dont hesistate because you want to buy a name brand. Youll end up with a better unit and only spend half the money.

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Valor NVG-720WGeneral Features:In-dash Built-in GPS Navigation, with Built-in Hands-Free Bluetooth, DVD, DivX, CD, MP3, SD Multimedia Player and Remote iPod interface cable included for iPod controls, charging and playback Retractable 7" LCD display Wireless remote control included Blue button lighting Power Output: Peak: 50 watts x 4 channels RMS: 20 watts x 4 channels CD Text Display MP3 ID3 Tag Display (Title/Artist/Album) 2-year Manufacturer's warranty Navigation Features:11 Million points of interest (POI) 2D/3D Perspectives Includes maps of U.S. and Canada on included DVD Includes GPS antenna and interface cable Voice guidance capable Automatic rerouting

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Panasonic Strada 7-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this Unit WAY before any of the previous review does, so I already know how this unit works inside out.
yes it has the problem that previous reviewers say but, should we even call those *problems* ? I mean, some of the things could be easily fixed with a simple firmware update. This is Panasonic's first attempt to enter the US's In dash Navigation market. They have great Units in Japan, but I guess Panasonic Japan does not share information with their USA side. So they have to create this from scratch.
Let me list what this unit can do/cant do.
-It can Play MP3 on CD-R/RW, but it cannot read MP3 on DVD+R/RW/-R/-RW.
-It seems that it does not like bad quality CD-R, my friend's cheap CD-R having mad issue with this unit. but mine plays just fine. Well, we should all get quality stuff isnt it ?
-It takes a lot longer, sometimes failed to read DVD-R/RW disc.
-It's DVD playback is Region locked to Region 1, but is not hard to overcome that problem (I think its illegal to say it here)
-Map is based on Navteq's 2005 data, yes you got that right, unit that's out in 2007 still using 2005's map data(maybe because its cheaper, who knows), because I ran into couple of roads that has been changed, one even changed from 2 way into 1 way, almost got me killed. So you better MAKE SURE that you're in the right side of the road.
-Remember to select your route preference before you start your guide. because by default, it does not allow Highway, does not allow tolls, does not allow anything. that means, all local if possible. That might be cool for some people, but I didnt know about it the first time I use it, because my other Unit has the Allow toll and Allow highway option enabled by default. So I ended up spending like 3 hours on something that I suppose to be there in 1 and 1/2 hour.
-The route guidance is kind of funny, sometimes the shortest route that it shows does NOT mean its really the shortest. So if you know that you're already going the shortest route, do NOT listen to the unit.
-It plays back MP3 fine, quality is ok.
-CD Play back is fine, plays original disc no problem, if you want to use a backup, you better make sure the cd-R quality is good.
-You CANNOT record your inserted CD into the HDD. I have no idea what Panasonic is thinking on this one, because as far as I know, the map data used about 10GB of space, that means, in the other words, about 20GB of disc space is there to collecting dust. Maybe a future update will resolve this. who knows.
-HDD unit runs really fast, it takes less than 1 second to get the route out, by default, it shows you 3 routes.
-This unit runs really hot, yes it has a fan behind but ... I would suggest you to turn the screen off if its not in use. it reduce the heat by maybe 30% (rough estimate)
-Screen is big enough, a bit bigger than Pioneer's 7" unit. and the screen is really clear, tried a lot of DVDs on it very good picture quality.
-Fast startup time, about 10 seconds or so.
-Oh yes, did I say the map is not very up to date? Maybe Panasoinc wants to get more money out from us. Anyway, the map data is FAR FROM complete. I cannot find some of the address at all, when I can just do a google search and it pops up right away.
-The way to enter address is kind of funky, you have to enter the way THEY want you to enter, for example, if you want to go 123 Avenue, there're couple of "possbilities", it could be 123th AVE, it could be 123 th AVENUE, 123th AVENUE, 123 AVE, or 123 AVENUE. Keep that in mind.
I still have more to say, but I'll leave those alone.
Is this a good unit ? I think so, if you're looking for fastest and cheapest price HDD unit that *works*, this is a unit for you. but you BETTER MAKE SURE, you try them out first at a store or something.
Im happy with this unit, hey I mean for couple hundred bucks, you get a HDD NAV with dvd playback ? My father's brand NEW CX-7 with all options loaded, all he got was a DVD navigation that cant even play DVD-videos!
Im also 100% sure that Panasonic will update this unit to bring more features out. So dont worry too much about it. Couple hundred bucks only, get it !

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Until now, the problem with many in-car GPS navigation systems has been confusing user interfaces, poor display screens, restricted map coverage, and slow performance. To address the growing need of drivers to have a strong and reliable navigation tool, Panasonic developed the Strada, HDD mobile navigation system, a user-friendly, high-capacity car navigation system which can easily instruct average, non-technical drivers where they are, where they've been, and how to get to their next destination. While serving as a driver's electronic navigator between points A, B and C, or any other combination, the Strada CN-NVD905U system can deliver radio broadcasts, real-time traffic information, and CD audio and DVD movie and can even play music and videos from an iPod allowing your car to be another source for on demand entertainment. Moving beyond navigation and entertainment, Panasonic's new navigation system also boasts several safety and convenience features, such as hands-free Bluetooth connectivity, an optional back-up camera to help avoid fender benders and the ability to program specific geographic areas that the driver wants to avoid. Complete with high-speed data to provide the driver with possible restaurant choices, gas stations and hotel accommodations along their trip, the Strada system, named after the Italian word for street, is truly the perfect driving companion.

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Pioneer AVIC-D3 In-Dash GPS Navigation System with DVD Player Review

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(More customer reviews)Just finished installing the D3 in my '06 Scion tC this weekend. In addition to the head unit I also installed the Bluetooth adapter/iPod cable/PAC steering wheel control interface and XM tuner. At this point I am still unsure if I am going to install the reverse cam. This is my third Pioneer head unit, but first Navigation unit.

The unit looks very nice installed with the included mounting hardware, much better than in the photos, I might add. The screen is very bright, and the touch interface works very well. The XM interface is very nice, especially when the Nav disk is in loaded, as it will then display station and category logos along with the standard XM track/artist info.
Here are some of the pros and cons I have come up with in the two days I have had to fool around with it:
Pros:
-XM or Sirius, it stinks to have to make a decision on a head unit based on your sat. radio prefs (Eclipse comes to mind here)
-Superb XM interface
-Solid iPod interface with cool iPod scroll wheel on-screen image (although no search function)
-So far the Nav has worked very well
-Vehicle diagnostics are fun, although not for any practical purposes
-Pioneers parametric EQ has always been great, it is even better with the enhanced visualization of the large color LCD
-Great internal sub-woofer controls including high pass filters, as well as low pass output and sub level controls
-Customization options are nice as you can match your cars instrumentation color
-DVD quality is very good
-Phone call quality is very good from the feedback I have gotten from callers (mounted the mic on the right side of my visor with the included clip)
-Night mode: when you flip on your headlights you can choose how dim you want the screen to get, and the navigation screen has a night mode which uses darker colors for the map, and is much easier on the eyes
Cons:
-No ability to have different EQ settings for each source as far as I can tell (source custom EQ)-this is a major disappointment, i.e. XM output is usually very flat compared to CD/MP3 sources, requiring a lot of messing around with the EQ to get it sounding right. Having to change EQ depending on source is a major pain
-No automatic sound levelizer (adjusts volume level depending on road noise)-even my stock Scion/Pioneer head unit had this
-No remote ($15 dollar option at [...], come on Pioneer, I know it's an inexpensive unit, but still)
-Some background noise at times, but I have concluded that it does not affect sound quality, as much of it only occurs when no music is playing (i.e. caused by the button tones or nav guidance)
- Having to use two little satellite antennas is silly- I don't understand why they couldn't have designed the XM tuner to be able to accept the sat. signal from the Nav antenna, i.e. pull the sat. signal through the IP bus
-I have still not been able to load my phone book into the unit and I tried both my cingular sonyericsson and my nextel blackberry-have checked forums and others are having similar issues, I'm guessing there will be a fix out soon as this is a brand new Bluetooth module
-No HD radio support
Overall I am very satisfied with the sound quality, interface, ease of use, and ability to customize the unit. I just wish it had the source custom EQ and the $170.00 Bluetooth module would load my address book.

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A great navigation system should be simple to use, provide intelligent routing with rich data, and feature entertainment options that make driving more enjoyable and convenient. The Pioneer AVIC-D3 in-dash navigation system comes with two DVD-ROMs containing a massive Tele Atlas database, enabling the unit to provide a gigantic network of turn-by-turn routable roads. You get fast processor calculations of multiple routes and directions to destinations via the graphic map interface and voice guidance within seconds. Have access to 12 million Points Of Interest (POI) throughout the United States and Canada for the nearest gas station, restaurant or ATM. The double-DIN size will fit in most standard vehicles providing a perfect placement in your the dashboard. The integration gets even better with the multi-color illumination to match the interface to the colors of your dashboard. Never need to touch your cell phone again with the optional CD-BTB200 Bluetooth adapter used with a compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone. Make and receive phone calls while listening through your in-car speakers. With subscription and optional XM NavTraffic service, you will be one step ahead of traffic jams and alternate routes will be provided. 2 DVD-ROM CNDV-70M Map Data US, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii Coverage Area 3D Hybrid Sensor (Gyro & G-Force) GPS Receiver & 8-Channel Antenna Included Emergency Mode Display 1-Year Roadside Assistance IncludedMap, Guide, Route, Driver's & Rear View Display Mode 5 Vehicle Dynamics Skins -Original, Carbon, Hologram, Sharp Metal and Classic Playback -MP3 Playback with ID3 Tag, WMA (Windows Media Audio), iTunes AAC and DivX Video on DVD/DVD-R/-RW, CD/CD-R/-RW 24-Station/6-Button (18FM/6FM) Presets Built-in Speaker Power -MOS-FET 50W x 4 3-Band Parametric EEQ Equalizer BSM (Best Stations Memory) XM Radio Ready with Enhanced Graphical GEX-P10XMT or GEX-P920XM optional accessory

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