chinna_n

Hey everyone,

 

I seem to get the "Low battery, shutting down system" message often when I connect my unit to the dash. I realize it doesnt really matter about a low battery since the unit will be connected and it should be charging while it's in use. I do have the latest firmware which sure improved the unit overall.

 

When I check the battery level with the unit detached, it always seems to be around 3/4 full or full. Sometimes I will take the unit and let it charge with the USB cable connected to my computer. It just seems silly to have to do because essentially it should be charging / charged if I use it in my car everyday. I do have the faceplate's switch is set to off, so when it's detached, it's not on.

 

This is more of an annoyance than anything, but has anyone else experienced this or have any ideas? Thanks

May be you want to calibrate the battery once? Let it rundown completely once, and charge again. Normally it is not a good idea to drain the Li-Ion or Lipo batteries, but for calibration puposes, it may be useful.

I really do not know how upto date are maps though. Mine I bought in late 2009 and it can not even find the addresses from 2005.

If not for iPhone in the hand, I could have lost forever with the maps and direction provided by this GPS.

Pioneer just sent an email about the availability of new 2010 Maps and additional POI in single SD card.

Not sure howmany will buy this at $120, but it seems it is better option than just buying POIs for $100.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/ ... 130FM.Shop

Yes, the Pioneer is almost useless, and garmin microphone is usable and good.

This is the one I bought http://www.frys.com/product/4865730

But, it seems same one sold by Amazon and several other vendors. If you see the shape you will recognize it (Kenwood, Clarion, Parrot all use same Microphone).

Thanks

I figured out the problem. The Avic Feeds program is not specific to the U310BT, so make sure you go to menu, select hardware, and select the U310BT in the menu.

You mentioned you loaded TTS files? what TTS files you loaded? Do you any better ones you can share with us?

Thanks

I did update my 3GS with OS 4.0. First time I tried HU gave me Error 19. So, I had to reboot the iPhone( Hold the iPhone power button until the SLIDER SHOWS on screen to TURN OFF).

Once rebooted, there were no problems, everything worked as usual. It seems it is not specific to Pioneer HU.

I'm considering a U310BT because its price is only about $50 more than a regular CD receiver with built-in bluetooth capabilities. I've read a lot of bad reviews on the U310BT, and I'd like to check here to see whether or not it is a unit to avoid.

 

Problems that I've read about...

 

Navigation - Some reviewers post that the U310BT takes you on inefficient, roundabout routes to your destination. Is this true, or has this problem been solved with software updates?

 

Bluetooth - Inability for other caller to hear well while making and receiving calls using the U310BT? Do you all experience the same?

 

Long boot up times and frequent freezing

I have been using it for almost 10 months. For the current price it is going, it is really enticing( ofcourse there is a reason why it is being sold so low).

It depends on what priorities you have.

Boot time is not a problem for this unit, because unit always goes into Standby ( Suspend to RAM) mode.

No GPS:

POIs, No Gas Stations, No Restaurants.

The routing itself is not bad, but the Navigation database is worst. It does not even have the addresses of 6+ years old communities, not even major Bus routes. If you are lucky enough to find the address you are looking, then it may be reasonably good.

You can not bypass any roads on the route. Depending on road you are ( esp any State Highways) it does not even show the exit numbers, no cross street info. Latency, and wrong location are not uncommon, so it is not wise to depend on this for any downtown travel.

Music: It is good, except you can not play from SD card. The screen usage is very in-efficient, can only show 3 lines from usb/iPhone/iPod/CD.

Using the Joystick control is tricky, esp while driving it may drive you nuts...

Bluetooth, be ready to replace the supplied mic, but overall quality is ok(not bad), but not as good as many OEM solutions.

Do not expect unit to use as portable GPS, as it is not( GPS is in main head unit, not in detachable unit).

Even with all this problems, I think it is still $250 worth ( vs $400 I spent).

thanks for the input guys...has anyone installed theirs under the dash above the receiver? I'd like to have the antenna out of view...

That is exactly I said. The antenna is mounted out of sight above the receiver. Check my thread with lots of Photos on how it is mounted.

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=27070

Thanks

I installed mine (GPS Antenna) under center speaker plastic cap in Kia Rondo( My Model does not have center speaker). Check my posting about Kia Rondo install. You may be able find similar spot in your car too. In my install Microphone is mounted over top of the rear view mirror, and will be only visible it looked carefully.

It is behind the radio, and do not think Microphone can be replaced without taking out the head unit, unless you have open access to area behind the head unit. ( most cars do not).

I also felt, it is coming in Random, but I have not looked into it. Let me check some time this week and see if it is different from your unit(which I doubt).

It could be the trick for Pioneer to push the people buy expensive units, like can not Play music from SD card etc.

Yes, even the 1.003 firmware the nav will occasionally go into "airplane mode" and have you fly over fields and lakes a mile or two from where you really are. Eventually it usually corrects itself, but the logic it's using kind of escapes me. What's odd is that the compass shows north correctly, and the direction and speed of travel is matched perfectly, just the location is off. It seems the GPS has some signal but there is a bug in locking into a specific location perhaps a little too quickly, and once it does, is reluctant to second guess and correct itself. I've not seen a GPS with a weak signal react in this manor so I think its more software related. Maybe it's trying to prevent a weak signal from causing it to stray off target, but in fact is protecting a poor location lock in the first place?

 

I watched it on a recent drive home about 20 minutes out. At first I was skimming over a nice lake, but once I started tracking thru streets it would try to do it's best to lock me onto one of them (if I got low enough to the ground I guess ). But gradually as it jumped me street to street it would tend to lock onto a street that was a bit closer to where I really was, finally gear down for landing after about 15 minutes.

 

I'm trying to figure out if it's related to where I park. Most often I've seen the problem after parked facing north against 2 story high concrete wall. I've been backing in for a clear southerly view lately to see if that makes a difference.

Nice summary. I think you described problem pretty good. Once it goof up the calculation of go-ordinates on the map, it sticks to its guns and continue unless we re-dock it again.

I do not think it has anything to do with where we park. It happend few times at home, and office and sometimes in open parking lots with clear skys.

I am pretty sure it is a software screw up by Pioneer. I would assume they would fix these kind of things in immediately following releases atleast, but I am not seeing solution anytime soon.

Can you check to see if have latest firmware? If not upgrade it first. The check to see if everything works fine with another phone, the try your Black Berry.

Not all Mobile Phones works with all bluetooth devices ( in theory they should, but not in practise).

OK, so no decent POIs, plus they limit you to adding custom POIs to 100 per group. Ok, I'll let that one pass to in the name of "entry level". Pioneer, you've convinced me that POIs are going to be tough love on this unit. However, not letting me search my "limited" custom POIs is like a kick in the face while I'm down. That's a little bit too much scheming "how can we make this feature as painful as possible for our customer".

 

I was driving on the road but the arrow showed me driving thru a field some distance away). I noticed in this mode that the map updates quickly and seems to track me well (hard to tell when I'm driving thru an imaginary field). But as soon as it locks me onto a road, it seems to lag again. I can only assume that the software, which must make calculations to lock you onto a road when the GPS seems to think you are reasonably close enough to it, is very poorly optimized.

I think you see same issue, which I see as issues. As mentioned in several posts, What were they thinking screwing with POIs? What's up with removing Restaurants, and Gas stations which is most widely used and minimum required? Some brain dead move by Pioneer.

And then Customer POI!!, exactly what were they thinking? just 100? that too not searchable?

And another blunder, the Screen is already small, and they could not use even screen area effectively, like using it to List the songs(just 3 lines?), and selecting contacts while driving!!! Can we even do that?

And another bone-head move, the Knob, how do they think it would be usable while driving?

If you select ATT, it reduces the volume of the music(does not pause the music), and that is what I have been using. Some people want it to pause music, but this only lowers the volume which I think is just fine.

Using VR is much easier and verbally walks you through the commands.

Please do not confuse newbies. U310BT does not have VR option.

I thought of installing HD tuner but have not installed or used GEX-P20HD, But I can answers what I know

Is there an installation manual online for the GEX-P20HD?

There is nothing special about this. All you need is connect supplied IP bus cable, the blue-side to headunit and black side to HD Tuner, and take power from constant powersupply lead which is going to headunit. Antenna connection goes into this unit, not to headunit anymore. So this will tune all HD, and analog channels for you.

You can download manual here on crutch field if you want

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-9wEPu6g3wO ... P20HD.html

C) Parking Brake lead question. According to the install manual, it says that the parking brake lead needs to be installed on the power side of the parking brake switch. Is this lead actually looking for power? Or for ground?

Basically, head unit checks to see if this is grounded or not. If grounded it assumes that parking brake is applied.

D) What features are disabled if the parking brake lead is not connected?

You can not use dialpad for phone, or you can not enter address for Nav. But you can still select contact from addressbook if it already has. But anyways check the manual if something else also disabled. I think either you connect to Parking brake stated, or check the other thread which has discussion about this specific item.

I'm getting poor quality with the supplied mic. Has anyone tried anything other then the Garmin ? I'm looking at this Olympus ME-15. Here is the link http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.as ... -_-Product

That is only 3 feet in length, and meant to use tie-clip mic. IMHO You better off with $13 garmin mike than that $30 MIC.

China_n--Where exactly are you located? I see many of your posts referring to your european firmware

 

Yes, I have the new firmware on it. I got it from the European Pioneer site. It said it was only for the F310bt, the European models. The txt file in the update folder said it was also for the U310bt, so i made the update. Though i must say i updated it not because i had some issues, but just becau...by chinna_n

on Wed Sep 23, 2009 8:29 am

I am in WA, USA. Anyways, Now I am running with latest US firmware. The quote you included above is from some one else (see double quotes, as I quoted someone else).

BTW, new US firmware has not a changed a thing from my last Europe update which fixed Bluetooth freeze. I see there is minor update to Navigation module 1.00021 to 1.0003, not sure what is it addressing as release notes did not mention anything.

Few times I tried to use Navigation, I am having problems in getting into show the correct route or rather avoid specific route.

 

Hi chinna_n. I have two potential workarounds for you.

 

If I just want to avoid a small segment of a road (where there's a detour), what I do is set a waypoint along the detour route (accept the route and then you can add one or more waypoint by going to the menu again). Admittedly it's a chore to set every time, but at least you can add to "favorites" the spot along your detour route -- that makes it somewhat easier to just set the waypoint every time. It's crude, but it works well enough for avoiding a small stretch of road.

 

For avoiding a single road entirely, you might want to try something different. If you are avoiding a stretch of highway, one thing I have done that works is to turn on "avoid highways," let it recalculate my route, and follow that until I got past the area I wanted to detour, and then switched back to "allow highways." This worked really well in my situation; don't know if it will help in yours, but I hope so.

 

As I see it, a poential problem with VBLUE42's suggestion is that more often than not the navi just tells you to turn around and get back on the road you are taking a detour from, at least until you are far enough away, rendering the navi not terribly useful. Although it is a good option if you have a general idea of the route you'll be taking and what the best detour is.

I thought about your suggestion, and also VBLUE42's suggestion. Yes I see the problem with VBLUE42's suggestion as you said.

Setting a way point is an option if you know the area reasonably. Actually I faced this problem 3 times recently, once I was driving back from friends home weekend night and one of the road was closed that weekend night for some construction work, so did a route review I did not see any options( all local roads), I thought I will take detour(some other unknown roads) and GPS will correct me. Yes, it kept correcting me to back to same road, I ignored and ended up in a dead-end after 2 miles. So I drove back 8 miles, and took known longer route, which total added 20 miles for local trip. May be I should have parked somewhere, and started browsing map to find an alternative route there. I find alternative route in google maps next days when looked up.

But my Omnitech clearly has this option, even Garmin C350 series I used few years ago has this option to review the route and select each road(line item in the Route review) to avoid and it automatically finds the alternative for that road( some time it may suggest altogether different route).

The F series is notorious for serious bug issues and the hacks don't address those issues. The issues you are having are problems with every nav system out there in certain areas. I am not having any of the issues you describe in my area at all. A nav system that appears to be perfect in your area will fail in another. No system is perfect.

I agree nothing is perfect, but some are better and some are worst. Unfortunately Pioneer comes into this later category.

There are two kinds of problem, one is not having database, other is routing flexibility, details, instructions unit provides to user based on info available, efficiently using available screen area to show useful info and in both case Pioneer fails miserably.

I do not remember all the options from Z110BT, but in U310BT it is so lame you do not even have a mute for Blue-tooth, neither have an option show keypad to select options once dialed( Kenwood 6140 has it). Lastest update did fix issues with Bluetooth freeze episodes, but did not help much for Navigation problems.

I hope Pioneer realize their blunders soon enough and fix those issue.No wonder U310BT, a $699 unit is going for $299, less than Pioneer Non-Nav units, because that is the value users see with the unit(I paid more though).

In fact, all those issues you just described are inherent issues on the DNX9140 and none of them appear on the Z110BT. Also, last I checked, you had a U series, not the Z series.

Yes, I have U series but that does not change the TeleAtlas database used, routing options used.

Not highlighting problems does not help anyone, neither force Pioneer to fix problems. I do not know why you want support Pioneer, I did not have anything against Pioneer or anything in favor of Kenwood either. I want users to know the about the unit so that they can make informed decisions. It is quite possible Kenwood specific 9140 has issues with iPod menu etc, but Navigation, not a chance.

Pioneer is the worst navigation "Bar-none" I have ever used, including a cheap GPS from previous generations I thought POS.

I tested set of addresses on Garmin 6140 and as well Pioneer(all models available at that time at Car Toys includes Z110BT, unfortunately after I installed mine), a cheapo $60 omnitech GPS(from 2007), only GPS that does not have addresses or the roads built during last 6 years and only GPS that kept insisting me to drive on hiking trail, and that credit goes to Pioneer. (BTW this is not a remote area, it is near MS campus in seattle area, some other addresses are public BUS routes).

TTS voice has flutter and "STAMMERING", and you can not even avoid a known problematic(or construction zones) in route review. What else could be lamer than that for a GPS?

I am not talking about one single experience, I have been using trying improve it, and trying find betterways to use it(called workarounds).

If you want let me know I can provide you my friends address which is well know address/densly populated address and see if your Pioneer GPS can find it(unless you hacked with NavTeQ database) and also try to avoid specific route in the route review. Best of luck with it.

I understand F-Series has lot of hacks and possible to make it little better with different TTS files, NavTeQ database and other hacks. But user does not have to resort to hacks to make it usable.

Anyway, the bluetooth froze again today. So I am not sure that is exactly the reason, but for sure the frequency is reduced by not synching the phone book.

New Firmware(or the previous Europe version) fixed bluetooth issue. Navigation issues are still there.

So just got back from lunch and still good! I'll post again on Friday and let everyone know if it freezes again.

Thanks for update. Appreciate if remaining folks also can provide their experience.

Unfortunately you cant edit any route parameters unless you replan the route and select an alternate route.

How do I select an alternative route?

This problem is not just for highways, even for local roads routing. You know specific road is closed, but you may not know the alternative route to go around it, and this Nav can not do anything for it.

This is basic requirements, and I think this is lamest attempt by Pioneer.