xtremevette

I get what you are saying as far as tech. The AVHP3200DVD I recently purchased was my first aftermarket stereo, and in some ways I am quite impressed with it, but it also falls short in surprising ways.

 

With the ability to read USB drives, SD cards, and DVDs, I just expected it to perform more like a computer, I think. But the file management leaves a lot to be desired. There is no way to sort files on these media, for example. The ability to run apps seems far off compared to this basic function. Clearly, the tech is still going towards audio and not so much the interface, but I'm not so sure that's a bad thing when we're talking about car stereos.

Well being how I bet know body thought that phones would develop into what they can do now. Why not have car audio head units have the capability to expand to allow the user to customize it in any way they feel. I agree with you on some of the tech going towards the audio section but like you said...even that seems to be lacking when you think of how the Ipad and Iphone work. You can buy apps to download music, alter the music, send the music, etc. There is so much room for improvemement

Ok so first off I had the AVIC Z110BT and sold it to go with a flip out model cause I wanted to add a Pioneer DSP EQ to my system (cause the AVIC and all Pioneer models don't have a good respectable 15 band) and I only had a double dinn opening. So that is the reason why getting rid of the AVIC...well that and some other reasons.

First off...I actually like the interface on my AVH5200BT MORE then the AVIC!!! Believe it or not. Things just more logically made sense in the way that it worked. I love my choice and only have a few cons to it.

Pros: interface more easy to use, buttons are larger then the avic and easier to press and work. The screen and functions are all very very quick just like the AVIC but more logically and you don't have to hunt for certain things. I also love the NO boot up time the AVH has over the AVIC. The display is cool and very well laid out. I like the clock/date in the upper corner.

Cons: I only have really 2 cons for this unit and would like to see the interface be able to have "upgrade features compatibility".

Con 1: the display....the display on the AVH 5200BT is way too low for the technology of today. It should be equal to if not better then the AVIC which it is not. The display is 480x240....not great by any means.

Con 2: USB input on the front BUT no USB on the back? This unit really needs to have a USB port on the back on the unit. The front one is a great idea but it definitely needs one on the back as well to hide cords. The front input should only be for a quick portable device hookup. If you run an ipod full time there really should be a port on the back for this.

Con 3/up-gradability: the AVH line should be able to have some way to update the user interface and it would be nice to see it support apps for expandability. Case in point, the unit can add on navigation with the U220 but can't do avic feeds and to the best my knowledge you can't add MusicSphere. I would really like to see it be able to do this. So if MusicSphere could be saved in a format for the AVH line that would be great! This plus other apps such as a 15 band "upgraded Digital EQ" over the basic 8 band the unit comes with would be a great idea. All we are talking about is software...should be a piece of cake when you think about it.

Summary: most cell phones now are coming with better options and expandability over car stereos. I think the car audio guys need to technologically bump up their head units to be able to do the same. The AVIC Z120 seems to be the first one really showing some promise but being Pioneers new flagship model, it even is behind the times when you compare it to the way new phones get their information. In a word..."Car-Apps!!!"Why not apps (small applications) for Car Stereo head units, so that the user can customize his setup to the way HE/SHE wants it is what Iam saying! The possibilities are pretty endless....Custom Equalizers, Custom Artwork, Downloadable Music Apps, MusicSphere, Weather Apps, Traffic Apps, Nascar Apps, etc etc...basically similar to the way you get them on your phone.

The female end of the USB cable that the iPod cable plugs into is like 3-4 feet long. That should give you plenty of length.

Yeh I just figured that out by looking at the diagrams...man good thing I saw that now! At least now I can return the extension cable I bought. I already ran the USB cord to my center console so now looks like I just plug the Ipod interface cable into it and should be good to go. Do ya happen to know if you can connect more then one USB device through a USB splitter? I would still like to keep the benefit of my thumb drive but also want to use the Ipod. Being they use the same cable and USB port, right now I can only hook up one.

Well gonna try the Ipod hookup...man they don't give cables away! $52 for it at BestBuy. I needed it in a hurry and couldn't wait, otherwise they can be found for around $40 plus shipping. Another gotcha from Pioneer lol. Why in the world did they make the cable 2 feet long!? That is barely enough cable to make it to my glovebox nevermind the center console. So yeh....needed an adapter for the USB. Another $34 for that cable. OUCH almost $90 in cables. Iam hoping that the VR will come back like it is posted it should via the Ipod. Plus hoping the titles show up. I have taken my deep breath...now just got to pray this works.

Ok so I finally just got my Z110BT installed last night and had some time to mess with it a little. After seeing all the responses from people I too am eagerly awaiting an upgrade! I can't believe Iam saying that...1 day after installing the thing! I won't complain too much but the testers at Pioneer really dropped the ball in my opinion on this "Flagship" for their lineup. I saw the video of the newly released AVIC-X920BT which is supposedly one notch lower then the AVIC Z110BT when you visit Pioneers site. Shoot the site itself is very VERY misleading showing you the key features of the new AVIC-X920BT right next to the AVIC Z110BT! Which the Z does not have those features! lol. So please Pioneer step up to the plate and upgrade your flagship with at least the user interface of the newer AVIC-X920BT.

Here is direct link to Pioneers site showing the "misleading page" (the 2 features, MusicSphere and EcoRouting to the left the Z doesn't come with (unless someone knows something I don't

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/CarAudioVideo/In-Dash/GPS-Navigation-Systems#section=overview

Now here is a link of the "lower line model with the new improved user interface and features!"

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/CarAudioVideo/In-Dash/GPS-Navigation-Systems/AVIC-X920BT

Ok so on to the things Iam not too happy with lol (I say this jokingly with a sarcastic smile)

1) The maps...purely outdated like many have complained about! Come on..totally unacceptable! What am I still gonna have to bring along my lousy $100 Tom Tom for navigation cause my $1000 navigation head unit can't find roads? NOT RIGHT!

2) The USB/SD user interface cuts off the song titles after only about 15 characters. I can only make out the name of the band and then like the first 5 letters of the title...that's it. It is a guessing game as to what song Iam going to find. Not cool. You should be able to pull the bar over more to reveal more of the song title. But you can't.

3) To date, I haven't been able to have the thing do a single command via voice. I say one thing, the unit does another. I say "play Breaking Benjamin, show me a sign" it comes back saying "Am source selected" Yeh that is top of the line voice recognition there. I dunno, I mean shoot if a Ford Focus stock can do this why can't Pioneer?

So far Iam split in my thoughts. I like the unit for what it can do but not too happy with what it should and can't. I really would like to see some improvements and hopefully soon. I show my vette and would be almost embarrassed to have someone in it and have the thing not be able to navigate or can't even find song cause it doesn't show have the title to it! When and if the update becomes available, am I happy I am going to have to shell out more $$$$ for Pioneers lack of quality to make something that works correctly? No not too happy. I do understand thought that at the time last year when the unit came out that this is more then likely all that was available at the time, but seeing the new user interface is out, available in a lower line product, and appears to correct and make better some of these key complaints of the Z110BT ...well that just frustrates the hell out of me.

So bottom line: anyone know when the BT120 (although pioneer denies it's existence) or the firmware/software upgrade may be available?

So now the big question is why aren't the tuners getting marked down as well? This makes no sense to me. What good is lowering the price of the subscription when you still have to shell out around $80-$100 bucks to throw it away in less then 2 years time? Am I missing something. I would think the deal for the Avic Z110BT should be something like this: Get the tuner and subscription for $100 till MSN ends in 2012. Do people agree?

Anybody know if the beep/tone sound remains if you hook this up to a multi-channel amplifier setup? I read somewhere that if you don't use the audio section of a unit that the beep tones would not be heard cause they don't go through the output section/RCAs. I just can't remember if that was for the AVIC Z110BT or not.

Thanks

Jeff

No, there are no hacks for the Z110

well not really looking for a "hack" more like does Pioneer offer any "upgrades" or downloadable new maps, new beeps, new voices? I have read that this is really common with other units. Can't really see that they are not available for the "flagship" model of Pioneer. I would be willing to pay for some additional tones/navi voices, etc.

Thanks

Jeff

OH PS: if there are no "hacks" for the Z110 why is there a forum for this lol????? sorry dumb question but had to ask.

I hear ya dogbone...that does suck indeed. Wouldn't think it would be that hard for hackers. Shoot look how easy it is to hack a computer....as far as your issue, I might have a solution. There are things out there called battery backups. It is like a 9 volt supply you plug into the lighter socket and when you disconnect the battery guess what this little device keeps auxiliary power so that your head unit won't lose its presets...pretty crafty...

Is there any hack out there to modify or re-upload a better graphic equalizer. I would like one with more eq bands. Because this is simply software I would think you could hack it or over-write it with a better one? Anybody have any ideas? I particularly am interested in having a 16khz or 18khz slider. My hearing is lacking in those frequencies so I would like to boost it there. The 12.5khz end limit seems to be sorta low for a "high frequency" adjustment.

Thanks

Jeff

I would like to change the "beep" tone. I don't want to disable it. I just would like to change it. Anybody know of a hack for this or how it can be done?