LS3 MN6

I was trying to load a playlist on my iPod (5th Gen) using my Z140BH (using the stock Pioneer cable and a 30-pin to Lighting adapter from Apple) and for some reason it froze.  I've been using this device for over a year now and never had an issue.

So I disconnected the iPod and the radio unfroze.  But now when I try to load THAT specific playlist (or any playlist with those specific songs) the iPod freezes the HU.  If I disconnect, and manually load the playlist, it refuses to play (only Pandora and aha Radio show up as selection options, iPod does not).  I tried wiping the music off the iPod, remaking the playlist, but no matter what this specific playlist will not function.

Every other playlist I've tried is fine.  What could be the issue?  It's really freaking weird.

I've yet to try the playlist in my Ford Focus but it works when the iPod is just in my hand (or at least it plays the tracks I select).

OEM's don't offer you updates either, I think my Focus ST was the first car that got a free update, but only because a SYNC update required it.

I typically buy 2-3 year old Navigation DVD's for my mom's BMW so she gets updated maps.

Hence the first part of my post....

The new units don't support RDS very well.  Unless you are using HD Radio you are not going to get the Artist and Song info on FM.

You guys are aware that the maps are the same in all cars?  Only two or three companies make GPS data (outside of websites like Google Maps or Bing which SUPPLIMENT the GPS data with user submissions).

Pioneer obviously uses NavTeq, so whatever NavTeq has in their database is what you get on the HU.  Any HU running 2013 NavTeq maps has the SAME coverage as your units.

If you want to get upset by this, don't use ANY maps but ones that come from your phone (so they can be updated daily).  CD and HD based maps will NEVER be that accurate.

You MUST and I repeat MUST use the Pioneer cable!

Pioneer SPLITS the iPhone/iPod output.  Control is done over the DIGITAL connection (the USB port) however audio is transmitted over the ANALOG portion which is transmitted to the Aux-connector.  If you are not using both your iPod will NOT work!

That's always the case.  NavUnits in cars (stock) are outdated when you buy the car.

POI reduction could be because they removed old and outdated POI's without new ones being added.  If they significantly cleaned up the POI index, then this would be a positive, not a negative.  Although generally more POIs is better.

The Firmware updates are only to add Video and AppMode though.  I have a Z140 now (without the updated firmware) and my iPod Gen5 worked fine to listen to Music.  AppMode and Video are disabled.

Looks like new Updates are not from Pioneer but NAVTEQ.  I think you also get the interface update with the 2013 maps to look like the Z150.

Z150 has 2013 maps already so no update.  However we probably will get an update for the 2014 as well, since again the new system (now called NEX8000 or something) still looks to be based on the same hardware as the older Z140, Z150, etc...

Probably not going to happen at this point.

Oh well.  I guess I'll keep my system as is indefinitely as I don't feel like tearing my car apart again to swap out my XM Module if I upgrade to another radio...

Bluetooth works perfectly for me.

 

Trying to plug in directly is where it fails. I have the original cable for the 30-pin connector, Lightning adaptor and it still does not play music. The iPod comes up, shows my entire library, I have full control from the touchscreen, but no audio.

Are you using the Pioneer Cable with Apples 30-pin to Lighting adapter.  If not it won't work.  Plugging your iPod cable into the system will get you no audio because the audio comes in thru the Aux-port.

You are certainly right about the poor design of the BT interface on the AVICs. However I remember when I had my 110/120 you had to choose both handsfree and audio in the BT settings and sometimes it wouldn't work. I say its isolated because there should be many complaints if it was a common issue but I could be wrong.

The choosing "audio and hands free" is done automatically.  It has to do with the way the iPhone publishes the information (based on what information I can find).  If you pair from the head unit then it's done wrong, but if you start the pair from the device it works, UNTIL you update iOS, any update to the phone destroys the connection.  This is because when you update iOS your iPhone now is a "new device"  this is the SAME reason the damn thing re-indexes after every iOS update.

I gave up getting mine to work because frankly it's so difficult to delete the phone from the radio.

There is nothing wrong with either. You guys just have isolated issues with your units.

I highly doubt that for one reason.  I have had 2 units (a Z110 in my GTO now sold and a Z140 in my Corvette) and with multiple phones (iPhone 4 & 4S) and the same issues on both units with both phones.  So it's clearly not isolated.  My new 5S still doesn't work right on my Z140.

Now I have heard that you have to pair your phone a specific way for the Bluetooth music to work right with iPhones but I've yet to try it, since the only way to remove Bluetooth data from the Pioneer units is to reset them (poor design).  I don't use BT Music that often so for me, it's more of an annoyance than something I'm dying to fix.

Start the music from the Phone.  There is an issue with the Bluetooth in Pioneers and the one in Apple Phones.  It hasn't worked right since iOS5 came out.

The BT for Pioneer works fine with the iPhone but only if you start the music playing from the phone.  Once it starts playing all the controls work on the radio as expected.  For some reason Apple's BT stack and the Pioneer BT stack don't play nice. 

My original Z110 worked fine with my iPhone 4, but once I updated to iOS5 it stopped working as intended and has never been the same.  My iPhone 4S and iPhone 5S have the same issues as the iPhone 4 did when it was updated to iOS5.

Use the STOCK Pioneer 30-pin cable.  The Lightning Cable DOES NOT WORK on the Z-series, see Pioneers compatibility matrix.

You need Apple's 30 Pin to Lightening Adapter:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD823ZM/A/lightning-to-30-pin-adapter

Then if you still want to use your lumidock get a FlyBridge

http://flybridge.co/

It raises the iPhone up (due to the adapter), but you can use all existing "dock" devices as is.  I use this setup on my Clock Radio.  For my AVIC I just have the Apple adapter because I have the iPod in a glovebox.

The mic location on the Corvette is less than desirable.  I have my AVIC one mounted there, lots of road noise.  The best location seems to be under the start button next to the center stack.

I'm thinking maybe they'll release it in November.

Well that's quite late.  They used to come out in June a few months after the new units.

Normally the 2013 Update would be out by now.  I'm wondering if the Z140 will get the Z150 interface.  I'm willing to pay for the update.  Anyone know any details?

I think the new updates typically come out in July.

For iPods you have to change the "rear screen" input from iPod to something else to get the unit to pause the iPod.  Once I changed that pausing works.

I've never gotten mine to show up on the Navi like that for pairing.

Once paired my Bluetooth Audio has never worked.  Phone functions work fine.  Maybe I'll try repairing it.

So basically the DA-350 as is won't work on our units.

I guess since my system is only in my "pleasure" car it's not a big deal, and I can live with the shitty mic for the times I drive it.

I'm guessing Pioneer isn't taking new orders, and since the units are still worth something to people with older units the price will not go down.

Simple supply and demand.