Z140BH Issues

[CPJD]

This is my first post to the forum, but I have been a lurker since I got the Z140BH.

 

This is my first NAV HU, and may be my last based on this one.

 

Currently, the damned thing is cycling from splash screen to dead, and over, and over again.  My installer/dealer is also the Pioneer repair for the area, so he's looking into it, but I've gotta say it's irritating as hell.  Mostly because my original Z140 was swapped out for this one about a month ago due to a boot error (it simply had a blank screen with "error code 6" in the corner).  I'll see what happens, but there are other irritations with the thing that are magnified due to the boot issues.

 

Some of the irritations:

 

 - The map is less than stellar.  It will calculate a route to a POI in the area, and even though I'm on a main highway (in Western Canada), the green route indicator will change to purple, and it'll say "due to limited data, navigation cannot be continued".  The route is purple instead of green, and road names are still displayed all the way to the destination, so what is the issue?

 - Also with the map, I am consistently taken 30 - 40 feet from my destination.  I have reset the current location, and I have the learning mode on, but it just doesn't seem to know where I am.

NOTE:  I have read forum entries that explain that the maps just plain won't be as good as my old Garmin, but this isn't much better than scratching a route on a cocktail napkin.

 

 - Also:  what is up with AVIC feeds for Blackberry?  I have looked, but can't find any reason WHY the APP was removed from BB App World.  Being able to connect to the BB was one of the selling points (a minor one) and it's a bit irking to learn that the APP is no longer available even though Pioneer still touts it as being a feature.

 - I also don't see the point of being able to change the picture on the Splash screen but not the general background.  The Splash screen displays for all of 15 seconds at boot up (unless you have my current issue), but the plain black screen is always there.  I see that there are hacks to change the background (maybe not on this one yet), so why not, at the price point, make it available to do with the risk of bricking the unit?

 

Not showing data from local FM stations, intermittent Bluetooth connectivity, and spotty VR are a few more areas of contention, but this first post is long enough

 

I'm fully aware that I'm probably being pickier due to this new boot error, but it really sucks that consumers needs to live with subpar performance on a supposed "to of the line" unit.

 

I won't even get started on calling Pioneer "support".

 

Thanks for letting me vent.

[thanwu]

I just installed a AVIC-Z140 in my 06 Sienna XLE by myself with by pass of brake wire. It works fine and did not have problem with what you mentioned. What kind of vehicle was this unit installed? I really suspect the ability of these installer.  This is my first try to install Navigation in automobiles. I have to say, it is very simple, especially for experienced installers. The map does show less detail compared to my Garmin 1390, but I have not experienced any problem with it yet. You can not blame the pioneer for Blackberry connectivity but Blackberry.  They are far behind other smart phone in terms of daily apps.

this unit is the top rated in Cnet car navigation systems.

[CPJD]

I just installed a AVIC-Z140 in my 06 Sienna XLE by myself with by pass of brake wire. It works fine and did not have problem with what you mentioned. What kind of vehicle was this unit installed? I really suspect the ability of these installer.  This is my first try to install Navigation in automobiles. I have to say, it is very simple, especially for experienced installers. The map does show less detail compared to my Garmin 1390, but I have not experienced any problem with it yet. You can not blame the pioneer for Blackberry connectivity but Blackberry.  They are far behind other smart phone in terms of daily apps.

this unit is the top rated in Cnet car navigation systems.

 

It's in a 2007 Saturn Aura.  I'm not sure why the issues I have are the fault of the installer, because they don't program or manufacture the unit.  Istallation-wise, the by pass is done, speed sensor and steering wheel controls are hooked up, and everything else WAS good.  The unit simply gave up.  Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm reasonably certain that Blackberry doesn't develop apps for other vendors.

 

Update:

The original unit from my car went to Pioneer for repair and I am told that they have to change the main board (my dealer/installer sent it in).  Whenever it gets back, they're going to swap it out and send away the brick that's currently in my car.

[CPJD]

So......here's another update:

 

My original Z140 got back to my dealer last Thursday after getting a new board at Pioneer.  It was installed in my car on Friday and before I left the dealer, I decided to check everything out to make sure everything worked. 

 

I was going through ALL of the settings, and when I got to the NAV screen, a message popped up to say that there was no GPS antenna hooked up.  I rebooted it, and tried again, and the same message came up.  I continued going through the other settings, and when I was horsing around with the bluetooth, I found that the VR button on the unit also didn't work (I tried it before and after I paired my phone).  Everything else seemed fine.

 

Back into the dealership I went, and they took the car into the shop to swap out the antenna and to see if they could figure out the problem with the VR button.  After an hour and 3 different GPS antennas, they gave up and let me know that there was a problem with the board.

 

The owner of the shop is suggesting that it's probably just a plug on the board, but their repair department doesn't want to check because if they crack it open, and it isn't a simple fix, they'll have voided the warranty with Pioneer.

 

So my options are to wait while Pioneer fixes it again, or they suggested I put in a head unit without NAV and I can have the difference of my money back.  I pointed out that I don't think I want the original Z140 back due to the problems (call it being gun shy....), and the purpose of changing my GM Head Unit was to add a NAV unit to my car.

 

I also spoke to the owner of the dealer and he was very apologetic and was prepared to give me a full refund on everything including the labour and shop materials (they don't just do car audio, and I'm a regular customer).  I suggested that he call Pioneer and see if they'll send a Z150 instead because, at the end of the day, I'd still like a NAV unit in my car.  He's agreed to give that a try because he's quite surprised that they sent the unit back broken and figures he can raise enough hell to make it happen (they're a major Pioneer dealer in my Province and he's been dealing with them for 30 years).  Not to mention that they'll lose some money by giving me a refund.

 

So now I'm going to give them until Wednesday, and hope that I can still get an AVIC in my car.

[thanwu]

So......here's another update:

 

My original Z140 got back to my dealer last Thursday after getting a new board at Pioneer.  It was installed in my car on Friday and before I left the dealer, I decided to check everything out to make sure everything worked. 

 

I was going through ALL of the settings, and when I got to the NAV screen, a message popped up to say that there was no GPS antenna hooked up.  I rebooted it, and tried again, and the same message came up.  I continued going through the other settings, and when I was horsing around with the bluetooth, I found that the VR button on the unit also didn't work (I tried it before and after I paired my phone).  Everything else seemed fine.

 

Back into the dealership I went, and they took the car into the shop to swap out the antenna and to see if they could figure out the problem with the VR button.  After an hour and 3 different GPS antennas, they gave up and let me know that there was a problem with the board.

 

The owner of the shop is suggesting that it's probably just a plug on the board, but their repair department doesn't want to check because if they crack it open, and it isn't a simple fix, they'll have voided the warranty with Pioneer.

 

So my options are to wait while Pioneer fixes it again, or they suggested I put in a head unit without NAV and I can have the difference of my money back.  I pointed out that I don't think I want the original Z140 back due to the problems (call it being gun shy....), and the purpose of changing my GM Head Unit was to add a NAV unit to my car.

 

I also spoke to the owner of the dealer and he was very apologetic and was prepared to give me a full refund on everything including the labour and shop materials (they don't just do car audio, and I'm a regular customer).  I suggested that he call Pioneer and see if they'll send a Z150 instead because, at the end of the day, I'd still like a NAV unit in my car.  He's agreed to give that a try because he's quite surprised that they sent the unit back broken and figures he can raise enough hell to make it happen (they're a major Pioneer dealer in my Province and he's been dealing with them for 30 years).  Not to mention that they'll lose some money by giving me a refund.

 

So now I'm going to give them until Wednesday, and hope that I can still get an AVIC in my car.

I feel your pain, CPJD. Can't the installer just swipe a new Z140 for you since they are authorized Pioneer dealer for 30 years? The new z150 is almost twice the price of z140 now. I don't think pioneer will give you the new z150. By the way, are you located in Canada? I will test the GPS versus my Garmin 1390LMT unit in my summer trip to Yellowstone National park. I will update the info. Some people complain the Navigation of this unit, It works fine for me localy, just less map details.

[CPJD]

I feel your pain, CPJD. Can't the installer just swipe a new Z140 for you since they are authorized Pioneer dealer for 30 years? The new z150 is almost twice the price of z140 now. I don't think pioneer will give you the new z150. By the way, are you located in Canada? I will test the GPS versus my Garmin 1390LMT unit in my summer trip to Yellowstone National park. I will update the info. Some people complain the Navigation of this unit, It works fine for me localy, just less map details.

 

So the "fixed" unit is on its way back to Pioneer.  The tech at my dealer called a Pioneer tech and was given permission to crack the unit open.  Turns out that the new board Pioneer put in is malfunctioning. 

 

The first time the unit stopped working, my dealer swapped it out for their display model because they didn't have any left in stock and the Z150 was already announced so they didn't order any more.  The display model also stopped working (it had the power cycle issue that is listed on a thread somewhere), and they've also sent that to Pioneer.  Frankly, I don't want either one of them back anymore.  I've wasted more damned time on this than it's worth.

 

I'm sure that Pioneer would send a new (or refurbished) Z140 if my dealer asked, but with all of the horsing around, I want a 150 or my money back.  They dealer will give me a refund but he'll lose far less if he can negoiate a Z150, so I'll see what happens.

 

Yes, I am in Canada.  On the weekend, I dug out my old Garmin Nuvi and have been using it and find it has better map data than the Z140 even though I last updated in 2010.  I realize that Pioneer makes electronics, so it's unfair to compare their GPS with a Garmin, and I probably wouldn't have if I wasn't have the damned issues I'm having.

 

At the end of the day, I just want a friggin GPS head unit.....I haven't even complained (too much) that I paid for a year of Sirius that I haven't been able to access (although Sirius did credit me a month when I told them the story).

[Buddy3000]

I agree with all the people who say the apple stuff should be removed. Pioneeer has tried this implementation several times and never have made the functionality worth the aggrivation. I remember buying my first AVIC-N1 with the iPod adapter, even went and bought an iPod, thinking it would be a great fit. The Pioneer interface was so poorly designed, I returned the iPod and sold the adapter on eBay.

 

It also seems that as GUI interfaces evolve, pioneer continues to fall short, since my AVIC-N1, I've also owned a D3 and a 140BT. There are a million (slight exageration)  things I would fix if I could. And I don't understand why they haven't issued any firmware updates. I kept checking to see if they would address and fix some of the complaints, but they haven't.

 

Some of the things I think they should fix:

 

1. Presets only showing PCH1 - PCH16 (My N1 shows the actual channel)

2. MP3 cover art should be displayed

3. You shouldn't have to press 2 or 3 buttons to get to settings

4. They took away the "always show clock" option. I often use music DVDs and the clock does not display while playing DVDs

5. HD Radio should show all song info at the same time, not a single line choice

6. You should be able to sort and search for content on SD card

7. Pause/Play button should be larger, it's dificult to find and sometimes even press

8. They could easily add, speed sensing volume control

9. There use to be seperate controls for navigation and beep volumes. I don't think anyone asked to have those combined.

 

It just seems like they've been taking one step forward and two steps back. For the prices we dish out for these HUs, they should have everything but the kitchen sink.

[Buddy3000]

Oh, and how can I forget the SD Card folder limit. I'll be glad when the car PC, becomes more complete, so I can start doing my ow GUI interface development.

[NCHornet]

i HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY NAV UNIT Z140BH. I don't live in the boondocks, it clearly shows the name of the road that I am on, and if I am in a route the color of the road is changed just as it should, but I have no voice guidance at all. I get a message that says I am in an area that doesn't provide voice directions, or whatever the OP posted in his first post. I called Pioneer and the idiot said, what's the problem you are simply out of range. If I was out of range, how is it showing the street name and directions I am in traveling not to mention the color of the road changes as I continue. When I get in these areas I always just watch the screen and follow the directions that it is providing on the screen itself.  If it can provide the information that it does, I see no reason why it can't also have the voice guidance.