I was about ready to give up on my AVIC-NEX8000. It almost never connects to my phone, via the wired cradle. I can only get it to work by turning the car off and back on 5 or 10 times. It does work with bluetooth, but you lose almost all of the functionality. Also, bluetooth won't work when the phone is in the cradle, so I can't charge the phone unless I charge it outside of the cradle.
Anyhow, I figured I'd look around and see if there was a newer firmware file out there. I already had v1.20. I found a few mentions of a firmware v1.21, although Pioneer doesn't have any AVIC-NEX8000 firmware on their site anymore as far as I can see.
BUT I did find a copy of the v1.21 firmware on some random web site:
https://www.touslesdrivers.com/index.php?v_page=23&v_code=59581&v_langue=en
I downloaded the firmware, and followed the instructions - a copy is here:
It took 5 to 10 minutes, and it's like I have a brand new unit. It links up perfectly with my phone. I am absolutely thrilled.
I can't see if there are any new features, other than that it can connect to my iPhone again. Which is a pretty important feature.
John Feinberg
Montclair, NJ