Why is it your "flagship" unit can't have the best software you have available?? I have two z2's. Both have Bluetooth echos and the voice recognition is shakey. But I had a need for a 3rd radio and instead of a navigation unit, I went with something else. I only wanted XM and Bluetooth for this vehicle. So I bought a Pioneer FH-P8000BT. It also has USB for my flash drive...and all for under $300. It's a real nice radio. But get this...there are three stages of echo cancellation in the software to choose from. I used the middle one and there is ABSOLUTELY NO ECHO at any time! Furthermore, through the Bluetooth, it utilizes the Voice Recognition in my phone software. (LG phone) It has NEVER, EVER misses a command. Even with the a/c blowing full blast at 80 mph down the road. It never misses. Best damn Bluetooth and Voice Recognition combination I've ever seen. I have had several folks tell me the sound quality is much better than my factory Acura MDX...and that's saying something.

So Pioneer...what the hell??? If you can give us that in a $300 radio, why not the top of the line Z series???

Because the FH-P8000BT was new last year, and the Z-Series hasn't been changed since it was introduced in 2004.

Because the FH-P8000BT was new last year, and the Z-Series hasn't been changed since it was introduced in 2004.

thats a good point...makes you wonder why the Z is about 4 years behind in technology, yet, it's still considered Pioneer's Pride and Joy HU.

I'm pretty sure the Z1 was announced in late '05, but didn't go on sale until 2006 so it's just 2-1/2 years behind.

I think the Z is just lingering with the F-series being where Pioneer is putting all their resources. Too bad it's so buggy with a puny screen.

It was announced at SEMA in 2004.

Everything I've found on Google says SEMA 2005, back in November of that year.

http://www.twice.com/article/CA6281872.html

http://www.urbanracer.com/articles/anmviewer.asp?a=1708

http://50mustangsuperfords.automotive.c ... d-usa.html

Arrrrgfblaajkqkqewrggghhh give us MONNNNEEEYYYYYYYY

Because the FH-P8000BT was new last year, and the Z-Series hasn't been changed since it was introduced in 2004.

That is the lamest excuse I have ever heard in my life. By that reasoning, we should all be using Lotus 123 v1.1. I'm not yelling at you...but at Pioneer. Software updates...and the echo IS A SOFTWARE ISSUE...are very easy to do. All you have to do is commit the resources. Pioneer must not be willing. I'll tell you...I need one more nav unit. I'm seriously considering another brand this time due to Pioneer's software bugs...or more accurately, their unwillingness to fix their software bugs.

I'll agree, the worst navi system out there

I can't find any streets that were built within the last 3 years

Yesterday was that put me over the edge, I was looking for a bank and typed in the name, it showed the closest one around the conner. So I went to it. As I'm pulling up to where the map shows it's supposed to be, I find myself under power lines and the closest intersection is residential area, not a single store, strip mall, not even anything that looks close to industrial.

The worst navigation I've ever used

It isn't the navigation that is bad, it is TeleAtlas's POI data and maps.

All nav systems that use TeleAtlas maps have the same problem. They are very accurate in their European coverage, but their North American coverage and accuracy is pretty crappy. Navteq maps (which most nav systems in North America use) are much more accurate.

Hopefully TeleAtlas will get better in future map updates (something I have been hoping for since I had my TomTom Go 3 years ago).

It is one of the major challenges that no matter how good the nav interface and location accuracy are, if there is not accurate information in the map database, it is moot. Shame Pioneer chose to go with TeleAtlas.