Well the Pioneer F series has finally turned me over to the dark side.

 

After purchasing an off brand iPod composite cable from Wal-mart the unit still did not recognize the ipod.

 

I went to Best Buy and purchased an authentic Apple composite cable and the unit did not detect the ipod.

 

I ordered another iPod cable from Pioneer and the unit still did not detect the iPod.

 

I bought a brand new iPod and the unit did not detect the iPod.

 

I tried a basic thumb drive with some music loaded, it did not detect the device.

 

So I called up Squaretrade for a warranty repair, I have an F90 bought off eBay brand new since Pioneer won't service an item purchased off eBay, so I took it to my place of business Circuit City.

 

I take the unit apart, we are an authorized Pioneer facility, to detect that the circuit board that the USB cable is attached to is dead; there is no connectivity and no voltage on the board at all. The main circuit board the cable is attached to direct cost is $800; might as well replace the entire unit.

 

Well that means a couple of things, I can send the unit off to Pioneer and have Squaretrade cover the repair but I nay be without a head unit for about a month or cash out the warranty and take the $889 that I paid for the unit and purchase something else.

 

I opted to do the latter. This is the 3rd F90 that I have had due to the pre-amp failing and now the USB cable has no connectivity and no power. All other features work fine but seeing as how my iPod is the only source of music I listen to it is a much larger problem.

 

Squaretrade reimbursed me the $889 today and I purchased the Kenwood DNX7120 w/ BT kit for $800. I'll purchase the warranty again from Squaretrade.

 

Pioneer has driven me to the dark side.