microsoft might not be a good example, Vista is very buggy for alot of people, and microsoft solution is......... Windows 7... wich you will have to buy (microsoft even said that vista was just a buffer in between XP in Win7)

Yes that maybe but you still get free updates on patches, bug fixes etc. and that is the point. They don't charge for patches... I don't know about you but I get them for free. Pioneer is not coming out with a new product (F-Series), they are simply fixing the current device that have been sold.

Where are you reading that pioneer is charging for 3.0?

Have you read this thread? It 's through out.

Admirably? Really? No offense, but I call that settling... my D3 always did what it was supposed to do with no delayed response. Granted it did not have VR, but I never had to wait 7-8 minutes into driving before being able to use a 'feature' it came with. Also, that 'feature' is based on Microsoft's Sync... I wonder if folks that drive Fords have to wait that long once they crank their car to use it... I highly doubt it. I wonder if when they hang up their phones while using bluetooth if the whole system hangs and then you have to sometimes reboot the unit to get music back. I wonder if they have to unplug their iPod when the system simply decides it does not like it this go around. My F90BT lasted about 6 months before I just could not take it anymore... since I am being honest, the VR function was GREAT when it worked correctly, but that is not enough for me. I don't miss that unit at all and I've been left with a very sour taste in my mouth for Pioneer for releasing such a POS for us to beta test for them.

 

For those with the unit, I certainly root for all of you that they do release a 3.0 update. There are a lot of great people on this board that were a great help when I owned my unit; I think it is only fair that Pioneer fix the problems and continue to support this unit that people paid A LOT of money for... keep in mind, you could not always get them for $600.

 

That's how I feel...

 

I agree with the two posters above - it sounds like you got a bum unit. I'm up and playing from my iPod in a little over 20 seconds, have ZERO problems with Bluetooth, and only had to do a hard reset once since September 2009 when my GPS lost signal with the sats.

 

7-8 minutes sounds like you either have a bum unit or screwed the firmware update up. Can you exchange your unit from the retailer you bought it from?

 

Not a bum unit man... I am a tech geek through and through and know hardware failure from software mishaps... the unit was not bad, the software is buggy. You will find a LOT of people on this board with ALL of the issues I mentioned, it is not just me and if it is the unit then there are a lot of defective units out there. If your unit works as you say, then I honestly think that is awesome for you, but I have a hard time believing you can use the VR functions to ask it to call someone or ask it to play a song, etc before the unit has been running for at minimum 5 minutes. My unit had 2.0 when I received it so nothing was done to it from my end to make it run the way it did... all comes down to shitty programing. Also, keep in mind as someone else posted, your unit is pretty new. Things you may be willing to live with and accept right now may be an absolute headache in the months to come. If you can accept the units shortcomings, OR if you feel it doesn't have any, then continue enjoying your unit and I wish you all the luck in the world with it. However, I was not willing to live with it when I know how it should work. There are those of us who love it, and those of us who do not...

Amen brother.

Never mind all of the paying issues and things like that....does anyone have any insight as to when this is actually supposed to come out?

If your backup camera is not turning on quickly, then you most likely wired it wrong. Every system we do, you can get backup camera within 7-8 seconds after turning on the car. Just make sure the camera's power wire is hooked to accessory, and not to the reverse trigger.

Guys lets get the thread back on track and stop discussing our personal issues with our units and get back to discussing firmware news.

Guys lets get the thread back on track and stop discussing our personal issues with our units and get back to discussing firmware news.

...will the price be right, Bob? Whaddya think?

Guys lets get the thread back on track and stop discussing our personal issues with our units and get back to discussing firmware news.

...will the price be right, Bob? Whaddya think?

come on down!

Yes that maybe but you still get free updates on patches, bug fixes etc. and that is the point. They don't charge for patches... I don't know about you but I get them for free. Pioneer is not coming out with a new product (F-Series), they are simply fixing the current device that have been sold.

Where are you reading that pioneer is charging for 3.0?

Have you read this thread? It 's through out.

Yes I have been reading it... and if you would have seen what jason said it is the map update that is what you are going to be charged for... You can get the 3.0 update for free... but you wont be getting any new maps!!!

Yes I have been reading it... and if you would have seen what jason said it is the map update that is what you are going to be charged for... You can get the 3.0 update for free... but you wont be getting any new maps!!!

I am aware of this, however many people seem to think that Pioneer would be charging for the firmware update. All I am stating is my point of of view on a paid update and I don't think it should be a charge.

Maps update = a charge, I can deal with it. I understand Pioneer need to pay for licensing fees etc.

Firmware = no charge, excellent as it should be. I don't feel anyone of us should pay.

Yes I have been reading it... and if you would have seen what jason said it is the map update that is what you are going to be charged for... You can get the 3.0 update for free... but you wont be getting any new maps!!!

I am aware of this, however many people seem to think that Pioneer would be charging for the firmware update. All I am stating is my point of of view on a paid update and I don't think it should be a charge.

Maps update = a charge, I can deal with it. I understand Pioneer need to pay for licensing fees etc.

Firmware = no charge, excellent as it should be. I don't feel anyone of us should pay.

Exactly!

With the F series seemingly getting a 2nd year of life and not being replaced, surely the 3.0 firmware is being dictated more by the upcoming iphone 3.0 hardware. So bearing that in mind it should be safe to assume it will take advantage of any new functionality there.

But perhaps more importantly, has anyone seen the updated UI from the F Series in the AVH-P4100DVD head units ? I am hoping that this updated UI does NOT make it into firmware 3.0.

With the F series seemingly getting a 2nd year of life and not being replaced, surely the 3.0 firmware is being dictated more by the upcoming iphone 3.0 hardware. So bearing that in mind it should be safe to assume it will take advantage of any new functionality there.

 

But perhaps more importantly, has anyone seen the updated UI from the F Series in the AVH-P4100DVD head units ? I am hoping that this updated UI does NOT make it into firmware 3.0.

The AVH-P4100DVD is a complete step back in GUI as far as I'm concerned; I doubt the new F-series OS would employ that look. At least I hope not! As far as the next F-series incorporating any iPhone 3.0 hardware features.... let's not turn this thread into *complete* speculation, as there hasn't even been any official announcements at this time from Apple eluding to new hardware... ;^P

[email protected] to *********@gmail.com

 

Mr Rasmussen

 

Navi-upgrades generally comes out Spring of each year. So please continue to monitor our web site for this years upgrade.

 

 

 

Thank You,

 

Nicole

Customer Service Representative

 

I just got off the phone with Pioneer BeNeLux. They told me there will be a paid map update in July. This in response to a complaint I send about getting maps from 2007 on my F900BT from 2009.

I ask Pioneer BeNeLux (Europe) by mail if they know anything about the firmwareupdate to 3.0

They told me they know nothing about it at the moment

I don't understand this when i read this forum

[email protected] to *********@gmail.com

 

Mr Rasmussen

 

Navi-upgrades generally comes out Spring of each year. So please continue to monitor our web site for this years upgrade.

 

 

 

Thank You,

 

Nicole

Customer Service Representative

 

I just got off the phone with Pioneer BeNeLux. They told me there will be a paid map update in July. This in response to a complaint I send about getting maps from 2007 on my F900BT from 2009.

 

I ask Pioneer BeNeLux (Europe) by mail if they know anything about the firmwareupdate to 3.0

They told me they know nothing about it at the moment

I don't understand this when i read this forum

Of course they're not going to tell you that, for the same reason that Verizon won't tell you about upcoming phones and Apple about upcoming iPods, etc.

They want you to buy one NOW, not when the 3.0 update comes out. If you know they will soon be releasing a fix that makes a product better, and all subsequent products in the line will have this fix, why would you buy one now? You'd wait. They don't like consumers waiting to buy their stuff.

Of course they're not going to tell you that, for the same reason that Verizon won't tell you about upcoming phones and Apple about upcoming iPods, etc.

 

They want you to buy one NOW, not when the 3.0 update comes out. If you know they will soon be releasing a fix that makes a product better, and all subsequent products in the line will have this fix, why would you buy one now? You'd wait. They don't like consumers waiting to buy their stuff.

The unit stay the same, it's just the firmware that go from 2.0 to 3.0. I will not wait to buy until the unit have the 3.0 firmware. Everyone can do the update of his unit when the new firm is out. BTW i told Pioneer support that i have already the F-700BT. So they have no reason to telling me not the truth i think

I don't think Pioneer would say anything about new hardware coming out until it's ready to be reveiled. No one there is "lying" - they just don't have any information until an official product announcement comes out.

Of course they're not going to tell you that, for the same reason that Verizon won't tell you about upcoming phones and Apple about upcoming iPods, etc.

 

They want you to buy one NOW, not when the 3.0 update comes out. If you know they will soon be releasing a fix that makes a product better, and all subsequent products in the line will have this fix, why would you buy one now? You'd wait. They don't like consumers waiting to buy their stuff.

 

The unit stay the same, it's just the firmware that go from 2.0 to 3.0. I will not wait to buy until the unit have the 3.0 firmware. Everyone can do the update of his unit when the new firm is out. BTW i told Pioneer support that i have already the F-700BT. So they have no reason to telling me not the truth i think

I understand from your point of view, but I'm just surmising as to what Pioneer is thinking. They don't absolutely know that you have the 700, even if you told them (lies!) and they may be unsure that if they say something new is coming out, you may shop around and find something better/more to your liking.

I'm sure it's a combination of both this and what the next poster said - the reps don't know the full specs and would rather say nothing than get a minute detail incorrect.

I don't think Pioneer would say anything about new hardware coming out until it's ready to be reveiled. No one there is "lying" - they just don't have any information until an official product announcement comes out.

About the iPhone 3G we know already for sure that there will come out a firmware update to 3.0 this summer, this is months in advance

I wonder why the P.R. of Pioneer is not the same as Apple ?

I wonder why the P.R. of Pioneer is not the same as Apple ?

LOL - have you ever seen a cheeky "Pioneer vs. [insert comp]" ad starring a comic and a B-list actor? You bet your sweet head-unit that their PR are different!

...OK... and Pioneer could easily stop all support for their F-series and release new hardware instead! They have *NO* obligation to keep releasing firmware updates for the current series, despite what you may believe. There is nothing - no where - in their literature or sales brochures that states that they will keep releasing updates to us - at no charge - for the current hardware...

 

My advice is to be thankful that you are getting free updates - since the initial release - that improves the product's performance. It amazes me still that people think that they are "owed" free updates to products at any given time. Rewind 10 years - do you remember a period when such a concept was even conceivable???

 

I could care less if they charge a fee for an improvement in features. I expect to have to pay for a map data-base update due to licensing fees. If the firmware/OS update comes with it, then double bonus.

 

What's the big deal? Since firmware 2.0 the F-series performs admirably. For the money ($500-$600) it's a mega-bargain. That's how I feel anyway..

True Pioneer can just stop providing updates and release a new F series. How would that go over with all their current customers owning the current F-series and knowing that they were left in the dark by Pioneer? Not to well. Every manufacture including Kenwood, Alpine, Eclipse etc provide support for their products, so it doesn't matter what happened 10-20 yrs back weather or not they offered updates, the fact is they didn't have the technology to do so and we the users didn't have a way to accept the update other than shipping back a product so your comparing apples to oranges. Like I state above all other manufactures provide product updates to keep their customers happy and returning. The problem is not that we are not willing to pay for an update, the issue at hand is that Pioneer released a product that was not ready for market, so they attempted to correct it by releasing update 2.0, however that has not fixed all the problems in the F series line. I am very happy that some of you haven't had any major issues but that doesn't mean you wont in the near future. If it does happen do you really want to pay for a fix that should have been part of the unit in the first place?

 

We are not talking about Map data update... everyone knows that we have to pay for the Map updates, that's two different things.

 

I think you're missing my point - the fact that the tech didn't exist 10-20 years ago isn't what I'm talking about. I'm eluding to the typical 'net attitude towards free software updates. In it's current form - that is the 2.0 Firmware - the F-series performs well. Start-up time for core features is acceptable, stability is fine, and it generally works as advertised. If you're having issues (like the ones that wonderdiva mentioned), you probably have defective hardware that should have been returned or exchanged under warranty. The vast majority of users do not experience these issues.

 

For people - and it would appear yourself included - to feel as though you are owed a free software update to further enhance performance - I just think that's preposterous. Where in any of the advertising or literature does it say that if you buy any of their F-series products that you will continue to get free updates?

 

It doesn't.

 

So why would you think that you are owed them? And no - I'm not talking about map updates... I'm talking about OS/feature updates? And every year there's a hardware re-fresh, usually with new or enhanced features. That's what keeps moving the products along. Am I supposed to complain that I'm being slighted just because I bought last year's models and didn't get the new hardware features for free?!!

 

Don't get me wrong - the F-series in Firmware 1.0 was practically a beta test and not worth the money. The update that came out shortly thereafter made it more bearable but still not quite what one would expect - I know I wasn't satisfied. So finally at the end of 2008 we get 2.0 and it feels like an actual release-worthy product. I'm pretty happy with it. So are most users.

 

Do we want more? YES! Should we expect it to be free? NO. Can we hope that it is free? YES!

First I have to say I agree with you. Pioneer does NOT have to give us updates for free. Like you said 20 years ago we didn't have tech support. I can't speak for everyone else but to me it isn't about pioneer giving me something for free its about pioneer making a mistake right. They need to fix what they did wrong not because we deserve it or because we are special and deserve "free" product but because a company should care about it's customers. 20 years ago we didnt' have tech support, companies used their "word" they had "honor" and "pride" in what they made.

Unfortantly companies have lost this aspect of business and customer have gotten into a place where they think that they are owed something for free. This conversation could make it all the way to why our economy is the way it is.

Bottom line the only thing I think pioneer owes us is a working unit. I don't want the map update for free just my unit to work as it said it would. Bottom line!

Agreed. According to this thread, it seems that the update will be free (without maps). I think this is fair.

My thought is that 20 years ago, a company had to get things exactly right when they released a product. Now, they can release it half-baked knowing that they'll be able to "fix" it soon and make money off sales while "fixing" it. This isn't anything unique with Pioneer. Take video game consoles....5-10 years ago, any game released had very few bugs. Now that consoles are connected to the internet, we constantly get updates/fixes (content that wasn't ready in time for the release, bug fixes, etc.). It isn't fair to merely blame the customer for wanting free updates. The electronics industry as a whole has adopted the model of being OK with releasing "nearly final" product.

That said, my 3rd F500BT (yes, 3rd, the first 2 were defective) works flawlessly and is very responsive. I'm happy!

The electronics industry as a whole has adopted the model of being OK with releasing "nearly final" product.

Yea I think you can thank Microsoft for setting that standard.

Maybe F-Series 3.0 is already emboddied in new F9110BT alredy announced by Piooner UK with VW/Skoda/Seat form factor.

If you check the image there are slights changes on the pic announced.

📎 avic-f9110bt.jpg

The newer iGo maps support 3d city landscapes.. This image suggests this is not the case. So firmware.. maybe, but maps not.

Also, here is the same screenshot from a F500, Found in the 2008 Europe navigation brochure :

Not quite the same though, it's taken from the other side. The image used in the press release probebly has been altered. In the 2008 brochure image you can see it's taken using the Demo modus...

Agreed. According to this thread, it seems that the update will be free (without maps). I think this is fair.

I still wonder if there will be any update to 3.0.... Pioneer support say they know nothing about it

And if there is a 3.0 update, the question is ...when??