Just ordered mine from Crutchfield. I am curious about a number of issues that I encountered with the previous firmware such as:
I'll let you know!
Just ordered mine from Crutchfield. I am curious about a number of issues that I encountered with the previous firmware such as:
- HD radio stations are not stored with name or frequency, just Station 1 or so
...
That still exists.
Bummer! 
I sometimes wonder if the programmers are not allowed to test what they are actually doing! QC is probably an unknown term there...
I have had the update for about two weeks now. So far it is nice. Still slow when loading the SD card. Other than that things are faster. I haven't tried the USB yet, but I read in the manual that it only supports 2GB SD card and USB. And even though I had an 8GB USB flash drive it worked, but it did take time to load up. I use the Ipod more cause I like the file system setup and the volume levels are much more even that with even my WAV/ lossless files.
here is my new SPLASH of a splash screen too.
Am I the only person having trouble entering testmode since doing the upgrade? I did the legit upgrade and it went smoothly. I'm in agreement about the screen being more responsive, and generally I'm happy with it. But it wiped out my software modification to eliminate the parking-brake warning, and I wanted to restore that. I've tried two different SD Cards with the test mode files on them, and when I boot, it just ignores the cards and boots as normal. Is there a way to force it to boot from the SD card? (Just turning on the power with the testmode SD card in the slot was enough to make it boot into testmode before the upgrade.)
I had similar experience as everyone else...only needed 1 retry and it went smooth. I don't think much has changed besided the new version of CE and the maps. The navigation speed is faster thanks to the new version of CE and the signs for highway driving are nice thanks to the new maps. But everything else seems to be the same. The unreliable connection to iPOD still hasn't been fixed and I have noticed that the playback with the SD card seems to be worse. If I turn on the random feature, then it takes forever to switch songs. The interface for the SD music/video is still crappy
Hopefully Pioneer will actually fix some of their software defects in the next release.
Am I the only person having trouble entering testmode since doing the upgrade? I did the legit upgrade and it went smoothly. I'm in agreement about the screen being more responsive, and generally I'm happy with it. But it wiped out my software modification to eliminate the parking-brake warning, and I wanted to restore that. I've tried two different SD Cards with the test mode files on them, and when I boot, it just ignores the cards and boots as normal. Is there a way to force it to boot from the SD card? (Just turning on the power with the testmode SD card in the slot was enough to make it boot into testmode before the upgrade.)
Well, I solved my own problem. I guess I was using the outdated version of test mode (Downloaded from the links on the FAQ page in the Hacks/Mods section.) I found this link to Test Mode 2.6:
http://avic411.com/forum/download/file.php?id=7376
and using that version of test mode worked.
I waited for 2 months for my official, legit copy to arrive. It arrived on a Friday and I had to wait until Tuesday for the server in Japan to come up to build my password. I attempted the install and SD 1 went on without a problem. SD 2 got hung up at about the 3% updating point. Retry errors. I took car to local Pioneer dealor that installed my BT90. My unit was hosed and only option was to send it off to be reloaded. Local dealors are not allowed the CD to reflash the unit. I am now 1.5 weeks with an empty hole where my stereo used to be. 
I gave up on the retrys after about 50 times. Pioneer dealor gave up after a few hours as well.
Well I finally found a flaw in the upgrade.
Things were going great until yesterday morning. I started the car and music started right away. Then the screen went black. The music continued and I could change source via the steering wheel, but no touch screen. I got to work and at the end of the day, it started up normally without a problem.
Then, this morning, the same thing happened. But this time after 10 minutes, the screen came back on, but without the top line of options. No back button or anything. The map and home buttons didn't work either. Again, I could change sources and stations.
Once I got back in the car at the end of the day, it started up fine again. Hopefully this isn't a recurring issue. 
Well I finally found a flaw in the upgrade.
Things were going great until yesterday morning. I started the car and music started right away. Then the screen went black. The music continued and I could change source via the steering wheel, but no touch screen. I got to work and at the end of the day, it started up normally without a problem.
Then, this morning, the same thing happened. But this time after 10 minutes, the screen came back on, but without the top line of options. No back button or anything. The map and home buttons didn't work either. Again, I could change sources and stations.
Once I got back in the car at the end of the day, it started up fine again. Hopefully this isn't a recurring issue.
same here
I had an interesting upgrade experience.. My stock F900BT died a few days ago, before I was able to install the 3.0 update. It would start and show my splash screen, then go to black.. Since I didn't want to pull the unit and send it in, I decided it was already broke and I couldn't make it any worse. I grabbed the 3.0 disks and set aside some time and went for a install.
An hour and a half later, it was back to life. It did stick and request a retry at 99%, but other than that it was smooth. It definately got me out of a jam!.
I received and installed my 3.0 update today. All went very smooth. Boot-up time didn't seam to changemuch. Touch screen responds much faster and all the other updates are nice. I love not having the annoying beep for volume on the steering wheel control! Well worth the $60 IMHO.
Is it just me or is it sad how most posts are about how the update doesn't work, or needs to be run a few times to work? You would expect reviews for a major upgrade to be favorable and raving about how great the improvements are, not merely "my buttons respond faster". Not knocking on the reviewers, rather the product. They could improve so much on this thing and yet the results are minimal.
Going by how the Pioneer sales line was swamped for a couple of days from those who heard of the deal on this site, and how few install issues are in this thread, I'd say it's been pretty good.
Well I finally found a flaw in the upgrade.
Things were going great until yesterday morning. I started the car and music started right away. Then the screen went black. The music continued and I could change source via the steering wheel, but no touch screen. I got to work and at the end of the day, it started up normally without a problem.
Then, this morning, the same thing happened. But this time after 10 minutes, the screen came back on, but without the top line of options. No back button or anything. The map and home buttons didn't work either. Again, I could change sources and stations.
Once I got back in the car at the end of the day, it started up fine again. Hopefully this isn't a recurring issue.
same here
Ditto. I get the same results sometimes. Its random, and it could be 1 of 3 outcomes.
In general, I will say I'm kinda bummed at how slow 3.0 is compared to 2.0. The map doesn't load as quickly, doesn't run as smoothly, and the routes don't calculate nearly as fast. As a whole, the 2.0 firmware seemed to be "lighter weight". I do like the improved button response and significantly better looking and functioning maps though (which is likely why the new firmware runs slower). And the new MSN Direct Traffic Flow makes the unit invaluable compared to many other gps systems on the market.
i upgraded my non modded (do have parking brake hardware hack) F700bt to 3.0 the other day. The install went off without a hitch. However, I have noticed one extremely annoying thing, the time won't stay set properly I live in Oregon and have read elsewhere on these forums about the timezone bug; but I am not sure that particular problem applies in this case. I have set the timezone to Pacific standard (non auto correct) and it shows the correct time, but the actual displayed time on the clock after I exit the time settings menu is one hour ahead. Has any one else experienced this? Is there a fix? Is it possible that the system time in the BIOS of the unit could be off now? Is there a way to set system time independent of the interface?
Mods please move this if this is not the appropriate place for this post.
as crappy as this unit is, when compared to Kenwood Nav units and as much problems as this POS system is, I can't believe Pioneer has the f'n balls to charge us for it... 
as crappy as this unit is, when compared to Kenwood Nav units and as much problems as this POS system is, I can't believe Pioneer has the f'n balls to charge us for it...
Geez, you just sound like a hater. NO clue what your issue is, but I happen to think this unit is pretty damn good now. If you hate it THAT MUCH, then sell it, throw it off a bridge and move on with your life, christ man. Is this in dash navigation unit really the biggest thing going on in your life? If so, I would suggest you go get one. Geesh.
Is it just me or is it sad how most posts are about how the update doesn't work, or needs to be run a few times to work? You would expect reviews for a major upgrade to be favorable and raving about how great the improvements are, not merely "my buttons respond faster". Not knocking on the reviewers, rather the product. They could improve so much on this thing and yet the results are minimal.
Who is going to jump on a site and say yaaay this is wonderful? 1 out of 100, how many will jump on this site to say WTF this unit sucks donky balls! 50/100 ? So yeah there you go.
I think the upate was worth it, its a big improvement, and well maybe thats just me? I am guessing those who like it are out using it, thats the way life works typically. Yep.
I did the 3.0 install on my commute one day last week. (yes I commute a long way).
I did it over the CMH mods and it works fine.
Geez, you just sound like a hater. NO clue what your issue is, but I happen to think this unit is pretty damn good now. If you hate it THAT MUCH, then sell it, throw it off a bridge and move on with your life, christ man. Is this in dash navigation unit really the biggest thing going on in your life? If so, I would suggest you go get one. Geesh.
I just installed the update last night... It really helps the unit tremendously... I still think it should have been a no charge item... I've had my F90BT for a year now, I don't regret it nearly as much after the 3.0 update...
Cranbers you realize you don't have to reply to everyone's rant right? Sorry to get you that worked up about it...
Just to add my experience, the install was simple and straightforward. No glitches at all.
The upgrade is amazing. The unit used to be so slow as to be unusable. Also, it would frequently (about 40% of the time) not connect to the iPod classic that is more or less permanently connected to it, requiring me or my passenger to take it out of the glove box, unplug it, and reconnect it. Now the response is lightening quick and in two days I haven't had to reconnect the iPod. The only thing that hasn't improved, as far as I can tell, is start-up time. Still quite slow. But this was totally worth the $80 I spent on the upgrade. I mean, it should have run this well before, but since it didn't, I'm stoked it does now.
Cheers,
Dr. James