I really like the specs on this unit but a recent CNET review slammed the D3 because of the single DVD slot...is the design really that bad? Conjures up images of those old games like Riven (on 5 cds) that had to be loaded and unloaded every few minutes........now that the unit has been on the street for a few weeks are people finding this shortcoming that annoying or is the criticism overblown?

Will you have an iPod/XM/Sirius?

Yes...IPOD and XM....are you suggesting that it is only a problem if you play a lot of cd's?

Well, yes thats exactly what I'm suggesting.

I myself have a D2 and I use a lot of MP3 CDs, so I didn't upgrade to a D3.

But if most of the time you are using your iPod or XM for music, then you can leave the nav disc in there.

So it's a single disc DVD map? I kinda got the sense that there were multiple regions on multiple DVD's....

There are two DVDs. An East and a West.

So unless you happen to live in an area thats on the border of both discs, you only have to worry about one DVD.

I have had my D3 for 2+ weeks and I haven't taken the nav disk out yet. I primarily listen to Sirius/XM/and Ipod so its perfect for me. That idiot who wrote the Cnet review obviously doesn't know a whole lot about indash navi. Maybe he is into portables

And, I know we are in the age of iPods and XM and all that, but I think I am going to hook up a CD changer to mine as well...

Which is why I posted this, http://avic411.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5344...

I have my iPod for all my MP3s and videos and then the CD changer for all my disks...

Only time I should have to take my NAV disk out is if I am using a DVD video... And, I will probably use my iPod for that anyway...

Good luck,

Mark

I have had my D3 for 2+ weeks and I haven't taken the nav disk out yet. I primarily listen to Sirius/XM/and Ipod so its perfect for me. That idiot who wrote the Cnet review obviously doesn't know a whole lot about indash navi. Maybe he is into portables

+1

The D3 only has one CD/DVD slot!!! I've so busy enjoying my D3 that I haven't noticed.

Hmmm. If it had a 10 disc changer I'd still disappointed. My last system had a 6 disc, and I hated always opening the hatch, pulling the disc mag trying to choose only 6 disc's..... man those days are over me. They were cool 10 years ago. Don't miss the point ......Pioneer has delivered with the D3.

This has been the perfect time for me to retire my all CD's back to there jewel cases and go with the whole 80g/5thGen/ipod/Apple Lossless thing. It's all about the incredible access to my music. And I've been pleasantly surprised by the ipods direct connection sound quality. The ipod video support is an extra bonus.

So if I'm going to sit for 2 hours watching a DVD in the car, it's not really that big of a deal to take 10 seconds to change the disc. Otherwise the ipod video is quite decent. And if Apple allows for future video codex's with higher bit rates then we win again!

I could not be happier.

Thanks for the insight.....I knew better than to rely solely on one review...putting in my order for a D3 today...

D3 also has a function where you can store the route your currently on into internal memory, and then take out the disk and the nav will still voice direct you over your dvd movie, or cd your playing...

personally i have just a mini ps2 in my glove box which is my dvd player and games if i was 2 play but not usually... even if i would've bought say teh Z1 or kenwood dnx7100 or ddx7109 i still love having a ps2

personally i have just a mini ps2 in my glove box ....

That's what I'm talkin bout....

So you have it connected to the AV1/2 I'm assumimg? I'll have to try this, hope I have room in the glove box. I really wish the PSP could output A/V.

How often do you drive places where you actually NEED the Nav disk? I spend 90% of my time driving to/from work and other local places that I know well. I know where the gas stations are, where the restaurants are, and multiple routes to get there.

The memory navi can also be set to remember an area around your current location, if no route is selected. If you're using the D3 during your normal commute, this should be all you need and the DVD slot is available for CDs/DVDs.

The east/west navi disk split is roughly around the Mississippi river, but the disks overlap considerably. You'll never have to swap the disks unless you plan a multi-state east/west roadtrip.

How often do you drive places where you actually NEED the Nav disk? I spend 90% of my time driving to/from work and other local places that I know well. I know where the gas stations are, where the restaurants are, and multiple routes to get there.

That's true I dig that it will store my AO. Ha ha, still how many guys here plot a route to Taco Bell, Starbucks, ect.

Fun stuff.

This is my first post, and I just wanted to chime in on the single DVD slot issue on the D3. I've had mine for a week now, and I for one feel it is not an issue at all. I've never taken the nav CD out of the slot. I have the iPod interface with a 30GB iPod in the glove box of my 2007 Xterra. I don't even carry CDs in my vehicle.

The CNET review makes way to much out of this. I hope that review doesn't discourage too many folks from buying a great system at a great price. For those who still want CDs, a CD changer is also supported by the D3.

I haven't had any problem with this so far. What i'd so if i wanna watch DVD movie, and wanna route. Put in the Navi Disc, set ur destination (set a several if u are going to several places), after the route is planned and it memmed into the memory, then i take the Navi disc out, put the DVD in and it's good to go. As long as before you get on the road, when u set ur destination, put in the navi, after that u can do whatever u want. But if you happen to change destination or cancel a way point, then u have to re-insert the disc again.

I'd say, the money i save is worth the few seconds putting the disc in and out.