Okay, I've been researching double din nav head units for quite a while and had it narrowed down to the Alpine IVA-W205 and the Pioneer AVIC-Z2... today I decided on the Z2...

and then (drum roll please...)

I heard on another forum that there's been lots of problems with the Z2...

I'm pulling an OEM Nav system out because it SUCKS (and doesn't have iPod support)... I don't want to end up with another system plagued with problems...

So help a gal out... What ARE the problems with the Z2... are they serious? All units? Is the Z1 a better choice and why? The navigation system and iPod support need to be GOOD...

Watcha think?

Get something else. I won't buy another one from Pioneer.

Im lovin my Z2. I had the Alpine W200 and that was blowing internal fuses and just all sorts of issues with it. I HATED IT! But it did have a good iPod interface....

I have the Z2 and have not had any problems. What type of problems are you talking about? Temperature being too hot and freezing? Its 100 degrees here and im sure hotter in car and dont have any problems. Im very pleased with my Z2.

this is what the guy on the other forum I go to said...

visit the forums at avic411.com and just get a heads up about numerous complaints about the Z2 which includes....inaccurate algorithm, out of date POIs, and the lke. Don't tell me I didn't warn you.

So I thought I'd check it out before I make my final decision. I've had enough problems with the current system I have and don't want to end up with more problems after an expensive install

visit the forums at avic411.com and just get a heads up about numerous complaints about the Z2 which includes....inaccurate algorithm, out of date POIs, and the lke. Don't tell me I didn't warn you.

Inaccurate algorithm: Many folks with the Z1/2 believe the routing algorithm used for the navigation software is poor in comparison to many inexpensive units such as garmin. Examples would include being sent past your destination only to be told to make a U-turn. Also, there are many complaints of the Z1/2 selecting a route that seems to be the least efficient. Advocates of the Z1/2 say the unit tries it's best to get your final destination on your right-hand side so it's route is not direct and takes you around a few blocks instead. This issue seems to be location specific and worse in some cities. Other users report no problems and think their unit routes just fine.

Out of date POIs: The map software on the Z1 is from 2005 (someone correct me if I'm wrong) so many of the POIs are out of date. The Z2 has new maps and updated POIs. Pioneer has not released the update for the maps on the Z1 so many users are complaining about the POIs and maps being so old it's useless for their areas. This shouldn't be an issue if you buy a Z2.

BYPASS: Currently there is no bypass for the Z2. This means you can not input destinations or view DVD video while the car is in motion. In fact, most of the navigation functions are not available while in motion unless you use the voice controls. You have to stop your car and set your parking break to input a destination. This is very frustrating if you have a passenger who might want to use the system while driving. There are roomers of the bypass being "released" in the next few weeks but only time will tell. There are many users (and threads) trying to discover a bypass. Until that happens, many users feel the Z2 is useless without the bypass and are reverting to a Z1 or buying a D3 (another pioneer double-din navigation unit but DVD based instead of hard drive based).

Personally, I have a Z1 which is bypassed. I live in Colorado Springs and although I notice areas which are clearly out of date on the maps, it's nothing that effects my navigation. I don't travel long distances and I haven't had any problems getting to any addresses I've inputted into the system. The routing is strange in my opinion, but it always gets me to my destination in a expected amount of time.

My suggestion is to ask yourself how much you need to rely on the navigation software. Also, take a look at the D3. The downside is the routing calculations take longer with the D3 since it is DVD based.

Good luck!

I am on a 1500 mile trip with my Z2 and lovin it. I watch my DVD's and get instructed while doin whatever.

Since you were all nice enough to reply...

I decided on the Z2 and the installation was today... it isn't quite finished because the bluetooth unit didn't get to the shop on time, so tomorrow the installer will finish up.

A few things...

So far, I'm impressed with the shop that has done the install... there was no dash kit for my car available and what they built for me is amazing. He basically took apart my OEM nav system and made a face plate that makes the whole thing look OEM (other than the words "pioneer" at the top). He did an AWESOME job.

He's confident he can do the bypass. I'm not so sure after what I've read here, but he's definitely a wiz at this stuff. He knows what he's doing.

He didn't have a harness to interface with my Bose amp (OEM), but he rewired the car and did away with the amp. I'm amazed at how good it sounds. He got all 9 bose speakers working very nicely. No, it's not the kind of system that will boom boom boom down the road, but it's loud and clean.

He also tapped into my OEM reverse camera, and he's going to tap into my OEM microphone for the navigation and bluetooth.

I really dig that navigation software (especially in comparison to what the OEM nav system ran on). I'm working my way around learning it and it's fairly easy to understand (but I'm also a geek).

The iPod UI leaves a little to be desired with it's speed (husband also has an alpine "full speed" ipod connection in his car, so I'm a bit spoiled). It's not horrible, but it would be nice to have an easier way to find an artist, song or album in a long list. We have 28 gigs worth of music on our iPods. What I'll end up doing is making some smart playlists and favorites playlists to make finding stuff a bit less time consuming.

Mind you, I LOVE having the iPod hookup at all (since my stupid car didn't offer it, not even an aux input - grrr), and I love that the info is displayed on the screen. I love being able to control the iPod... random, repeat, pause, skip track... very very cool. It will be the primary way I listen to music in the car.

XM with live traffic rocks... and I can't wait to REALLY try it out.

Tomorrow the installer with finish up the bluetooth install, get my steering wheel controls working (there was a "glitch" with that today) and then tomorrow night, if all goes well, I'll have an iPhone to try out with this baby too and see how THAT goes.

I'll post photos soon...