Well, the firmware is already "open source" but it doesnt seem that anyone has made anything of it yet. My hope is that with enough firmware releases we can cobble together something that can help the older models.

So with that being said, for those who have upgraded to the latest bluetooth but stayed on 1.08 from the x000 series, can you tell any difference? Faster bluetooth connect, better quality sound? Any reason we would want to update our Bluetooth Stack even if we keep the 1.08 firmware?

Bluetooth works...I took out my appradio cables so I don't know if it connects better or is more responsive. Can't help you there. The sound quality is great, but I thought it was great before. No glitches, but I never saw any glitches before.... No clue. 

I kept the 1.03 BT firmware update after reverting back to 1.08 firmware. 

I have new hearing aids so I can't comment whether there's a difference in sound between the 1.08 BT and 1.03 BT firmware. 

I can say for sure that the 1.03 BT firmware allows my phone (Note 4) to connect quicker from a cold start.  With the 1.08 BT firmware the BT icon would flash 15-18 times before connection.  With the 1.03 BT the BT icon flashes only 3-5 times before connection. 

BT range is worse, much worse!  With 1.08 BT firmware I was able to walk to my mailbox and master bath on the other side of my house without issue.   With the 1.03 BT firmware I can only go a short distance before the signal loss creates skips.  By short distance,  I mean 15' max. 

Track info when streaming is still whacked.  

I kept the 1.03 BT firmware update after reverting back to 1.08 firmware. 

 

I have new hearing aids so I can't comment whether there's a difference in sound between the 1.08 BT and 1.03 BT firmware. 

 

I can say for sure that the 1.03 BT firmware allows my phone (Note 4) to connect quicker from a cold start.  With the 1.08 BT firmware the BT icon would flash 15-18 times before connection.  With the 1.03 BT the BT icon flashes only 3-5 times before connection. 

 

BT range is worse, much worse!  With 1.08 BT firmware I was able to walk to my mailbox and master bath on the other side of my house without issue.   With the 1.03 BT firmware I can only go a short distance before the signal loss creates skips.  By short distance,  I mean 15' max. 

 

Track info when streaming is still whacked.  

Honestly as long as the bluetooth works everywhere in my car I don't care. Probably why I never noticed the drop in range. 

I know each car has a different dash material that can reduce BT distance, but I get no where near 15'.

None of my BT enabled Pioneer units have ever gone further than 3-5 feet outside of the car. As soon as I open the door and step outside it starts to weaken, by the time I close the door I get audio stutter. If I am working on my car in the garage I either leave my phone in the car to stream audio or I place it on the front windshield above the NEX.

So I am seeing that bluetooth does not play at all phone or media, as well as some saying it works. Do we have a definitive? Loving the progress!

So I am seeing that bluetooth does not play at all phone or media, as well as some saying it works. Do we have a definitive? Loving the progress!

I don't think anybody said it works on 1.03. BT will correctly transfer and display information (contacts, song information, etc), but will not stream any audio (no calls, no music). Going back to 1.08 restores BT to all working.

I don't think anybody said it works on 1.03. BT will correctly transfer and display information (contacts, song information, etc), but will not stream any audio (no calls, no music). Going back to 1.08 restores BT to all working.

I must have misread the thread. Im not concerned with the BT connection time or length as I only use it in the car. Has anyone gotten the 4100nex software to work and play audio/android auto on the 4000? I'll go back and read if there isnt a quick answer.

I just want android auto

I must have misread the thread. Im not concerned with the BT connection time or length as I only use it in the car. Has anyone gotten the 4100nex software to work and play audio/android auto on the 4000? I'll go back and read if there isnt a quick answer.

 

I just want android auto

In short, it all works except for audio, which is really one of the more important parts in a car stereo 

well I sold my 8000nex and bought a 4100nex from amazon for 559.99 it will be here tomorrow, I like google maps better so I wanted use the android Auto feature will report back 

well I sold my 8000nex and bought a 4100nex from amazon for 559.99 it will be here tomorrow, I like google maps better so I wanted use the android Auto feature will report back 

Please do. I might go that route as well!

well I sold my 8000nex and bought a 4100nex from amazon for 559.99 it will be here tomorrow, I like google maps better so I wanted use the android Auto feature will report back 

Jeremyh if you dont mind me asking how much were you able to get for the 8000nex? cuz im thinking about selling mine as well

I sold my for 630.00 it wasn`t brand new unit it was a refurbed unit, it covered the new 4100, that`s all i cared about lol

well I sold my 8000nex and bought a 4100nex from amazon for 559.99 it will be here tomorrow, I like google maps better so I wanted use the android Auto feature will report back 

what rout did you use to sell your 8000?

I sold my for 630.00 it wasn`t brand new unit it was a refurbed unit, it covered the new 4100, that`s all i cared about lol

thats gotta be kinda hard going from the 8000 to the 41000.  there a lot of features that you lost.

Just a heads up I have tried to contact Pioneer regarding this situation.  I have spent almost 3K on head units over the past year two of the being NEX units BECAUSE of the messaging they used regarding upgradability in the future.  Here is the message I ended up sending after I rolled through 1 tech support rep and two customer service reps.  They were ver rude and unhelpful.  I plan on making it my mission to get the word out on the bullshit they are pulling.

"Currently on the phone with Pioneer customer service and being treated like complete shit.  I have been lied to more than once on this call and am being told that there are no managers to speak to.  This is by far one of the WORST customer experiences I have ever had in my life.  To release and sell a unit in the NEX line then turn around and not offer support for Android for those people who bought them then release essentially the SAME hardware and not offer any type of firmware or swap out upgrade path for 4000/6000/8000 purchasers is absolute robbery.  Then to have a TECH rep try and tell me there is no 'ANDROID CHIP' in the earlier units is the biggest bunch of BS I have ever heard of in my life.  There are people flashing the x100 firmware on the x000 units and Android Auto works flawlessly.  The only thing that doesn't work is bluetooth which is the bluetooth stack.  Then to have a customer service rep tell me that Google and Android are telling Pioneer its not compatible is another lie and complete BS.  Maybe they had to pay to be 'CERTIFIED' and they chose to use the new model number and try to sell existing customers another unit less than a year later.  Then to have the customer service rep tell me there are no supervisors or managers in the call center is ANOTHER lie.  I have worked in various call centers and have NEVER seen no escalation path, no supervisors and no managers in an operating call center.  BS.  Doesn't happen.  I'm not waiting ANOTHER lengthy time on hold.  I have been lied to again for a multiple time.  This is getting RIDICULOUS.  I'm being told there is nothing Pioneer CAN do about this issue.  BULLSHIT.  There is nothing pioneer WILL do about this issue.  Imagine buying an iphone then they release another iphone with new functionality and the PREVIOUS Version HAS THE CAPACITY to provide that function and they refuse to upgrade the firmware and refuse to give you an upgrade path on the new unit.  Would you be pissed???  Of course you would.

The two customer service reps who basically told me to stick it up my ass and deal with it were:

Ashley (refused to give me her extension) and Richard x2320.

All because Pioneer cares more about pushing product rather than taking care of customers.  I have spent almost $3,000 on head units in the last year and they say tough.  Unreal.

All I’ve asked for is some type of upgrade path since I spent a pissload of money with Pioneer not just this year but over the years.  What I’ve gotten is told to deal with it and parroted what the reps were told to say.  IT’S NOT TRUE.  Wether the engineering dept. is conciously lying to the front line or unknowingly misguiding the front end support I don’t know.  But when people of very little engineering experience can change one version check line in a firmware flash and flash the 8100 firmware on the 8000 and the only issue is the BLUETOOTH STACK, Android Auto functions flawlessly, there is lying going on and I am not the average idiot customer who just listens to excuses and nods in acceptance.  I will make it my mission to spread all over social media how horendously wrong it is to sell a device like the NEX an advertise the hell out of its upgradability then to turn around and spit in the face of the customers by NOT upgrading it.  That’s the whole reason I bought the NEX series, because it WOULD be upgradable.  There is NO hardware upgrade needed for Android Auto, just like the phone side of Android Auto is a SOFTWARE UPGRADE TO ANDROID 5.0.1.

I want someone who actually gives a dam about their customers to give me a call and TRY to help me with this situation rather than telling me to go drop another grand + on new units.

If you don’t believe what I’m saying go here:

http://avic411.com/index.php?/topic/80945-upgrading-nex4000-to-nex4100-work-in-progress/

What Pioneer is doing to their customers is bad business period.  And I’m not going to sit around and take it anymore.  I will make it my mission to spread my story and what Pioneer is doing to their customers over social media and to every person I run into.  I will make dam sure that if I’m going to lose on this issue so will Pioneer.  If that doesn’t mean anything to Pioneer than I guess I am preaching to deaf ears.   But if you have a conscience you might want to give me a call."

I wrote a similar email that says the following:

I am not trying to tell you how to do your job but you may want to announce something that says that to people.  Pioneer's reputation is dropping and you are being perceived as not caring about your customers and being all about the money.  This includes me due to the fact that the key features I bought my radio for like Avicsync, maestro, and dual zone screen (not just for video for full mirroring) that I was told by a pioneer rep that works with cartunes that this would work and come to find out that they don't work as expected.  If you don't believe me take a look at the forum avic411.com and see what people are saying.  People have looked at the hardware specifications for both first and second generation and they are identical except for the screen.  I paid almost 2k to get your radio installed in my car only to find out that most of the features were not ready yet and probably will never be ready.  Now it is too late for me to return the unit because I waited too long so I got screwed out of $1400 because I was promised features that will be fixed in future updates and now have just been abandoned by releasing a newer unit.  You have officially lost me as a customer.  

Just a heads up I have tried to contact Pioneer regarding this situation. I have spent almost 3K on head units over the past year two of the being NEX units BECAUSE of the messaging they used regarding upgradability in the future. Here is the message I ended up sending after I rolled through 1 tech support rep and two customer service reps. They were ver rude and unhelpful. I plan on making it my mission to get the word out on the bullshit they are pulling.

 

"Currently on the phone with Pioneer customer service and being treated like complete shit. I have been lied to more than once on this call and am being told that there are no managers to speak to. This is by far one of the WORST customer experiences I have ever had in my life. To release and sell a unit in the NEX line then turn around and not offer support for Android for those people who bought them then release essentially the SAME hardware and not offer any type of firmware or swap out upgrade path for 4000/6000/8000 purchasers is absolute robbery. Then to have a TECH rep try and tell me there is no 'ANDROID CHIP' in the earlier units is the biggest bunch of BS I have ever heard of in my life. There are people flashing the x100 firmware on the x000 units and Android Auto works flawlessly. The only thing that doesn't work is bluetooth which is the bluetooth stack. Then to have a customer service rep tell me that Google and Android are telling Pioneer its not compatible is another lie and complete BS. Maybe they had to pay to be 'CERTIFIED' and they chose to use the new model number and try to sell existing customers another unit less than a year later. Then to have the customer service rep tell me there are no supervisors or managers in the call center is ANOTHER lie. I have worked in various call centers and have NEVER seen no escalation path, no supervisors and no managers in an operating call center. BS. Doesn't happen. I'm not waiting ANOTHER lengthy time on hold. I have been lied to again for a multiple time. This is getting RIDICULOUS. I'm being told there is nothing Pioneer CAN do about this issue. BULLSHIT. There is nothing pioneer WILL do about this issue. Imagine buying an iphone then they release another iphone with new functionality and the PREVIOUS Version HAS THE CAPACITY to provide that function and they refuse to upgrade the firmware and refuse to give you an upgrade path on the new unit. Would you be pissed??? Of course you would.

 

The two customer service reps who basically told me to stick it up my ass and deal with it were:

 

Ashley (refused to give me her extension) and Richard x2320.

 

All because Pioneer cares more about pushing product rather than taking care of customers. I have spent almost $3,000 on head units in the last year and they say tough. Unreal.

 

 

All I’ve asked for is some type of upgrade path since I spent a pissload of money with Pioneer not just this year but over the years. What I’ve gotten is told to deal with it and parroted what the reps were told to say. IT’S NOT TRUE. Wether the engineering dept. is conciously lying to the front line or unknowingly misguiding the front end support I don’t know. But when people of very little engineering experience can change one version check line in a firmware flash and flash the 8100 firmware on the 8000 and the only issue is the BLUETOOTH STACK, Android Auto functions flawlessly, there is lying going on and I am not the average idiot customer who just listens to excuses and nods in acceptance. I will make it my mission to spread all over social media how horendously wrong it is to sell a device like the NEX an advertise the hell out of its upgradability then to turn around and spit in the face of the customers by NOT upgrading it. That’s the whole reason I bought the NEX series, because it WOULD be upgradable. There is NO hardware upgrade needed for Android Auto, just like the phone side of Android Auto is a SOFTWARE UPGRADE TO ANDROID 5.0.1.

 

I want someone who actually gives a dam about their customers to give me a call and TRY to help me with this situation rather than telling me to go drop another grand + on new units.

 

If you don’t believe what I’m saying go here:

 

http://avic411.com/index.php?/topic/80945-upgrading-nex4000-to-nex4100-work-in-progress/

 

 

What Pioneer is doing to their customers is bad business period. And I’m not going to sit around and take it anymore. I will make it my mission to spread my story and what Pioneer is doing to their customers over social media and to every person I run into. I will make dam sure that if I’m going to lose on this issue so will Pioneer. If that doesn’t mean anything to Pioneer than I guess I am preaching to deaf ears. But if you have a conscience you might want to give me a call."

Awesome. Nice job. I wrote a nasty email also. Unfortunately they just don't care and most people don't see anything wrong with what they did. I'm glad I'm not alone.

thats gotta be kinda hard going from the 8000 to the 41000.  there a lot of features that you lost.

not for me, I bought so I could use the android Auto, I didn't really care for the navigation in the 8000nex, I like Google navigation better, I know the 8000nex had the captive screen, but that damn thing was dust magnet, and all I listen to is my google music or Sirius XM that's about it, one thing I think is great about the 4100nex the screen detaches. from the unit.

So I'm too chicken/don't have the time to mess with a broken radio to try this out on my own 4000, BUT I did start looking through the program files in the 4000 to 4100 upgrade, specifically PLATFORM/PJ140PLT.PRG with a text editor (TextWrangler) and there is quite a bit of plain text that should be modifiable and might have some impact on your efforts.

Specifically around line 778593 there are some configurations, by model number, that should be editable.  If you open it with TextWrangler (Mac) or similar and search for "sysdconf_root" you should go right to the section I'm talking about.

Here is what is there:

<sysdconf_root>

BTW, this isn't in the 1.08 firmware

I'm downloading the FW for the 8000 to 8100 and back.  I am going to make a video proving that these bastards are lying about the 8000's hardware not able to run Android Auto.  i've been torching their FB page in comments and hitting them on twitter along with sending an email to them and contact form complaints to them.  It's unfkn real how they can shit all over a few customers and not give a dam about the business they are going to lose.  Do they not understand the same type of customers that will evangelize their products to help sell them are the same people who will torch their company for abusing their customers creating loss in sales???  The people that don't care aren't the ones they need to be concerned about.

I can confirm that the new Bluetooth firmware (from the 4100) runs great on the 4000nex. It definitely connects faster and audio quality is no worse

thats gotta be kinda hard going from the 8000 to the 41000. there a lot of features that you lost.

On my 4000 the only feature I use is CarPlay. Don't care about HD radio, hdmi, Bluetooth streaming, contact sync, Appradio mode, dual USB, satellite radio, idatalink or any other stupid thing Pioneer half assed on my radio. If someone makes me a 7 inch 720 capacitive display with a decent amplifier for my speakers and nothing else I would buy it in a heartbeat.

ok guys here are some pics of the new 4100nex, I think the screen looks better than the captive screen on the 8000nex, its just as responsive as the 8000nex screen, I have moto G with android 5.0.1, and works perfect with the android auto, also I use idatalink masetro rr and before the 8000nex has issues with displaying the correct info on my secondary screen in my 2011 f150, the clock was 4 hours behind, and never had the correct info for songs on the display,and sometimes it would just freeze and  the data would never change, the oem display works perfect now , the clock is correct, and give me the correct info on my oem display for songs that are playing, anyways here are some pics below