I walked into a stereo shop yesterday in LA and I was looking to purchase and Avic system. I asked the guy for an Avic Z2 and he was offering me an Avic Z3. He took it out of the box and everything to show me. I kept wondering why was he showing it to me, he said he wanted 1,700 for it and I said ok I'll be back because I wanted to check pricing online. But I can't find this model, why? is pretty much my question.
Because it doesn't exist
That's some funny shit right there.
D3....Z3...same thing..... 
I think he might have been trying to sell you a D3....
wow a D3 for only $1700? Thats an awesome price! 
yeah, i think pioneer raised the map on the d3 to 1500, so 1700 in la sounds right. 
was that installed?
HAHA!!!
Now I'm questioning myself whether it was a Z3 or Z2. I know for a fact it wasn't a D3 because the D3 has a knob and the one shown did not have that. And no it was not installed I had to find out if the price was good. Now that i know it is I will go back this weekend and have it put in.
Let me solve your question...It wasn't a Z3 
Ya I have seen people in other forums talk about the "Z3" a few times. They actually are taking about either a D3 or a Z2.
Ok, but here is another question. When do you think the next version of the z will be? Does Pioneer put them out about every 2 years?
once a year. you will see a new one early next year
Do you think it will be mostly a software update like the Z1 --> Z2 (at least what I have read it was) or a hardware update?
Ask again around January when they show the new models at CES
Do you think it will be mostly a software update like the Z1 --> Z2 (at least what I have read it was) or a hardware update?
Of course you guys were right it was the Z2. I am looking into buying it but I have a few questions before I do.
The description states that it has a 30gb HD, does this mean I can put 30gb of my mp3's or is there a limit. I have my full 30gb Zune that I have connected to the back of my AVH 6800 right now and would like to carry less things every morning.
Only 10 gigs are for music storage. Rest is the nav data. There are threads on here about putting in a larger hard drive though
..and from what I understand, 60gigs is max because of the unit itself for some reason.
I hope they put a volume KNOB on the z3, I hate them damn buttons
I wonder if the Z3 will use a SSD instead of a standard 2.5 hard drive.
They use the standard connector, have faster access times and generate almost no heat. They also have a greater operating temperature range than hard drives. Operating Temperatures -25 to 85c.
Samsung and Sandisk offer Solid State Drives
If I remember right, they showed the D3 at SEMA last year, intead of waiting for the CES show - maybe they will show something new this year at SEMA...??
Hard to say. Some companies are working on their SEMA display cars even as they are pulling them into the convention center. Obviously, Pioneer would have to have the working prototype already done. Besides, I think if they were to show anything at SEMA it would have to be almost as groundbreaking as the D3 was last year.
Speaking of SEMA- if anyone goes, check out a slick Bullitt Mustang that was reworked by Centerforce (the clutch people) for a US serviceman. I've been keeping tabs on it and the story is just awesome.
Our rep said Pioneer isn't doing anything at SEMA this year. Seems stupid to me, but who knows...
I wonder if the Z3 will use a SSD instead of a standard 2.5 hard drive.
They use the standard connector, have faster access times and generate almost no heat. They also have a greater operating temperature range than hard drives. Operating Temperatures -25 to 85c.
Samsung and Sandisk offer Solid State Drives
These look very cool but the cost seems to be limiting factor now, ~$1,000. But this will come down in the next few years at technology does.
Do you know if any one has replaced / upgraded their drive with one of these? My guess is no because of that "limiting factor" but who knows.
I wonder if the Z3 will use a SSD instead of a standard 2.5 hard drive.
They use the standard connector, have faster access times and generate almost no heat. They also have a greater operating temperature range than hard drives. Operating Temperatures -25 to 85c.
Samsung and Sandisk offer Solid State Drives
These look very cool but the cost seems to be limiting factor now, ~$1,000. But this will come down in the next few years at technology does.
Do you know if any one has replaced / upgraded their drive with one of these? My guess is no because of that "limiting factor" but who knows.
I am looking into getting one through vendor channels. I do know that Toshiba has already released a notebook line that uses the SSD drive. It only added $600 to the price of the notebook.
Only $600??? I need a raise 
There is a Z3 I just installed it yesterday, it comes with google earth Live GPS tracking and sonar. badass!
Take a look.
yeah right, I don't think Pioneer is going to come out with anymore Z Series. Technology is changes as always and the demand for more features will have to come in a new design. I haven't really looked around but I just dont understand why the Z1 cost more then the Z2.?.
cheers.