8000NEX March 25, 2014
7000nex
6000nex
5000nex
4000nex
8100NEX February 5, 2015 (9 months later)
7100nex
6100nex
5100nex
4100nex
8200NEX March 19, 2016 (13 months later)
7200nex
6200nex
5200nex
4200nex
8201NEX February - March 2017 (12 months later)
7201nex
6201nex
5201nex
4201nex
W8400nex May 25, 2018 (14 months later)
W6400nex
W4400nex
I will never buy anything pioneer ever again that's what I think.
Completely happy with my Nex 8000 purchase
Disgusted with my Nex 6000 and Carplay. Never again.
It's not completely Pioneer's fault - this is smartphones we are talking about. Especially back in 2014, it seems like every six months the smartphone world was being flipped upsidedown by a new device and more standards and features. Take into account that these head units have been in planning and prototype for a long time, maybe several years before they hit the market. And don't forget the aftermarket for head units is suffering in general thanks to the philosophy of car makers these days. Pioneer knows their days in this market are numbered, they're squeezing what they can while they can.
It's not completely Pioneer's fault - this is smartphones we are talking about. Especially back in 2014, it seems like every six months the smartphone world was being flipped upsidedown by a new device and more standards and features. Take into account that these head units have been in planning and prototype for a long time, maybe several years before they hit the market. And don't forget the aftermarket for head units is suffering in general thanks to the philosophy of car makers these days. Pioneer knows their days in this market are numbered, they're squeezing what they can while they can.
I agree with your sentiment. Pioneer does what it needs to do in order to keep its car audio division afloat. Car audio has been a niche market in general and it's getting smaller (no data - just a gut feeling). There simply isn't the economy of scale in this market that can drive R&D up and prices down simultanelously.
My problem with this is they could be giving their customers that spend $1000+ many of these features, but no the software perks won't come until next year in their new model. They will give you free bug fixes updates along the way but don't think they will take care of you with UI changes and/or maps, they will charge you over $100 each map update. Which is not worth it.
Let me know what you guys think in the comments below, do you agree or disagree?
I'm using an AVIC-Z150BH and understand it falls outside of the build three models and update the hardware because the NEX systems replaced it and it was the first of the SH4 systems. But I agree that all the new software updates should be also applied to earlier versions as long as the hardware is compatible.
I'm using an AVIC-Z150BH and understand it falls outside of the build three models and update the hardware because the NEX systems replaced it and it was the first of the SH4 systems. But I agree that all the new software updates should be also applied to earlier versions as long as the hardware is compatible.
At least with the AVIC-Z1*0B* units you would get firmware updates included when you bought the map updates. It helped me to rationalize the map purchase price.