Hi all,

I am a stupid Frenchman who did not think much ... thought I'd be safe buying in USA an AVIC-Z2 to install down here in France but ... Pioneer refuses to sell me the European maps - so does tele-Atlas (saying they belong exclusively to Pioneer)

So I am stuck with an AVIC-Z2 and ALL the gimmicks to go with

It is brand new (tried it in my office)

Now or I sell all this or I can get a way to install the European maps

It seems unlocking is not too difficult (tried indeed reading the HD from my computer but of course no luck)

Then what can I do please ?

Buy an HD3BT hd with all on it and simply insert it in the Z2 ?

Is there any way to replace the maps ?

I know the radio might not work properly and I will have to "dezone" the dvd reader too plus the extra outside one I have

Thanks for all help and tips (or offers if nothing can be done)

Merci

Unfortunately I don't have the answer but am very surprised at what you're saying.

I certainly expect to be able to take my car to Europe, buy the european CD, and navigate happily ever after.

I'm doing it with my Garmin portable so why on earth would Pioneer not offer the same for their high end navi

I would hang on to that Z2 for a little while. Surely there is a simple way of using it over there.

Try Crutchfield, they have excellent customer support via live chat, phone or email.

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/prodsearch.asp?sp=lnav&search=Pioneer+Z2&go.x=22&go.y=9

Please let us know how you make out

˙uʍop ǝpısdn ƃuıǝq sdɐɯ ǝɥʇ ɥʇıʍ ɐuıɥɔ uı ɯǝlqoɹd ɐ ǝʌɐɥ ʎǝɥʇ ʇɐɥʇ pɐǝɹ ı ʇnq ǝdoɹnǝ ʇnoqɐ ʍouʞ ʇ,uop

Do not be too surprised !

Pioneer seems to have a very consevative way of selling their products unfortunately

I also tried calling USA Pioneer as an US citizen with a car fitted with a Z and going to Europe on a 6 months trip : no way!

So all ideas are most welcome

lol how did u do that

˙uʍop ǝpısdn ƃuıǝq sdɐɯ ǝɥʇ ɥʇıʍ ɐuıɥɔ uı ɯǝlqoɹd ɐ ǝʌɐɥ ʎǝɥʇ ʇɐɥʇ pɐǝɹ ı ʇnq ǝdoɹnǝ ʇnoqɐ ʍouʞ ʇ,uop

lol how did u do that

 

˙uʍop ǝpısdn ƃuıǝq sdɐɯ ǝɥʇ ɥʇıʍ ɐuıɥɔ uı ɯǝlqoɹd ɐ ǝʌɐɥ ʎǝɥʇ ʇɐɥʇ pɐǝɹ ı ʇnq ǝdoɹnǝ ʇnoqɐ ʍouʞ ʇ,uop

˙uʍop ǝpısdn sɐʍ pɹɐoqʎǝʞ ʎɯ ssǝnƃ ı 'ʎɹɹos 'sdooo

ROLF thats awsome

What else is diffrent from the AVIC-Z2 to the AVIC-HD3BT ?

I'm new to this forum and I have just got a AVIC-HD3BT (with the correct maps for my region; Norway), but I'm trying to find out if there is some tweaking that can be done to this unit?

I see some here at this forum, but most of them are for Z2.

Is it just the maps that are diffrent?

Are there any hardware diffrences?

There is a few things that I want to fix or an answer to:

I want to use DVD-R or DVD+R disc to store MP3 files to, but it seems like the HD3BT reader does not accept this cind of discs. Or maybe I'm doing it wrong? I'm using Nero as a DVD burning software.

I also have installed the CD-UB100 USB adapter. It works fine, but the controlls are a bit strange. Is there any way to get the unit to read the MP3-tags through the USB adapter? I can only get it to read the folder name or file name by toggling through "Function 2".

To the GPS system I want to add new waypoints. Is this possible at all?

The only way I can see this done up to now is using the adress-book. But I'm not sure how I can automate that task. I'm having a list of coordinates from http://www.geocaching.com that I want to enter into the GPS.

I have searched this forum for answers, but has not found anything yet...

Here is a picture of my installation:

http://gallery.irctos.org/d/31425-2/2007-11-24_0017.JPG

Thanx

Øyvind Steinnes

Norway

Honda Jazz 1.4 (2007) Black Amethyst Pearl

Pioneer AVIC-HD3BT + CD-UB100

Hi,

First a very Happy New year to you and and all

Would you eventually accept doing a copy of your HD for me (paying for it of course) if we show you how to do it please ?

A great merci in anticipation of father X'mas from Norway

Merci

regards

JP

I would gladly make a copy of the harddrive if it could help anyone...

Just tell me what to do.

I'm actually intresting in if there could be a good reason for making a backup of the harddrive in case it should brake down.

Is it a "standard" computer harddrive? Like a 2.5"HDD from a laptop? Is there something special about the filesystem on the disk?

Are the HDD coded somewhat so you can't swap disk with a new (probably larger one)?

What else is diffrent from the AVIC-Z2 to the AVIC-HD3BT ?

 

For HD3BT, some differences, like a different FM tuner with all the RDS features and TMC for traffic redirection.

Also different region codes for the DVD, and different maps of course...

BTW: would anyone know how to change the DVD region code both in AVIC Z2 and in the other item I have (usa version) the PIONEER XDV-P6 6-DISC MP3/DVD/RW/CD CHANGER/PLAYER

Merci

JP

has anyone manage to do that ??

i also want to buy a Z2 and use it in europe

please guys help me save 1500$

as no one seems to answer this post or it is not feasable or .....

I think I should sell mine stuff before it is too late

anyone interested ?

I have the same problem here! I live in Brazil and I bought a Z2 during my last trip to the US...

I have TeleAtlas Brazilian map that worked fine with Avic D3 - What are the odds of installing them into a Z2 unit and having them working properly?

One question for those who had to opportunity to gain access to the original HDD: Can you see all directories and files on your Windows file explorer when you connect the HD to your computer?

There is a file explorer to Automobile Win CE that when used in D#, you just select the map file and execute it without any problem...

Anyone who could help on this?

Tks,

Short of swapping hard drives, you're out of luck.

Hiya. Firs-timer here.

OK, here's what I've done. Bought a Z2 on ebay (silly silly me, a F900BT was cheaper and has NO prob in reloading the image) and am trying to make it HD3-IIRU.

I obtained the disk image of HD3-IIRU and a clean 2" hdd. Wrote the image on disk, disabled security and swapped the original HDD to this one.

The system booted ok and shows Russian maps! But - no cyrillic (weird chars in labels) and no Russian keyboard on destination entry, despite playlist tags are in Russian and look fine! Locale settings menu shows English, French, Italian, and Spanish.

So - my French and Brazilian friends - it should work fine for you.

As of now I've hit a wall finding the way HOW to make it speak Russian. The firmware on both images (HD3/Z2) is identical, the tahoma font (the only that I could extract from the PLT file) is unicode and should be ok. Russian maps are fine.

Where the heck could those FONTS and onscreen KEYBOARD reside?!

Thank you for possible answers!

You probably also need to find a way to update the system software (flash ROM image)....

This is possibly also where you will run into other problems, if f.i. the code for controlling the tuner is different between the units....)

You probably also need to find a way to update the system software (flash ROM image)....

This is possibly also where you will run into other problems, if f.i. the code for controlling the tuner is different between the units....)

The first is no prob at all - service menu, item #10 of the second screen.

The second isn't either - there are plenty of stations whose frequencies is compatible with US/JP range, EVEN if Z2 hardware differs from HD3, which is hardly probable.

The prob seems to reside deeper. I uploaded the applications AND the firmware of HD3-RU into my Z2 and... it looks like HD3-EU, with English, French, Italian and Spanish, but no Russian... In the worst case there is some switch, resistor or even EPROM deep inside that defines the region of the device. If so, I'm far from my goal, but anyway I'm beyond the point of no return, since there's nobody who buys my half-redone unit here.

The first is no prob at all - service menu, item #10 of the second screen.

The second isn't either - there are plenty of stations whose frequencies is compatible with US/JP range, EVEN if Z2 hardware differs from HD3, which is hardly probable.

.....

Yes, I know, however, you will need the correct rom image.

In addition, I don't think it's simply a matter of frequency range....as stated before,there are significant differences between the US and European tuners. Yes, the range is different, however that is a minor problem. The frequency grid (step size) is also different, and more importantly, the US version has no RDS and no TMC, hence no traffic re-direct etc. So yes, the hardware is different, as well as the software which in the European versions needs to cater for handling the RDS info and TMC trafic re-direct....

B.t.w., as far as I know, in addition to the US unit (Z series) and the European series (HD3, HD3-II) I think there is also a specific Russian version.....But reading your post, I guess that's the image you're using..

Looking through the service manual, I've found some resistors soldered in one place on US version, and in another in EU, so the hardware diff is now obvoius.

Looking for Russian unit service manual, and if I find the right place for those resistors, will post here.

I have sucessfully updated a HD1BT to HD3-II HD3-2 firmware software. I bought a HD3-II and a HD1BT and followed the instructions on this forum for Z1 - Z3 upgrade. I used a Toshiba MK6034GAX 60GB disk with enlarged music partition. Will try Toshiba MK8032GAX 80GB disk soon (1-2 weeks).

I also wondered if I could buy a Z1/Z2/Z3 and upgrade to the European version, but because of the radio and region issues, I decided I would not spend money finding out. Personally, I think it won´t work, I think the hardware is too different, all though it most likely is very similar. Just not similar enough.

(There is no HD3BT-II - but feel free to call your HD3-II with bluetooth dongle what you like..)

....

(There is no HD3BT-II - but feel free to call your HD3-II with bluetooth dongle what you like..)

It's just a packaging issue anyway... The only difference between f.i. the HD1 and the HD1BT is the fact that the BT unit is included in the cardboard box.....

Yes. Only that I don´t think there are other European packages than HD1BT, HD3BT and HD3-II.

This can be of interest for people buying used units on Ebay. Be sure to ask about parts and connectors, they are expensive to buy seperately. In a retail package, all the wiring and a microphone is included, even without BT in the package name (bluetooth dongle included).

In any case you need the power wiring wich includes speaker output for using the internal amplifier.

If you plan to use an external amplifier, a subwoofer, video or audio input, you need the RCA connector 1.

If you want to use rear monitors (like headrest monitors), a rear view camera or wired remote like Pioneers steering wheel remote or connect your car´s steering wheel buttons using a SWI-PAC device, you need the RCA connector 2.

A GPS antenna for navigation with a magnetic pad that is said to increase reception (I think it does help).

A microphone for speech recognition.

For the bluetooth function to work with your phone you need a microphone and the ND-BT1 dongle.

I can´t recommend the iPod interface CD-IB100II because of the slow song navigation. Sound and iPod charging is great, all though charging doesn´t work with the latest iPod NANO. I´m guessing it does not work well with iPhone.

You can make your own wires for vehicle speed sensor and reverse signal but one or both of them should have a fused resistor in line. I haven´t connected these yet, but I want to! If I could only be sure where they are and how to access them..