Pioneer AVIC-D2 DVD Nav/6.5" Screen/AM/FM/CD Player

Does what it should

Strengths: Quick routing, great sound quality, superior XM integration.

Weaknesses: No bluetooth.

Summary: My first in-dash navigation unit. Before AVIC-D2 I've been using PocketPC based navigation for 4 years and finally decided to go for an integrated solution. One of the first things I noticed was the speed of route calculation and re-routing. With my old PDA navi a 200 mile route could take 40-50 seconds to calculate and then if you make one wrong turn - another 40 seconds to recalculate. With AVIC-D2 it took about 5 seconds to calculate initially and recalcs were almost instant. Address entry takes a bit of getting used to ("virtual keyboard" is alphabetical - not QWERTY), but other than that with some practice it is not hard. First thing that impressed me as I was driving on my first route was the detailed intersection mapping. For major intersection you get precise map of the intersection including lanes, "rounded" turns, etc. When driving on the highway you get advisory on the lane changes - this helps when selecting a lane for the exit.

As far as much advertized POIs - did not find them as useful. For example, Ritz Carlton that I was going to was not in the POI list. Maybe it will come in handy when I will be in completely unfamiliar area.

XM integration is marvelous - you get icons for stations and for categories. That was something I've never seen before.

MP3 player displays file names in the list - I was expecting track names, but I guess file names will do for now.

One nifty use I found for the video input - connect it to the video iPod and you get your music videos and shows on the go. This keeps my passenger entertained since I had no interest in DVD playback in the car.

Did not get to use XM NavTraffic yet - but this promises to be another exciting feature that I might add to this review in a little bit.

Since reviews now allow images, I'll add a picture of the unit with customized startup screen for my car. And another one showing an optional steering wheel remote that allows changing map zoom, navigation prompts volume, switch between map views in addition to controling most audio features.

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• also what kind of cable do you conect to an ipod to watch music v...
• There is a trick to wiring the unit to make the video / nav setup...
• how do you configure the avic d2 to show a customised start up sc...

Impressive Navigation Unit--AVIC-D2

Strengths: Display, voice guidance, sound quality.

Weaknesses: The usual, lack of updated map software.

Summary: 2006-12-05 10:38:25 Install was straight forward and the included install book was very thorough. Once installed I was able to navigate my way thru the menus easily and configure the crossovers for my speakers and amps. Instantly noticed the sound quality improvement over my premium factory headunit. The navigation features are top notch and the maps are awesome.

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I love this Navigation headunit, but missing some key features I had to compromise for the double din

Strengths: Easy to follow maps and menus, great audio sound, directions accurate, beautiful headunit

Weaknesses: No bluetooth, limited iPod functionality, no DVD video slot, volume should be rotary knob, no mute button, steering wheel remote has good concept but bad reception

Summary: I paid the car 6th Ave installer $80 cash to edit the circuit board and does NOT void the warranty, as he explained to me and they do it all the time since it really limits you as to a large percentage of the functions. You can hardly do anything without the parking break up, so you would have to pull over to the side of the road for example to enter information, or even use the video function. This is truly essential and those cheap cables and boxes you see sold on ebay to disable the parking break can mess up the functionality of the navigation system and just aren't the right way to do it. I think a few of the coolest features are the ability to just type in the name of the business you want to go or their phone number and will locate them even if I don't know the town/city. Another is vicinity search, which I use most often to look for a restaurant, my particular bank ATM, and gas station in the surrounding area when I am unfamiliar with where I am. I never had to stop at a gas station to ask for directions again! You can hook up your iPod video or any other model to the video in function to play 100% quality music and videos (because like I said, the parking break block is disabled allowing video play while driving. Another neat feature which I never got the accessory for is the rear camera, which will do a split screen if you are in map mode. It also has vehicle dynamics, which I couldn't believe that it was spot on accurate! Everything from the speed, velocity, slope, voltage, acceleration, compass, clock, etc. With a wide range of background a faceplate options to customize your look. The GPS function automatically calibrates its self while your drive. The address book provides quick access to frequently used destinations, not to mention the "Home" and "Favorite Place" short cuts from the main menu. Output allows additional monitors to be used for backseat viewing for example. The entire face tilts at many positions for optimum viewing angle. XM traffic will allow you to check stock reports, and most importantly view the speed of traffic to plan your trip or route accordingly, as well as other various functions.

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AVID-D2 PIONEER EASY TO USE

Strengths: SCREEN SIZE. SMOOTH OPERATION. SOUND QUALITY. FEATURES.

Weaknesses: PRICE IS ON THE HIGH SIDE. MAP UPDATES EXPENSIVE.

Summary: I EVALUATED SEVERAL IN DASH NAVIGATION UNITS AND WAS OVERALL MOST IMPRESSED WITH THE PIONEER. THEIR FIT, QUALITY AND TECHNOLOGY WAS AS GOOD AS OR BETTER THAN MOST. THE ACCOMPANYING OPERATION MANUALS ARE A BIT GENERIC AND WOULD BE MORE HELPFUL IF ALL THE ILLUSTRATIONS WERE IN COLOR VS BLACK AND WHITE. I LIKE THE FEATURES, EASE OF USE AND OVERALL QUALITY-------SO FAR IT DOES EVERYTHING I ASK OF IT. AND I HAVE ONLY USED IT ONE DAY WHICH IS A TESATAMENT TO ITS EASE OF USE-I FEEL LIKE I HAVE HAD IT FOREVER.

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Great system at reasonable price

Strengths: Very quick mapping and recalculation. Great audio features, can customize sound to my truck. Nice display.

Weaknesses: Volume knob would be nicer than up/down buttons. Clock on nav page is a bit small and doesn't stand out. No preset scan on radio.

Summary: Overall a very nice product at a good price (although it appears prices are going up since this unit is being phased out). I installed it myself, very clear instructions and well labeled parts. Also put in Pioneer backup camera, great feature for backing up.

Unit has enough features that it is sometimes a pain to remember how to do something, but once I get used to it that should get better.

Navigation seems to be right on, with exception of newest streets around me that don't appear on maps.

My first aftermarket nav purchase, and I think I'm hooked.

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