Pioneer FH-P8000BT In Dash CD/MP3 Player

A streamlined, impressive Pioneer head unit

Strengths: +Bluetooth, pairing with phone straightforward and simple +Phone microphone built in echo-cancellation works great +Sound quality is great when using USB/IPOD or CD device +Simple IPOD navigation

Weaknesses: -Can't switch telephone output back to handset unless you unpair the phone. -Slight learning curve to use navigation wheel -Gets dirty/scratched easily.

Summary: Surprisingly a very simple and elegant, yet feature-filled head unit from Pioneer. Installation was straightforward after taking some time to connect up my aftermarket wiring harness. Pretty much plug-and-play once that's done.

I love the bluetooth function and this was one of the main selling points for me with the California hands-free phone law going into effect. The pairing was simple - took about 2 minutes and I love how everytime I start up my car, the phone and stereo will just pair automatically without having to press any buttons. I could be listening to my Ipod through the head unit and if a call comes in, it'll automatically pause the song, switch over to telephone mode and allow me to answer the call with a single push of the button, and then revert back to the song after the call ends. Very well designed.

Call quality is decent but not great. My friend on the other end of the phone hears no echo but they can tell I am on some sort of speakerphone since the sound is understandable but not as clear. Perhaps better positioning of the microphone in the car will solve this problem.

Ipod function is great. Using the navigation wheel is similar to using an Ipod so it should be intuitive. A little difficult to use the navigation wheel for other functions at first but you get used to it after a few times. The included remote is also very handy as it has a knob similar to the navigation wheel's functions.

It's not very flashy or fancy in looks but I see that as a plus since it won't really attract attention from car thieves. The 3 line OLED display is basic but enough to display all the information you need. Another downside is this unit's attraction for fingerprints and scratches. Very easy to accidentally scratch so I try to stick with the remote as much as possible.

All-in-all a great head unit. Highly recommended.

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Fabulous for IPhone 3G

Strengths: Bluetooth. Audio input options. Monolithic design. Good sound quality.

Weaknesses: Can't get it to dim with my interior lights

Summary: I bought this about a year ago and really liked it for use with my ATT 8525 phone. It did have quirks about the call quality and my car had issues with electrical noise on AM but overall I was pleased. Could play Mp3 CD's, regular CD's, AUX stereo input, and could play music from a memory stick or my son's Ipod via USB.

Then I got the IPhone. Now this stereo really shines. The call quality is superb. I downloaded my address book to the unit via bluetooth and have call presets for easy dialing on the radio head.

I also have seemless integration of Bluetooth audio input. It will auto-connect to my IPhone and play whatever song, podcast, movie, or IHeart radio broadcast I am listening to through the speakers of my car while my phone never leaves my pocket.

Not only do I have convergence of devices, I also have seamless integration of them.

The sound quality is great and I am extremely pleased with it!

One downside, I could not find how to dim the display for nighttime driving. I installed it myself and am technically savvy. I think the reason had to do with the GM interface with the rest of the car. In my model the stock radio controls a number of options on the car and I believe the interface that helps relay those option also controls the dimmer.

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