Pioneer DEH-P7000BT In Dash CD/MP3 Player

Lots of features, sharp looking

Strengths: feature list, esp bluetooth, ipod and XM connectivity

Weaknesses: multi control is difficult to use, not very intuitive, auto connect feature does not work with my Treo 700

Summary: I love the sound from this unit. The connectivity features work well, except that it doesn't auto-connect with my Treo, nor has it been able to download my contacts (it seems to get a few, then freezes) or save my previous or recent calls. All that means is I have to dial from my phone, which is not a big deal. It's just annoying that it's supposed to work and doesn't. I've never had a bluetooth product that worked flawlessly, and this is no exception. That said, the phone does connect well (manually) and the sound both on my end thru the speakers and my voice via the mic (routed to my sun visor) is excellent - a big step up from speaker phone and much less annoying than wearing a headset, plus it's nice to have the music automatically muted when making or receiving a call. Ipod and XM work well, although it would be nice to have some preset buttons on the headunit, you have to use the remote for that. The menus and functions are controlled through a flat type of joystick, which I find somewhat difficult to use.

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Great features, but ...

Strengths: Everything but the kitchen sink available standard or as an option. Typically good Pioneer sound and build quality.

Weaknesses: Ergonomics could be better (one controller for lots of features), but the unit's biggest Achille's Heel was the display (see below).

Summary: I was eager to try out all of the available features right after installation, and I was very pleased with the unit's performance while sitting in my garage. When I took it out for a test drive the next day, I was disappointed to see that the display faded dramatically in the sunlight (virtually invisible w/ sunglasses on). Turns out that the display is meant to be viewed from above, but the installation location in my '07 Civic angles the unit away from you so that you are essentially looking up at it. While the brightness level is perfect for nightime use, there is no "dimmer" lead to make it brighter in the daytime. It's also hard to cram all of the available information for the various functions into a single line display.

There was also a fairly steep learning curve to master all of the different options and inputs available, but that's to be expected w/ any advanced headunit.

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