I am looking at the pioneer avic series, and am curious as to everyone's experience level. If you have another brand and want to chime in, feel free.

The ones I am thinking about are...

AVIC-F700BT
AVIC-F900BT
AVIC-F90BT

Main question...what is the major difference between the 90 and the 900? I have seen many of all of these on ebay for under $650. Thats what I am looking for...under $650.

Is install pretty simple? I have seen a few writeups for similar devices on here, but not any for that list. I'm sure there are instruction in the box. I feel I could do it myself anyway. I would likely bypass it as well, which looks really simple. Any comments would be very helpful!

EDIT: also, does anyone know if these work/compatible with iPhone 3g?

 

i dont have any experience with any of the new ones but id suggest finding a CircuitCity near by to play with them if it hasn't clsoed yet because my local one was selling them hell a cheap

 

I love my F700... especially after the latest firmware a couple months ago. Made it MUCH better.

Here's the comparo on the two you mention:

linky

Looks like higher preamp voltage, year longer warranty, and included iPod cable for the F90. Might be more too, I just skimmed the list.

You can actually use most of the other threads for the install. As long as it is an AVIC they seem to be a lot of the same. I used a D1 or Z1 install to put my 700 in. Pretty straight forward. Bypass is cake.

Only thing I'm not sure if is iPhone 3G compatibility... b/c I don't have one.

 

My bro has the F90BT and the boot up time is god awful. I can't stand it. I won't buy it just because of it, but if you can live with the boot up time its an awesome headunit.

 

Has he done the latest firmware for it? There was one just a few months ago I believe (for a total of 2 updates since they were released). Helped A LOT in the boot up department.

Also it takes a little longer for music to start playing if you're using an iPod or Sat or something - since it has a whole other interface to connect to. CDs start playing in about 10-15 seconds or something - my iPod will start playing in something like 30 seconds. MUCH better than it used to be.

Easy way to tell would be to look at the map when there is no route programmed - if you see the blue boxes in the upper left with nothing in them, then it is the older firmware and he needs an update. If the boxes are gone (without any hacks) then it is the latest.

 

From my reading (I'm getting the F90BT this summer) there are a few bugs with the new F series... namely the boot up time. However, unlike the Kenwood DNX 8120 or the new Kenwood and Eclipse coming out this summer, the F90BT is very easy to mod via software while the others are not modable at all... so if you want a good head unit out of the box, go for another brand. But if you want to make it your own (custom splash screens, icons, themes, Tom Tom instead of iGo, and many MANY more) and are fairly software savvy, go for the F90BT.

 

Ohhh ok I was not aware that there were upgrades I will have to tell him. How do I go about doing that since he's not too tech savy...

 

www.avic411.com

 

So appearently...

the only difference between the 90bt and the 900bt is:

1) 90bt comes with the neccessary ipod cable
2) 90bt has a higher output
3) 90bt has 1 year extra warrenty.

Does anyone think these are worth the extra $150-$200?

 

Well the iPod cable will be an extra $50 anyway... but the rest is up to you. If you really need the higher preamp output, go for it. If you're just going to run one amp to a sub though, probably not.

If it were me, I wouldn't bother.

 

Yeah, I have found the iPod cord on ebay for $10. So thats not really an issue. I think the 900 is the way to go, and it is cheaper.

Does anyone have any objections to this purchase?

How about the competitors? Kenwood? Alpine?

 

after having the avic d3, and now the f90bt. I will never buy a pioneer navi again. you can read my issues in the other Avic F series thread.

 

Well, I just bought the 90bt.

Next question:

What other components do I need? I ordered it online so I don't have it in hand. I want to get all the neccessities before it gets here so I can go ahead and install it.

Questions:

Do I need a mounting harness kit?
Do I need a wire kit of some sort?

I could run by circuit city to get some of these things for cheap, but I am not sure what I need and what kind I need. Any input would be much helpful.

 

Anyone know if the existing ipod cable in the tc will work with the 900bt? Maybe save a couple bucks? Also Does the steering wheel controls work with this unit?

 

for the steering wheel controls you will need SWI-PS and no ipod cable from tC does not work.

 

Thx for the response wolf.