Car Stereo Review: Pioneer AVIC-D1
Ok, try to say it all in one breath: Pioneer In-Dash DVD Multimedia AV Navigation Receiver. Holy! And the name doesn't even begin to say it all...
Problem: I own two Fords — A 2003 Explorer and a 2005 Mustang. Love them both. The factory systems in both really aren't that bad. The Explorer has an in-dash 6-CD player, and the Mustang has a single disc player. I, like so many others, am in the process of ripping every CD I own to my computer and want to purchase a portable mp3 player that can hold it all. Only problem is, what do I listen to in the cars? Sure I can wire something up, but that just isn't what I want. Neither factory systems are mp3 player-ready. So I started looking around at something that would work well in a Ford double-din slot (twice the height of a normal aftermarket CD player).
Solution: Wow, I was quickly limited to my choices to fill a double-din. I had three options: 1)Buy a regular aftermarket CD player that was mp3-ready and buy a kit to fill the space (Gross!), 2) Buy a CD/tape player that filled the space (WHAT IS A TAPE!), or 3) Enter the Pioneer AVIC-D1.
Review: Once I quickly realized the AVIC-D1 was my best option, I started reading the details... It is IPOD-ready, It fills the entire double-din with a bright & easy-to read screen, it is a touch-screen, it has two slots (one for a CD and one for a DVD-ROM), it comes with a DVD-ROM navigation map, it can hook up to a reverse video camera... the list goes on and on. For more features, visit the AVIC-D1's Web site, Pioneer AVIC-D1 Site.
This is an amazing device. I also liked that when off, the entire screen goes black, virtually vanishing this high-end player into any black instrument cluster.
Pioneer, my hat is off to you on this one. You clearly did your homework.
What's more... To those saying, "I just have a single-din opening for a CD player," don't worry. Pioneer made an equally as impressive AVIC-N2 for you.
And the price: While most can find this at Car Toys, Circuit City or Best Buy in the $1,500 to 1,600 range, there are several reputable online dealers that are selling this unit for a little over $1,200. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND: Know your dealer. I never recommend buying high-dollar items from unknown online dealers. Read the return policies and all the fine print. Sometimes these can be black market units. Never good. Local dealers may cost more, but you know they will still be there next week if you have a problem!
Rating: When in need of a top-notch double-din filler, this one is hands-down a five of five asterisks *****.
Problem: I own two Fords — A 2003 Explorer and a 2005 Mustang. Love them both. The factory systems in both really aren't that bad. The Explorer has an in-dash 6-CD player, and the Mustang has a single disc player. I, like so many others, am in the process of ripping every CD I own to my computer and want to purchase a portable mp3 player that can hold it all. Only problem is, what do I listen to in the cars? Sure I can wire something up, but that just isn't what I want. Neither factory systems are mp3 player-ready. So I started looking around at something that would work well in a Ford double-din slot (twice the height of a normal aftermarket CD player).
Solution: Wow, I was quickly limited to my choices to fill a double-din. I had three options: 1)Buy a regular aftermarket CD player that was mp3-ready and buy a kit to fill the space (Gross!), 2) Buy a CD/tape player that filled the space (WHAT IS A TAPE!), or 3) Enter the Pioneer AVIC-D1.
Review: Once I quickly realized the AVIC-D1 was my best option, I started reading the details... It is IPOD-ready, It fills the entire double-din with a bright & easy-to read screen, it is a touch-screen, it has two slots (one for a CD and one for a DVD-ROM), it comes with a DVD-ROM navigation map, it can hook up to a reverse video camera... the list goes on and on. For more features, visit the AVIC-D1's Web site, Pioneer AVIC-D1 Site.
This is an amazing device. I also liked that when off, the entire screen goes black, virtually vanishing this high-end player into any black instrument cluster.
Pioneer, my hat is off to you on this one. You clearly did your homework.
What's more... To those saying, "I just have a single-din opening for a CD player," don't worry. Pioneer made an equally as impressive AVIC-N2 for you.
And the price: While most can find this at Car Toys, Circuit City or Best Buy in the $1,500 to 1,600 range, there are several reputable online dealers that are selling this unit for a little over $1,200. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND: Know your dealer. I never recommend buying high-dollar items from unknown online dealers. Read the return policies and all the fine print. Sometimes these can be black market units. Never good. Local dealers may cost more, but you know they will still be there next week if you have a problem!
Rating: When in need of a top-notch double-din filler, this one is hands-down a five of five asterisks *****.
posted by Cooper at 11:09 PM
3 Comments:
wow! cool gadget...
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well, i bought the d1 yesterday and its being installed in my car tom... i knew the capabilities but it seems that with every review of it i read i get more and more psyched! thanks for the blog, it made me feel pretty good, lol :)
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