Some of you may recall a post I did over a year ago on the Pioneer AVIC-Z1. I got this unit from TGIWF after he moved on to his car computer project. I LOVED the Z1. Much more than TGIWF did, but it was my first really cool gadget and he's not in the car for more than an hour each way everyday to and from work.
Well, I got the bright idea to upgrade my little Z1 by adding XM Traffic so I'd have up to the minute traffic updates on my in-dash nav unit! Well problem there: I also had the bright idea to install it myself. While I did read the directions, with a little help from my husband hooking up the red wire you're NOT supposed to, and me CUTTING the connection to the little red wire, I managed to blow up my AVIC-Z1. Very sad day with lots of frustration.
In comes the decision to upgrade, or invest in the 2 year+ old dead navigation system. Lucky for me, the same week I blew up my Z1, Pioneer introduced their new F-Series line of navigation systems. After much research (which was very little...just looked at what it had) I decided to go with the Pioneer AVIC-F900BT.
You'll likely read very poor reviews on this unit if you're looking to buy one now, because while I am happy with it now, it took a few weeks of frustrations and waiting for Pioneer to update the firmware package for me to be impressed. I have to remember that when you're an early adapter of new products, you've got to be ready for the frustrations. TGIWF and I talked the first few days I had it and after my less than impressive demo for him, we both decided it was a trash unit.
BUT, since I was busy doing other things (getting married), I threw the new unit on the back burner and decided to wait for the firmware update.
GOOD MOVE! I've had the updated unit for a few weeks now, and just yesterday when I left work, the F900BT (aka. CHAD as I've affectionately named him) managed to reduce my road-rage mentality by informing me that HWY 36 was backed up with an accident, but it was only 2 miles ahead of me and I'd likely still be home by 6:15p. This information was provided by the MSN Direct feature that is optional with $129 lifetime subscription fee.
If the giant indicator that the big van in front of me and all those around me was not enough of an indicator, CHAD would have chimed in 5 minutes in to my drive to alert me that there was trouble up ahead and that I had the option to take a detour, if I wanted. Since CHAD also told me that the accident was so close, I chose to ride through it and I got home quickly.
This is a picture of CHAD...the F900BT and what the screen looks like while it's in traffic and in the Navigation mode like I had him yesterday. The red line indicates a slowing in traffic and the little road hazard signs show there is a build up in traffic.
Once I was aware there was a problem, I had the option to find out more details, thus learning how far I was from the accident, if it was Eastbound like I was, and the street intersection where it was.
Lucky for me, I got to use this handy feature AGAIN on my drive to work today. Not only was there an accident, there were THREE accidents on HWY 36 on my way in, delaying me by 45 minutes. I realized having this tiny bit of info on where and why enabled me to switch over to the iPod, listen to my tunes, and cruise to work, to get there when I get there.
Overall review on the Pioneer AVIC-F900BT: Certainly not as fabulous as the AVIC-Z1, but also about $1,000 less in price. Great for a starter unit or for someone that doesn't like to keep a car more than 2 years that has that kind of money to toss around. Not a Garmin, but much it's only work the money if you get the MSN Direct Traffic features.
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