Hi all,
I was wondering if its a good idea to get the factory upgraded pioneer headunit or is it better to get on my own. For the headunit i want a bluetooth functionality feature. Can anyone recommend any aftermarket headunits?

better to get an aftermarket.

the new avics are really nice.

the pioneer 7000bt has alot of features and bluetooth built in but the bt chip sucks and does not link well with smartphones and verizon. pioneers bt adapter is about the same way. the f series navs have parrot chips and work well with just about any phone. sonys mexbt2600 isnt bad but the mic is on the unit and sounds muffly kenwoods bt adapter has parrot chips and there pretty cool cause u can make calls using the remote but all the adapters are about 150-200 or so

I would say stay away from the new pioneer f series- I had one for a while and returned it..there is a thread around here about it... I found so many things about it that I couldn't stand and finally the blue tooth was completely useless

I would say stay away from the new pioneer f series- I had one for a while and returned it..there is a thread around here about it... I found so many things about it that I couldn't stand and finally the blue tooth was completely useless

I just got my Avic-F90bt today and will install it this weekend.

There are soooo many fixes for the Avic F series HU. go to WWW.AVIC411.com

You can make it boot faster, change the voices and even do the nav mod with software and not a wire.

you can get it cheap from a auth.dealer like www.abt.com for 799,00

I will post my personal review when I get it done in a thread here.

maxlax......I will be looking for your review. I am very interested in the F series, but have been very discouraged with all the problems/issues.

yea the first series had a lot of problems especially bt but u need to do firmware updates and it will correct the problem the new units work fine there pricey though

I gotta say I love the head unit. I only paid 799 from ABT.com with shipping!

the boot time is quick, just don't try to start it on ipod. I keep it on my sirius. the boot is quick then you can move to any other source. it's a PC....it will take longer than a kenwood, yet the customizing with the boot files will make it really cool.

I used to have an avic-d3 in my old car. When I was selling the car, I took the D3 out because I was planning on putting it into my xB. After finding some pics of the mounting harness, I decided to sell the D3 and just get the premium head unit. I found that the opening in the dash is about an inch too wide for the double din players. With the premium HU you get to keep your steering wheel controls, ipod and aux jacks, and it has outputs for front rear and sub.

There are installation kits for double din units that eleviate the extra width, as well as adapters that allow the steering wheel controls to function.

I actually wish the iPod connector was hidden in the glovebox or console storage.

There are installation kits for double din units that eleviate the extra width, as well as adapters that allow the steering wheel controls to function.

I actually wish the iPod connector was hidden in the glovebox or console storage.
Yeah, the installation kits are out there, but I just hate the look of the plastic on the sides...maybe it's just me.
As for steering wheel controls...the only one that works in the xB is the PAC universal one, and it works through IR...and i've heard people complaining about slow response times on other forums.
Also, the glovebox storage isn't so nice when you're using an iPhone for your music and you receive a call ;-)

Just got the Avic-F900BT , also just ordered the Double Din Face kit, Wire kit and Pac steering wheel control kit. Cant wait to install it, will post my review once installed.

Just got the Avic-F900BT , also just ordered the Double Din Face kit, Wire kit and Pac steering wheel control kit. Cant wait to install it, will post my review once installed.
I definitely want to know how it works out for you. On AVIC411, there has not been much praise for the F units.

Just got the Avic-F900BT , also just ordered the Double Din Face kit, Wire kit and Pac steering wheel control kit. Cant wait to install it, will post my review once installed.
I definitely want to know how it works out for you. On AVIC411, there has not been much praise for the F units.


Def willl


Yea on Avic411- It go's both way's some like it some dont.... Def worth a shot. I read some reviews people say once they up-dated the unit that said it worked A++++++ Just have to see for my self. I know i wanted the Avic-D3 but i could not find a new one since they stoped makeign them......

Just got the Avic-F900BT , also just ordered the Double Din Face kit, Wire kit and Pac steering wheel control kit. Cant wait to install it, will post my review once installed.
I definitely want to know how it works out for you. On AVIC411, there has not been much praise for the F units.


Most people like it on Avic411. You gotta remember, it's a PC not a car stereo we all had 5 years ago.

Just got the Avic-F900BT , also just ordered the Double Din Face kit, Wire kit and Pac steering wheel control kit. Cant wait to install it, will post my review once installed.
I definitely want to know how it works out for you. On AVIC411, there has not been much praise for the F units.


Most people like it on Avic411. You gotta remember, it's a PC not a car stereo we all had 5 years ago.




Yea i was stuck on the D3, Than got the F900BT as a gift and did alot of research and man its an on bord PC/Radio. I read alot about how everyone on Avic411 mod/hack there Avic-f900BT its awsome. Cant wait to install my unit.



Whats your Review on the unit?

I love it, and still have not done a software mod yet. there is talk of a new firmware next week to make the boot time faster and fix some of the odd phone issues.

i would buy it again and would suggest it to anyone for the 799 price of the avic-f90bt.

I love it, and still have not done a software mod yet. there is talk of a new firmware next week to make the boot time faster and fix some of the odd phone issues.

i would buy it again and would suggest it to anyone for the 799 price of the avic-f90bt.


Oh realy , Def gotta look it up when the new Firmware come's out. I hope to have my head unit installed very soon calling the shop tomorrow to set up an appointment. Thanks for the head's up.