DVD/CD navigation receiver with built-in amplifier (22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels) * motorized, retractable 6.5" touch-screen TFT active-matrix LCD monitor * detachable control panel with 10-character sub display * plays DVDs, DVD-R/RWs, CDs, CD-R/RWs, and MP3 discs * GPS navigation (includes GPS antenna and two map DVDs) *
1 Terrible Navigation Functions
I liked my Honda factory navigation, so I bought the Pioneer AVIC-N2 for my BMW. Since I could not found a demonstration unit, I bought it based on reviews and thought most of the navigation system will be similar. Now that it is installed, I quickly realized that it is a terrible navigation system. The AVIC-N2 does not allow the driver to change the destination or use majority of the navigation functions while the car is moving. Now I can NOT map to new locations, redirect to new routes while in traffic, find restaurants, locate point of interests in the area, and many other normal navigation functions unless I PARK the car first. I called the Pioneer customer service and found them to be very non-responsive. The representative insisted that it is a "safety" feature. In summary, I would not recommend this unit to anyone. It is not much different from Yahoo Map.
2 Truly the current pinnacle of Mobile Navi-tainment!
I purchased this item a few days ago and installed it myself. Let me start with a whole-hearted I LOVE IT!
Ok, details.
The Installation
I am not new to car stereo installs, and I thought this install was pretty easy, if longer than most. But then, there's about 5 times as much to set up, so no surprise there. I am assuming you know how to snake wires/cables all throughout your vehicle, from the battery under the hood to under your seats to the white reverse lights on the back of your car. If you've got that down, the hardest part is really just figuring out which wire on your ECU is the vehicle speed-pulse line. Other than that, it's all just busy work; a splice here, a t-tap there, and you're done!
It is a *lot* of wires, though. (Hey, what did you expect?) :)
The Video
Amazingly enough, it's visible in daylight, only becoming unwatchable in direct sunlight! The screen's display is adjustable enough such that it can be viewed in nearly any angle, and the "Wide" button even allows you to select a "zoom" level such that any movie you own will use as much (or little) of the screen as you want.
The Audio
While not as customizable or pro-audio as my last deck, the Pioneer DEH-960MP, I actually like the sound out of this one better. I still have a little tuning to do on my amps for the mids and lows, but the highs are much crisper than I could ever get out of my last deck.
The Navigation
I have no basis for comparison, but after playing with this thing for an hour or so, I had it all down pat; it's pretty easy and intuitive. As far as usefulness, well, it's gotten me around areas I already know very well with plenty of skill, so I'm confident that when I try to navigate someplace I don't know that I will be just fine.
Gripes
The intelligence of the unit in figuring out if you're moving or not is too good. I've heard about and think I like the AVIC-N1's relatively dumb parking-brake sensor better. I know it's illegal (and really just plain dumb) to watch a DVD while driving. But what about my passengers? I have the self-control to just not look at the screen, but now I don't even have that choice; the AVIC-N2 watches the speed (and, I'm thinking, its accellerometers, too) to know when I'm moving, and it blacks out the A/V, no matter how much little Billy was enjoying "The Incredibles."
(Here's a hint, though; plug the rear-display video output that's meant for an extra LCD mounted in the back seat into the rear camera video input. Then whenever you want to see a video up front while the vehicle is in motion, just view the rear-camera. Granted, it's squished to plain-old TV 4:3 because the nav map snippet still shows on the left, but it's better than nothing!)
Also, the IP-Bus is pretty much useless for some older components. Verify that any IP-Bus components you want to buy work with the AVIC-N2 before buying them! I had a Delphi XM tuner installed in my car and hooked up to my Pioner DEH-960MP and it worked wonderfully. On the AVIC-N2, I could get the audio over the IP-Bus via the "Aux" source, but I have no controls... I don't know about you, but having my XM Radio stuck on Channel 53 for the rest of eternity isn't acceptable. The newer XM tuners from Pioneer do work, though; I also bought their XM NavTraffic tuner. It hasn't arrived yet, but I'm willing to bet that it works and will be very, very cool.
Overall
This thing has got a coolness factor of, well... let me put it this way: After getting all this installed (I have an iPod and a PS2 hooked up to it, too... ) I have decided that I'm just plain the coolest person I know.
Party in my car, you're invited... :D
