Pioneer's in-car AVIC F-Series unveiled

AVIC-F90BT

(Credit: Pioneer)

Pioneer's AVIC Z-Series has set the standard for in-dash navigation devices over the past couple of years, and so the release of a new line of a new family of products in the AVIC series is big news for car tech fans. The line-up starts with the entry-level AVIC-F700BT, which features a single CD/CD-R/RW playback mechanism, followed by the AVIC-F900BT and the AVIC-F90BT, which are both capable of reading MP3, WMA, iTunes AAC, and WAV audio formats as well as DVD, DivX, and MPEG4 video files.

AVIC F900BT

(Credit: Pioneer)

AVIC-F700BT

(Credit: Pioneer)

Unveiled this week, all of the F-Series include flash-memory-based navigation and the capability to deliver real-time traffic, weather, and gasoline prices via a connection to MSN Direct. Each of the three new in-dash units features a 5.8-inch high-resolution WVGA touch-panel display; a USB interface for quick connection to iPod music players, portable media players, and USB memory devices; and an SD-card slot for loading additional Points of Interest information or compressed audio and video files. The devices also feature an advanced speech-recognition interface for hands-free calling and media playback selection. Developed by VoiceBox, the voice-recognition system is able to understand conversational directions for making phone calls and selecting audio playback options. Pioneer claims that the interface can even discern a voice command that is complicated by pauses or hesitation, such as a command like: "I want to, ah, play artist, um, Black Eyed Peas." If it works as advertised, the technology will go one better than Ford's Sync system, which holds the current crown for voice-command usability.

Look out for the AVIC-F700BT, the AVIC-F900BT, and the Premier AVIC-F90BT to hit the shelves in June with price tags of $850, $1,100, and $1,200 respectively.

[Quemannn]

When Garmin's Nuvifone comes on the market, Pioneer's AVIC F series will face hectic competition from Nuvifone and Apple's 3G iPhone, which is due for June 2008. Since Nuvifone is the first-ever amphibian mobil equipment that is both portable and vehicle mount, consumers will see some eye-opening aspect of the mobile equipment as a whole.

[cboh]

I just had a Pioneer AVIC- F900BT installed in my vehicle and have a couple of issues that may need to be addressed by Pioneers techs.
What you do not read in the literature or Ads the system takes from one to three minutes to start up once you turn it on. If you have an Ipod installed it must read the entire IPOD device before you can use it.
Pioneer has cut costs by not including a user?s manual or CD in the box. You need to print it out yourself.
The voice commands are not as slick as the ad promotes but do work after having to repeat commands. There are not a lot of user setting that you can change. Maybe after a few updates it will be fixed but right now it is not the perfect device Pioneer claims.

[clbourq]

will there be firmware updates for this unit? If so, do we just use our SD cards to do this? They really do need to speed up the amount of time it takes to boot not only the whole unit but the ipod options...its so lame!

[hchavez]

I agree it needs some work.

[markymark34]

Anyone have any updates on software updates?? Thats the only thing holding me back from getting one of these puppies.

They're also hard to find in stores.

[fairmont115]

I have a Kar Tunz in Pleasanton, California. installed Pioneer Avic-F700BT in our Acura Legend 1990 around June 29, 2008. The Phone system (Bluetooth) is not working right. When you dial out, the party on the other end cannot hear you. Lots of distortion and back ground noise. I have taken it to Kar Tunz three times and still the problem is not fixed. I have contacted Pioneer and they said they are working with this problem and will take approx. three weeks to solve. I just don't know why are they selling this unit when no can solve this issue.Need help with this issue.

[Robbie350z]

I had my Avic-f700bt installed yesterday and it takes forever to load other than that I'm loving it!! Hopefully an update is released out soon.

[rayac88]

i just installed the f90bt to days ago. Its a great system the sound quality is crisp and clear the audio setting allow you to tune the radio however you please. the screen is clear and crisp. the problems with it are with its software though. The unit takes forever to load and you cannot change the song while it is loading. The bluetooth connectivity is giving problems pairing with my blackberry curve but works with a a sprint samsung no problem. One last problem i am having is with the voice command because to activate it u have to push the button down while keeping it centered or else it will change the track and if you hold it a certain way it will mute the audio. Overall its a great system but like the z1 it has kinks to work out before it is flawless. I have the new update of the software but it still need to add a few more things to it.

[hockeyislife02]

I just purchased an AVIC-F700BT. The unit is really great once it gets started up. Even with Firmware 2.0 the load times are nearly rediculous.

[msvirick]

I find viewing maps in 3D mode almost useless as it is oriented to North.
Does anyone know how to change to show navigation in real mode
to be perpindular
I called Pioneer support but the call center guy , I think in China or India
completly uninformed.

[msvirick]

Pioneer AVIC f500BT
I find viewing maps in 3D mode almost useless as it is oriented to North.
Does anyone know how to change to show navigation in real mode
to be perpindular
I called Pioneer support but the call center guy , I think in China or India
completly uninformed.