Customer Review: Pioneer AVIC-D3
The Pioneer AVIC-D3 is a great after market In-Dash GPS Navigation System. The multitude of features and additional accessories make this system a must have for mobile video/navigation enthusiasts. As with most "all-in-one" type technologies, it does take a while to get used to the interface and menus. Though once you become familiar with them, which doesn't take much time at all, you'll probably find yourself wanting to cruise around just for the heck of it. One slight annoying design flaw is "the system's single disc slot means that users will constantly have to switch between navigation discs and media sources to make the most of its many features." But if this is not of a particular concern to you, then you'll be generally satisfied with this product.
Customer Review: Good System for the price
First off, if you plan to use the Navigation system heavily AND a CD/DVD heavily as well, think about it! I bought this system in the last week and I was able to test it thoroughly this past weekend. It is a very good beginning of the line model and for the price it is going for, even with all the bells and whistles, it is a very good product. If you buy it at the current price from amazon you will get the AVIC-D3($594.95) the bluetooth($94.95) the iPod Cable($15.45) and the remote($13.80-if you need it, my package already included it) totaling for less than $720. Paying $700 for hardware you get navigation, DVD playing capabilities (video plays only when the car is moving less than 10MPH-unless overridden), iPod integration, cell phone integration (handsfree mandatory in CA beginning summer 2008), you can also get satellite radio and traffic if you want. It is a very complete system and you can also expand it by installing head rest monitors or flip down monitors, rear-view camera, amplifiers, and then list can go on and on. As far as comparing this product to others in the market...it has it's limitations. It isn't as complete as other systems could be, but the price makes those things be forgotten about. Cons: 1) It has a limitation on the media loaded. You have one slot for CD/DVD/Navi, so if you want to have a DVD all the time inside your unit, then pretty much forget about Navigation. If you are going to use Navigation all the time, then maybe this system is not the one for you. If you have an iPod however, you can have plenty of music from there without the need for a CD (plus you can play your videos from the iPod too, however you need to manually select them). In my case, I would like to have two DVD slots where I can get to keep the navigation disc inside and I can get an extra slot so I can put music videos to listen to (music from DVDs is much richer than from CDs or iPod) or have it free for a CD. Juggling discs isn't something I look forward to when I'm even starting my drive, even less if I was driving. 2) The screen size is smaller based on its big buttons (relatively speaking) and the CD slot which is visible. I am unsure what the others are in comparison, but seeing them side to side the AVIC-D3 seems to be dwarfed. 3) Programming and usage of the unit is not completely easy or intuitive. I have not been able to program the 150+ entries from my address book into the nav unit since my phone will only do one by one. The phone needs to be disconnected from the unit in order to do this 4) Lack of tilt feature. Some units allow some tilt so that the glare can be reduced. I am unsure of the tradeoff that exists (on the one hand it could brake and make it unusable, on the other, there's no tilt). Pros: 1) Very affordable compared to others. With less than 700, I was able to purchase the system, the bluetooth, iPod connection, and a remote (which I don't know if I'll use, but it's there for now). Other systems (the next one up) went for much more, two times more than this one. 2) Although some of the more intricate programming is, well, more intricate and hard, most things are very easy to get to. You'll get how to program your cell phone and once you have done it once, you really don't need to do it. Playing a DVD, CD, out of the iPod, radio (even programming the stations) isn't hard. Using the navi is very intuitive, keep pressing the Menu button if you need to do something and press Map if you need to get back to the map. 3) Has everything you need, or most of it anyway. 4) Expandable. You can have other screens connected to it, amplifiers, camera, satellite radio (XM & Sirius). I am unsure whether you can have HD Radio or if a DVD changer is currently available or if it will be available, but a DVD changer would be a great addition for the system. In short: I have the system and it works for me, it has what I need at an affordable price with expandability. At this current time, I would say I would buy it again, although I would look to see if there was a possibility to get one with 2 discs for a comparable, or even a little more expensive. I would NOT get it if: I had long drives to difficult locations where I don't know where I'm going and I was carrying kids who would be watching DVDs. Hope this helps getting you the best system for you!
Tom Tom GPS began in 1991 as Palmtop, a business to develop applications for the first handheld computers. Initially those applications were business oriented, but soon individuals wanted personal organizers to keep track of their fast paced lives. The company then began to develop games, dictionaries, personal finance products and route planners for PDA's (personal digital assistants). As the demand for these applications grew globally, specifically after the launch of the successful Palm Pilot, the handheld market expanded rapidly and Microsoft also got into the game. Palmtop developed applications for all these units.
Near the end of the 1990's, Palmtop began to spend more time on the development of GPS (Global Positioning System) software, which could identify your location anywhere on Earth. The field of navigation showed incredible opportunity for growth. Palmtop started to focus more and more on navigation solutions like route planners. Mobile opportunities were opening up incredible opportunities.
In 2001 with increased focus and vision on navigation aids a new name was needed. Tom Tom was born. Tom Tom GPS utilized its strengths to create the first mobile automobile in car navigation system utilizing the Global Positioning System. The Tom Tom GPS Navigator was a massive success.
When TomTom GPS Navigator 2 hit the market in 2003, it was clear that more than PDA owners were in need, and wanted, GPS devices. It was dictated by the public that getting from place to place should not require stopping and asking for directions all the time. People wanted a full time map at their disposal that would change to suit their destination.
TomTom GO, introduced in 2004, was hailed as the most easy to use and most portable stand-alone automobile GPS navigation device ever. Then came TomTom MOBILE, a brand new GPS navigation solution designed to make smartphones operate as in-car navigation systems.
TomTom's products emphasize innovation, quality, and simplicity of use, safety and consumer value. These products include all-in-one navigation devices, which allow customers to navigate as soon as they take the GPS unit out of the box. That is the award-winning TomTom GO family of products, the TomTom ONE XL and TomTom ONE products, and the TomTom RIDER for motorcycle and scooter riders.
TomTom also supplies GPS navigation software products that integrate with third party devices. This Is the TomTom NAVIGATOR software for PDA's and smartphones. The TomTom WORK product line combines intelligent navigation technology with strong communication technology to provide industry leading vehicle tracing and tracking expertise.
TomTom provides customers with foreign language assistance, entertainment, and local weather and traffic information. Get from A to B stress free with TomTom GPS systems.
Wayne MacLean is an avid hiker, snowshoeing enthusiast, and loves the outdoors. He is a writer for both online and offline businesses.
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