Pioneer’s new DashCommand

WICKED_GRIN · 12-27-2011, 10:15 AM

DashCommand update integrates with Pioneer AppRadio

MattP725 · 12-29-2011, 04:00 PM

Nice, now if only they could make a stable App Radio... I have read horrible things.

haitech · 12-29-2011, 07:47 PM

You've heard horrible things about this unit?

MattP725 · 12-30-2011, 09:22 AM

Yeah that it crashes a lot... certain times reviewers said you had to restart the car to get unit to unfreeze. To me that is pretty poor design. I looked at it before buying my avh-p3300bt.

MattP725 · 12-30-2011, 09:25 AM

Keep in mind that most reviews are written by people with bad experienced but I read this off of amazon (some others like it too)..

"Software/Processor:
This is where the unit really fails. It is extremely slow and the software is buggy. Several times (4-5) in the 3 days I have used it the unit has completely frozen, would not respond to any input what-so-ever. The only fix for this was to shut my car off for several seconds and start it back up. The software is also very, very slow. It takes 45 seconds to even become responsive after my car is turned on. When switching between screens there is a lag of between 5 to 30 seconds. It gets frustrating when you press a button several times after no response only to have 3-4 clicks register at the same time 4-5 seconds later, this happens quite a bit when changing volume. This appears to be a combination of the software and a slower processor than is needed. I am unsure if a more efficient software update could solve this issue as it is so bad now. "

Amazon.com: Kaleb K Reynolds' review of Pioneer SPH-DA01 AppRadio 6.1-Inch In-Dash...

haitech · 12-30-2011, 07:09 PM

Why would they put out software that has glitches? Do they not do R&D?

MattP725 · 12-30-2011, 07:33 PM

It is hard to say with these things which is the issue... is it the phone that doesn't properly support the hardware, or the hardware that isn't properly tuned to the phone?

Personally I think it is risky to buy the headunit for several reasons.... one is that you are more or less married to the iphone for starters. Also what if your phone breaks or apple updates the iOS and it is no longer compatible?

It is definitely an innovative idea, and at $300 it isn't a huge gamble but chances are you would run into some headaches.

I like that most headunits, including pioneer, are now supporting application modes which allow video output and things of that nature. A combo of the two would be the best of both worlds to me. This way if Droid releases a better product or if my iPhone is simply out of commission, I could at least listen to my radio.

bigaudiofanat · 12-31-2011, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattP725

It is hard to say with these things which is the issue... is it the phone that doesn't properly support the hardware, or the hardware that isn't properly tuned to the phone?

Personally I think it is risky to buy the headunit for several reasons.... one is that you are more or less married to the iphone for starters. Also what if your phone breaks or apple updates the iOS and it is no longer compatible? And it is a pioneer

It is definitely an innovative idea, and at $300 it isn't a huge gamble but chances are you would run into some headaches.

I like that most headunits, including pioneer, are now supporting application modes which allow video output and things of that nature. A combo of the two would be the best of both worlds to me. This way if Droid releases a better product or if my iPhone is simply out of commission, I could at least listen to my radio.

WICKED_GRIN · 12-31-2011, 09:12 AM

^^^ 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars few bugs but overall a great radio, August 23, 2011
By asummers - See all my reviewsAmazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Pioneer SPH-DA01 AppRadio 6.1-Inch In-Dash Double-Din AV Receiver for iPod and iPhone (Electronics)
After reading a lot of mixed reviews and talking to some local people with this radio i decided to go ahead and buy it, So far im very very pleased with the radio.

The only issues i have with the unit are there is a slow start up. nothing that is a big deal but it does not just come on as soon as the key is turned.
The ipod cable is thick and bulky. problem can be fixed with a 30pin dock cable extender.
One set of RCA out for external amp

Other than those three issues there is nothing wrong with the radio. You have to look at it as a secondary monitor for the iphone not as a radio that connects to your phone. Everything this radio does apart from the standard radio is operated by the iphone. I think that is where a lot of the bad reviews come in as people aren't looking at this radio like that. I will agree this radio is not for everyone but it is a nice solution to someone that wants to use there iphone in there car.

I would buy the radio again in a heart beat. I love this thing.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Novel high tech car audio device, October 20, 2011
By Jimmy Liu - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Pioneer SPH-DA01 AppRadio 6.1-Inch In-Dash Double-Din AV Receiver for iPod and iPhone (Electronics)
I purchased the Pioneer head unit to replace an aging stock head unit with 6 cd changer that did not have an auxiliary jack for iPhone in a 2005 Saab 92-x (rebadged Subaru Impreza WRX). I did read the many reviews and was initially discouraged by the many reviews posted previously. However, I rate this equipment as a '5' due to its uniqueness and enjoyment it has provided that has beat my expectations. I am happy to have purchased this device, and was glad to have taken the plunge.

After a month's use, I have been impressed with the usefulness and versatility of this audio device, and have wondered how my long commutes would have been with a explosion and variety of music that this unit produces. First of all, the exterior design of the unit is unique, as the quality of the resolution and simplicity of appearance is refreshing. There are many head unit choices in the market, but most appear almost gaudy with red and blue LED glitziness reminiscent of a carnival.

Secondly, this device will appeal to an audience who is looking for a non-traditional audio equipment that gives you a multitude of streaming choices, GPS tool, entertainment set, and bluetooth hands free phone all in one for a good value. Its utility is almost entirely dependent on the iPhone 4. So if you do not have one, this unit will simply be an expensive radio! If you are also used to a traditional head unit, this may also not be for you, as it has no CD player. It does have an integrated GPS receiver and Appradio, which is an interface to the iPhone 4 for several applications on the iPhone including Pandora, Rdio, Inrix (a GPS map app), and a GPS mapping turn by turn instruction app.

Pandora, Rdio (free trial), and other apps including Youtube and Netflix (as long as the car is parked) work fine. The mapping tools do also include real time traffic status, which does correlate mostly to existing traffic conditions. Additionally, the bluetooth phone system is integrated into the system, so calls coming in will fade out music and you will be able to answer by pressing the screen. Once the call is done, the music will fade back in.

Strengths of the unit include:
-An impressive screen resolution with touch screen capabilities that is decent.
-All in one GPS, bluetooth phone system, back up monitor if you purchase a rear camera, sound player for iphone apps itunes, etc
-The clock is also clean looking, looking like the iHome devices.
-Multifunctioning apps, meaning you can have the GPS mapping app on, while, listening to Pandora in the background. Switching between apps time was appropriate to me.
-Unit has not crashed on me yet...
-Excellent sound quality befitting of Pioneer quality

Weaknesses include:
-A somewhat buggy software as mentioned by other reviews, with Bluetooth phone not always connecting periodically, and some apps that may require additional time to start/restart
-A somewhat lengthy startup time of about 15 seconds.
-I also experienced a glitch with the incorrectly changing clock times/date when starting the car even with recent firmware 2.22, which was corrected by reseting the device through its software. I was mildly amused when the date was the year 2029.
-Also, the appradio suite is somewhat limited, and other apps including an integration of the onboard GPS to say, Yelp, or other popular apps would increase its usefulness even more.
-Power draining - playing this device without the engine on after 45 minutes caused the engine not to crank.
-Microphone that does not transmit the best quality; people will sometimes remark how call may sound distant. But microphone may be replaced as it appears to be a standard RCA, though I have not tried.

Tips on installation:
-This fits a double din car radio slot perfectly.
-Get the right harness for your car. Pay special attention to connecting the harness correctly to the Appradio. Do not simply match colored wires, as they may not be correlated so refer to both harness and Pioneer manual for speaker/power mapping.
-Be sure to ground your antenna wire per your cars requirement so you can receive the maximum radio reception
-You may need an amp, sub, etc for optimal sound quality Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for anyone who loves the iPhone, December 17, 2011
By Nesgto - See all my reviewsAmazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Pioneer SPH-DA01 AppRadio 6.1-Inch In-Dash Double-Din AV Receiver for iPod and iPhone (Electronics)
This radio is all in one imagine the 130 bt with out the price this is what you have when you buy this radio and combine it with the power of your iPhone 4 or 4s it's gives all options Netflix pandora motion gps your contacts are sync to radio radio also even has function like iPhone full touch screen down to pinch to zoom its truly a great product Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars AppRadio, December 8, 2011
By Marco - See all my reviewsAmazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Pioneer SPH-DA01 AppRadio 6.1-Inch In-Dash Double-Din AV Receiver for iPod and iPhone (Electronics)
this product is very good,i bought from italy by consegnato.com
,i saved 100 euro,in comparison if i would buy in italy,
i had some difficulties just for the installation of the radio
,the only thing i didn't like it was the missing part to attach the radio
to the car ,i mean the metal part sourround the radio used to fix it to the car
, this part is missing in the box, but the radio
is excellent Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars AppRadio, December 6, 2011
By pmedic112 - See all my reviewsAmazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Pioneer SPH-DA01 AppRadio 6.1-Inch In-Dash Double-Din AV Receiver for iPod and iPhone (Electronics)
After much research went ahead and purchased Pioneer's AppRadio. Very glad that I did. While the learning curve is longer than anticipated very pleased with the results. Unit looks great in my Ford Explorer and paired with Infinity's Basslink powered subwoofer sound is way above average. More apps will be nice but this unit is exactly what I was looking for. After seeing mine, buddy is ordering his later this week. Do your homework, but if you love your IPhone this unit is what you'll looking for. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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MattP725 · 12-31-2011, 01:09 PM

Even some of those 5 out of 5s talk about software glitches so I was more looking at the comments than the rating itself.

Looks like a mixed bag but I think the average was 2.5 out of 5.

I personally will wait for software improvements both at Apple and Pioneer before I dedicate my audio system to my iPhone.

Big I know you are anti Pioneer but I have had several of their headunits and never experienced an issue. I am also not an audiophile though. I tried to find a Kenwood unit low in price that does all the same things as the AVIC-3300BT but I kept finding shortcomings... for one I don't think I could get 4v preouts for my Bose system from anything but expensive Kenwoods and I just want a basic unit for iPod control, video playback, and satellite radio.

12-27-2011, 10:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
WICKED_GRIN Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New England Posts: 466 Drives: 370Z Roadster Black Rep Power: 16	Pioneer’s new DashCommand DashCommand update integrates with Pioneer AppRadio

12-29-2011, 04:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 17	Nice, now if only they could make a stable App Radio... I have read horrible things.

12-29-2011, 07:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
haitech Track Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Austin/Dallas Posts: 922 Drives: 11' 370z Magnetic M6 Rep Power: 15	You've heard horrible things about this unit?

12-30-2011, 09:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 17	Yeah that it crashes a lot... certain times reviewers said you had to restart the car to get unit to unfreeze. To me that is pretty poor design. I looked at it before buying my avh-p3300bt.

12-30-2011, 09:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 17	Keep in mind that most reviews are written by people with bad experienced but I read this off of amazon (some others like it too).. "Software/Processor: This is where the unit really fails. It is extremely slow and the software is buggy. Several times (4-5) in the 3 days I have used it the unit has completely frozen, would not respond to any input what-so-ever. The only fix for this was to shut my car off for several seconds and start it back up. The software is also very, very slow. It takes 45 seconds to even become responsive after my car is turned on. When switching between screens there is a lag of between 5 to 30 seconds. It gets frustrating when you press a button several times after no response only to have 3-4 clicks register at the same time 4-5 seconds later, this happens quite a bit when changing volume. This appears to be a combination of the software and a slower processor than is needed. I am unsure if a more efficient software update could solve this issue as it is so bad now. " Amazon.com: Kaleb K Reynolds' review of Pioneer SPH-DA01 AppRadio 6.1-Inch In-Dash...

12-30-2011, 07:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
haitech Track Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Austin/Dallas Posts: 922 Drives: 11' 370z Magnetic M6 Rep Power: 15	Why would they put out software that has glitches? Do they not do R&D?

12-30-2011, 07:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 17	It is hard to say with these things which is the issue... is it the phone that doesn't properly support the hardware, or the hardware that isn't properly tuned to the phone? Personally I think it is risky to buy the headunit for several reasons.... one is that you are more or less married to the iphone for starters. Also what if your phone breaks or apple updates the iOS and it is no longer compatible? It is definitely an innovative idea, and at $300 it isn't a huge gamble but chances are you would run into some headaches. I like that most headunits, including pioneer, are now supporting application modes which allow video output and things of that nature. A combo of the two would be the best of both worlds to me. This way if Droid releases a better product or if my iPhone is simply out of commission, I could at least listen to my radio.

12-31-2011, 09:12 AM	#9 (permalink)
WICKED_GRIN Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New England Posts: 466 Drives: 370Z Roadster Black Rep Power: 16	^^^ 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars few bugs but overall a great radio, August 23, 2011 By asummers - See all my reviewsAmazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Pioneer SPH-DA01 AppRadio 6.1-Inch In-Dash Double-Din AV Receiver for iPod and iPhone (Electronics) After reading a lot of mixed reviews and talking to some local people with this radio i decided to go ahead and buy it, So far im very very pleased with the radio. The only issues i have with the unit are there is a slow start up. nothing that is a big deal but it does not just come on as soon as the key is turned. The ipod cable is thick and bulky. problem can be fixed with a 30pin dock cable extender. One set of RCA out for external amp Other than those three issues there is nothing wrong with the radio. You have to look at it as a secondary monitor for the iphone not as a radio that connects to your phone. Everything this radio does apart from the standard radio is operated by the iphone. I think that is where a lot of the bad reviews come in as people aren't looking at this radio like that. I will agree this radio is not for everyone but it is a nice solution to someone that wants to use there iphone in there car. I would buy the radio again in a heart beat. I love this thing. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse \| Permalink Comment Comment 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Novel high tech car audio device, October 20, 2011 By Jimmy Liu - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Pioneer SPH-DA01 AppRadio 6.1-Inch In-Dash Double-Din AV Receiver for iPod and iPhone (Electronics) I purchased the Pioneer head unit to replace an aging stock head unit with 6 cd changer that did not have an auxiliary jack for iPhone in a 2005 Saab 92-x (rebadged Subaru Impreza WRX). I did read the many reviews and was initially discouraged by the many reviews posted previously. However, I rate this equipment as a '5' due to its uniqueness and enjoyment it has provided that has beat my expectations. I am happy to have purchased this device, and was glad to have taken the plunge. After a month's use, I have been impressed with the usefulness and versatility of this audio device, and have wondered how my long commutes would have been with a explosion and variety of music that this unit produces. First of all, the exterior design of the unit is unique, as the quality of the resolution and simplicity of appearance is refreshing. There are many head unit choices in the market, but most appear almost gaudy with red and blue LED glitziness reminiscent of a carnival. Secondly, this device will appeal to an audience who is looking for a non-traditional audio equipment that gives you a multitude of streaming choices, GPS tool, entertainment set, and bluetooth hands free phone all in one for a good value. Its utility is almost entirely dependent on the iPhone 4. So if you do not have one, this unit will simply be an expensive radio! If you are also used to a traditional head unit, this may also not be for you, as it has no CD player. It does have an integrated GPS receiver and Appradio, which is an interface to the iPhone 4 for several applications on the iPhone including Pandora, Rdio, Inrix (a GPS map app), and a GPS mapping turn by turn instruction app. Pandora, Rdio (free trial), and other apps including Youtube and Netflix (as long as the car is parked) work fine. The mapping tools do also include real time traffic status, which does correlate mostly to existing traffic conditions. Additionally, the bluetooth phone system is integrated into the system, so calls coming in will fade out music and you will be able to answer by pressing the screen. Once the call is done, the music will fade back in. Strengths of the unit include: -An impressive screen resolution with touch screen capabilities that is decent. -All in one GPS, bluetooth phone system, back up monitor if you purchase a rear camera, sound player for iphone apps itunes, etc -The clock is also clean looking, looking like the iHome devices. -Multifunctioning apps, meaning you can have the GPS mapping app on, while, listening to Pandora in the background. Switching between apps time was appropriate to me. -Unit has not crashed on me yet... -Excellent sound quality befitting of Pioneer quality Weaknesses include: -A somewhat buggy software as mentioned by other reviews, with Bluetooth phone not always connecting periodically, and some apps that may require additional time to start/restart -A somewhat lengthy startup time of about 15 seconds. -I also experienced a glitch with the incorrectly changing clock times/date when starting the car even with recent firmware 2.22, which was corrected by reseting the device through its software. I was mildly amused when the date was the year 2029. -Also, the appradio suite is somewhat limited, and other apps including an integration of the onboard GPS to say, Yelp, or other popular apps would increase its usefulness even more. -Power draining - playing this device without the engine on after 45 minutes caused the engine not to crank. -Microphone that does not transmit the best quality; people will sometimes remark how call may sound distant. But microphone may be replaced as it appears to be a standard RCA, though I have not tried. Tips on installation: -This fits a double din car radio slot perfectly. -Get the right harness for your car. Pay special attention to connecting the harness correctly to the Appradio. Do not simply match colored wires, as they may not be correlated so refer to both harness and Pioneer manual for speaker/power mapping. -Be sure to ground your antenna wire per your cars requirement so you can receive the maximum radio reception -You may need an amp, sub, etc for optimal sound quality Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse \| Permalink Comment Comment 5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for anyone who loves the iPhone, December 17, 2011 By Nesgto - See all my reviewsAmazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Pioneer SPH-DA01 AppRadio 6.1-Inch In-Dash Double-Din AV Receiver for iPod and iPhone (Electronics) This radio is all in one imagine the 130 bt with out the price this is what you have when you buy this radio and combine it with the power of your iPhone 4 or 4s it's gives all options Netflix pandora motion gps your contacts are sync to radio radio also even has function like iPhone full touch screen down to pinch to zoom its truly a great product Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse \| Permalink Comment Comment 0 of 1 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars AppRadio, December 8, 2011 By Marco - See all my reviewsAmazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Pioneer SPH-DA01 AppRadio 6.1-Inch In-Dash Double-Din AV Receiver for iPod and iPhone (Electronics) this product is very good,i bought from italy by consegnato.com ,i saved 100 euro,in comparison if i would buy in italy, i had some difficulties just for the installation of the radio ,the only thing i didn't like it was the missing part to attach the radio to the car ,i mean the metal part sourround the radio used to fix it to the car , this part is missing in the box, but the radio is excellent Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse \| Permalink Comment Comment 0 of 1 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars AppRadio, December 6, 2011 By pmedic112 - See all my reviewsAmazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Pioneer SPH-DA01 AppRadio 6.1-Inch In-Dash Double-Din AV Receiver for iPod and iPhone (Electronics) After much research went ahead and purchased Pioneer's AppRadio. Very glad that I did. While the learning curve is longer than anticipated very pleased with the results. Unit looks great in my Ford Explorer and paired with Infinity's Basslink powered subwoofer sound is way above average. More apps will be nice but this unit is exactly what I was looking for. After seeing mine, buddy is ordering his later this week. Do your homework, but if you love your IPhone this unit is what you'll looking for. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse \| Permalink Comment Comment

12-31-2011, 01:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
MattP725 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toms River, NJ Posts: 1,904 Drives: 2010 40th Rep Power: 17	Even some of those 5 out of 5s talk about software glitches so I was more looking at the comments than the rating itself. Looks like a mixed bag but I think the average was 2.5 out of 5. I personally will wait for software improvements both at Apple and Pioneer before I dedicate my audio system to my iPhone. Big I know you are anti Pioneer but I have had several of their headunits and never experienced an issue. I am also not an audiophile though. I tried to find a Kenwood unit low in price that does all the same things as the AVIC-3300BT but I kept finding shortcomings... for one I don't think I could get 4v preouts for my Bose system from anything but expensive Kenwoods and I just want a basic unit for iPod control, video playback, and satellite radio.