OK well after further review.. and some recent complications, I've come to the conclusion that the Pioneer AVIC Z2 is shiat. Not only is the navigation flawed and sometimes kinda dangerous to follow, but my HD crashed because of the heat... and now i'm lucky if it boots 1 in 5 times i turn it on.. I'm fed up with it and I'm in the market to replace it. and no, i'm not interested in just replacing the HD because it's just going to fail again.

so here are the features which i NEED -

GPS Navigation that does not need a DVD to run
Sirius radio
XM with NavTraffic (or one that uses the sirius traffic instead)
Bluetooth handsfree cellphone connect
DVD video while driving (optional but nice)
2 DIN of course
and RCA preouts for my amps

now price is not an option here - does anyone have any good suggestions?

 

Eclipse AVN5495
Eclipse AVN7000

 

Cant you Warranty it ?

 

no because i bought it on ebay - the people tgat ARE doing that are just getting it back with "no trouble found" because the units arent hot when they test them.. And if pioneer does eventually replace the unit, the same thing happens when it gets hot again..

 

Try the D3. It is a hell of a lot cheaper and I think it does everything you want. However, you do need the nav disc during initial installataion and to set a route if you are traveling to a different coverage area. No big deal. Don't get used to only using navi, you still need to know how to read road signs.

 

but if its heat related problem, it will happen again no matter which nav u go.

and is it possible that it could be your Z2 was bad in the first place ?

Is it really hot back there .... oh no, I just ordered a Nav and I dont want it to toast ..

Anybody try to attach some sort of small computer fan back there ?

 

i got a free avic z1 today



i gotta figure out how to get this biatch in my 8 =/

 

Can I have a free one also ?

There is "no way" you can fit it in the 8's Dash without a kit from Kanatech(japan) or Corksport(US, reseller of Kanatech Japan)

 

Actually there is....it is just cost prohibitive....

 

Well, if i'm going to take it to some local shops, if none of them cant do it for under 300 installed im prolly gonna sell it



it is used but none the less im gonna try to get like 700 for it.

 

Good luck trying.

I am waiting for Corksport to send me their kit ... spoke with them 3 times, I suppose to get it last week, then they said Japan delay the shipment for 1 week and should be here today. called just before the guy said they suppose to get it today but nothing. He is calling Japan to see what is going on.

If anyone from CorkSport reads this ! Please I beg you guys I already select next day shipping I need the kit ASAP cuz I have a trip to go this weekend ! I need some Navigation !

 

OK Guys -

Pioneer finially realized the error and has released a patch that is supposed to fix the problem.. just in time for winter LOL

so if the patch works then i will not be changing out my HU - and if anyone else has a Z1 or Z2 you can find info on AVIC411.com

 

This is true for the most part, although I do know of one 8 running around these parts with an aftermarket unit and the shop used a Dodge kit to mount it (out of a pickup I believe) It actually turned out pretty awesome, but since there is the option of the Kanatech now (and there wasn't when this was done) folks are probably better off going with that.

 

after I spoke with Corksport (I think the guy is Derrick), just got this email :

"Hello,

The stereo installation kit did not arrive as they were supposed to last
week. We are awaiting tracking information for the kits but we have not
received it. This is delaying us in sending your order. I will contact
you right away when I get the information for the stereo installation kit.

Thank you for your patience

Derrick"

*sigh*

ordered it 2 weeks ago ... I want to die.

 

I understand your frustration but you must be the luckiest car owner on the planet to have never had to wait more then 2 weeks for something you ordered.

 

seriously, never did

Well the thing is that I need some working Navigation before Friday night ...

 

I will be going with one of these two. Just waiting for the Corksport kit to come down in price. Someone has to copy them sometime soon. And when they do, prices

 

Hey WikkedOne,

Glad to hear you have a possible solution to your HU issue .


P.S

You were my inspiration to upgrade my subs and amps, I using 2X R types and the same PDX amps as you. Man now my system pounds too hard, so I'm holding you responsible for any hearing loss I suffer

 

Sorry to hear about your hearing loss - but if you can't take it.. or you can't hear well enough to enjoy it, i'll gladly take those speakers and amps off your hands...

 

the z1 and z2 are cool, the avn5495 sucks(dirty preouts) the avn7000 is ok. but if you want a flawless DD with HDD nav, sirius, nav traffic, dvd while driving(which is illegal), and bluetooth... Kenwood DNX7100. you can but it and add all that stuff on including ipod cables to this unit for less than buying a Z2. plus it does video ipod and has a usb input for an external hard drive. only draw back is 2-volt preouts. but you can fix that by running a audiocontrol LC6 pre-amp. also running Focal, Zapco, or JL amps. if you like digital and need something small that doesn't produce heat, you can also go with alpine's PDX amp's. but they don't sound as good.

 

Yeah thanx man - i looked at that too.. but i think the patch that was released fixed the problem with my z2.. i havent had any more lock ups lately.. but if i do - i think thats the one i'll go with

and yeah i have the PDX amps - they each only have about 1 inch of airspace and have NEVER had a heat problem with them.. they ROCK!

 

Hey guys, for those who has the corksport kit (Kanatech to be exact)

my Panasonic Strada has been installed, and I am wondering does anybody worry about the *heat* inside that area ? I mean its really really hot in there if you ask me. and I wonder will it shorten the life of the unit itself. My NAV has a little fan in the back its still really hot.

I am thinking about installing a PC fan, route a tube on the side to somewhere at the driver's side.

Anyone anyone fear of heat might kill your NAV ?

 

well this thread is about heat messing it up. more specifically - messing up the hard drive. it depends on what HU you have.. but now that pioneer fixed the HD problem, i don't think i'm gonna run a fan or anything back there..

 

I know the pioneer update was about fixing the lockup issue. but how do they fix it I wonder, they didnt say anything about it on the site. Probably speed the fan up more often ? (if Z2 has one)

mine comes with a fan, after 2 hours of DVD playing, when I eject the disc, woo, it feels so hot that Im afraid the disc might just blow up -_-

I dont know man ...

 

Your Panasonic Strada shouldn't have any problems. Pan's are built like rocks they are the hardest to break. I've been running one at my shop for 2 months straight ( but it's not by heater vents) and it hasn't had any problems. if it does... it might be cuz of all the stuff they cramed into it. good luck though.