Entered CNET Catalog: 10/04/2008
SKU: 012562890265
Manufacturer: Pioneer North America
Manufacturer description
You've been holding out for something that links all of your devices together into one seamless experience. You love the idea of a system that can be operated by the sound of your voice. It's time to stop wishing for the next great thing because it's here. This is your life made easier. A traditional portable navigation device lacks the extensive mapping commonly found with in-dash navigation systems. It also can be completely void of any entertainment value. The AVIC-F900BT brings the convenience of portable navigation together with the robust entertainment features found only in Pioneer in-dash units. Now you don't have to worry about map discs being misplaced, damaged, lost, or stolen. The entire TeleAtlas Database that was previously on the two-DVD set has been taken, compressed down, and stored internally on flash memory. The AVIC-F900BT offers a new generation of voice recognition capability for controlling iPod playback and making calls hands-free via connected Bluetooth-enabled cell phones. The technology accepts and recognizes conversational phrases and language, filters out superfluous sounds and phrases, and if the user doesn't give enough information in the command, the unit will ask additional questions to clarify the request. The AVIC-F900BT comes with built-in Bluetooth. Now you never need to miss a call, even if your tunes are cranked up or your phone is buried in your bag. Simplified menus and intuitive icons shorten the learning curve, allowing you to quickly and efficiently start using the system. Quickly enter destinations, browse music libraries, or adjust settings. It is easy to play various digital and audio formats like: DVD-R/RW and CD-R/RW discs, Portable Media Players like iPod, USB memory devices, and SD Cards. You can play a wide range of files types as well, such as MP3, WMA, iTunes AAC, and MPEG-4 video files. The WVGA display is much higher quality at 800 x 480 pixels. Images become sharper and more defined, just like maps and menus on these units. The display's enhanced GUI (Graphic User Interface) has also advanced, making system control and management effortless. Fast and easy control through USB, the AVIC-F900BT also features iPod Album Art display, Alphabetical Speed Search, and much more.User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3out of 3 user reviews
Great product if you know how to use it.
Pros: This unit can do everything. Satalite radio, HD radio, ipod with video, Aux, Backup camera, BT for your phone, and alot more Works with iphone
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Cons: It runs on windows so you have to know what your doing. This isnt a bad thing because it opens it up to alot of modding. Loading the ipod take time, turn off the VR until you change whats on your ipod and you wont have to wait.
If your not the type to install it your self or don't want to attempt the bypass go to a good installer and have it done. A good place will prolly bypass it anyways (don't expect the local best buy to do it). If you ask and they don't know what your talking about go somewhere else.
The bottom line this unit is great if you take an hour or two to learn how to use it. A good installer will also show you how it works.
out of 3 user reviews
Great unit after 2.0 update
Pros: After reading the manual, its easy to use, a ton of features and is a great all in one unit. Navigation, ipod control, sat radio with adaptor, voice recognition, bluetooth hands free integrated. Everything works well now after 2.0 update!
Cons: The one issue I still see at version 2.0 for the us version is quiet bluetooth mic. Also there are some annoyances with usability on navigation screen, multiple menu digs to change settings etc, like muting navigation voice etc.
This unit is very complicated, especially if you DON't read the manual! I have a feeling the people who have major issues with this device now, are dealing with a defective unit, user error or installation error. Voice recognition is a great example, along with blue tooth pairing of your phone. You have got to read the manual.
The issues with the button layout on the navigation screen is that options are jsut lacking. You should have a voice navigation mute button on screen, Also the text for time to arrival etc should be a bit bigger and should have a different color text, you can't read it very easilly especially when the map is on a light tan or white area. Since the text is clear its very difficult to read.
Overall the unit is now fully functional, I use an iphone 3g, works great with ipod control and bluetooth (except for being very quiet on the mic in a phone call)
Keep in mind that you may have issues depending on your configuration and expectations. Also if your having issues, don't be so quick to immediately blame this unit for the issue. Cables, like for the ipod, your phone, during bluetooth or lack of attentiont o detail all could be an issue, not the unit itself.
This unit does an excellent job of integrating all these features, and I am very happy with it. I read the instructions, install it per the instructions, solders the wires correctly, and took my time. So I believe for me it is functioning as intended. by pioneer now, and I hope people will avoid the negative reviews, and try it out now that the unit is up to its potential.
Also check out avic411.com for hacks and troubleshooting help.
out of 3 user reviews
The worst product ever Pioneer/Futureshop offer no help
Pros: I have spent 25.5 hrs over several visits due to problems with the F900BT and one time I was in Futureshop for 6 hrs waiting for them to fix problems that were never fixed, on top of the 25.5 hrs wasted time I had my truck off the road for 2 days
Cons: It doesn't work most of the time, all of the features fail at some point and some never work, response time is extremely slow, you can drive for half an hour before the GPS kicks in
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