Pioneer AVIC-D3..Z2 or other?

Grasschopper · 10-26-2007, 12:57 PM

Ok so I got my xB last night...and it looks like I sold my VW Golf for my asking price today. So that gives me $3500 to play with on toys for the xB...or maybe $3100 as I am thinking of adding a HDDVD player to my HT

. Anyway I am going to drop $1450 on a 18" wheel and tire package which leaves us with $1650 for other toys. Right now I have the base Pioneer stereo...but come on now...that isn't going to cut it right? LOL

Anyway I am looking at the two players in the title...the D3 and the Z2. Obviously the Z2 is more expensive...nearly 2x but it seems to fit in the budget...I can get it plus the Bluetooth adapter plus the iPod adapter (hmm will the stok Pioneer iPod connection work?) all for $1455 off of eBay. Is the Z2 worth the extra $500-$600 over the D3?

Or should I just rock the stock system for a time?

How well does the nav function on the D3 and Z2? My wife drives a Camry with Toyota Nav and it can give some funky (stupid) routes...but it always gets you there. Any issues with the Pioneer units? What is the deal with the lockout override discs people are selling? I assume the stereo locks out the nav functions when in motion like our Camry (though we have the secret code to disable that)?

Thanks for any feedback.

WhiteNoise · 10-26-2007, 01:09 PM

I would go with the D3 and put the rest of the money you would have spent on the z2, on a good amp and or decent speakers/sub. Interesting to note you can only use 10 gigs of that 30 gig hd in the Z2 for music. You might lose your aux and ipod with an aftermarket HU.

I would also wait on getting an hddvd till the format war is settled, they will only get cheaper. That is all I got on this one.

Grasschopper · 10-26-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteNoise

I would go with the D3 and put the rest of the money you would have spent on the z2, on a good amp and or decent speakers/sub. Interesting to note you can only use 10 gigs of that 30 gig hd in the Z2 for music. You might lose your aux and ipod with an aftermarket HU.

I would also wait on getting an hddvd till the format war is settled, they will only get cheaper. That is all I got on this one.

Yea I would have just gone straight to the D3 but I like the look of the Z2 a bit better. I had assumed I would loose the aftermarket setup but they I started thinking about it. iPod isn't specific to Pioneer, Alpine or whoever obviously it is Apple and the other companies are making their controlers work. So they have to have the same inputs and outputs to the iPod...it wants specific things that are Apple specific not another brand. You SHOULD be able to splice another controler cable onto the unit in the xB. So in theory the jacks would still work...and the AUX is even easier because it is the simple cable. I have the advantage here of working in an electronics company so I have an EE eng who would LOVE to play with a problem like this.

As far as HD-DVD goes...no problem on the format war...I already have the BluRay player.

Brandon · 10-26-2007, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grasschopper

Ok so I got my xB last night...and it looks like I sold my VW Golf for my asking price today. So that gives me $3500 to play with on toys for the xB...or maybe $3100 as I am thinking of adding a HDDVD player to my HT

. Anyway I am going to drop $1450 on a 18" wheel and tire package which leaves us with $1650 for other toys. Right now I have the base Pioneer stereo...but come on now...that isn't going to cut it right? LOL

Anyway I am looking at the two players in the title...the D3 and the Z2. Obviously the Z2 is more expensive...nearly 2x but it seems to fit in the budget...I can get it plus the Bluetooth adapter plus the iPod adapter (hmm will the stok Pioneer iPod connection work?) all for $1455 off of eBay. Is the Z2 worth the extra $500-$600 over the D3?

Or should I just rock the stock system for a time?

How well does the nav function on the D3 and Z2? My wife drives a Camry with Toyota Nav and it can give some funky (stupid) routes...but it always gets you there. Any issues with the Pioneer units? What is the deal with the lockout override discs people are selling? I assume the stereo locks out the nav functions when in motion like our Camry (though we have the secret code to disable that)?

Thanks for any feedback.

I say go z2. The d3 screen, in my opinion, is just way to dinky in comparison to the z2. Also, the d3s button layout on the left with that massive knob is a pretty poor design, in my opinion. I think it just looks bad. Kind of reminiscent of an old school tv set with the big ole knob on it.

I would recommend you spend some time on www.avic411.com and read up on both. Get the pros and cons of both. I love my z2, now that its bypassed. Which is something else you'd need to get done if you want full functionality of the unit. Meaning, full POI searches, full use of the phone book, dvd functionality while in motion.... yadda yadda. There is a complete write up on avic411.com that has the bypass instructions in it. I did it on my own and it was a snap.

So yeah, if you'd like to know anything specific about the z2, just holler. Like I said, i love mine. Although, if it were me, I would leave the radio alone and I would use that 1600 for that lip kit someone posted on here for the xb2.

L337Biker · 01-26-2008, 05:10 AM

The problem with the z2 is it's older technology/interface. For ipod compatibility, you have to use the CD-IB100II, as opposed to using the simple(and cheaper) CD-IB200 ipod cable. Sure the under dash isn't exactly lacking in empty crevices to hide boxes, but one less is always good

I was assuming they'd be announcing the Z3 at CES this year, but I was wrong.. so I'm glad I bought the D3 in the meantime. Yeah it's a 6.1 inch screen vs. a 7, but what you get for around $700 dollars is definitely worth it.

There is a very simple pin swap that can be done on both the D3 and Z2 which allow for overriding DVD playback and navigation functions while driving, of course I don't recommend doing it, but I did anyway. AVIC411 as mentioned by Brandon is the best resource for the Pioneer units

Daarken · 01-28-2008, 08:34 PM

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...2B+ND-BC2.html

Double DIN In-dash DVD player/navigation system with 30GB hard drive and 7" TFT-LCD video screen + Bluetooth Adapter + iPod Adapter + Back-up Camera
Free Installation Accessories with Purchase*
In-dash DVD player/navigation system with built-in 30GB navigation/storage HDD • fits double-sized dash openings • turn-by-turn map and voice guidance • voice command capability • plays DVDs, DVD-R/RWs, DVD+R/RWS, CDs, CD-R/RWs, and MP3/WMA discs • Also includes ND-BT1 + CD-IB100II + ND-BC2

$1469.99

KUxB · 01-29-2008, 04:19 PM

I say the eclipse avn 6610 or 5510 if you are not going to add any other monitors.

magicmechanic86 · 01-30-2008, 04:04 PM

if it was my money i would get some air ride,and roll low.

OGXB · 02-04-2008, 02:20 PM

FYI I do have the factory SNS taken out from my 08 xB. Will take $995, works just fine and like new.

I'm into SQ, listen to jazz a lot so my installer talked me into getting a D3 to not bother w/slight hissing when in audio mode, and adding 2 amps, etc. I still get a slight hiss even w/D3...oh well.

sorry for posting here but couldn't post under classifieds w/o at least 25 posts I guess

Daarken · 02-05-2008, 10:39 AM

I hope you got the D3 for cheap, it's the low-end model from Pioneer, and is a couple of years old now.

OGXB · 02-05-2008, 02:36 PM

I get mine through www.onlinecarstereo.com.
The Avic D3X - entertainment package with bluetooth, IPOD connector, remote is listed for $789.

Nice to work with and I think prices are reasonably low.

BTW, I get inside prices here (I have a trade account) and can save about 5% or more for club members buying at least $500. Savings and minimum depends on products...minimum is to keep it worthwhile doing. Product can be drop-shipped by Onlinecarstereo to buyer or picked up at their offices in Los Angeles. Let me know if anyone's interested, if I get enough buyers for any one product savings s/b greater. PM me at group525@aol.com.

kev_xb · 02-26-2008, 11:16 PM

i think for the price nothing can beat the d3, it just doesn't seem worth all that extra for the z2... personally id save with the d3 and use the extra money to mod elsewhere... and FYI best buy has the d3 on sale right now for 699

DJ_SpaRky · 02-27-2008, 10:19 AM

check out avic411.com for those. I'd say get an Eclipse AVX unit though

nyomouth · 03-01-2008, 10:08 PM

kenwoods new unit does all that the d3 and z2 do but also plays videos from ur video i-pod