Pioneer AppRadio 2/3 experience

[Mattlock]

I too am looking for a new head unit (to give me BT & Nav) as I have pretty much given up on the DNS-810 group buy.

Because I use an iPhone 5, I am drawn to a Pioneer AppRadio (2 or 3, 3 is a significant step on for iPhone 5). I have avoided an RNS-510/RCD-510 on the basis that I'm not that keen to have to fit the VW 9w7 BT module. Also, the RNS price is high and I'm fed up with stupid map update prices (my other car costs me $230 a time). I'm also not sure I'd be happy to bust open the VCDS to code it up.

What I don't know is if AppRadio is the best alternative out there and what are the risks of importing from the US as AppRadio3 isn't here yet through Pioneer AUS.

Does anyone have a unit or some generic experiences they could share to help me make a decision?

TIA.

(Edited for typo)

[RUFNIT]

Hi,

I work with Pioneer units everyday (work in car-audio), the AppRadio on the AVH-8550bt is better with iPhone 5 as it uses HDMI, but is still a bit buggy sometimes, works much better than the older models which was a 50/50 chance of it working....

I put a AVIC into my wifes car as there was not a chance the apps would lock up when she was going somewhere with the nav. For bluetooth streaming is different as the AVIC will give full search ability on an iPhone5 the AVH8550 is just track up and down.

Hope this helps, feel free to PM if you want more info on the App-radio.

MR

[Mattlock]

Hi,

I work with Pioneer units everyday (work in car-audio), the AppRadio on the AVH-8550bt is better with iPhone 5 as it uses HDMI, but is still a bit buggy sometimes, works much better than the older models which was a 50/50 chance of it working....

I put a AVIC into my wifes car as there was not a chance the apps would lock up when she was going somewhere with the nav. For bluetooth streaming is different as the AVIC will give full search ability on an iPhone5 the AVH8550 is just track up and down.

Hope this helps, feel free to PM if you want more info on the App-radio.

MR

Thanks, that's really handy info. The AVIC units are a bit out of my price range as I need to do this for under $1000 if possible (new A/C compressor to fit next week)!

The AVH-8550 had shown up on my searches and it was a US one that got me thinking about the regional specifications and whether that could cause me an issue.

I suspect the AVH-5550 is probably better for my budget.

Do you know anything about the new 2014 model range?

[mr mojo risin]

I'm also interested in finding out about this. I just bought a AVH-5550bt but I can't help feel that I got stitched up. It seems there may be major compatibility issues with the 5s.

I did find this information on the Pioneer 2014 Double Din range;

Pioneer 2014 ICE range launched - boasts smartphone connectivity

[Guest001]

The maps for the RNS510 are pretty cheap if you get them off here a couple of weeks after they come out

[Mattlock]

I'm also interested in finding out about this. I just bought a AVH-5550bt but I can't help feel that I got stitched up. It seems there may be major compatibility issues with the 5s.

I don't know about the 5s (I have a 5) but my main reason for going for the 8550 is that it has an HDMI port on it and therefore is a direct connection through the Apple adaptor. I believe the 5550 needs a Pioneer converter.

I also see from the App Store that the App Radio app has issues as a result of iOS7 that Pioneer are yet to resolve.

[drdodge]

I was also looking into the Appradio 2/3 (SPH-DA100 and SPH-DA110) after the Appradio 1 caught my eye. The Appradio 1 was going really cheap early this year at JB and was about to get one then. From what I've read the 2 and 3 are much faster units so I have held off.

I emailed Pioneer on availability early this year and was told sometime mid year. I followed up and Pioneer Aus are no longer going to bring these units to Aus ! Sad as the other units with Appradio Mode don't have a multitouch screen so you won't be able to interact with the apps as you would on your phone, which is the whole point.

The only option if you want one of these units, would be to import from the US. Keep in mind if you want the SPH-DA210 with the DVD drive that it will be region 1 (US) not region 4.

I'm thinking now of going something more basic, as the main feature I'm wanting is bluetooth for phone calls and someway to play my MP3s other than burning alot of CDs.

[Guest001]

Radio station frequency gaps are different on USA radio versions EG a VW unit is different to ours. The euro ones are the same.

On a RNS 510 I have 20Gig of Mp3s on an SD card that play fine has Bluetooth which works good also

[Swainey32]

i get my audio from sonic electronix in US,
Although the inbuilt gps doesn't work, I paid $1000 landed for a AVIC unit, closest rival in aus was about 2500 at the time and had less features. Radio is fine, BT is good, DVD's i just burn myself a copy and make it no region code
**can make a copy of a purchased dvd as long as your not giving copies away as it's your property for personal use**
Also have run movies straight off an SD card in avi format, that worked well also.

I have no experience with app radio though, although I just BT stream to headunit with google maps open in navigation mode on a dash mount, so still get the directions through speakers, whilst streaming music off Spotify.

I would be interested to find out what h/u is compatible with android units in a "app radio" style system

[Mattlock]

I would be interested to find out what h/u is compatible with android units in a "app radio" style system

According to the Pioneer website the AVH-8550BT is Android compatible if used with the correct connection kit.

[Swainey32]

just found this from US, app radio 3 for $399, $70 in postage
Pioneer AppRadio3 SPHDA210 - Sonic Electronix

[Mattlock]

I emailed Pioneer on availability early this year and was told sometime mid year. I followed up and Pioneer Aus are no longer going to bring these units to Aus ! Sad as the other units with Appradio Mode don't have a multitouch screen so you won't be able to interact with the apps as you would on your phone, which is the whole point.

Yeah you can see that from the Pioneer Aus website where the AppRadio section is now empty! It's daft as they look really good. I just wasn't game enough to import a US one and wanted the increased comfort from an Aus supplied one for warranty purposes. The price difference was worth it for my piece of mind.

Yeah, I don't get multitouch but I do get Nav and music the way I want it and it's better than the RCD-300 currently in my car!

[drdodge]

I would be interested to find out what h/u is compatible with android units in a "app radio" style system

The Appradio units do mirror compatible androids too, I've seen someone use the Samsung allshare to mirror the screen wirelessly.

I know the RNS will do all I want, but by the time I get a unit, plus BT module and the canbus gateway upgrade, I could get an all in one unit from Alpine or Pioneer.

[Mattlock]

I know the RNS will do all I want, but by the time I get a unit, plus BT module and the canbus gateway upgrade, I could get an all in one unit from Alpine or Pioneer.

Yeah, that's the point that I reached. I tried to go with the DNS-810 group buy but pulled out earlier this week after I got cold feet on the final specification, concern over on-going bug fixes and a unit I was unlikely to see until January (even though the buy has been going on since June).

[drdodge]

Also remember that if you get an Appradio 3 it doesn't include the iPhone/Andriod cable and this needs to be purchased separately. For iPhone with Lightning you also need your own AV lightning adaptor