Just got a KILLER deal on this Pioneer Double DIN for my F250. The radio retails at Best Buy for $499, I did a quick google search, and asked the Geek Squad techs what they thought about the radio. Almost ALL of the reviews were bad, and just about EVERY employee said NOT to buy it. If you get a chance to check out the radio, I think the idea is fucking genius, and the presentation and appearance of the head unit is BY FAR one of the nicest on the market.
The idea behind the AppRadio is that you use your cell phone as your media source, well with iPods, Pandora, internet radio, etc... we're pretty much on this track anyways. The radio is compatible with both Apple iPhone/iOS and Android. Basically, out of the box, all you're buying is a screen with an AM/FM radio tuner. The unit comes with all the normal harnesses to tie into your vehicles sound system, plus an Apple iPod style connector. Pioneer says to connect an Android phone you need to purchase CD-AH200C which retails for $99.99. I asked the merchant at the store if I can open this said kit, and we both inspected it. For the additional $100 all you get is a standard HDMI cable, HDMI to Micro HDMI, a standard android micro USB cable, a 12v DC to 5v DC power supply, and some sort of Pioneer Propitiatory box. If you're using an Android phone you should check compatibility with your phone before considering this head unit. My new Droid DNA is not compatible, but my older Droid RAZR is, and it connects via HDMI to Micro HDMI. Meaning, out of that $100 box, all I need is a $10 cable. So I opted to NOT buy this kit and use one of my HDMI to Micro HDMI cables I had laying around the house.
I also have a freshly retired iPhone that is primarily used as a glorified iTouch now, it's great for playing music, and it still works with this setup.
Being able to see and use both Android and Apple iPhones with this radio, I can quickly see how and why people get fed up with this radio and where the bad reviews come from. Most of the time I can't get my Droid RAZR to properly connect to the device. The iPhone connection is effortless and easy. Since the Droid won't connect most of the time I removed the Pioneer App from this phone. However, the RAZR has the ability to mirror displays through HDMI which I think is fucking awesome. It turns your phone's home screen into a mobile in car media device. You can use Google Maps/Nav, Pandora, Facebook, Internet, etc...right on the head unit. Freaking genius...
Here's a few pics of the unit in various states-
Home screen with the iPhone plugged in
iPhone Apps Screen
iPhone's Map function
iPhone Camera Roll
iPhone Media app (just another interface to play your music
Basic radio functions
Android connected home screen
Android HDMI Mirrored display (running without the Pioneer App)
Android Nav/Google Maps App
Movies off of the Android
Android internet browsing
PRO's
Amazing display
Touch Screen interface just like your phone
Huge screen
Android HDMI can mirror display on screen
Parrot Hands Free Bluetooth calling built into the unit
HDMI Function available for those droids that support HDMI out
CON's
you loose cell service...you loose nav, internet radio, etc...
Android software hardly works for shit
Bluetooth has trouble connecting from time to time.
Dodgy Pioneer AppRadio App
Long load times between apps/radio/ipod
No CD/DVD player
The idea behind the AppRadio is that you use your cell phone as your media source, well with iPods, Pandora, internet radio, etc... we're pretty much on this track anyways. The radio is compatible with both Apple iPhone/iOS and Android. Basically, out of the box, all you're buying is a screen with an AM/FM radio tuner. The unit comes with all the normal harnesses to tie into your vehicles sound system, plus an Apple iPod style connector. Pioneer says to connect an Android phone you need to purchase CD-AH200C which retails for $99.99. I asked the merchant at the store if I can open this said kit, and we both inspected it. For the additional $100 all you get is a standard HDMI cable, HDMI to Micro HDMI, a standard android micro USB cable, a 12v DC to 5v DC power supply, and some sort of Pioneer Propitiatory box. If you're using an Android phone you should check compatibility with your phone before considering this head unit. My new Droid DNA is not compatible, but my older Droid RAZR is, and it connects via HDMI to Micro HDMI. Meaning, out of that $100 box, all I need is a $10 cable. So I opted to NOT buy this kit and use one of my HDMI to Micro HDMI cables I had laying around the house.
I also have a freshly retired iPhone that is primarily used as a glorified iTouch now, it's great for playing music, and it still works with this setup.
Being able to see and use both Android and Apple iPhones with this radio, I can quickly see how and why people get fed up with this radio and where the bad reviews come from. Most of the time I can't get my Droid RAZR to properly connect to the device. The iPhone connection is effortless and easy. Since the Droid won't connect most of the time I removed the Pioneer App from this phone. However, the RAZR has the ability to mirror displays through HDMI which I think is fucking awesome. It turns your phone's home screen into a mobile in car media device. You can use Google Maps/Nav, Pandora, Facebook, Internet, etc...right on the head unit. Freaking genius...
Here's a few pics of the unit in various states-
Home screen with the iPhone plugged in
iPhone Apps Screen
iPhone's Map function
iPhone Camera Roll
iPhone Media app (just another interface to play your music
Basic radio functions
Android connected home screen
Android HDMI Mirrored display (running without the Pioneer App)
Android Nav/Google Maps App
Movies off of the Android
Android internet browsing
PRO's
Amazing display
Touch Screen interface just like your phone
Huge screen
Android HDMI can mirror display on screen
Parrot Hands Free Bluetooth calling built into the unit
HDMI Function available for those droids that support HDMI out
CON's
you loose cell service...you loose nav, internet radio, etc...
Android software hardly works for shit
Bluetooth has trouble connecting from time to time.
Dodgy Pioneer AppRadio App
Long load times between apps/radio/ipod
No CD/DVD player
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