Alpine intros PMD-B200 Blackbird II GPS unit
By Donald Melanson 
posted Oct 1st 2007 12:52PM
posted Oct 1st 2007 12:52PM
It's getting close to two years since Alpine trotted out its music-playing PMD-B100 Blackbird GPS unit, but the company has now finally decided to deliver a follow-up. From the looks of it, the new PMD-B200 Blackbird II doesn't stray too far from the original in terms of form factor, with the exception of a slightly larger 4-inch 480 x 272 resolution display. Also getting an upgrade are the device's storage options, with an uncommonly spacious 10GB hard drive now included although, as NaviGadget points out, it's not entirely clear how much of that space is actually available for you to use. Otherwise, you can expect the usual MP3 and WMA audio options (no video, it seems), along with pre-loaded maps of the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada, an SD card slot for additional storage, and support for NAVTEQ's Traffic FM-RDS service (with a subscription, of course). If that'll do, you should be able to grab one of these now for about $700.
Yeah yeah, the asshats at Alpine have been promising this new Blackbird since May and it is STILL not available! Of course they sell the W205 head unit but not the Blackbird. Makes NO sense.
Totally agree. I've been waiting to pick up a 2DIN unit and I've been wanting to see how this performs , but the thing's not even out for reviews! It's almost 2009 already and it just came out.. we'll be seeing new units around the corner from other manufacturers soon.
Chrysler is putting out MYGIG with a 20GB hard drive based Nav system and Cadillac's 2008 CTS has a 40GB system.
Honda's 2008 Accord has a nice voice recognition system with theirs.
4 inch screen and 10GB is nice for less than $700 but nothing beats Factory Nav systems for cars.
Don't forget bluetooth who knows when we will actually see this though.
Not available? I got my last friday.. And its in my girlfriends w205.. Its a tight fit, but works well!
Does the bluetooth from the Blackbird work through the w205 when it is docked? In other words, do bluetooth calls play through the head unit? Can you play music over bluetooth through the head unit?
This has been a major deciding factor on purchasing these 2 units; but no one seems to know the answer....
Phone calls come through the headunit - it includes a microphone too. You cannot stream Bluetooth music though.
I've had this in my car for a month now, it's definitely out. Mine is docked in my S205.
Alpine must have shipped these in late August. I had a preorder in for one through Crutchfield, and I received it the first week of September. It works awesome with the IVA-W205, and I haven't experienced any of the major letdowns that plagued the reviews of the B100.
I am about to buy the 200 and the W205 if you have them I would like to know how well they work? Does the bluetooth work through the hole system for phone usage?
Beware--- if you have verizon as your cell carrier. Because of their Vcast music product, they have locked out certain bluetooth features. Consequently you can't accept an incoming call on the touch screen of the 200 or the 205 head unit if it is docked. You have to flip open your phone to answer the call. The touch pad does work however for placing outgoing calls. I verified that with verizon tech support, and they really don't care either.