Video: Pioneer's AVIC-F Series of in-car navigators to take on Sync

Look out Microsoft, Pioneer's Linc series of in-dash and "on-dash" systems have their sights set on your voice controlled Sync. The first thing you'll notice is Pioneer's pixy-dusted UI which easily trumps the Sync's rather staid presentation. The videos show off Pioneer's real-time data feeds and natural speech recognition with the help of some smarmy actor-slash-models who'll probably be serving you lunch today if you live in LA. But we digress. Videos after the break... which, let's be honest, is the best we can do until the DivX-happy, SD-friendly AVIC-F900BT, F700BT, and F500BT (pictured) are released in June.

Update: Just heard from Microsoft. Turns out that the AVIC-F series runs on the Microsoft Windows Automotive OS -- the same core as Sync.

[pablo @ May 29th 2008 5:42AM]

why does the msn butterfly cum out of the dash when he plays "kates playlist"?

[ugg.tryptophan @ May 29th 2008 9:34AM]

"msn butterfly cum out of the dash", what the hell are you watching?

[TRAFFICBLOWS @ May 29th 2008 2:53PM]

Built-in MSN Direct tuner, duh!

[Saad Rabia @ May 29th 2008 6:01AM]

"Guys like us avoid monopolies. We like to compete." Bill Gates.

Here you go Bill, wish granted.

[GR Gear @ May 29th 2008 6:16AM]

The more pressing matter at hand should be that... they're "competing" for virtually nil marketshare.

I mean, obviously it's a ploy to try to push more of the Zune's sagging sales by pairing them with this system, but who honestly relies on their Sync? I haven't seen anyone who's even wowed by it, much less opted for its package.

[Richard @ May 29th 2008 10:17AM]

Sync technology is clearly selling well enough though if other car makers are willing to start offering it, as mentioned in previous engadget articles. Wouldn't that negate your statement about nobody being wowed by it?

[anabouboula @ May 29th 2008 6:37AM]

wow! those guys are hot...Good choice Pioneer... I'm Utterly Wet

[Jimmy Jones @ May 29th 2008 4:32PM]

I can bet your fingers were utterly creamed up too right after watching the vids........!! Make sure they are watched after the jump!

[anabouboula @ May 30th 2008 2:23AM]

Jimmy Jones....mmmm...i like you, give me your msn for hot c2c action. CU Horny Man :)

[ryan @ May 29th 2008 7:03AM]

holy crap, if this thing comes with a xm or sirius tuner im sold

[josearoldan @ May 29th 2008 8:29AM]

I have an AVIC-D3 on my car and I love it! Its been there for a while now and I havent had a problem with it, If this is around the same price range I might consider upgrading and selling this one to my friend who wants one so bad but cant afford it!

[Hotrod @ May 29th 2008 9:02AM]

I wonder if this unit would work in my Rx-8, because that thing is sexay.

[Cam @ May 29th 2008 11:12AM]

WOW! What a terrible commercial!

But seriously, that thing is awesome.

[STNC @ May 29th 2008 9:19AM]

It will work on all cars regardless of din size, if it wont fit in the radio slot, it just goes atop the dash on the stand. My tC is a dual din, so it'll fit perfectly!

[John @ May 29th 2008 9:49AM]

Since Pioneer manufactures the Scion radio plates anyway, I wonder if this will fit into the current designs. I have an xD and I would love this! Hopefully this model gets rid of the "no touching the touch screen while the car is in motion" nonsense.

[Billy Gun @ May 29th 2008 10:08AM]

Nice! Will I need to connect an Ipod, or does it have an Hard Drive or an memory flash inside? Is it compateble with Zune? And what about prices?

[Richard @ May 29th 2008 10:21AM]

I too would like to know if my Zune can make sweet sweet lyrical love to this head unit. Beyond the normal a/v cables of course.

[Billy Gun @ May 29th 2008 10:23AM]

MSN Direct
The AVIC-F500BT features the innovative built-in MSN Direct receiver which could display traffic information, movie times, weather, and much more!

[Billy Gun @ May 29th 2008 10:24AM]

MSN Direct
The AVIC-F500BT features the innovative built-in MSN Direct receiver which could display traffic information, movie times, weather, and much more!

[Monte @ May 29th 2008 11:01AM]

Okay, two things.

First, those effects they use are annoying, and only get in the way of actually seeing clearly what the menus look like (though they do look nice, from what I can see).

And second, until I see evidence otherwise, I'm going to have to call BS on the way the guy seems to be having a conversation with the unit and it understands him perfectly - "Well, if you're so smart..."

Overall it looks promising, though. I'll keep an eye out for reviews when they're available.

[Lazaro @ May 29th 2008 12:06PM]

"First, those effects they use are annoying, and only get in the way of actually seeing clearly what the menus look like (though they do look nice, from what I can see).

And second, until I see evidence otherwise, I'm going to have to call BS on the way the guy seems to be having a conversation with the unit and it understands him perfectly - "Well, if you're so smart..."

Overall it looks promising, though. I'll keep an eye out for reviews when they're available."


1) √

2) I'm thinking its picking up keywords. Like "play" "artist" etc. The guy in the video just reeks of douchery (word?) and likes to pretend to have witty conversations with his in-dash.

[Jimmy Jones @ May 29th 2008 4:37PM]

Agreed! Imagine I was from Iran or say Pakistan, jeez......MJ will be mistaken for Madonna won't it?

On the other hand, one will definitely need some time 2 train this speech robot engine in there ("actor") to get used to...otw, it will seem similar to the lenovo Veriface technology crap which by the way sometimes makes pple look like morons starring in the webcam for face recognition when some1 could have just cut a finger and swipe it through for much easier access or am I wrong?

[Californian @ May 29th 2008 4:18PM]

I'm an actor-slash-model, and not the other way around.
Go Pioneer, defeat Microsoft and Ford. Bill Gates is great, but Ford is a horrible company and I hope they stay with Sync when it is ruined by this.

[ODoyle @ May 30th 2008 2:21AM]

i simply love pioneer... currently i have a AVIC-Z2 installed and its amazing.. the best part is the 30gig hdd. the new series is pretty amazing but the only downside is the small screen size and no hdd.. but they are really cheap. the top model is for like $1200 whereas i paid $2300 for my z2. can't wait to get my hands on one of these magical things.

[Kip HT @ May 31st 2008 2:58AM]

Wow! 99999 songs! Nice!

[rosedoggydog @ Jun 17th 2008 1:24PM]

@ Lazaro,

You're right its picking up on key words. I can do the same thing with my PDA/Smartphones that run Window Mobile (they were doing this before sync was out). I can even open programs. MS has some neat tech and I hope that they get the bugs worked out.

I'd love to grab one of these if I can read my 250gb 5,200rpm WD HDD with a standard length USB cable.

My brother has a Sync system in his new Ford SUV and I plugged my 40gb 4,200rpm HDD in and it took about 1 minute to read the entire catalog.

If Pioneer and get the hook up with Garmin this would be one of most sought after headunits.

[mcassels @ Jun 23rd 2008 10:52PM]

I have the avic-f900bt with all modules listed below. I have the same issues as everyone else does. After making 37 phones called to pioneer I finally got a phone call back from the helpdesk management. He seems to think that it’s a state of the art unit with only a few minor inconveniences.

Mark had no ETA on any type of fixes or updates. He would not even confirm that they were working on one. If you guys would like I can go in to the details. But I would strongly recommend that you guys call him and open a case with him so that the issues will get addressed.

FYI, I found out through several local stores that pioneer has pulled the units out of the distribution warehouses. Mark did confirm this but he was still in denial that there where issues he said it was a common practice. ( I don’t think so)

[e-mail]
800 421 1404, option 2 and option 4 ask for Mark Passmore. It did take him 3 business days to return my call.



AVIC-F900BT
GEX-P920XM
CD-SB10
ND-BC20PA
GEX-P10HD

[Brett @ Aug 5th 2008 10:53AM]

I have been on the fence now for a while whether to purchase the Avic F Series, Avic-F90BT. Is the thing still a mess of problems?

[Pat @ Aug 5th 2008 2:13PM]

I was also waiting to hear how this firmware "fix" has been. Any luck guys? 3 units I'm considering are the
1. Kenwood DXN5120 (but don't like the fact that it doesn't have the smooth installed look Pioneer does),
2. Avic-F700DT (concerned about being able to view the screen during the day - pics show black background, but the ones I've seen have a greyish one...can anyone confirm this?
3. Avic D3 - older, but I know it works.

[Pete @ Aug 7th 2008 11:21AM]

The updates have been released and the F900's and it's siblings are back into being shipped. I have one installed, here's the run down on it:

Pros:
- Very Tunable, has about a million different audio settings for various inputs / outputs. Even has a boost that can be set for lows mids or highs.
- Bluetooth Operation is a snap except for syncing the phonebook or using it with a Blackberry Curve.
- Great Resolution
- Can detect movement which blocks some functions while in motion for safety.
- 3D and 2D Navigation with clear voice commands and 2 voice options currently. Male and Female.
- SD Card file Navigation is straight forward.
- Most all of the basic functions you can figure out without looking at the manual.
- Rearview camera set up works even if the unit has not finished booting up.
- Easy Easy Easy installation.

Cons
- Takes between 1 and 6 minutes to boot up, the more stuff connected, ie USB, bluetooth, SD, iPod, the longer it takes. Which for people like me sucks because I'm usually where I needed to be in 5 minutes.
- Cannot change Tracks until it is booted up all the way.
- Navigation talks too much, I don't need a 1/2 mile, 1/4 mile, 400ft and turn now warnings. Also the "Go straight" isn't 100% needed. Also tells me I'm over the speed limit, I am well aware of that, no need to rub it in...
- BlackBerry bluetooth issues, will not stay connected, tried every way in the book, even resetting both devices. Phone book transfer wouldn't work with the BB or a Nokia that I tried, but did work well with the Sony Ericsson.
- Some of the advanced functions require a look at the manual.
- MSN Direct may not be available in your area. If it's not then save the $100 and get a tried and true product like the D or N series.
- Firmware Updates aren't coming fast enough, it still needs some work.

It's not Pioneers fault that the unit is slow, it is using Microsofts technology in it. The unit would be exceptional if it booted up faster. I wonder if it's possible for them to have it enter a standby mode when the car is shut off instead of killing the whole system, I can't imagine it would drain much more that the clock does... The Navigation could use more options, one that would adjust the amount verbal instruction would be awesome.The sound quality is great and is completely customizable.
I'll keep mine, but only because I'm too lazy to rip it out and send it back. Wish I would have gone with the D3 or N4 instead. Hold off on buying this until the next Firmware Update.