Pioneer issues firmware update for screwy AVIC F-Series navigators

Just over a month after the internet got all fired up about the problematic AVIC F-Series navigators, Pioneer has come to the rescue (we hope, anyway) with a free firmware update. Aimed specifically at the US-based AVIC-F90BT, AVIC-F900BT and AVIC-F700BT, the update will reportedly "improve overall system performance and resolve certain software issues." The outfit also notes that the AVIC-F500BT doesn't need the upgrade, and even if your unit has been a-okay thus far, it still recommends applying the software. Take ten minutes or so and see what the latest firmware has to offer, and be sure to let us know if all (or some) of the kinks have indeed been ironed out.

[Thanks, Steven]

[who? @ Jul 21st 2008 10:29PM]

So... no more semi trucks getting stuck in narrow alleyways and hitting overhangs?

[John @ Jul 22nd 2008 10:44AM]

@paul

Engadget is owned by AOL Time Warner; unfortunately, we all do.

[Marshall @ Jul 30th 2008 9:37PM]

Took the update. It's horrible. My GPS voice is now default to French and can't be changed. The time doesn't auto adjust and I am on the East Coast. This thing would be great...if it worked. Oh, and the boot time is still a snoozer of an event.

[Break @ Jul 21st 2008 10:38PM]

I'm still wondering what this thing does?
i was interested in it a long time ago when it was revealed, but didn't really know where it was going to be used... is it for your home? car?
is it just some big giant remote?

[Break @ Jul 21st 2008 10:44PM]

ok nevermind, i think im confusing this thing with another pioneer device

[Christian Walters @ Jul 21st 2008 10:43PM]

dude, wtf? Its a stereo head unit for your car with a built in GPS and multimedia crap.

[paul34 @ Jul 21st 2008 10:46PM]

Is this a joke?

Do you use AOL?

[Ruben @ Jul 21st 2008 11:43PM]

Its an in-car Dual-DIN receiver/nav system.

Its actually one of the better units out there, if you read car related forums. However, the software has been a disaster. This is a welcome fix for many people.

[avicd3 @ Jul 21st 2008 10:42PM]

"The firmware update, however, does not address reported concerns regarding the length of boot up times. As is the case with other computers, the length of time to boot up an AVIC F-Series system is largely due to the numerous demands (navigation, entertainment, information, connectivity, compatibility, etc.) placed upon it."

oh good they didnt fix the 3 min boot time. way to not fix the biggest complaint!!!!!

[Travis @ Jul 21st 2008 10:42PM]

"screwy" I love the engadget writers

[John @ Jul 21st 2008 10:43PM]

at least they arent charging $20 for it claiming 'accounting issues'

[quiksilv3r @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:43AM]

Oh, I see what you did there.

[Artie Lange @ Jul 21st 2008 10:54PM]

Too bad they didn't address the boot issue; these are some pretty slick head units otherwise. They use the same MS OS that powers Sync, the voice recognition is very good, and the interface (when it works) is very clean and intuitive.

[Steven @ Jul 21st 2008 11:46PM]

During the last step you can actually navigate windows through the start menu and changes system settings and stuff. The reason it's so slow is that it has to boot windows. Lame.

[TheRedMonkey @ Jul 21st 2008 10:59PM]

The boot up time is what is keeping me from grabbing one of these. I like the idea of it but I wish they had Zune connectivity. Yes I am the other guy with a Zune and I have an HTC Touch and I actually like Vista.

But I digress, 3-5 min. boot time is way too long.

[Eric @ Jul 21st 2008 11:42PM]

They are right about the F500BT not requiring an update. I mean, what would people update, a non-released unit that they don't have yet?

The other ones are out, why is the F500BT not out yet?

[Mark @ Sep 11th 2008 1:16PM]

I've been wondering the same thing... where's the 500BT?

[Tyler @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:30AM]

It still sucks. I upgraded my F900BT and there are plenty of things they missed. Can you say "Class Action Lawsuit!?"

[Ian @ Jul 22nd 2008 12:42AM]

LOL@pioneer: "**If music files stored on an external storage device (USB or SD) are played when the system is in Route Guidance Mode, the volume of the navigation guidance voice will be the same as the volume of the music files being played, even if a different “Master” volume or “Voice” volume or “Dynamic” volume has been selected in the “Sound Settings” menu."

Jesus. They really just pinched this one out didn't they? I noticed on a demo unit that the BT and "conversational" voice stuff didn't even work until you navigated to the music or phone app. The new voice tech doesn't work with nav either. This just reeks of a half-assed release.

[Bob @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:26AM]

3-5 min boot-time? I don't know where you guys got your unit, but mine is faster then that! about 1 min boot time. still long, but hey what do you expect from windows

[Bob @ Jul 22nd 2008 4:43AM]

@ tyler .. what did they not fix?

[josh @ Jul 23rd 2008 2:37AM]

Ya 3-5 minute boot up time thats bs you guys dont even own the unit. it works with about one minute and thirty seconds fully up to speed. about a minute for it to work half assed. one of major issues ive had is when im playing music off an sd card and i have nav working the music cuts in and out. i guess like vista it needs 80gb of ram for it to work properly.

[Stevey G @ Aug 29th 2008 1:35PM]

Hi,

Could someone please help me. Very disappointed with this unit, as the US Model has VOICE Recognition, unlike the UK model. Why is this ? This is a huge selling point, and there seems to be rather allot of confusion by the media and UK websites as allot of sites are reporting this with voice recognition. Is it purely a case of obtaining the US firmware and uploading to this unit?

Many thanks.

Steve Garlinge.

[Ben Grice @ Sep 2nd 2008 5:11PM]

I totally Stevey G, i had a lenghty and heated convo with pioneer saying that the voice box voice regognition was not working and after about 10 mins they finally got round to telling me that this was only on US models ! !

I think thats discusting, the model should be advertised as a different model F900BT-US or summat because without the model name being different how are you ment to know that it will have different functionality.

You buy the system, spend money to get it installed, and only then find out no voice recognition ! !

I was thinking the same about the US firmware upgrade but my worries are:

the uk maps wont be on (only uk)
the DVD not working (the whole regional thing, PAL etc)
the speed cameras not loading that you get free for a year because of them being for uk

there are probly others . . .

i would like to know if i could do this though because that the only thing that this system lacks, appart from that its spot on.

i can even live woth the long boot time, that because great system, loads a functionality its brand new, Pioneer (great make) and its only ~£800, i mean i a long boot time is the only thing thats going to be wrong then im extreeeeemly happy.

i just wish i could get voice control !

Cheers Ben