Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Pioneer AVIC-N1 - Pros and Cons

Hi, I recently had a audio shop install a Pioneer AVIC-N1, GPS system with a 6.5" motorized touch-screen. I really do love it, I also have the voice recognition installed, neatly. My question is simply does anyone else have this unit? I continuously get fed up with it because it will give me crazy directions when it has all the roads. Some times it wants me to do stupid things. Like if i am just going straight, it will say take 4 rights, then get back onto the same damn road, last time i checked 4 rights is a circle! And its all neatly presented on its beautiful screen.

And any reocommendations about speaker selection? Not alot of bass but I also want to compliment the system with qualitiy speakers.

CONS: It will take me to the freeway, even when I tell it not to, and the "fastest" route, is not the most direct or, fast. If you are going to ask me to read the damn manual, I have, cover to cover many, many times. I even carry it around with me now, because it sucks, it is terribly vague. I have contacted Pioneer directly on at least 3 occations because I was clueles about how to use simple commands. It also has 1.0 v. software, wich aparently will be updadted sometime, somehow, after it was registerd.

But for those who are wondering what the system is like in the contour svt, its LOUD, and CLEAR, never thought I would say it, but those junk speakers sound really good, even with some bass. Aparently the man at the audio store told me it's very likely I will be back to buy brand new speakers after I blow the stock ones. The system is pumping out 50W x 4, dont ask me what the origonal ones are capable of. I love it, fits great.

List price - 2200 -no instalation or options
I bought it brand new off ebay, with the optional voice recognition, had it all professionally installed for about 1900 for everything, just for those who would like to get one.

wow my buddy's N1 doesn't do that. lol no clue sound fishy
Bring it back and tell them to fix it.

and you paid way to much. i can get the Eclispe duoble din unit for less than that..

i wasnt compairing the system to anything else, i was saying i got a $400 professional instalation, with a 120 mic, for less then what it woudl cost ANYWHERE, i got a super deal, the audio store was selling, at the best list price of 1799, on sale. any best buy type of store is a minimum 1999 (all those type of stores install for about 250), i got everyitnng installed with options for less then list price, saved like 600 off list, thought it was good. i do love it, it just has bugs. i dont think i can bring it back to anyone to fix, thought mayne get the updated dvd or something, peace

.....plus a little back plate (20 bucks) had to put the antenna inside, i didn;t want it on the roof, now its on the dash. no they were not idiots, all and eds did a sick job i thought. it was 325, not 400 my bad (may have been more since they were upset i bought NOTHING from them, mind you that was plus installation with the mic. either way its gaurenteed for 3 years from them, or something, so any probs i go back there for nothing, i thought it was worth it.

I forgot about one thing, with this head unit, the antenna for the radio is always up, i was looking for a "rubber ducky" style, figuring i would bend the retractable one sooner or later, only to have all and ed's tell me that it will have poor reception. I found a perfect one that sits on M3 convertables, why is it on there and gets poor reception? ANY HELP?

the fact that your antenna stays up has nothing to do with how the radio normally operates. It should go up and down like normal. Either the turn on wire was hooked up incorrectly or your antenna motor may be fubr.
The reason you likely paid so much for installation was the fact that you didnt buy from them. most shops will add a pretty hefty "bench testing" fee if you bring your own stuff for them to install.
What install shop did you go to and where?

i went to al and eds on van nuys blvd. the service was superb, and they are very professional.

as for the retracting antenna, when i switch the ignition on, it will go up, even if the HU is off. while its running its always up even if i am not listening to the radio. al & ed's say thats what its supposed to do, and i would loose reception with a rubber ducky. further more, they cant figure out why i would want it in the first place.

I can get AVIc's for 1500 brand new bottom LIne you got RIPPED off in install and cost of Unit!