The AVIC-Z1 is a classic example of the current trend of convergence in consumer electronic devices. Pioneer market it as an automotive GPS navigation system however, it is a generously featured, all-round entertainment system product as well. The system is double-DIN sized for car dashboard installation and has a motorized front panel display.

Some of the highlight features of this well equipped system are;

• An 8 channel GPS receiver
• Advanced voice and visual navigation guidance - users can “talk” to the system
• Large, 7-inch, high resolution LCD touchscreen display with wide viewing angle
• Audio/video DVD/CD player
• Generous 30GB built-in hard drive for map and audio storage
• AM/FM radio
• Learning capable navigation routing algorithms
• Safe, hands-free phone operation utilizing Bluetooth
• Gracenote CDDB Music Recognition Service

The Pioneer AVIC Series

The Pioneer AVIC-Z1 has a number of lower specification siblings in its AVIC family including the AVIC-N3, AVIC-D2 and AVIC-D3 to match a range of needs and budgets. Some of the major differences between the models are as follows;

AVIC-D3 is another further step down this track building on the success of its sibling the AVIC-D2 and will be available in stores this spring.

Pioneer market it as an automotive GPS navigation system however, it is a generously featured, all-round entertainment system product as well. The system is double-DIN sized for car dashboard installation and has a motorized front panel display. A couple of interesting additions over the Pioneer AVIC-D3 features are the AUX input on front for both Audio and Video and multicolor illumination allowing color matching with your vehicle’s dashboard.

Some of the highlight features of this well equipped system are;

• An 8 channel GPS receiver
• Voice and visual navigation guidance - recorded voice not text-to-speech
• Large, 6.1-inch, high resolution LCD touchscreen display with wide viewing angle
• Audio/video DVD/CD player
• AM/FM radio
• Safe, hands-free phone operation utilizing Bluetooth

The Pioneer AVIC Series

The Pioneer AVIC- D3 has three siblings in its AVIC family including the AVIC-Z1, AVIC-N3 and AVIC-D2 to match a range of needs and budgets.

Some of the major differences between the models are as follows;

• the AVIC-Z1 has a larger 7 inch screen compared to 6.5 inch for the rest.
• HDD version has 20GB for map storage compared to the other models which use DVDs.
• The AVIC-Z1 and AVIC-N3 have five selectable viewing modes
• Routing Learning capability and the Smart Routing Algorithm are exclusive to the AVIC-Z1
• The AVIC-D2 doesn’t have DVD video playback capability
• Only the AVIC-Z1 has text-to-speech capability with the others using a recorded voice
• Advanced Voice Recognition control is included and can be purchased for the AVIC-N3
• The AVIC-D2 and AVIC-D3 are the only models capable of playback of WMA music files.
• The AVIC-D3 has the greatest media file type compatibility including MP3, WMA, iTunes AAC, and DivX file playback on either CD or DVD
• Only the AVIC-Z1 and AVIC-D3 have the 3D Highway Exit Zoom
• vBluetooth capability is available only in the AVIC-Z1 and AVIC-D3 (optional)
• Detailed city maps are not available with the AVIC-D3.

The AVIC-Z1 is the pick of the models if you have the budget to match. The convenience added by having a hard disc drive (HDD) is substantial - no loading the navigation data DVD discs when required and a music library rather than juggling CDs. Having a twin drives (CD, DVD) , allows the AVIC-D2’s navigation map data disc to remain loaded at all times saving repeatedly ejecting it if you are playing music CDs.

Touch Panel Operation

The AVIC-Z1 can be operated using the touch screen to navigate menus, reveal information behind navigation icons, plot routes, or change map views. Current location information, turn distances and approximate time to destination are displayed.

Navigation

The 30GB hard drive stores the entire Tele Atlas mapping database, which is significant, covering US, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii and containing nearly 11 million points of interest (POI) sorted into more than 341 categories. Detailed city maps are available for 23 cities and show features such as road islands, parks, baseball fields, city blocks. In 50 markets the AVIC-Z1 has information to supply traveling lane recommendations - very useful for making the correct exits in congested conditions.

One fascinating innovation is the placement of Brand Icons on the navigation maps. Is this a possible future source of revenue for Pioneer much like contextual advertising is for Google? It may also be another avenue to apply smart algorithms so that only your favorite brands are represented.

Learning Capability

The AVIC-Z1 has a learning navigation algorithm which notes frequently used route and will incorporate them into routes suggested. Obviously you wouldn’t need to listen to driving instructions while traveling your favorite shortcuts but, it saves annoyance when suggested routes include less attractive alternatives.

Smart Routing Algorithm

The smart routing algorithm takes into account current road data (such as posted speed limits, number of turns to the destination) as well as simple distances when determining the most efficient route suggestion.

Advanced Voice Recognition

Pioneer have put some work into providing the AVIC-Z1 with an advanced voice recognition system. Address searching can be accessed by stating the city name, street name, and post box number. Flexibility has been provided by allowing numerous name place variations to be used. Voice commands have been designed to be more user friendly with a larger vocabulary database allowing numerous alternative words to be used for the same command. Commands can also be strung together in a single sentence ie. you can “talk” to the AVIC-Z1. It will be interesting to see how far this sort of flexibility will extend over the following years.

Advanced Speech Guidance

The AVIC-Z1 has a Text-to-Speech (TTS) engine which leverages off a Tele Atlas phoneme database to enable easier to understand word pronunciation.

Bluetooth Wireless Technology

Bluetooth wireless technology enabled cellular phones can be combined with the AVIC-Z1 for safer hands-free phone operation. The optional ND-BT1, a headunit with microphone and the vehicle’s speaker system put you in control. As with other systems, any other audio is automatically muted during phone calls. A handy convenience is being able to access phone numbers associated with the POI making it simple to call ahead.

Entertainment

Audio Entertainment System

The integrated DVD/CD player allows audio or MP3 files to be played. It can play DVD video and DVD-R/RW discs. The AM/FM radio has a Supertuner IIID tuner. DVD video can be played if an optional rear seat display is added. The system has a MOSFET amplifier provids 50 watts (peak) over four channels.

HDD Music Library with Voice Command

A huge 10GB of the 30GB HDD can be used by the AVIC-Z1 for a music storage. The system allows you to listen to music while at the same time ripping and storing at 4 times playing speed. Gracenote CDDB Music Recognition Service is included and updatable and capable of automatically labeling ripped music with the artists name, song title, genre, and album title. Music library contents can then be accessed by voice command using for example, an artists name or song title.

Of note is the default autorecord mode which automatically starts ripping audio files from music CDs as soon as they are inserted.

iPod Adapter Ready with Enhanced Touch-Panel Interface

Pioneer’s iPod adapter (CD-IB100II or CD-IB100) permits direct control and playback of iPod through the touch-panel. The AVIC-Z1 can be connected with an iPod via this dedicated adapter, and using the touch panel, you can play iPod-recorded songs, scroll through the music library on their iPod, or select from several functions like Shuffle playback.

Extending the AVIC-Z1’s Capabilities

An attraction of the AVIC-Z1 navigation and entertainment system is the ability to add attachments including XM and Sirius Satellite Radio, iPod adapter, CD changer and TV tuners for rear seat entertainment.

Rear Seat Video

RCA connectors are included for hooking up a rear seat video display when playing DVD videos.

Extra Speakers

The AVIC-Z1 comes standard with four speakers however, the system has separate RCA connectors for two more pairs of speakers and a subwoofer, all of which require separate amplifiers.

Rear View Camera Capability

By adding an optional rear view camera (ND-BC1) you can see what is behind you when you are reversing and when traveling forwards (using a split screen display).

XM NavTraffic Ready

Avoiding traffic congestion and road works is possible if you add the GEX-P10XMT XM NavTraffic Satellite Radio Tuner, XM NavTraffic powered by NAVTEQ Traffic which covers some 22 major metropolitan markets. The Navigation System will automatically alert you, and suggest any alternate route if there are any traffic problems on your intended route. The coloring of roads to indicate different speed ranges is an excellent visual cue. XM radio and XM NavTraffic service subscriptions are required.

XM Satellite Radio

The addition of the GEX-P10XMT also allows subscription to XM Satellite Radio’s more than 130 digital radio channels of commercial-free music and premier sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming.

Roadside Assistance Display

The AVIC-Z1 can make obtaining roadside assistance easier by displaying emergency phone numbers and your current location - by street name, city, and state, plus longitude and latitude. Any other relevant personal information entered, including vehicle identification number, insurance number, and insurance company phone number are also displayed. As a bonus, one years Emergency Roadside Assistance Service is offered free of charge through Nationwide Autoclub.

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

Pioneer AVIC-Z1 - Navigation system with DVD player, LCD monitor and radio

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