Pioneer AVIC-S1 Portable GPS Navigation System Review

The Pioneer AVIC-S1 GPS personal navigation system offers a combination of GPS turn-by-turn navigation along with an MP3 player. Although designed to be portable, the AVIC-S1 does come with a suction mounting accessory if you wish to use it in your car. It also has a 12V adaptor for in-car charging.

The Pioneer AVIC-S1′s GPS functionality is provided by a SiRF Star III chipset. The SiRF Star III family has proved a watershed innovation GPS chip architecture by offering impressive performance improvements to the GPS receiver manufacturing industry. They have been adopted by major GPS manufacturers including Garmin, TomTom and Magellan. The SiRF Star III offers faster fix times, higher signal locking, higher tracking sensitivity and lower power requirements. The lower power requirements and consequent reduced battery demands have contributed to Pioneers efforts to make the AVIC-S1 stylishly thin.

Operation

The AVIC- S1 has a full color, 3.5 inch TFT screen with a 320 x 240 pixel resolution. The screen is anti-glare for easy reading. The screen is actually a touch screen and can be used to navigate menus (or touch information icons), plot routes, or change map views. There is also a scroll wheel which allows voice guidance sound level adjustment and quick scrolling through menu icons. Map and Menu buttons provide easy access to two commonly used features. Current location information, turn distances and approximate time to destination are displayed.

Navigation

Routing directions are provided both visually on the display and by voice guidance through the built-in speaker. Spoken directions can be in English, Spanish or French.
The AVIC-S1 has 2GB of Flash Memory which are preloaded with map data 48 continental USA states and Canada. Pioneer will supply map data updates by SD card.
Destination searches can be carried out numerous methods including; address, zip code and stored destination history. Point of Interest (POI) searches has destinations sorted into categories for short-cut searches.

Handsfree – Bluetooth Wireless Technology

Bluetooth wireless technology enabled cellular phones can be combined with the AVIC- D3, which has built-in Bluetooth capability, for safer hands-free phone operation if the unit is being used for in-car navigation. 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.

Included Accessories

AC Power Adapter
12V Power Adapter
Carrying Case
USB Cable
Suction Mount
Dash Mounting Plate
Quick Start Guide
AVIC-S1 User’s DVD

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Pioneer AVIC-S1 GPS Navigator

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Specifications

Display Section
Display Technology	Full Color TFT Screen
Screen Size	3.5″ (Low Reflection)
Pixels	320 x 240
Touch Panel Operation	yes
AG (Anti-Glare) Screen Coating	yes
Day/Night Display	yes
Brightness Control	8 Levels
GPS Receiver	SiRF Star III
Navigation Section
Map Type	2GB Flash Memory Map
Coverage	Preloaded U.S. (48 continental states) and Canada
Map Perspective	2D and 3D
Map Source	NAVTEQ
Points of Interest (POI)	1.5 Million
Supported Languages	US English, French, Spanish, Czech, Danish, UK English, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Finnish, Swedish, Flemish, Turkish
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Capability	Built-In
Hands-Free Calling	yes
Microphone	Built-In
Phone Book Transfer	yes (service restrictions may vary)
List Display	yes
General
Device Color	Black
SD Memory Card Expansion Slot	yes
Speaker	Built-In
Accessories Included	AC Adapter 12V Car Power Adaptor Stylus Suction Mount Dash Mounting Plate Carrying Case USB Cable
USB Interface	yes
Weight	180 Grams ( 6.35 ounces)
Battery	Built-In Lithium Ion Battery
Usage Time	Up to 4 Hours Operation
Dimensions	4.1″ x 3.5″ x 0.7″
Warranty	1 Year Parts and Labor