Pioneer’s AVIC-U310BT is the most affordable in-dash GPS navigator from Pioneer. However, it still has and impressive array of features for a GPS navigation and entertainment system. Notably the U310BT offers Bluetooth and Apple iPod and iPhone control. The touch screen display is a large 4.3 inches (WQVGA). The U310BT can be fully integrated into a large number of vehicles with a 2-DIN dash opening.

The U310BT comes with text-to-speech technology so turn-by-turn navigation directions include spoken street names for the increased safety offered with drivers not needing to take their attention from the road ahead as often.

The Tele Atlas map database covers the entire United States, Alaska, Hawaii and Canada and includes more than 500,000 points of interest (POIs) in 147 categories. Users who find the POI database too limited can purchase up to 12 million as an add-on package. Pioneer also has its AVIC-FEEDS PC application for users to create and store personal additional points of interests onto an SD memory card for uploading to the navigation unit.

The U310BT has three map view modes including 3D map mode, 2D North Up and a new 2D Heading Up map mode. Pioneers new Highway Sign Board View is also included. When approaching a major junction simulated highway signs appear on the navigation display as a quick visual aid. It assists the driver to select the correct lane for a smooth passage through major interchanges and exits.

Catering for eco-friendly and budget conscious consumers, the U310BT features Drive Report which provides the fuel cost for trip routes, estimates of the vehicle’s CO2 emissions and, with the help of the AVIC-FEEDS software, logs and archives the data to generate various reports. Users can also transfer driving data such as abrupt stops and accelerations to AVIC-FEEDS for an analysis of driving habits and suggestions to improve fuel efficiency.

Multimedia Playback

Utilizing the 4.3 inch touch panel display users can access a wide variety of multimedia sources including playback of iTunes, AAC, MP3, WMA, WAVE, DivX and MPEG4 files from CD, DVD (X910BT only), USB devices or SD memory cards. The system boasts Pioneer’s Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR), a patented technology which restores musical detail lost during the encoding process to create fuller and richer audio from digitally compressed music.

Connectivity

Compatible iPod music players, portable media players and USB memory devices can be connected using the USB interface. Data including software updates, POI updates, audio and video files can be uploaded using the front panel mounted SD memory card. A/V input can also be through a mini-jack A/V input.

Pioneer’s UB310BT is equipped with Pioneer’s Supertuner IIID AM/FM tuner, two RCA pre-outs, a built-in 50 Watts X 4 high power amplifier, and is ready to connect to various optional tuners including XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio and HD Digital Radio.

The Pioneer AVIC-U310BT has suggested retail price of $599.