I don't mean to say that the Pioneer is NOT a good HU, I apologize if you felt that I was saying your HU was no good. It's not like a Jensen or an Audiovox or a Dual or an Audiobahn or anything.

I do find some things that aren't up to snuff with it, Sirius interface being the main one, and sonic quality being another. I think that Pioneer should have given it 4V, for example.

I find that a lot of D1 buyers are more bling-oriented than SQ oriented, but for the few that are SQ oriented, I'd look at the Eclipse for that. If you want better SQ out of a D1, I'd defintely buy a line driver for it (PG SLD44?)

 

I'll take a Xenarc true VGA display any day el_duderino you should look at the carPC space if you don't already, your shop seems classy enough to venture in this area.

 

Well, thanks for the compliment...

I spent a couple of years of my life working for manufacturers on aspects of the Microsoft/Clarion AutoPC project, which sort of scarred me for life on the category. I'm not clear on my business case in that space would be... but maybe the dash bezel fab wouldn't be a bad place to go.

Yeah, the biggest issues with screen quality are the touchscreen layers. Touchscreens rarely look as good as non touchscreens.

 

Im wondering the same thing myself.

 

As for the N2 fans, you could always wait for the Eclipse AVN7000. Which of course live up to all of Eclipse higher quality standards as well as having all the typicals..CD/DVD/MP3 as well as an onboard 20G HD & Memory Stick Duo. This would of course not be a double as I stated comparing to the N2s, but is a flipout with detachable panel with front display while the unit is closed.

 

Is the Sirius interface that much better on the Eclipse AVN?

 

Yes.

The Sirius interface on the Pioneer looks like it was done in DOS. If you call Pioneer and ask them why they tell you that it's a third-party device added at the last minute...

 

The pictures of the XM graphics enhanced unit look sweet! Too bad the same didn't carry over for Sirius.

What's a fair price I could expect to pay for the Eclipse AVN5435? I'm being quoted about 1300 for the Pioneer.

 

I like the Eclipse, but my budget liked the Pioneer AVIC-D1, and I thought the GPS was nicer as well. I installed everything myself, PAC SWI-PS, AVIC-D1, Ipod interface. I'm happy!

 

Do you have to remove the Nav DVD to play DVD video? I"m assuming yes since the two drives are simply labeled, "CD" and "DVD".

 

No the DVD slot in the AVIC-D1 doesn't play normal DVDs, just GPS. You need an external DVD player of some sort: PS2 for instance.

 

Sorry, I should have clarified. My question was for the Eclipse. And I have figured out that yes, you do have to remove the nav dvd to play dvd movies.

Unfortunately, neither of these units are perfect. I guess one needs to figure out which aspect is most important and use that to make the decision. Here's the way I see it, at least for what MY wants are. I have had zero hands on experience, so please correct me if I'm mistaken. And this is comparing the Eclipse AVN 5435 and the Pioneer D1.

Navigation quality/interface/coverage: push
Sound quality: Eclipse (better pre-outs and D/A)
DVD playback: Eclipse (external source needed for D1, but AVN more $$)
Ipod interface: even with adapter for D1, still a wash (according to E.D.)
Sirius interface: Eclipse
XM interface: Pioneer
Steering wheel controls: Pioneer (PAC makes a plug-in unit, Beta eclipse unit?,)
Warranty: Eclipse (also has ESN)
Cost: Pioneer (~1300 for D1 vs. 1700+ for Eclipse, but it has DVD)

I think if you added an external DVD source plus a pre-out booster, you could overcome some of the Pioneer's drawbacks. But then the costs would be about the same.

I don't like the fact in the AVN if you are watching a DVD, then you can't use the Nav. So for long trips if you have a DVD playing, on a second monitor in the rear of course, you can't use the Nav. Or at least this is what I'm understanding. Maybe with the D1 and an external DVD source, this is possible. So maybe the included DVD player in the AVN isn't necessarily an advantage?? Since it shares the same drive as the Nav DVD.

Thoughts, comments?

 

Some Eclipses have a steering wheel interface unit built in - I wil check if the 35 does. (You download the firmware from their web site for your car).

Don't watch video while driving, it's illegal, dangerous and dumb. That's my comment : )

 

Navigation quality/interface/coverage: Pioneer all the way. The POI, ease of use, XM Traffic, etc. I like it much better.

Sound quality: Eclipse (better pre-outs and D/A)

DVD playback: Eclipse, but need to take out NAV DVD to do it. If you want both NAV running and DVD running at same time, then both need external DVD. I personally don't want to hassle with pulling out a DVD, so I'm adding external to mine in the form of PS2.

Ipod interface: Pioneer. Has interface, though it could be better, but it is still good. You can control your Ipod from your steering wheel using this.

Satellite radio: Wash

Steering wheel controls: Pioneer - PAC SWI-PS

Warranty: Wash

Cost: Pioneer (~1100 for D1 vs. 1900 for Eclipse) Add external slimline PS2 in the glove for $150, and you are at $1250 with GPS/DVD/PS2 games!

Go whichever way you like. If you are a major audiophile, you would want the Eclipse, but hey, then you wouldn't be wanting MP3 either would you? LOL!

 

WIth Sirius, the Pioneer stinks. With XM I'd say it's a wash.

Per Crutchfield's site, the 5435 has steering wheel inputs in the box. No purchase of an external box needed - download the sw for your car. Advantage - Eclipse (IF Nissan is supported- will check tomorrow).

And Eclipse has a longer product warranty AND an antitheft replacement warranty.

Other than that, I got nothin.